Saturday, April 6, 2013

Perfect, If Specific, The Vintage Collection Nien Nunb Figure Is Worth Picking Up!


The Good: Wonderful coloring detail, Good accessories, Amazing articulation
The Bad: None that I can find!
The Basics: The Vintage Collection version of Nien Nunb is one of the last Star Wars Vintage Collection figures worth adding to one’s permanent collection.


When it comes to Star Wars action figures, there are a number that have been cast and recast and recast ad nauseum. One of the few that I’ve held onto for quite a long time is the Nien Nunb figure. In fact, I still have the Power Of The Force Nien Nunb action figure (reviewed here!), though there have been two recasts of the figure since. The latest is the Vintage Collection Nien Nunb and it is a perfect figure.

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!

The 4" Nien Nunb is a completely new Nien Nunb action figure and it looks incredible with its glossy skin and matte finish for the costume. In fact, I was unable to find a single flaw with this figure!

Basics

The Nien Nunb figure stands 3 1/2" tall to the top of his head. It is an alien who is wearing a red flightsuit and is made entirely of plastic. This figure features the straps that go to the figure’s holster and a molded-on vest!

This toy is an absolutely amazing sculpt, with the simple flightsuit of the Millennium Falcon Pilot with the layered fishlike head and big black eyes of the character who was defined by a latex mask. The head of the figure is the only part that is exposed and alien, the rest of the character is clothed, gloved and wearing surprisingly detailed boots and gators. As well, the pouches, belts and pockets of the character are adequately represented.

The real impressive aspect of this figure is the meticulous nature of the coloring detail. This Nien Nunb features glossy sickly gray mottled skin and that perfectly represents the fish-skin of the Millennium Falcon co-pilot. The outfit is a very clean one, without any coloring depth and shading to it. Even so, this is an accurately colored action figure!

Accessories

The Nien Nunb is a basic Rebel Soldier, so all he comes with as far as accessories is his blaster pistol and a blaster rifle. The blaster rifle is a 2 1/8” long monotonal black firearm with a pronounced scope and and ribbing on the barrel. Despite the single solid color, this gun looks like an actual weapon that has parts that are functional!

As for the blaster pistol, the little 11/16” gun appears unique to this figure. This gun has a blockish stock and a very short barrel that makes it look futuristic. Both guns fits in either of the Nien Nunb’s hands, though the pistol is the only one that fits into the holster on his right thigh.

Playability

The four inch toy line was designed for play and the Nien Nunb is amazing in that regard. First, the figure has great balance. Flatfooted, the Nien Nunb is absolutely solid, and because of the lower half articulation of the figure, he has decent posing options. The holes in the bottom of his feet allow him to stand tall on any number of playsets in outlandish poses or sit in the cockpit of the new Millennium Falcon toy.

The Nien Nunb holds up exceptionally well in the articulation department. It has hinged ball and socket joints at the ankles, knees, elbows and shoulders, as well as a ball and socket joint which allows a great range of motion for the head. The forearms, groin socket and torso all have simple swivel joints that provide the figure with more than enough posing options to make the figure worthwhile!

Collectibility

The Nien Nunb is part of the Vintage Collection line that was released in 2012 and it remains one of the harder ones to find at the moment. The Nien Nunb is Vintage Collection figure VC106 and it augments any Rebel figure collection. Given how some of the obscure characters are burning up in value, this seems like a very safe bet as an investment figure at this time.

Overview

Nien Nunb might not be the most essential character from Return Of The Jedi, but the Vintage Collection figure is well worth tracking down and easily replaces the prior Power Of The Force figure!

For other Vintage Collection figures of characters from Return Of The Jedi, please check out my reviews of:
Endor AT-ST Crew
Ewok Scouts Two-Pack
VCP3 Boba Fett (Mail-Away)
VC09 Boba Fett
VC21 Gamorrean Guard
VC22 Admiral Ackbar
VC48 Weequay Skiff Master
VC56 Kithaba (Skiff Guard)
VC64 Princess Leia (Slave Outfit)
VC65 TIE Fighter Pilot
VC87 Luke Skywalker (Lightsaber Construction)
VC88 Princess Leia (Sandstorm Outfit)
VC89 Lando Calrissian (Sandstorm Outfit)
VC90 Colonel Cracken
VC91 Rebel Pilot (Mon Calamari)

10/10

For other Star Wars toy reviews, please check out my Toy Review Index Page for an organized listing!

© 2013 W.L. Swarts. May not be reprinted without permission.
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