R2-D2 [ROTJ] - Elite Series

A resourceful astromech droid, R2-D2 served Padmé Amidala, Anakin Skywalker and Luke Skywalker – showing great bravery in rescuing his masters and their friends from many perils. In a rescue mission to save Han Solo from Jabba the Hutt, he dutifully served drinks to Jabba's guests while hiding Luke's lightsaber for just the right moment.

It’s been said multiple times now. Collectors of the Disney Elite Series line were stunned by the quality of 2016’s R2-D2 figure. And they feel similarly about R5-D4. Now there is another opportunity to appreciate R2-D2, thanks to a revisit based on his appearance in Star Wars Episode VI: Return Of The Jedi. Out of scale with Hasbro’s 6” figures, R2-D2 [ROTJ] once again brings forth greatness to the format that Hasbro’s line (for astromech droids) does not. From the real-metal texture of the figure to the inordinate amount of detail etched into the tooling, the Elite Series R2-D2 [ROTJ] figure drives the authenticity of the character all the way home. Reusing past tooling should be surprising. R2-D2 [ROTJ] brings R2-D2 back into the line, but based on his brief, but unforgettable role as a bartender on Jabba’s sail barge. The only regret we have is they should have added a feature to hide Luke Skywalker’s lightsaber hilt somewhere on this figure to kill two birds with one stone. Other than this minor detail, we’re quite happy with how R2-D2 [ROTJ] turned out.

Disney’s strongpoint is droids when it comes to the Elite Series line, and this is once again evidenced by R2-D2 [ROTJ]. R2-D2, as you know, is too large. However, the size doesn’t detract the beauty of the figure, and as a standalone piece, he looks fantastic. This die-cast metal sculpt is beautiful, and the best Disney has done yet. More important, the paint operations are more beautiful than the sculpting. They’ve applied them cleanly and evenly, and they’ve also added a final wash, which gives R2-D2 [ROTJ] its “lived-in universe” look in a very authentic manner. Disney followed through with the same aesthetics from the original R2-D2 release. His “holes” left over from screwing the two halves of these figures together, which have aesthetically destroyed almost all of these figures in the past, are once again covered by the inclusion of plugs. You know something is “covered up,” but the hole-covering allows your eyes to flow across the figure's body almost uninterrupted. In short, R2-D2 [ROTJ] looks fantastic. You’re going to love the way he turned out too.

R2-D2 [ROTJ] comes with a few more accessories than the standard Elite Series figure. Besides the inclusion of a beautifully sculpted die-cast metal figure, you also receive the drink tray custom made for an astromech droid, six individual cups that snap-fit into place on the serving tray (one comes permanently attached to it) and a multi-articulated drink dispenser (which includes real tubing and hinge-joints for incredible realism). Disney didn’t hold anything back when making his accessories. They look wonderful. When fully assembled, it looks like R2-D2 [ROTJ] jumped right off the screen into your hands. The articulation of R2-D2 [ROTJ] is simple, but offers up what a character like this needs. The dome swivels. Both legs swivel. And all three feet are attached with hinge-joints. And once again the third leg feature is applied. R2-D2 [ROTJ]’s third leg is spring-loaded, and the figure can stow it inside its body so the figure can stand on two legs alone. Like all Elite Series figures, R2-D2 comes with a black Star Wars display base, and the figure looks beautiful when standing on top of it.