Chewbacca - SW [TLJ] - Basic

So far the Star Wars [The Last Jedi] line is giving us some very recognizable characters from the Original Trilogy. In the first wave alone we have new takes on three characters we fell in love with all the way back in 1977. It’s reassuring, heartwarming and exciting to see them get another action figure decades after their original debut. Chewbacca is one of these said characters. While it’s nice to see him added to the Star Wars [The Last Jedi] line, we have come to the realization that some characters just aren’t meant to be added to the 5POA range. Chewbacca is a case in point example. He looks like the trunk of a tree and really can’t do much more than a tree trunk can. Sure he has movable arms and legs and a barely movable head, but what good does that do anyone when the movement is situated on one plane of motion? Chewbacca may engage collectors who are just looking for a background version of him, but we find this figure (and his likeness) very dissatisfying.

Many collectors have already exclaimed their adoration for this action figure. We are scratching our heads because of it. We don’t really know. We think people are so focused on getting a 3.75” porg that they’re overlooking what an actual travesty the Chewbacca figure is alongside of the porg. Sure, we suppose Chewbacca looks good from certain angles, but if you inspect his profile from side view you’ll immediately notice he shares many more traits with a sasquatch than a Wookiee. Not to sound vicious, but his likeness is abhorrent. The contour of his face is all wrong and the approach to making his fur just doesn’t work. It clings much too closely to his body which creates a molded look instead of the free-flying hair that adorns this character. Add to that a very basic and limited amount of movement and there is just no way to get around the fact that this figure is a disappointment. But the disappointment doesn’t end there. There is actually something worse here.

Why the heck did Hasbro tool his bowcaster to break down into three separate parts? It is one of the most obnoxious accessories we have seen in the line to date. The bowcaster is flimsy and will disassemble into its three parts if you just look at it the wrong way. Then you have to wrestle with the figure to get him to hold it by the handle. Again, it’s one of the most frustrating things we have encountered in the Star Wars [The Last Jedi] line and perhaps all of the basic figures Hasbro has produced from the past. If this is a kids’ line, why would they make his bowcaster accessory in this manner? Kids are definitely going to get annoyed and drive parents crazy asking them to keep reassembling the terrible bowcaster. If you can get past his awful accessory, perhaps the saving grace here is the porg accessory. We’ll admit it. They’re pretty darn adorable. The accessory isn’t anything to write home about however. It comes without any articulation and the paint job is questionable at best. Still, it’s a nice complement to Chewbacca and we’re very interested to see his interaction with them in the film. Chewbacca is also part of the Force Link pack-in gimmick. If you’re into such things, this is more value for the $7.99 action figure.