[TAO's Note: Guest reviewer go fig is back with another Star Wars review, and this time it's for everybody's favorite Jedi, Obi-Wan Kenobi! Keep reading for his thoughts on this Legacy Collection release, they just might surprise you. The force is strong with this one!]
Name: Obi-Wan Kenobi
Line: Star Wars The Legacy Collection
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Released: February 2009
Price: Retail: $7.99, Online: $0.99-$19.99
Scale: 3.75 in.
Accessories: Lightsaber, table (comes in two separate pieces), “hologram” of Princess Leia
Build a Droid Piece: Left leg of R2-L3 Droid
This is probably one of the best sculpted figures of Obi-Wan Kenobi. Although Kenner’s Power of the Force Obi-Wan Kenobi figure was accurate enough, Hasbro’s version added more articulation and accessories that completely blow away the now-defunct Kenner’s Star Wars line. Although the facial expression is of a concerned/worried look, the likeness to the esteemed Sir Alec Guinness is unmistakable.
Hasbro’s eye for detail is quite amazing for a scale of this size. Proof of this can be seen especially with the detailed wrinkles on Obi-Wan’s face. Both his hands also have fingernails sculpted into them! The folds of various layers of fabric are also sculpted pretty well, especially around both Obi-Wan’s wrists.
Initially, I was very nervous about Hasbro replacing plastic for fabric clothing for their Star Wars figures. Thankfully, the fabric cloak and “skirt” enhance the overall look of Obi-Wan. However, there are two problems with this: (1) The “hood” part of Kenobi’s cloak is way too big and (2) the “skirt” cloth is a bit too long. In Hasbro’s defense, it can be argued that Obi-Wan’s hood is a bit over-sized in the movie when he’s first introduced in Episode IV: A New Hope. I’m guessing that Hasbro either didn’t want to risk making the hood being too small or it was just too much extra work for a basic figure. As for the length of the “skirt”, it’s possible that Hasbro made a slight mistake in measurement (or in decision making).
Obi-Wan’s table comes packaged in two pieces with a separate “hologram” of Leia. The top part of the table comes with a [permanently sculpted] teapot and two cups turned up-side down. There’s also a small peg at the center of the table for “holographic” Leia to stand on.
Sculpt Score: 9 / 10
Surprisingly, I’ve had no paint application problems anywhere on Jedi Master Obi-Wan. This is just an example of Hasbro’s high-level of quality control over their figures, which is something other toy companies should emulate (they know who they are). But then again, how hard can it be to apply brown, and tan colored paint?
Paint Score: 10 / 10
The “crazy old man” is packing some serious articulation: ball-jointed neck, ball-jointed shoulders, ball-jointed elbows, swivel wrists, swivel waist, swivel hips, ball-jointed knees, and ball-jointed ankles. As I’ve mentioned earlier, the added articulation is a huge improvement over Kenner’s Power of the Force Obi-Wan. He has so much articulation that you can pose him in more vigorous action scenes than we’ve seen him in Episode IV: A New Hope. You can even have him sit cross-legged for crying out loud!
Articulation Score: 10 / 10
Given the added articulation, Obi-Wan is as much fun as his younger [plastic] counterparts. However, there is one particular “feature” that really enhances the fun (at least for me). What is it? I’m glad you asked, because it’s Obi-Wan’s pre-posed right hand. Okay, so what’s the big deal? On the way to Mos Eisley Cantina, Obi-Wan and company (Luke Skywalker, R2-D2, and C3-PO) are stopped by a Sandtrooper patrol. This is when Obi-Wan [very casually] weaves his hand and quiets the Sandtrooper’s suspicions. The figure’s pre-posed right hand can also be used for many awkward and comical poses such as having Obi-Wan touch (insert the name of any action figure)’s lips/head/hand… I’ve said too much.
Unfortunately, there’s one BIG negative. These figures usually come packaged with their respective weapons “rubber-banded” to one of their pre-posed hands. Obi-Wan is no exception. After removing the rubber-band, the lightsaber no longer fits firmly in Obi-Wan’s left hand. It takes a combination of both work and luck to have the lightsaber stay in his hand for a very short period of time.
Fun Score: 7 / 10
The retail price for Obi-Wan at the time of release was $7.99. However, I’ve only seen this figure being sold for $0.99 loose online on eBay. I can’t seem to find it being sold in any other online retail store. You might be able to find it as a possible peg-warmer at Toysrus though. The $7.99 price-tag may be a bit expensive for a 3.75 inch figure, however, the accurate sculpt, loads of articulation, and accessories do make up for the slightly big price tag.
Value Score: 9 / 10
9 / 10 - Top notch sculpting slightly hurt by over-sized fabric cloak and “skirt”.
10 / 10 - Most impressive for a mass-produced toy not to have any paint application flaws. Good job, Hasbro!
10 / 10 - Obi-Wan is a great man who can do all sorts of poses. Not bad for an old fossil.
7 / 10 - Definitely loads of fun, especially if you’re a bit creative. Wobbly lightsaber hurt this otherwise perfect score.
9 / 10 - Reasonably priced, but may be hard to find mainly because it’s been 9 months since its initial release.
95 / 100 - This is a Wonderful Toy
Old Ben Kenobi is a must-have for any Star Wars fan. If the incredibly accurate facial sculpt and likeness to the on-screen character doesn’t convince you to purchase it, perhaps the amount of accessories will.
-go fig
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