Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 2,401: Rathtar (The Last Jedi Line Look)

RATHTAR with Bala-Tik
The Last Jedi Class A Vehicle Assortment
Item No.: Asst. C1245  No. C1247
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: n/a
Includes: Bala-Tik Figure, Blaster
Action Feature: Falls apart, Force Link sounds
Retail: $19.99
Availability: September 2017
Appearances: The Force Awakens

Bio: Rathtars are dangerous tentacled predators known for their sophisticated techniques as pack hunters.  These slimy horrors were responsible for the infamous Trillia Massacre - which has made them irresistable to decadent collectors seeking exotic pets for their menageries.   (Can from the figure's packaging.)

Image: Adam's photo lab.

Availability: Click here to buy it at Entertainment Earth now!

Click here to buy it at Amazon now!

Commentary:  When The Force Awakens hit, one of the biggest disappointments was the discovery that the toy line was over.   Hasbro had virtually no post-movie plans - everything they developed was before the final cut of the film, and that depressed me.  Thankfully they went back to the well and gave us a Rathtar with a pack-in figure we actually wanted.   When it comes to creature figures, it can  be tough to strike the right balance between features and appearance.  The Bantha just had to be furry and seat a Tusken Raider.   The Dewback needed to move a little bit.   A good Rancor Monster should be able to look like he can gobble down a figure.  So what about a Rathtar?

After assembling over a dozen tentacles, I'd advise caution.  It looks cool, but those things need to be shoved in tightly and even then, they're easy to knock loose.  It's not a good form fit, but it's a pretty piece.  The hollow mouth can actually fit an action figure, but not all the way.  (This is a good idea.)   The ghoulish Lovecraftian horror is mostly mouth and guts plus tentacles, a good representation of the movie creature.  The only action figure to speak of is a Force Link sound effect, which includes a number of slurping, wet sounds that would be in line with any tentacle monster or Cthuloid being from another dimension.  There are roars and what also sounds like a rolling sound.

The design is bumpy, warty, and uninviting - just like a good monster should be.   It's smaller than I expected, but seeing as they could roll and jump through small ship corridors I suppose that means they got it exactly right.  It may not be quite as ornate as a Boga or as chomp-tastic as the Opee Sea Killer, but it looks cool and is fun to play with.  Provided you don't lop off his tentacles before a door does!   For $20 it's a worthwhile purchase at today's figure rates.  If Bala-Tik is worth $8 (and he is), $12 for his monster buddy is a bargain.

Packaging Notes: Playmobil may have a new competitor for biggest waste of space.  The abundance of open air in the box will confound you, as the monster could tuck behind Bala-Tik - it'd be a tight fit - with about 65% of the space inside going unused.  I'm sure it wouldn't look impressive for $20, but they could probably have given us a smaller (or more interesting) box as you really feel like you got taken when you open it and there's so much nothing inside.  It's a good piece, but the presentation leaves much to be desired.

Collector's Notes: I got mine from Entertainment Earth.

--Adam Pawlus

Day 2,401: September 3, 2017