PADME AMIDALA Evolutions - Episode IThe Legacy Collection Evolutions
Item No.: Asst. 87874 No. 87601
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: n/a
Includes: Additional figures
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $24.99
Availability: July 2009
Appearances: Revenge of the Sith
Bio: Padme devoted her life to the people of Naboo and became a key figure in the dramatic events that changed the galaxy. Her courage and compassion deeply affected those around her, and was the pivotal legacy she gave to her children, Luke and Leia. While Queen of Naboo, Padme stood up against the Trade Federation’s siege of her planet. As a Senator, Padme fought to keep the Republic from falling into war. Her last act was to give birth to the twins who would fulfill her legacy by restoring peace to the galaxy. (Taken from the figure's cardback.)
Image: Adam Pawlus' desk.
Commentary: Since 1999 fans have observed that Queen Amidala figures were in short supply, relative to her many costumes at least. In 2008 and 2009 Hasbro cranked out a few new ones, and this Episode I release was one of those. Sure, it was in the movie for like a scene, but it was a swell costume and now you have it as an action figure. Since her legs are wrapped in a robe, there isn't much need for leg movement. There are ball elbows and swivel wrists, but really, on a figure like this does it even matter? I appreciate the extra work Hasbro did here, but they already provided figure fans with a great sculpt. The added articulation doesn't do much to add to it other than insure the people who complain about joints can't point at it and say "Hasbro didn't do a good job here!" If anything, this is a case of too much figure-- they did a great job overproducing what should have been, essentially, a statue. It's great that they put in little details like the sleeves which hang down, the top-notch face paint, and all these little folds and creases in the dress. But the extra arm joints? Almost too much. It's great that Hasbro included them, and that's why this is one of their great recent figures. If you like the character, this is a great figure to own, and since it's part of an assortment that ultimately saw more production than necessary it's very likely to be had cheaply.
Collector's Notes: Likely still available at a slower store near you, the set is good, but didn't do well. This is one of those cases where Hasbro basically made a set of things fans specifically asked for, and we didn't exactly buy the numbers they expected. As such, well, that's all for Evolutions. The set is indeed worth picking up for $15 or less, even $25 or less. I figure that in the distant future I'll be able to point this out as one of those great things that happened which well always be sorry didn't continue. It's too bad the Evolutions line quickly descended into repackaged figures with the odd repaint.
--Adam Pawlus
Day 1,298: June 4, 2010
Once super-articulation became more widespread, Evolutions was overrated. For diehard collectors and fans, it had some appeal.
ReplyDeleteFor others, usually it meant having to buy one or two figures they didn't want. Mostly they stuck to themes that the average cosumer would be bored by (Padme being the most boring). How many rebel pilots would a kid want? Or even mostly obscure Sith lords?
They did get some figures out that wouldn't have otherwise been released (or taken years, like those 3 Padmes). I wish some of those had been, say cool aliens, as opposed to comic book rebel pilots I don't care about or shirtless Sith lords or uninteresting clone variations. Not that cool aliens would've sold any better.
Evolutions was doomed to fail. Even the name was too limiting.