Thursday, April 12, 2007

Figure of the Day: Day 341: Obi-Wan Kenobi (Acklay Battle)

OBI-WAN KENOBI Acklay Battle
Saga Collection 1
Item No.:
Asst. 84851 No. 84870
Number: 0301
Includes: Pillar, lightsaber, spear, binders
Action Feature: Spear-stabbing action, hand magnet
Retail: $4.99
Availability: January 2003
Appearances: Attack of the Clones

Bio: Free of the binders that bound him to a column in the Geonosian arena, Obi-Wan Kenobi defends himself against the ferocious beasts that have been let loose in the arena to attack him, Anakin and Padmé for the entertainment of the crowd. (Taken from the figure's cardback.)

Image: Adam Pawlus' Geonosis shelf.

Commentary: Nothing is more depressing than when Hasbro revisits a figure, and it makes you think of how much better the previous versions were. While Obi-Wan Kenobi does bring some new elements to the table, he's really no better than the figures sold in 2002. The head looks worse. The pose is awkward. The figure can't really sit or ever be used outside a display/action play environment. It's like a statue, but not-- it has a really rotten action attack that doesn't quite work. The spear is fragile because part of it is metal, and there's a really thin plastic peg keeping it together that, if mistreated, will snap. The handcuffs are worthless because his hands are so far apart-- why include them at all? Ditto with the pillar-- it's a nice value-add, but what am I supposed to do with it? I appreciate the scenery, but added articulation or better head deco would have made this figure a lot more fun. Or, rather, any fun.

Collector's Notes: If you have at least one Obi-Wan Kenobi figure, you don't need this one-- it doesn't bring anything worthwhile to the table that you can't get elsewhere, unless you've got a serious need for arena-specific action figures. In which case, buy two.


Day 341: April 12, 2007

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