TIE Interceptor - LC - Vehicles (Exclusive)

The elite TIE Interceptor starfighter slices through space with its dagger-like wings and ultrasleek design. Designed for speed and firepower, this Imperial fighter has four additional laser cannons mounted on its wings that the pilots use with devastating accuracy. As a space superiority fighter, the TIE Interceptor challenged the Rebel Alliance and was used extensively at the Battle of Endor.

Probably one of the highlights of the vintage collection were the new vehicles that were introduced to kids for the Return Of The Jedi line in 1983. The line brought many new designs and large vehicles and many seen for the first time ever. One of these vehicles, the TIE Interceptor never seemed to lose its luster at all and even today, fans adore the vehicle like no other. As a bonus, Hasbro has managed to make each subsequent release new and exciting. But we have to state that the latest version to date, a Toys R Us exclusive is the best version yet. Not only does the vehicle has the awesome textured wings that was first brought to us on the 2001 Power Of The Jedi Imperial TIE Interceptor, Hasbro has designed a brand new cockpit with an "ejectable" seat (not an action feature). The interior of the cockpit is amazing and for the first time it looks lit up thanks to a brilliant decal that comes applied fresh out of the box. The cockpit is loaded with details, including shift gears, a steering column and a crystal clear window for your pilot to look out of and track down enemy X-wing starfighters. While the vintage release was gray in color, this version is a nice solid blue color. The vehicle can be displayed nicely, but has the propensity to topple forward thanks to an awkward center of gravity. This is a small issue that you can overlook, trust us on this one, because the overall product is a successful accomplishment on Hasbro's part. The vehicle delivers in all ways possible and it is now the definitive TIE Interceptor in our collections for the time being.

The vehicle essentially has three parts including two wings and the cockpit. The pieces snap together very tightly and the plastic used to make the vehicle is of a high and sturdy quality. Once assembled, you will have a beautiful vehicle in your collections. While we wouldn't describe the vehicle as sleek and slender, it does have an agile appearance to it and you are left with the idea that this vehicle can navigate through space without issue. And the design of the vehicle clearly advertises that it is a quick and speedy vehicle in space. Its strong boxy wings cut through the atmosphere and attain its goals in no time. And this is a toy that will require you to use your imagination more than usual because as a toy, the vehicle doesn't offer much play value. While the seat can be removed, there isn't a button to trigger "ejection" functionality. (Maybe this will come at a later date.) In fact, there is no functionality at all. But again, this is fine for us. The TIE Interceptor Pilot is so far exclusive to this set. The 2009 LC Imperial Pilot Legacy (Series II) Evolutions set from Walmart gave us the same sculpt for the pilot, but for the TIE Interceptor release, the stripes on the face plate of the helmet have been left off of it. Essentially, this is a generic TIE Fighter Pilot, so we have another figure to check off of our "vintage to modern" lists. (The TARGET exclusive Imperial TIE Fighter came with the same exact figure as in the Walmart Evolutions set. Only the TIE Interceptor comes with the plain generic TIE Fighter Pilot.)

If you have the aforementioned Imperial Pilot Legacy (Series II) set, then you already know about this pilot. An excellently sculpted and articulated figure, the TIE Interceptor Pilot is only different via his name. Loaded with 12 points of articulation, (only missing super-articulated status by no ankle joints), the figure has all the movement necessary to pilot this vehicle. As a set, it is pretty standard, but since we don't see TIE Interceptor vehicles grace the shelves that often, it probably looks more enticing that normal. To be honest, we have a hard time justifying the $49.99 retail price of this vehicle. While it may be a bit too big for the mid-size vehicle assortment, we think that a price point of around $29.99 (or less) would have been much fairer and more ideal to most collectors. The vehicle has had mediocre sell through, but it is hardly a hit out of the park. This is a shame because the vehicle is leaps and bounds better than its predecessors, the best to be exact. How many of you remember the awful TIE Interceptor with the red stripes on the wings? The newest TIE Interceptor will absolutely be a fan favorite vehicle and at the rate Hasbro gets it out to collectors, it may not make a return appearance for a while. You may want to pick this one up as soon as possible.