AT-AT (Imperial All Terrain Armored Transport) - TVC - Vehicles (Exclusive)

Even the staunchest complainers of Hasbro have to concede that some of the things they do are brilliant for the toy line. After a rough 2012 and perhaps rougher 2013, Hasbro releases a derivation of the universally praised 2010 SW [SOTDS] Imperial AT-AT (All Terrain Armored Transport) vehicle. This behemoth broke records, exceeded our expectations and brought a whole new plane of the closest scale yet for the 3.75” basic figure line. While some were less than impressed with its quick repackaging in The Vintage Collection line look (no changes were made to the vehicle), it received a quick rerelease to appease “vintage only” collectors who desperately wanted to see this gorgeous vehicle released in the classic replicated packaging of when we were all much younger. Perhaps a step unconventional, Hasbro decided to release the vehicle again, this time calling it the AT-AT (Imperial All Terrain Armored Transport) (note the rearrangement of “Imperial” in its title) in an Endor theme as seen in a very quick scene in Star Wars Episode VI: Return Of The Jedi. This vehicle was released in an Endor-themed styled package art, and now Hasbro has faithfully recreated it using modern figures and an all-new gorgeous backdrop to allow us to relive its 1983 release again. A whole lot bigger and whole lot more accurate, the AT-AT (Imperial All Terrain Armored Transport) now comes repainted (to be Endor specific) and one of the pack-in figures has also been repainted, albeit though the eyes of the Expanded Universe. You still get the AT-AT, the Speeder Bike and the pack-in figure with this release. But it has a different flavor now, which is great.

A vehicle like the AT-AT is so overwhelming that it’s hard to organize your thoughts while describing how impressive it is. Standing as tall as the average household dog, the AT-AT comes with an impressive array of opening hatches and storage areas that will provide hours of playtime for kids of all ages. It’s more likely however that most “kids” will be preserving this specimen as carefully as possible since collectors of The Vintage Collection are all about preventing the adulteration of the packaging by opening it. There are no new features added for this release, but the AT-AT has received an all-new sticker decal sheet, obviously to make it as Endor-specific as possible. As far as the outside paint job, you will probably be surprised at exactly how many differences exist. Obviously the “mud” accumulating on its “feet” is evident. But you might want to note that the entire body has a darker gray color an there are plenty of instances of rust drippings and scratches from the apparent foilage on Endor. It's brilliantly done. But aside from the color differences, the AT-AT is technically identical to its previous releases. Still, we feel enough newness has been added here to consider this a new release that’s easily worthy of another purchase. As you know, the biggest part of The Vintage Collection experience is the packaging, so many collectors probably won’t care about whether or not extra paint to represent mud has been added here. But for us, since we’re openers, we appreciate the effort on Hasbro’s part to make the AT-AT feel differently. That being said, there is no way this AT-AT’s paint job can compare to the one give the 2006 TSC Endor AT-AT (All Terrain Armored Transport). The paint job on this vehicle is stunning and we wish Hasbro would have decorated this version is similar manner at the very least. Just compare the two and you’ll see what we’re talking about. It’s truly a shame that they cut corners here.

Hasbro really couldn’t have picked a more appropriate time to release the AT-AT vehicle. It started arriving in the USA markets in May 2013 which marks the 30th anniversary of Return Of The Jedi almost to the day. In fact, the date of this review marks the exact 30th anniversary of Return Of The Jedi. (It was planned – don’t think it was the will of the Force or anything.) [So, Happy Birthday Episode VI! We’re proud of your original unaltered release and you still hold up better than most of the films made today with modern technology.] As a collectible, the AT-AT may not be the most anticipated vehicle, but it’s warmly welcomed and we’re happy we took the plunge and purchased the vehicle. With anything positive however, we must point out something negative. The negative here is the loss of any The Vintage Collection basic figures to go along with the AT-AT. We find it very disorganized and slightly unsettling that Hasbro is back up to three or four separate line looks running concurrently. Why they shoot themselves in the foot like this is maddening. We do understand that they are running the line quite differently today. The new approach to action figures for “kids” necessitates its own line look today. So maybe it’s moot at this point to bring up. But doesn’t it make you feel a little bit blue inside that we’re getting some fine vehicles in The Vintage Collection packaging as exclusives with no accompanying basic figure line? Retail may not know what to do with so many different looking Star Wars products, so we hope confusion doesn’t ensue. We’re not ungrateful, but it would be so nice for The Vintage Collection to continue as if it never had stopped.