Death Star Escape - POTF2 [R/G] - Cinema Scenes (Exclusive)

The Rebel Alliance has infiltrated the Galactic Empire's most powerful battle station, the Death Star! Posing as stormtroopers escorting a prisoner, Han Solo, Luke Skywalker and Chewbacca attempt a daring rescue of the captive Princess Leia. Can they escape the dreaded Death Star, or is the Rebellion about to suffer the loss of its newest heroes?

After getting out many of the core characters from Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope in The Power Of The Force “2” [Red] lineup, Kenner felt that they needed to go to basics again to revisit some of the original action figures they need. And then they considered how they could bring multiple characters out at once. They devised the Cinema Scenes sub-line, but they tested the waters by releasing a Toys R Us exclusive first. Dubbed Death Star Escape, this three-pack included completely redone versions of Han Solo and Luke Skywalker (both in stormtrooper disguises) as well as Chewbacca (this time bound by binders) in front of a beautiful scene-specific backdrop to help kids and collectors with the memorable scene from A New Hope. The exclusive went over big as collectors loved the concept in addition to the presentation. A special window box was designed to showcase all three figures in a diorama like setting. What collectors weren’t so crazy about was the price. At the time, three figures would run you about $15. This exclusive Cinema Scenes set was just under $20. Still, we can’t forget that an extremely wide display base was also included and the packaging was manufactured in a way where the backdrop could be cut out and set in a crevice on the base. Still, many other collectors felt that it wasn’t worth the extra work assembling these outside of the packaging. After all, these sets looked as perfect as could be while still inside of the box.

Han Solo and Luke Skywalker are all-new figures. Chewbacca is a kit-bashed figure. For Han Solo and Luke Skywalker, unlike their previous counterparts, some notable differences exist. The stormtrooper armor isn’t as bright white this time around. The skin color of Han Solo and Luke Skywalker are markedly different than what we have seen up to this point. Oh, and the silhouettes of the body types are a whole lot less exaggerated and not as beefy as the previous versions either. We wouldn’t go so far as to say they they’re perfect now, but you will see much improved and more streamlined body typed given to them now. The only setback in our opinion is that they have been placed in action poses. And again just our opinion, the arms of Han Solo and Luke Skywalker just appear to flailing a little too much to our liking. It may have been a better if these action figures received less “animation” in their sculpts. Despite their “action stances” both figures are able to stand unassisted. This may be a simple expectation, but if you look at the posture of these figures, you’d assume neither would be able to stand without any help. This is not the case at all. A bonus here is the inclusion of Han Solo’s E-11 blaster. The Froot Loops Han Solo [Disguised As A Stormtrooper] only came with a helmet and a pretty annoying pose. This Cinema Scenes version may be considered a step up (thanks to the reduced frame and complete accessories). Both Han Solo and Luke Skywalker have many positives, but they also have negatives. You’ll just have to weight these yourself.

Chewbacca is still a bit of a disappointment. He has been given a completely different paint job this time around. His arms are all-new and his head sculpt has been tweaked a bit. You’ll notice that his fur on his head sculpt doesn’t hang down as low as 1995’s POTF2 [R/G] Chewbacca figure. If they bothered to slim down Han Solo and Luke Skywalker and give them all-new sculpts, why couldn’t they design an all-new likeness of Chewbacca, make him taller and make him appear more like a Wookiee? They did spend the time to tool all-new arms and they included binders so that he could appear as a prisoner. It sort of works, but we feel that Kenner could have ultimately done better. There is just something so off about a Wookiee that is just a hair taller than Han Solo and Luke Skywalker. This is a misstep for authenticity and we hope it is something Kenner will address in the future. (Editor’s Note: Hasbro addressed Chewbacca’s height issue for the first time in the Power Of The Jedi line.) Together, all three figures looks pretty cool in the Death Star Escape Cinema Scenes set. This three-pack was a hot commodity in 1997 and Toys R Us had to order more to meet the demand. Kenner is showing that they are invested in this line and will continue to tweak and improve aesthetics of characters in the Star Wars line. The included Han Solo and Luke Skywalker are evidence of this. We just want to see them keep that momentum going strong for all future releases.