Resistance Gunner Paige - SW [TLJ] - Basic

If the simple 5POA 3.75” action figure line must continue, then Resistance Gunner Paige is the template from which all others should follow. There are many things going on with Resistance Gunner Paige, both overt and covert, that makes her stand out as one of Hasbro’s finest examples of what can be accomplished in the “five points of articulation” range. Literally, if all of the figures in this range were approached with such confidence and beauty, we’d welcome more of them. It’s just that some characters inherently cannot thrive as action figures with only five points of articulation. This sets up a strong case for a hybrid line. Time and again collectors have tried to express that not every figure needs super-articulation. Resistance Tech Rose and her sister Resistance Gunner Paige are PRIME examples of this and those slots should be reserved for troopers and other army-builders. And since Hasbro is saving incredible tooling costs with the 5POA figures, they would be able to afford to throw in a super-articulated giant like the First Order Stormtrooper and Kylo Ren (and SO MANY others) without affecting their bottom line much at all. Right now the 5POA and super-articulated 3.75” are completely segregated by how much they move, and it’s truly a detriment to the line since they can kill so many birds with one stone while making everyone happy. But Hasbro can be way too “cookie cutter” sometimes to the point that they cannot see the forest for the trees.

That being said, Resistance Gunner Paige has been executed so beautifully that she could easily fit into any collectors’ line seamlessly. Her flawless sculpt, incredible approach to her facial likeness and her “multiple” accessories prove to us that Hasbro is trying to offer more than they have in the past when it comes to the 5POA line. While she is wearing a permanent gray skull cap, Hasbro did include a beautifully painted removable helmet. It will instantly remind you of Biggs Darklighter’s helmet from Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope with just a few changes to make it unique to hers. Hasbro also got rid of their awful “banana visor” approach and have used a translucent plastic that she can “see” out of in a brilliant yellow color. What’s more, Hasbro has tooled an attached, but free-floating breathing mask. It hangs down to her right side when not in use, but when you want her to wear it there are plugs on the edge of the mouthpiece that actually plug into her helmet to keep it firmly attached to her face. We have seen “similar” action taken place on past super-articulated figures of yesteryear, but never to this intricate degree. We’re very thankful that Hasbro didn’t forsake this detail to save on tooling costs. It’s little elements like this that are able to melt the unwavering heart of stone by super-articulated fanatics like ourselves. No one can dispute how much this brings to any action figure of any stature.

Resistance Gunner Paige also comes with a blaster pistol. She can hold it very well in both of her hands. We’ve noticed that while these types of guns have been given to other characters in the past, they all seem to differ in color in one way or another. Paige’s is especially light and silvery. We’re moving up in the action figure world. So many figures are coming with more than one accessory now and it is especially uplifting to us to see this generosity displayed in the 5POA Force Link line. From the wrinkles and overall dinginess of her used uniform to her sleek and thin frame, Resistance Gunner Paige looks and feels like a real Star Wars characters that have lived in this world for years. Even the stoic expression on her face gives off that “been there, done that” reasoning that so many other characters before her have exuded. Again, we’d like to see Hasbro take a mixed approach to the basic figure line. Yes, some figures are coming with enhanced articulation here and there (like the Probe Droid, the Rathtar, and Poe Dameron), but we’d like to see more and more so that the action figures can move as needed in collectors’ collection. Resistance Gunner Paige may not have additional articulation than the standard allotment, but Hasbro has elevated her above the rest thanks to a stunning sculpt, cool features and a paint job that rivals so many other of her contemporary figures.