Collectible Reviews

In writing this review, I must make apologies to those who read my first review. I spoke of another, older version (pictured) when in fact the product itself differs enough that I actually did buy it - having already purchased the version pictured.

Gone is the drunken ranger with the sword hilt almost touching his chin, and slipping out of its sheath because of an intention but inexplicable gash in the sheath. If you stand these two figures (old Strider and new one) together, the first notable change is the head. It really was made smaller on the old one, but the new one is bigger (more appropriately so!), with more solemn looking expression. His boots and costume are darker and more accurate, and the figure is a little taller and more proportional in general. He comes with two Ranger gear packs: his quiver (complete with unstrung bow, not removable) and his bedroll. He comes with his cloak, which can be worn - even over the gear and the sword-swing action button! A few LotR figures have a hole in the back of the cloak so the action button can be pressed, with the opposite extreme having the cloak unable to fit because of the size of the button. This figure has the best of both worlds: a button present for play and action, but a cloak that fits over it for display.

The sword is better as well. The sheath may be just a little too wide, but the sword dangles more horizontally like the prop did, instead of vertically. It is also made of more pliable plastic, which allows for a little less risk of breakage. When put next to the original Strider sword, the difference is nearly half an inch of length.

The head swivels and even nods slightly. The wrists and elbows bend, and the sword-arm swivels between the elbow and shoulder. The legs do not contain any articulation at all, besides being able to be swiveled forwards and backwards, but I deem this a good thing for easier and better display support.

Overall, this figure far more up to par with the quality present in most recently-created figures. It's sad that some of us amateur toy collectors had to waste money on earlier editions, unwittingly waiting for ToyBiz to get their design flaws remedied. Then again, perhaps they wouldn't have remedied those flaws so if not for the complaints of my fellow reviewers.

This is the best Strider so far, and I highly recommend you buy him.

While on a routine mounted patrol on the surface of the ice world Hoth, the young Rebel Commander had spotted what looked like a meteor falling from the sky, but before he could investigate, the huge clawed paw of a hungry Wampa Ice Creature slammed him off his tauntaun and knocked him out. When Luke regained consciousness some time later, he was hanging upside down in the Wampa's cave-lair, fastened to the ceiling by solid ice. And on the snow-covered floor of the cave lay his only means of escape -- his father's lightsaber.....

I have 3 different figures depicting Luke in Hoth gear -- Kenner's original 1980s figure, the 1990s Hasbro Power of the Force Tauntaun with Luke Skywalker, and this one -- and I think they all have their virtues. True, the original could not hold a lightsaber, but he could ride the original Kenner tauntaun (it had an ingenious "trap door" saddle into which you inserted the figure's legs to simulate the character's being in a covered saddle without worrying about the poor articulation of the original 3.75 inch figure). The costume detailing was good for its time. The Luke in Hoth gear released with the 1990s tauntaun has better detailing in the face (for a figure that size, anyway) and can be posed more realistically as the articulation is specifically designed to "ride" the tauntaun.

This 2003/2004 Hasbro Star Wars action figure is nicely rendered; the Rebel-issue winter gear -- which includes a set of removable goggles -- looks good, and the "blood" on Luke's face (courtesy of the Wampa Ice Creature's claws) is a nice touch, especially for collectors who like to display their figures in action poses. As a matter of fact, the figure also comes with a lightsaber and a "cave base" that connects with the Wampa figure to recreate the suspenseful scene from The Empire Strikes Back where the Jedi-to-be escapes from the fearsome carnivore.

A Definate buy!!

Fellowship of the Ring Edition Aragorn

I recommend that if you want to play with a Padme figure get one of the smaller figures! Keep your larger figures in the display box for a nicer presentation. You will need a doll display stand if you do take her out for display.
This figure is best for ages about 9 to adult.