HRCHEK KAL FAS Cantina SaurinThe Legacy Collection Basic Figures
Item No.: Asst. 87535 No. 91422
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: #BD33
Includes: Blaster, cup, droid piece
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $7.99
Availability: October 2009
Appearances: Star Wars
Bio: Hrchek Kal Fas is a Saurin droid trader who frequents Chalmun's cantina when he’s on Tatooine. He saw a report about two "lost" droids and tried to follow C-3PO when the protocol droid left the cantina, but lost him in the busy streets. (Taken from the figure's cardback.)
Image: Adam Pawlus' yard.
Commentary: Generally assumed to be a Bossk of a different color, Hrechek Kal Fas is one of many background aliens from the most famous space bar scene of all time-- and it's worth noting it's not a particularly accurate figure, not that most fans will notice. The feet are supposedly booted in the movie, the hands have the wrong number of fingers, and the movie mask's eyes were all black As such, while this is a nice figure in its own right, it's wrong in quite a few places. I'm not sure if I should get my feathers ruffled over this or not, on one hand it's nice to have the figure but it seems odd for Hasbro to miss this many details on a costume this old. Like most figures these days, this one has 14 points of articulation and there are lots of ball-joints-- take a look at the neck, elbows, ankles, and knees. Hasbro made this figure capable of doing virtually anything, when all it really needs to do is sit, stand, and hold a drink. I appreciate these extra details, but they come at a cost-- specifically, they're making these figures more expensive, which is a bit of a downer. I think I could handle slightly less articulation if it meant a lower price or improved deco, but that's me. (I know many of you disagree.)
Anyway, the detail is solid, the sculpt is good, it's just not particularly authentic. It's hard to fault a fairly well-made figure, but there, I did it. It's a top-notch effort that just missed perfection. It's a real downer we'll probably never see another redo on this one, but hey, at least we got one right? File this one under "good enough." If you're no stickler for detail, it's one of Hasbro's better Cantina figures.
Collector's Notes: Hasbro stated in an online Q&A that they planned a running change with all-black eyes. One is not currently scheduled to be produced, so don't go hunting for it just yet. Just get the one release-- which did appear in some buy-one-get-one packs in late 2009 and early 2010-- and be happy with it.
--Adam Pawlus
Day 1,210: February 2, 2010
"Just get the one release...and be happy with it." and paint the eyes black!
ReplyDeleteI seem to remember that back in '79, we had a Greedo, Hammerhead, Walrus Man and Snaggletooth who were a waaaaaaaaaaayyy off on a few details too. I remember being pretty happy with them at the time :-)
ReplyDeleteI think the Kel Fas I bought has black eyes with a white dot in the pupil. I'll have to check later.
ReplyDeleteI know the boots are more accurate, but I like the lizard feet anyway.
Yes, I've always been amused at the number of SW aliens (OT especially) that have crazy alien hands but apparently human feet that can fit into regular boots. (Admiral Ackbar, I'm looking at you!)
ReplyDeleteSince we didn't see Hrchek Kal Fas's feet in the film, then I think we should give Hasbro a break and just drop the matter altogether.
ReplyDeleteThe thing that seems contrived about his feet is how Bossk-like they are, even the pant cuffs. Yet, they know Saurians and Trandoshans aren't the same, as evidence by the character info. So why did they try so hard to make visual connection with the two with both the feet and the eyes?
ReplyDeleteStill, he was one of the better 2009 releases.
"I think we should give Hasbro a break and just drop the matter altogether."
ReplyDeleteNo! I say hold their feet to the fire!
Heh.