The Good: Generally good sculpt, Fairly good accessories
The Bad: There exists a far better sculpt, Collectible value is terrible, Lack of articulation.
The Basics: A disappointing Star Wars figure that was later recast far better, Nien Nunb is unfortunately average.
There are some characters from the Star Wars Trilogy which have, rather amazingly, made it into general pop culture references and that is somewhere between awesome and unnerving. One of the latest ones that I have seen alluded to on things like Family Guy is Nien Nunb. Nien Nunb is also popular and relevant enough to be the subject of not just one, but two action figures!
If the name is not causing an image of the character to spring to mind, that is not surprising; his name is not said in the film. Nien Nunb is the copilot of the Millennium Falcon in Return Of The Jedi (click here for my review!). He is a fish-like creature seen acting as Lando Calrissian's copilot. Even so, he had some lines and his tenure on screen was enough to earn him a Kenner action figure and a Hasbro figure later on!
Unfortunately, the first 4" Nien Nunb figure is ultimately average, arguably because the Power Of The Force figure became obsolete when Hasbro released the new Legacy Collection version of the figure with increased articulation and better accessories.
Basics
The Nien Nunb is a thin creature with a fish head which sits next to Lando Calrissian in the Millennium Falcon and babbles incomprehensibly to the human, yet Lando seems to understand. The figure stands 3 5/8" tall to the top of its round, gray head. Nien Nunb is dressed in an orange flight suit with a molded on black vest. The figure is made entirely of hard plastic.
This toy is a decent sculpt, looking very much like the alien Nien Nunb. Even so, it is mediocre in its coloring detail, though the figure does have some minor shading detail to enhance the face flaps of the creature. Largely, though, the fish skin of the alien pilot is monotonal gray. The flight suit is appropriately clean and includes cursory molded details like a collar and the pockets on the vest.
Accessories
Nien Nunb, alien pilot who does not speak English that it is, requires few accessories. In fact, all it comes with is a blaster pistol and blaster rifle. In the movie, he was not seen doing anything but piloting, so this is a fair accessory for a military creature to have. The blaster pistol is the same one that every version of Han Solo in the Power Of The Force line came with. It is a 1" long black plastic gun with a small sight and no painted on details. It fits in either of his hands.
Ironically, the blaster rifle bears a strong resemblance to the blaster rifle many of the Stormtrooper figures came with. Nien Nunb has a 2 3/4" long black plastic blaster rifle which has a large firing point at the tip of the barrel. It also has a strap which allows the pilot to sling it over his shoulder. Like the pistol, it is cast in a monotonal black plastic and it is light on surface details as well as absent coloring details.
Playability
The four inch toy line was designed for play and Nien Nunb is poor in that regard. The figure is poorly articulated and lacks significant articulation to make it interesting with his weapon, at least the blaster rifle which looks ridiculously oversized in his hand and causes the figure to tip over. Nien Nunb has limited posability. First, the figure tips if the feet are moved even slightly out of a flatfooted position. In a flatfooted position, Nien Nunb is fairly stable, but even slightly out of it, he tips right over!
Nien Nunb is also low on articulation. While the figure has six points of articulation, all of which are simple swivel joints: shoulders, groin socket, neck and waist. Unlike subsequent sculpts, this is a pain to fit into accessories and playsets like the Millennium Falcon because his knees do not bend. Fortunately, his stance is not so wide that he becomes problematic for that reason.
Collectibility
Nien Nunb is part of the Power Of The Force four-inch series, a series of Star Wars action figures that was incredibly common. Nien Nunb was ridiculously overproduced. As well, Nien Nunb has been recast and even this Power Of The Force figure was re-released on another card. The result is this is a terrible investment figure!
Overview
Nien Nunb from the Power Of The Force collection is a good example of "good things come to those who wait." The newer version is better than the first and even those looking for classic style will appreciate the Nien Nunb that comes with the bonus Freeze Frame over the basic 4" figure.
For other Star Wars figures, please check out my reviews of:
Legacy Collection Jeremoch Colton
Revenge Of The Sith Mustafar Sentry
Saga Collection Bib Fortuna
4.5/10
For other toy reviews, please check out my index page!
© 2010 W.L. Swarts. May not be reprinted without permission.
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