Emperor Palpatine - POTF2 [R/G] - Basic

Height: 1.73 Meters
Status: Dictator of the Empire
Classification: Human
Affiliation: Galactic Empire
Weapon of Choice: Dark Side Energy Bolts (Green packaging only)

This figure of Emperor Palpatine featured a single leg "stump" for a lower body. The outer cloak can be removed, but the figure looks the same without it. (Freeze Frame packaging only)

After waiting what collectors consider "forever" for a new modern update to Emperor Palpatine, he finally arrived to mixed reception in 1997. Isn't it odd when you stare at a modern action figure and you can't tell if it's really good or really bad? That is about the most perfect assessment for 1997's POTF2 [FF/TKC] Emperor Palpatine action figure. This action figure has an almost perfect silhouette, a great molded outer robe and a decent likeness that captures the gray-faced villain quite well. But at the same time, you will also feel oppositely of what we have just assessed too. Emperor Palpatine is a plain old paradox. We find it curious that the 1984 vintage Kenner figure comes with more articulation than the 1997 release. And it's just our opinion, but the vintage Kenner figure also has a better likeness too. It's not that the modern release looks terrible, but the sculptors in 1984 managed to secure a better look to the evil Sith Master years ago. Technology should have allowed them to master his likeness today

Emperor Palpatine comes with four points of articulation. There isn't any articulation below the waist, but the figure does possess a waist joint. This is really an unnecessary point of articulation as the long robes that surround the figure from neck to the feet inhibits most of the movement this joint would offer anyway. We suppose the gesture is nice, but Kenner/Hasbro could have certainly sculpted this figure without it. The figure is posed in a rather generic posture, but Emperor Palpatine is slightly leaning forward which has been done intentionally. We'll explain. Emperor Palpatine comes with his walking stick (that's what they call it on the packaging but collectors refer to it as a cane) and his right hand has been perfectly sculpted to hold it. We are very impressed with how believably he is able to hold this accessory. Kenner/Hasbro did a great job. The walking stick even has a wonderful sculpt too. It looks completely screen accurate and has a shininess to it which looks great too

It appears that Kenner/Hasbro had some difficulty with aligning which figures needed to go under what Collection number. Loosely defined, Collection 1 was meant for main characters and heroes, Collection 2 was reserved for background characters, droids and aliens and finally Collection 3 was reserved for villains. You will however find inconsistencies within these designations across the line. It wasn't a perfect system. In fact, Emperor Palpatine (along with many, many other figures in the POTF2 line) can be found under multiple Collection numbers. We can't be bothered wasting our time with such nonsense, but it was and is a big deal for certain carded collectors. Emperor Palpatine was also carried forward into the Freeze Frame phase of the line. The figure came with a beautiful still from the film which was the perfect complement to the basic figure line. Better versions of Emperor Palpatine will come. This one isn't terrible, but we imagine many collectors will be immediately waiting for a new update.