Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 2,564: Rio Durant (Solo: A Star Wars Story line look)

RIO DURANT Debut
The Force Awakens The Black Series 6-Inch Figure
Item No.: Asst. B3834 No. E2793
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: #77
Includes: Goggles, rifle, holstered blaster
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $19.99
Availability: October 2018
Appearances: Solo: A Star Wars Story

Bio: Rio Durant has carried out dangerous operations alongside the scoundrel Tobias Beckett for years.  The good-natured Ardennian pilot is up for any challenge, not unlike his young counterpart Han Solo. (Taken from the figure's packaging.)

Image: Adam's photo lab.

Availability: Click here to buy it at Entertainment Earth now!

Click here to buy it at Amazon now!

Commentary: I got a kick out of Rio Durant in Solo.  It's the sort of thing we should be getting more of - weird, colorful aliens with amusing celebrity voices.   He answered the question "What if Rocket Raccoon were nicer, had four arms, and also dead?"   In terms of the movie he wasn't nearly as funny, but the toy offered a lot more for basically the same price.  Having to jam in a lot more parts and pieces costs money, so even though this figure is a smidgen smaller it probably cost Hasbro just as much (or more) to make than a regular-sized figure.

It's OK.  A figure at this size and price point has higher expectations.  Hasbro's $6-$8 6-inch cheap figures are pretty good no matter what - you get a few joints and some paint, and they're exciting.  At $20 or more, you want something really good.  Rio has nearly 4 points of articulation - that's good! But they're a little bulky, and with a smaller figure having four shoulders jammed into the back means you get a slight feeling of bulk back there. The ankles are impressive, as they not only rock but swivel just below the pant leg and also have that front-and-back motion everybody loves.    He even has removable goggles - they can't easily cover his eyes, but it's something.  I'd almost rather they be glued down, just so they don't fall off so easily, but that's me.  Your mileage may vary.

He has a big rifle that fits in his hands nicely, and a smaller pistol crammed in his white holster that's kind of a pain to get out. At first I didn't think it was going to come out, but you can move it around and carefully slide it out at some weird angle that's the kind of bad design we don't normally get from Hasbro. It's particularly surprising given just how well the holster itself is designed - Hasbro nailed it.  There's a strap around his thigh that' actually part of the leg, and the pouch for the blaster is a separate, rubbery piece with a peg that fits in his thigh - allowing you maximum movement range with minimal bunching and hindering of hip movement.  How did Hasbro simultaneously get it right and wrong so well in two opposing directions?

The figure is pretty good - there's not a lot of stunning texture here, but it's a space monkey with four arms and the kind of blue space suit you thought you might get as a toy from Rogue One, but Hasbro let you down.  I like the orange bandolier and the retro computer stuff, and the weathering on the belt is no slouch either.  Hasbro tried a lot of stuff here, and overall they did a good job with a weird design.  I'd like to see what they can do when they figure out a more clever way to cram in those shoulder joints, though.  Recommended if you can find it - especially at (or slightly above) retail price.  Yes, it's that interesting.  It's not necessarily fun, but I wouldn't give mine up.

Collector's Notes: I got mine from Entertainment Earth. 

--Adam Pawlus

Day 2,564: February 28, 2019

Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 2,549: Rio Durant (Solo: A Star Wars Story line look)

RIO DURANT Inka Dinka Doo, a Dinka Dee
Solo: A Star Wars Story Force Link 2.0 Basic Figures
Item No.: Asst. E0323  No. E1192
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: n/a
Includes: Blaster
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $7.99
Availability: September 2018
Appearances: Solo: A Star Wars Story

Bio: Rio Durant was a four-armed Ardennian pilot who lived during the reign of the Galactic Empire. Durant carried out dangerous missions alongside the scoundrel Tobias Beckett for years and was good-natured and up for any challenge.  (Stolen from Wookieepedia.  Packaging has no bio.)

Image: Adam's photo lab.

Availability: Click here to buy it at Entertainment Earth now!

Click here to buy it at Amazon now!

Commentary:  As time goes on, I increasingly feel that the fourth (and possibly final) wave of Solo: A Star Wars Story action figures is a minor miracle.  Ticking off most of the movie's major faces, we get Han's first crewmates like Rio Durant.  He appeared in Funko's line early on, which is becoming the de facto line of record for collectors as no one line in particular seems inclined to be the definitive scale.  The 3 3/4-inch line is and always will be my favorite, and with just a little work it could be complete.  (Hasbro's new Star Wars team lead: call me. I can help. Or better yet, you can make me the team lead.  I have been experienced. I have. I have. Let me prove it to you.)

This is the kind of thing dorks like me dream of - blue-suited four-armed space monkey, voiced by Jon Favreau, in the era of the early Empire.  It's like something out of a Droids cartoon fever dream, and it's real. It's totally real, and it's on my desk as I write this.  This is the kind of thing I hoped we'd see more of in the prequels.  And then in the Clone Wars and Rebels series.  And then the new movies.  It didn't happen - stuff was largely coloring in the lines with a lot of similar droid types (who didn't get toys), nifty new flight suits (that also didn't get toys), and that one girl that totally looks a bit like like Olivia Neutron-John.  Trust me, that reference was on point and relevant.

The short figure stands about 2 3/4-inches tall, so he'll see eye to eye with things like Prime Masters, Pheyden, and Imaginext toys.  He has four arms jointed at the shoulders and wrists - that's eight points of articulation right there - plus a jointed neck and hips.  11 joints help make up for the fact that it's not a big guy, and his only accessory is a small blaster that slides in his holster.

I love the creature's flight suit.  Little coiled areas, multiple colors, bands, ape feet, the vest, everything just screams retro Star Wars minus the fact it isn't totally filthy. I love the goggles and the dynamic pose, as the wide toes seem to help the little guy keep upright. I appreciate stability somewhere in my life, even if it's just on a space monkey on my desk.  The eyes are smidgen off-center on my sample, but that's life.  I still love it.  The arms move nicely and I really wish I had some more ships for him to steal.

This figure is the thing out of a child of the 1970s' or 1980s' dreams.  You wish you had this as a kid - it would go great with your space faring Adventure People or mini-rigs.  It is wonderful and imaginative, something wholly different than the other thousands of figures Hasbro has given us over the last two decades and change. I hope it becomes easy for everybody to find, because it's just fun.  More of this please, Lucasfilm and Hasbro.  This is why I'm here.  This is why you're here.

Force Link 2.0 Notes: "Are we sure about this?"  "Remember, it could always be worse.  And usually is." "You can count on me." "I am not backing down." "Here they come!" Blaster bolts.  It's a soundalike, but I'll give them points for good quotes and a good accent.

Collector's Notes: I got mine from Entertainment Earth.  

--Adam Pawlus

Day 2,549: January 8, 2019