Figure of the Day: Day 389: R2-D2

R2-D2 Droid Factory Flight
Saga Collection 1
Item No.: Asst. 84851 No. 84922
Number: 0309
Includes: Two lightsabers, removable arm
Action Feature: Pop-out rockets, moving magnetic tools
Retail: $4.99
Availability: February 2003
Appearances: Attack of the Clones

Bio: Accompanying Padme on a rescue mission to the planet Geonosis, R2-D2 is chased into the huge battle droid factory, where he uses his jet-flight function in an attempt to escape his pursuers. (Taken from the figure's cardback.)

Image: Adam Pawlus' toy room.

Commentary: This figure can: move his dome and feet. This figure cannot: do much else. As a figure developed around several action gimmicks, this R2-D2 works as a toy on some levels and fails on others. For example, the stiff droid has hooks on his back to wrap around the "cable" that holds his various magnetic tools to his person. Because of this R2-D2 can't fit in any "droid socket" in a vehicle. There is a retractable leg, which causes the rockets to pop out-- a nice feature, sure, but it's a little awkward. Oh, and just looking at this droid, you can tell something is up because it looks like it was colored by a bootleg toy maker and not some pro toy colorist. There's really no reason for it to look so... plasticy? Toy-ish? I know action figures aren't meant to be art pieces, but the vintage R2-D2 from 1978 looked a little more like the movie than this one in many respects. If you collect based on how a figure looks, there's really no reason to get this one. While it used to be cool as a "rocket arm" R2-D2, we've since gotten two better versions-- so the only thing this one has going for it is that it has a magnetic tool to "drag" C-3PO's head, if you happen to have one of the C-3PO Deluxe figures with that feature. Otherwise, there really isn't much to like here.

Collector's Notes: You should have no problem getting this figure cheap. Also, after I wrote this article, I found out Hasbro is going to reissue it this Fall as part of the "Capture at the Droid Factory" Battle Pack. From the image, it looks like there will be minimal (actually, no) changes.

Day 389: May 30, 2007