The Good: Excellent coloring detail, Great sculpt, Cool accessories
The Bad: Minor articulation issues
The Basic: The Yoda from the Original Trilogy Collection of Star Wars figures is the best proportioned and accessorized Yoda Hasbro has made!
I know, despite what some of my readers might think, that I have exceptionally high standards when it comes to toys, especially when it comes to collectible toys or toys based on beloved characters from cinematic or television works. I don't see high standards as a problem and I think when something impresses a discriminating reviewer like myself, that ought to carry some real weight, whereas if someone loves everything, it's harder to tell what is actually wonderful and what is more mediocre. That said, it's hard to make a bad Yoda figure. In my collection, I've already considered the Attack Of The Clones Deluxe Yoda (reviewed here!), but for fans of the original Star Wars Trilogy, there is arguably no better Yoda figure than the Original Trilogy Collection Yoda as he appeared on Dagobah!
For those unfamiliar with the Yoda as he appeared on Dagobah, he was originally introduced there in the middle of The Empire Strikes Back (click here for that review!), when Luke journeys to the swamp planet Dagobah, which is his home. There, Yoda trains Luke and teaches him the ways of the Force. He quietly guides Luke and rides on Luke's back while Luke runs through the swamp.
The 4" Yoda figure is pretty impressive and because it is so well-detailed, it is easy to use this to replace every prior The Empire Strikes Back Yoda figure released! In fact, this is arguably a perfect figure and a must for anyone assembling the ultimate Star Wars collection for play or display.
Basics
The Yoda action figure is a great sculpting of the familiar mentor from the Star Wars Trilogy. Here, he is cast in his robes, which look weathered and dirty from the muck on Dagobah. The figure stands 1 7/8" tall and he is dressed in the brown and dirty tan he wore while on Dagobah. He is intended to look like he has been living there for a long time and Yoda looks old and short. The figure is made almost entirely of hard plastic, though the fingers do seem to be more pliable than the rest of the toy.
This toy is an amazing sculpt, looking exactly like the green puppet, Yoda. Yoda is well-detailed in his coloring detail, except when it comes to his skin tones. There is no shading on his face, and his lips are not colored at all, but that is realistic for the puppet upon which the action figure is based. However, he does have whispy hair colored in and light brown eyes. As well, there is an exceptional level of costuming detailing, including texture on the robes and equipment on his belt! Even the fingernails looks good and like realistic little claws, even on his feet!
Accessories
Yoda is realistically prepared to guide Luke in his Dagobah training. This Yoda is outfitted only with hit gimmer stick and the backpack, as well as a stand that connects with the stand from other Dagobah Trilogy Collection figures!
The gimmer stick is a little cane Yoda carries to aid him in walking around the swamp. It is curved at the top and looks like it is wood from the texturing molded into it. It fits in either of Yoda's hands and looks perfectly in proportion with the rest of the figure.
The Yoda also comes with the backpack, which is designed to go with the Original Trilogy Collection Luke Skywalker (OTC#01). The backpack it proportioned correctly to fit the back of the Luke Skywalker figure and features two pegs which plug into the back of that other figure. Yoda's upper body detaches from the legs and the torso connects so it looks completely realistic there!
The Original Trilogy Collection figures come with stands, including the Dagobah Yoda. This stand, however, is a three inch long by two and one half inch wide brown patch that looks like swamp ground. The stand includes the log Yoda sat on and is textured to look like ground! As well, there is a peg, which fits the hole in either of Yoda's feet!
Playability
The four inch toy line was designed for play and Yoda is great in that regard. The figure is generally well-articulated and has excellent balance when off his stand. This Yoda figure comes with only six points of articulation, but Hasbro makes good use of them! He has joints at the elbows, shoulders, neck, and waist. Like most Star Wars figures, these are all just simple swivel joints, except the head. The head is on a ball joint, so this Yoda actually nods in addition to turning his head from side to side!
This is a great figure for posing or for play. As well, it does have decent balance on or off his stand. In fact, the only pose he cannot do is sit on the log, like he did in the movie!
Collectibility
Yoda is part of the 2004 Original Trilogy Collection four-inch series, a series of Star Wars action figures that was not very common at all, but largely recast figures that had been previously released by Kenner. Hasbro sought to improve the old figures by having a greater attention to detail, coloring and accessory detail and proportion. As such, this Yoda is a distinct improvement as far as balance, detailing and accessories from the earlier Dagobah Yoda. Released as Original Trilogy Collection (2004) figure #02, this figure is a good idea for those creating an ultimate collection of each major character. It is hard to imagine how this figure might be improved upon, save with more articulation from legs that were not one solid, molded piece.
Overview
The Original Trilogy Collection Dagobah Yoda is a perfect sculpt of a figure that has been done poorly too many times in the past! This is THE Yoda to get for fans and collectors!
For other 2004 Original Trilogy Collection figures and figures from The Empire Strikes Back, please check out my reviews of:
019 Cloud Car Pilot
020 Lobot
#13 2003 Saga Collection Hoth Rescue Han Solo
10/10
For other toy reviews, please visit my index page by clicking here!
© 2010 W.L. Swarts. May not be reprinted without permission.
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