Han Solo (Rebel Hero) - Premium Format Figures

A former smuggler and space pirate, Han Solo is the rugged, devil-may-care captain of the Millennium Falcon. Fast thinking and quick with a blaster, Han is noted for his narrow escapes from dangerous situations, many of which are the result of his own brash and arrogant behavior. His skill with a blaster and uncanny luck are equaled only by his extraordinary piloting abilities. After winning the Falcon from fellow gambler and friend Lando Calrissian, Han extensively modified his ship to become one of the fastest space vessels in the galaxy. For this reason, he is hired to transport Jedi Knight Obi-Wan Kenobi and young Luke Skywalker on a mission that will forever alter Han's roguish course. After helping to rescue the Rebel leader Princess Leia from the clutches of the evil Empire, the often charming yet insufferable pilot wins the heart of the beautiful Princess, and in her cause, finds a focus for his flyboy talents. No longer a reckless vagrant, Han Solo is a general in the Rebel Alliance and is recognized as one of its most deserving and courageous heroes.

So, Sideshow Collectibles is clearly on a learning curve with some of their earliest Premium Format Figures. Luke Skywalker (Episode IV: A New Hope) had its good points and bad points and now Han Solo (Rebel Hero) which is based on the general release Han Solo Premium Format Figures appears to be a few steps up from Luke Skywalker, but still a bit of a ways from perfection. Sideshow Collectible surprisingly announced that a limited edition run of 250 pieces would be produced for a special interpretation of regular Han Solo Premium Format Figure, a “Rebel Hero” version to be exact, base on how he looked at the very end of Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope. With a cleaned, pressed and darker buttoned-up shirt, a Yavin ceremonial medal and a Yavin environmental staircase, Han Solo (Rebel Hero) is an accurate and very scene-specific interpretation of this favorite Star Wars character. Other than the key differences, both the regular and exclusive editions of Han Solo are nearly identical as far as sculpt and appearance is concerned.

The Han Solo (Rebel Hero) Premium Format Figure was truly a surprise for high-end collectors. If you know nothing about Sideshow Collectibles, they are known for making their exclusive products extremely unique and keep the exclusives parts, well, exclusive to that piece. In other words, they won’t carry forward exclusives accessories to other Star Wars characters. This makes the items attain more collectability and hopefully a higher aftermarket value in the long run. And all of this coupled with a super-low edition size (usually) makes it a win for everyone involved. Han Solo (Rebel Hero) clearly doesn’t have the best likeness to actor Harrison Ford (or the character of Han Solo), but you can easily tell it’s him. We believe that the scale is ever so slightly off, perhaps even more than that, because Han Solo (Rebel Hero) seems to have a much larger stature than the other Premium Format Figures when posed side by side to each other. But if you can look past the larger head and hands, you’ll find other details that are right on the money.

Han Solo (Rebel Hero) has a nearly flawless costume. As noted earlier, Sideshow ensured that they matched the longer sleeves and the darker color of his shirt as well as the buttoned-up appearance of it exactly. The red bloodstripe running vertically down his blue pants look fantastic. The greatest amount of details can be found in his belt and holster however. Between all of the pouches, accessories and his blaster, Sideshow Collectibles were very precise to recreate these details without issue. Real leather was used to craft the holster and metals and plastics were used to bring the realism to the highest level possible. Premium Format Figures typically shine above other larger scaled collectibles because the mixed media approached is so poignant to imitate the many aspects of a Star Wars character’s unique look. And Sideshow Collectibles got almost all of the details perfectly. If there was a way that more time could have been spent on Han Solo’s portrait the piece would be inordinately more impressive. This PF is far from poor, but we don’t think it’s the best we’ve seen from Sideshow Collectibles.