Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 1,777: Oola

OOLA with Jabba the Hutt
The Legacy Collection Wal-Mart Exclusive
Item No.: No. 94727
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: n/a
Includes: Salacious Crumb and Jabba the Hutt figures, throne, throw pillows, pipe, bowl, railing
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $34.97
Availability: August 2010
Appearances: Return of the Jedi

Bio: Jabba the Hutt and Salacious Crumb sit on a throne as Oola dances for the crime lord. The loathsome Hutt is momentarily entertained by the Twi'lek dancer's graceful performance. His monkey-lizard cackles with glee, knowing that Jabba will soon turn to some other amusement, such as throwing another victim to the hungry rancor. (Taken from the figure's packaging.)

Image: Adam Pawlus' TV.

Commentary: Over the last few years, the value of a dollar has changed a lot as toys go. Now, a basic figure is $9 or $10, deluxe Transformers start at about $13, and it seems the era of a $5 action figure has ended. So the fact that Oola was sold as part of a quasi-pricey exclusive stings a little bit less, but it still ain't cheap. This figure is about on par with any Vintage release, including the requisite articulation, soft goods outfit, and anatomically incorrect nipple-free but exposable breasts. I'm not sure if this was a nod to a scene in the movie, or just the way things worked out to maximize authenticity and blah blah blah. Due ot the figure's facial construction, I'd say she looks a little younger than the last release or Femi Taylor, the actress/dancer who portrayed her on the big screen. The arms are a little thick in spots, but that's more or less normal when you have a lot of articulation. Nearly her entire outfit is made of a net-like material which exaggerates the size of the holes significantly, but there's only so much you can do as you scale a costume down. The sculpt is wonderful, and her collar has a fairly long rope tied to it, so Jabba can yank her around and do whatever. You know, dirty Hutt things. (In the Hutt?)

As the second Oola figure, she's pretty great. I won't say you should toss out your 1998 Oola to get this one, but since you're going to want Jabba and his throne you may as well. If this figure were sold on a Vintage card, you'd happily buy it while kids ignored it, so it's probably for the best that Hasbro stuck it in this gift set. If you can find it at a good price, get it. If she ever is repackaged on a single card, you should probably pick her up... but odds are you'll want the throne, so yeah, get the big set too. Hasbro could probably have done a slightly better figure if they reduced articulation in the arms and replaced the net dress with a sculpted dancer's outfit, but this particular figure has a nifty range of motion and a unique feel you probably won't see anywhere else in this (or any other) action figure line. Seriously, where else can you push aside a costume and see what amounts to a mutilated green breast?

Collector's Notes: Initially exclusive to Walmart stores in 2010, this set showed up at online store Entertainment Earth in 2011. (You can order it at the link below, unless they ran out, there was a run on them it seems. I get a teeny cut of it, so really, your buying one is basically charity.) The set was tough to find in many Walmarts, so if you missed it on the first go-round, get one now. It's possible but incredibly unlikely she may remain at a Walmart near you, so the stories of rural America tell me.

--Adam Pawlus

Day 1,777: April 5, 2012