C-3PO Purchase of the DroidsPower of the Force Cinema Scenes
Item No.: Asst. 69650 No. 69778
Manufacturer: Kenner
Number: n/a
Includes: Uncle Owen, Luke Skywalker, Display Stand
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $14.99
Availability: 1998
Appearances: Star Wars
Image: Adam Pawlus' toy shelves.
Bio: Under attack by an Imperial Star Destroyer, protocol droid C-3PO and his partner R2-D2 safely escaped a battered Rebel capital ship and landed on the desert planet of Tatooine. Soon after, the droids were abducted by scavenging Jawas and sold to Owen Lars for use on his desert moisture farm. Luke Skywalker, nephew of Owen and a Tatooine youth, remained unaware that his uncle's purchase of C-3PO and R2-D2 was to help launch one of the most pivotal destinies the galaxy had ever known... his own. (Taken from the figure's box.)
Commentary: 10 years after its release, I can honestly say that this C-3PO still impresses me. Sure, we've seen better articulation, but deco on a C-3PO figure really hasn't ever been done better. With the standard articulation of his era, he can move his head and arms and legs, which is about as good as C-3PO figures pre-2006 ever got. The vast amount of sludge is astounding-- this is as dirty as C-3PO ever got as an action figure. Hasbro also had the sense to include the restraining bolt on his chest, which is something you generally don't see on Threepio. The figure looks a little cleaner in this picture than it does in person, but it's pretty stunning still. Look at all the grime around the eyes, all the mud caked on the joints, and so forth. It's a little exaggerated from the movie, but it's pretty much stunning for its time. Hasbro tried to do something new, and it really paid off. Sadly, most of the recent figures we've got for C-3PO are clean gold, or maybe have some muck on their feet. This one is a freaking mess, and I love it. Nearly 11 years later, it's still wonderful. Get one.
Collector's Notes: When reviewing other figures from this boxed set, I said it was worth it just for the C-3PO. I stand by this comment. It's pretty cheap on eBay so go get yourself one.
--Adam Pawlus
Day 930: January 6, 2009
I heartily agree! I even asked Hasbro to issue another C-3PO with very similar deco but perhaps more articulation. They said, I think it was on Jawa.com, that they will be aiming to do this down the road. Like you say it is one figure that really stands out even this many years on. If I want to really get that SW rush that comes from watching ANH, but without actually popping the DVD in, this figure does it for me!
ReplyDeleteI completely agree with both of you guys. The dirt deco on this one is "spot-on" (pun intended), and the proportions on this one are also excellent - the head isn't too small, and the legs aren't too wide apart. This is THE go-to Threepio when setting up Tatooine dioramas.
ReplyDeleteThe only negative on this one is the foot pegholes are not "deep" enough on mine, so he doesn't stick to pegs as well as he could. Minor quibble, though, as he stands well enough on his own. Only last year's C-3PO with Ewok chair comes close, in my opinion.
Keep up the great work, Adam. Love these FOD reviews!