Figure of the Day: Day 186: Ree-Yees

Ree-Yees with Blaster Pistols
Power of the Force Collection 3
Item No.: Asst. 69705 No. 69839
Number: n/a
Includes: 2 pistols, Freeze Frame action slide
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $5.99
Availability: Summer 1998
Appearances: Return of the Jedi

Bio: Even with a court full of conspirators, Jabba the Hutt never suspected Ree-Yees as a potential assassin. Ree-Yees cut a deal with the Empire to destroy Jabba, but fate would save that role for Princess Leia. (Taken from the figure's cardback.)

Image: Adam Pawlus' toy shelf.

Commentary: Another great Return of the Jedi figure reimagined for the modern era, Ree-Yees was both nothing special and a very special figure all at once. Eight years later, the sculpt is still very good but figures like Ask Aak prove Hasbro is capable of creating his species, the Gran, with a higher level of detail than Kenner was way back when. The vintage figure was very good, and this modern figure is also particularly nice... and notoriously hard to find. With the standard six points of articulation, his pose is just awkward enough to prevent him from piloting most vehicles. His meaty paws can hold a gun nicely, and the quilts of his leathery uniform are painted in the metallic purplish color you've probably come to love, or come to shoot in the Dark Forces games. There's a lot to like in this three-eyed, goat-faced member of Jabba's court and since Hasbro hasn't made much buzz about revisiting this one, I think you might be well served to make sure you have one sitting in your collection.

Collector's Notes: This figure represented a sort of "beginning of the end." While the McFarlane-inspired mentality of fear kicked off the line in 1995, by 1998, pretty much everybody could get any figure they wanted if they waited a few weeks. Along with the Death Star Trooper, Ree-Yees were very short shipped as they came as the last new "Collection 3" figures to hit retail-- the next wave was to have been delayed for months and released as Fan Club exclusives. The end-of-the-line 1998 figures were very tough to come by unless you were lucky, so this figure managed to be quite rare. Interestingly enough, its price never really shot up all that much and today can be had for about $10 or less.

Day 186: November 8, 2006