Friday, May 6, 2011

Speak Softly And Carry A Big Blaster, The Legacy Collection Commander Bacara Is Just Plain Cool!




The Good: Amazing poseability, Exceptional detailing, Awesome balance, Decent accessories!
The Bad: None that I can find!
The Basics: Leading the Clone Troopers on a cold world, Commander Bacara is a worthwhile variant clone trooper figure for Star Wars figure enthusiasts!


When creating clone armies in the Star Wars toy universe, there is far less importance on individual personalities and much more emphasis placed on making the figures look real cool. In my case, each of the newer figures I have opened up has been explored to see if it meets a basic criteria; can it actually fit on the Imperial Speeder Bike which came with the new Saga Legends AT-AT toy. Commander Bacara, an extra-armored Clone Trooper, looked like he might make my night by being the first that actually fit the speeder bike, but his lack of articulation in the groin area made it impossible for him to straddle the bike seat. Even so, this might as well be a perfect Star Wars figure, at least the 2009 Legacy Collection version of the figure I found on a trip back from Michigan one weekend!

For those unfamiliar with Commander Bacara, this is not really a surprise. Bacara is seen in Revenge Of The Sith (reviewed here!) and is more or less an average Clone Trooper, save that he has additional armor and a modified helmet that allows him to work more efficiently on the frozen world he finds himself and his troops working. Commander Bacara is only known as a personality because Hasbro named him and he received Order 66 and executed Ki-Adi-Mundi.

The 4" Commander Bacara figure is an otherwise generic shock troop which may be stocked up on and because this is such a wonderfully articulated figure, it is very much worth buying more than one of!

Basics

The Commander Bacara figure stands 3 3/4" tall to the top of his helmet. He wears the standard white armor of a clone trooper, save that his is modified by a belt with a maroon plastic "skirt" (or cape below the waist) which is reminiscent of the Snowtrooper's outfit. The belt and skirt is removable as is the shoulder harness that features a maroon shoulderpiece which presumable indicates that this clone trooper is a Commander.

The standard Clone Trooper armor is also modified in the helmet area and I've no problem with the fact that Commander Bacara's helmet is not removable. The helmet features an antenna and flaps at the front and back of the helmet which are reminiscent of the Snowtrooper's hood. This makes Commander Bacara and his detachment distinctive and the logical predecessors to the Snowtroopers.

Accessories

When you're as cool as Commander Bacara, you only need one accessory: a heavy Clone blaster! The blaster that the Commander Bacara comes with is the standard Republic two-handed blaster rifle which was remolded special for the Legacy Collection figures. The 1 1/4" long gun fits in either of Commander Bacara's hands and looks entirely proportionate. The monotonal black weapon is generic, but looks appropriately mass-produced. The blaster is long enough so the barrel may be cradled in Bacara's left hand, which is molded to hold it that way.

Like all of the 2009 Legacy Collection figures, the Commander Bacara features a droid part. The Commander Bacara features the torso to HK-50, a humanoid droid that looks like a Terminator Endoskeleton. The torso features articulation just under the bust and it has a segmented look that makes it seem almost insectoid.

Playability

The four inch toy line was designed for play and the Commander Bacara is exceptional in that regard. The Commander Bacara has good balance (though he's at his best when flatfooted) and even better poseability, illustrating the latest in molding technology. Commander Bacara is articulated at fourteen points, not all of which are simple swivel joints. The Commander Bacara is articulated at the ankles, knees, groin socket, bust, shoulders, elbows, wrists and head. The head is on a ball-and-socket joint, inhibited only by the helmet's added plating. The knees, ankles, shoulders and elbows are all hinge joints on the ball-and-socket, giving them exceptional poseability and playability. The wrists and torso having simple swivel joints do all they truly need to do.

Collectibility

Commander Bacara is part of the Legacy Collection with the build-a-droid figure that was released in 2009. Commander Bacara is 2009 Legacy Collection figure BD47. Commander Bacara was fairly common and demand for it was easily met, though many fans did not ditch their Revenge Of The Sith Commander Bacara, which offered less than this version. Despite the fact that this is a resculpt, this remains one of the more sought-after Legacy Collection action figures and a surprisingly good investment for those who can find it cheap now.

Overview

Commander Bacara might not be an essential Clone Trooper in terms of personality or recognition, but he's distinctive with his embellishments and makes for a worthwhile addition to one's clone armies, especially because he can be put in so many positions!

For other Legacy Collection figures, please check out my reviews of:
BD17 Princess Leia (Slave Leia)
BD34 Leesub Sirln
BD39 Jawa with Security Droid
BD41 The Utai
BD42 Jeremoch Colton
BD43 Agen Kolar
BD49 AT-AT Driver
BD50 Wing Guard
BD52 R2-X2
BD54 Zuckuss
BD55 Snowtrooper

10/10

For other Star Wars toy reviews, please check out my index page by clicking here!

© 2011 W.L. Swarts. May not be reprinted without permission.



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