Tuesday, March 3, 2009

Figure of the Day: Day 970: Mace Windu

MACE WINDU Jedi High Council
Saga Collection Screen Scene Collection
Item No.:
Asst. 84997 No. 84981
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: 1 of 2
Includes: Display stand, additional figures
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $19.99-$24.99
Availability: Summer 2003
Appearances: The Phantom Menace, Attack of the Clones

Bio: The Jedi High Council is the main interface between the Jedi and the government of the Republic. The twelve High Council members are chosen from the ranks of the Jedi Masters and represent a gathering of great minds who have proven themselves and their abilities in the service of peace and justice. (Taken from the toy's box.)

Image: Adam's TV tray.

Commentary: Hasbro has made many, many attempts at Mace Windu. While not surprising due to Samuel L. Jackson's popularity, the fact that he has one-- or at best, two-- outfits makes it seem a little odd that, for each prequel, he got at least two or three figures. This particular one started life in a Saga Scene as a High Council figure, designed especially to sit down and look like he's thinking something over. Hasbro repurposed this figure in 2005 with a cloak and a lightsaber (pictured) to get the most out of the mold. For its day, it wasn't bad. The figure had ball knees and shoulders, allowing him a greater range of movement than any other Mace Windu yet released. While the quality of the likeness has steadily declined since Episode I, the actual body pretty much peaked here. A 2007 release wasn't able to sit, so as toys go, this is your best bet. He can sit, he can fly a ship, he can stand, he can fight, and he can look good doing it. Sure, his shoulders are a little big, but he holds together well and looks about as good as you can hope for out of a figure at this size with today's toy technology. I think you'd like this one if you bought it.

Collector's Notes: The figure (with different accessories) is available in the 2003 Jedi High Council set or the 2006 Jedi vs. Darth Sidious set. Either is worth getting for different reasons, although the 2003 set will likely net you the least amount of duplicate figures.

--Adam Pawlus


Day 970: March 3, 2009

1 comment:

Ben Carthage said...

It's funny you should mention likeness, Adam, because I feel the old mail-away Mace from 1999 is still the best likeness (and still my favorite Mace despite a decided lack of articulation); I feel like Mace Windu is the anti-Count Dooku in the line. Mace is a cool character but he's rarely a good figure; Dooku is somewhat dull but his figures are almost always excellent.