C-3PO And R2-D2 [Sideshow Exclusive] - Premium Format Figures

These ARE The Droids You're Looking For...

Nearly 30 years ago, moviegoers were awed by the opening moments of Star Wars. After the immense Imperial Star Destroyer passed overhead in hot pursuit of the Rebel Blockade Runner, the audience was drawn inside the Tantive IV and introduced to two of the most memorable and beloved characters from the Star Wars universe, C-3PO and R2-D2. In George Lucas' vision, droids can be heroes or villainous bounty hunters - but the galaxy holds as much promise for droids as it does for any other being, be they humanoid or Hutt. The adventures and antics of the fussy protocol droid and his stalwart astromech companion have inspired and entertained generations of Star Wars fans. C-3PO and R2-D2 have forever changed popular culture.

Let us get it out in the open right from the start. The C-3PO And R2-D2 Premium Format Figure set is a complete and utter rip-off and it actually infuriates us that high-end collectible have reached “unaffordable” status for the hoi polloi. We know the products are getting better and better and Sideshow Colelctibles is trying to bring very complicated characters into this format, but something has got to give. While beautifully done, C-3PO And R2-D2 are plastic: high quality or otherwise. It’s a very bitter pill to swallow. But while we think the suggested MSRP is about the most egregious thing we have encountered so far this year, this Premium Format Figure set is stunning on so many levels that it almost takes the pain away from dropping hundreds of dollars on two up-scaled plastic figures. And it’s almost impossible to process what Sideshow Collectibles did to make these figures as incredible as they are. There are a multitude of positives that Sideshow Collectibles have worked into these two figure and they should be commended for their spectacular works. There probably will never be a better collectible format of these two characters, especially when compared to what statues can bring into Star Wars collecting. These 1:4 scale versions of our favorite droid duo are almost breathtaking. And what you’ll find immediately pleasing are the complicated electronics that have been worked into the figures (especially R2-D2). But don’t be completely distracted by just the electronics. There are many other finer details that are just as impressive even if they don’t light up, like the gears and mechanics of each droid. You will be impressed, you will be wowed and you’ll probably wish you had another wad of cash burning a hole in your pocket so you can get these droids in the general market “dirty” versions on the Tatooine environmental display base too. C-3PO And R2-D2 are simply stunning collectibles that has met every stringent demand as far as we’re concerned. Let’s see how successful we are in “selling” them to you.

C-3PO is indeed one of the most brilliant 1:4 scale Premium Format Figures to date. While excellent, he is the weaker of the two in this set. It’s not that he pales in comparison to R2-D2 because that’s not the case at all. But his strengths lie in his articulation more than anything else. Would you believe that Sideshow Collectibles has worked in an astounding ten points of articulation into him? For a collectible that for all intents and purposes should be deemed a statue, that’s remarkable as far as we’re concerned. What’s more, Sideshow has also added electronics that all fit behind his removable face plate to light up his photoreceptors. (The face plate stays attached thanks to two very strong magnets.) There are actually three separate “bulbs” per “eye” that light up. Its not just a background of light igniting. It’s very, very impressive. Multiple points of articulation have been incorporated into each of C-3PO’s arms. Sideshow actually worked in gorgeous pistons and gears that really function when you move his arms. around. A combination of swivel and hinge-jointed articulation give C-3PO his seamless upper body movement. His motions are natural screen accurate. We definitely are thankful to Sideshow Collectibles for adding these very fine points of detail to give C-3PO a mind-blowing amount of screen accuracy. The gold plating is shiny and sterling and you’ll get a nervous stomach if you accidentally bump into it and leave a fingerprint behind. C-3PO also comes with his signature silver leg and that has been replicated beautifully as well. The last detail is one we love. A separately sculpted (and magnetic) restraining bolt has been designed to fit onto a prong on his chest (should you decide to display him as a captive of the Jawas (or Luke Skywalker for that matter). He plugs into a Yavin themed base (R2-D2 just sits atop of his) and leans ever so slightly to the side in a moment of perplexity or quandary. His articulation gives him even more personality than his appearance and his shiny gold body has never looked better.

Without question, R2-D2 is the star of the set. He is loaded with movie-accurate light and accessories. The lights look to appear that they run on a pattern. We took a great number of pictures for this photo gallery (although we only published four of them) of the rear of R2-D2’s dome. Each picture showed a different color pattern. But that’s only the beginning. His front and rear light ports change multiple colors as well: the front change from red to blue and the rear change from green to orange. When you turn off the electronics, the front goes “black” and the rear turns “yellow” – again all movie accurate settings. It’s unreal how accurate Sideshow Collectibles got all of R2-D2’s details. But that’s not nearly all. R2-D2’s holoprojector lights up intermittently as well. A bright white line pours from the lens when it switches on and goes through the electronic sequence. There are also two rectangular panels that light-up (the lower right of his main black eye port) that Hasbro has used “space tape” to recreate the effect on their 3.75” figure where Sideshow has used real electronics to to recreate the strobe light effect. Again – the electronic effects are simply amazing. R2-D2’s dome completely lifts off (and stays attached via magnets) so you can change the batteries, but be warned, the magnets are not that strong and his “head” will pop off very easily if you pick him up that way. The dome also has three ball-socket holoprojectors – but only one has electronics and lights up. Just like C-3PO, a restraining bolt can be attached via a magnet store behind R2-D2’s long left vertical panel. It seems a bit too small and perhaps out of scale, but it’s a cool feature nonetheless. R2-D2 has a third leg that tucks up into his body cavity, and all three feet have two functioning wheels each that have been designed excellently and work well too. Overall, the C-3PO And R2-D2 Premium Format Figure set is stunning. But Sideshow Collectibles must find a way to reduce costs. To think that each figure, plastic no less, costs $387.50 each is criminal. Sorry, but there is no other way to put it. These are glorified 12” figures. Yes, they have stunning electronics, but that doesn’t make up for the surcharge/collecting tax that so many collectors feel today.