The Good: Decent sculpt, Good accessories
The Bad: Limited poseability, Balance issues
The Basics: Zuckuss may have appeared on screen for only a few milliseconds, but it is cool enough to make a wicked figure from!
There is something pretty wonderful about sharing a classic film like The Empire Strikes Back with someone who has never seen it. In the case of my wife, this afforded her the opportunity to understand a pretty significant amount of swag I have around the house. So, for example, I have a while case of dolls of Star Wars bounty hunters and having seen The Empire Strikes Back now, my wife actually knows where they are from. The bounty hunters do not, for the most part, endure very long on screen. However, it is hard to blame her lack of recognition of a lot of them. Characters like Zuckuss are hardly the most memorable characters from the Trilogy. In fact, it is pretty amazing that Zuckuss garnered a 12" Zuckuss figure (reviewed here!). That there was a Zuckuss in the 4" line is no real surprise. That there have now been two different sculpts might surprise some, with the latest being a pretty incredible Legacy Collection figure (reviewed here!). The first of the Zuckuss figures is from the Power Of The Force line and it is a winner!
For those unfamiliar with Zuckuss, he/she/it was the vaguely insectoid bounty hunter that appeared on the Star Destroyer in the bounty hunter scene in The Empire Strikes Back (reviewed here!). Later media would create a whole backstory and race (Zuckuss is a Gand) for the creature, but basically, it is a robed bug who stood while Darth Vader lectured the bounty hunters on not disintegrating Han Solo.
The 4" Zuckuss figure is rather cool and if it has been improved upon by the subsequent Hasbro Zuckuss in the bounty hunter multipack, I will not fail to endorse this one. Regardless of possible improvements (I am still awaiting my multipack to review), this one is not a bad toy and is worthy of one's time, attention and money.
Basics
Zuckuss is a Gand bounty hunter seen in the bounty hunter scene in the middle of The Empire Strikes Back. The figure stands 3 3/8" tall to the top of his insect-eyed head. Zuckuss is dressed in a textured tan and gray robe that is split down either side revealing a flight suit beneath. The outfit has realistic shading and the outfit looks like it might be a desert camouflage robe. The figure is made entirely of hard plastic, save the robes which are made of a soft, rubbery plastic. As well, coming off the figure's head are two insect like antennae, only they hang as opposed to rise and the breathing apparatus for the figure, both of which are also in soft plastic.
This toy is a decent sculpt, looking precisely like the bounty hunter. Zuckuss is fairly impressive in his coloring detail, as far as tones and shading go. The figure looks just like the briefly-seen bounty hunter, which is something of a gimmie, considering that Zuckuss is obscured by robes and its headpiece is monotonal, even in the film.
Accessories
Zuckuss, efficient bounty hunter that it is, comes with only two accessories. That's all this Gand needs in order to defeat its opponents. The most important, of course, is Zuckuss's heavy assault blaster rifle. The 1 3/4" black firearm has one barrel and a support and looks like the gun that it may or may not have been holding in the film (there are two shots and one Zuckuss has the weapon, the other, not so much). This fits easily in Zuckuss's left hand, but not his right. The way the weapon is designed, though, Zuckuss can support the weapon with his right hand.
As part of the Power Of The Force toy line, Zuckuss comes with a Freeze Frame action slide. The Freeze Frame was a gimmick to appeal to those not necessarily into action figures (arguably the trading card collectors) and was a simple slide that featured a picture of Zuckuss on the Star Destroyer. It was a nice touch and that Kenner tried something remotely creative ought to earn them some points.
Playability
The four inch toy line was designed for play and Zuckuss is a little better than fair in that regard. The figure is poorly articulated, though he has great balance. Flatfooted, Zuckuss is well-balanced and manages to stay up even on surfaces that wobble. As well, the robes limit the distance the legs might be spread and as a result, it is hard to pose Zuckuss in a way that makes it likely it would tip.
Outside that, though, Zuckuss lacks significant articulation to make him interesting. In addition to low articulation, Zuckuss is barely poseable. The head barely turns because of the appendages and breathing apparatus. He comes with only six points of articulation, all of which are simple swivel joints. He has joints at the groin socket, shoulders, neck, and waist. The elbows do not extend, so all arm posing is straight-armed.
Fortunately, the legs and arms can be spread without the figure tipping over. This is a very stable figure, and he has the additional benefit of holes in the soles of his feet that may be stuck in pegs on various playsets. With those, he may be posed better.
Collectibility
Zuckuss is part of the Power Of The Force four-inch series, a series of Star Wars action figures that was incredibly common. Zuckuss was overproduced, appearing on at least two different cards as an identical sculpt. There is also the simple Power Of The Force figure without the Freeze Frame and a hologram sticker instead. That said, Zuckuss is a poor investment and it may often be found inexpensively and might well be better for fans looking to play than make money eventually off it.
Overview
Zuckuss is a cool villain or alien figure and this incarnation is worth the buy, despite the fact that better versions that have been released since.
For other Power Of The Force figures from The Empire Strikes Back, please check out my reviews of:
Bossk
Captain Piett
Hoth Luke Skywalker
Yoda
Luke Skywalker In Dagobah Fatigues
4-LOM
Hoth Han Solo
Dengar
Deluxe Hoth Rebel Soldier
Mynock Hunt 3-pack
Deluxe Probe Droid
R2-D2
7/10
For other toy reviews, please visit my index page by clicking here!
© 2011, 2009 W.L. Swarts. May not be reprinted without permission.
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