Han Solo - Unleashed

Han Solo was never one to fight for any other cause than his own – until he finds himself caught up in a risky rebellion against the Galactic Empire. This is a disconcerting predicament for the smuggler, mercenary pilot and captain of the Millennium Falcon. He reluctantly joins the Rebel Alliance, but after he has committed himself to their cause, he brings to the struggling Rebellion the many qualities and skills that have successfully brought him through many dangerous and daring adventures. Courageous to the point of recklessness, overly confident and arrogant, Han Solo can infuriate at the same time as he inspires those around him to do the impossible. He is a born fighter with a natural ability to lead. Surrounded by the enemy, backed into a corner, he takes aim with his blaster pistol and refuses to give an inch of ground. His posture speaks of uncompromising defiance, his eyes squarely face the impossibility of coming out of this alive yet they blaze with the belief that he will prevail. Brash, bold and brave, Han Solo embodies the spirit of the individual who will accept nothing less than the total victory of his cause.

Not all of the Star Wars: Unleashed figures are based on scenes from the film (or the Expanded Universe for that matter), but ones like Han Solo look exactly like they’ve been ripped right out of the celluloid. You know exactly what scene this Han Solo figure is based. After rescuing Princess Leia Organa from the clutches of the Galactic Empire on the Death Star, they escape certain doom when Obi-Wan Kenobi sacrifices himself for the greater good. Still not completely free from danger, the band of heroes defend themselves from Imperial Stormtrooper blasts as they make their way up the ramp of the Millennium Falcon. Cue Unleashed Han Solo right here. Hasbro developed a stunning interpretation of this very scene for the Unleashed line and it’s another standout piece that will certainly maintain its awesomeness for years to come. With a fantastic likeness of the rogue scoundrel, an athletic frame and faithful costume, Han Solo is running up the ramp of the Millennium Falcon complete with hydraulic posts and rust stains. The amount of effort that went into this piece is incredible. We love that the Unleashed line contains so much diversity in it. We get screen accurate figures ripped right out the films, we get “off camera” moments and then we get completely Expanded Universe takes on movie-based characters. There is something for everyone here.

The Unleashed line clearly isn’t for those who love articulation. But we would have to express our dissatisfaction to those who would simply write these off for this reason alone. Dynamic sculpting should really be the focus for all collectors. We’re not trying to tell you how to collect and your opinion should be most important to you, but we feel that too many people have missed out on a superb line here simply for the fact that they cannot be articulated. The thing you should note is that Hasbro did all of the articulating for you already. They’ve chosen the most expressive, action-packed and dynamic poses for these figures that there is little to no reason that you would want to do any more tweaking yourselves. Some of the Unleashed figures do contain some wonky postures, but those are the minority. Han Solo is testament to the fact that you’re not going to wish for any other option than what Hasbro has provided here. And with the high quality plastics they’re using and the topnotch paint operations, the Unleashed line is a force to be reckoned with for they are some of the greatest items Hasbro has produced in their long tenure with the Star Wars brand. It’s impossible for the Unleashed Han Solo to disappoint. It captures the raw intensity perfectly that Hasbro is trying to achieve in this format and scale. We never expected to be into a larger scale of figure. But Hasbro’s Star Wars: Unleashed line sells it to us hook, line and sinker.

Han Solo has been produced in a running pose (obviously) running up the ramp of the Millennium Falcon. His head and right arm are facing back at you in an effort to shoot back at the Imperial Stormtroopers trying to thwart their escape. His facial expression is full of concern (as well as energy) and it’s evident that he is about just as fed up with the Galactic Empire as he is desperate to save his and his compatriots’ lives. His outfit is perfect. His off-white shirt is paired with denim blue pants. There is a red blood stripe running down each outer seam and his holster is appropriately fastened on his right leg. Hasbro also sculpted a separate black vest, which technically isn’t removable…. now…. but was when this figure was assembled. His boots aren’t any shinier than the rest of him, but they look great anyway. The same effort that went into the Han Solo figure went into the Millennium Falcon ramp base. The details that are displayed are simply gorgeous. There is evidence of dirt and reside and on the sides of the ramp are yellow rust stain that have accumulated from years of wear and tear. The hydraulic posts are just gravy and give a sense of scale to the invisible Millennium Falcon behind him. What an astounding thing it would be if Hasbro could tool a full scale Millennium Falcon for this seven-inch scaled figure. It’s all too obvious we’re in love with the Unleashed line, but you should know that Han Solo is one of the standout pieces in it.

As a bonus feature to this review, we have provided the original artwork created for this Star Wars: Unleashed figure. Click the thumbnail to the left to see the amazing illustration.