Han Solo - SW [S - P2] - 12 Inch Figures

Luke Skywalker, a young farmboy on Tatooine, is thrust into the struggle of the Rebel Alliance when he meets Obi-Wan Kenobi, who has lived for years in seclusion on the desert planet. Obi-Wan begins Luke's Jedi training as Luke joins him on a daring mission to rescue the beautiful Rebel leader Princess Leia from the clutches of the evil Empire. Although Obi-Wan sacrifices himself in a lightsaber duel with Darth Vader, his former apprentice, Luke proves that the Force is with him by destroying the Empire's Death Star.

Mercenary pilot, smuggler captain, and cocksure braggart, the overly confident Han Solo is a rugged individual of the Galactic Rim. From impoverished beginnings, Solo worked up through petty thievery to gain a commission in the Academy, from which he was later expelled. A Corellian pilot of the finest caliber nonetheless, Solo gained control of his destiny when he won his ship, the Millennium Falcon, in the best game of sabacc he ever played. His reputation as a gunfighter matches his renown as captain of the Falcon. Reckless and foolhardy, he is also courageous and daring, a match for any adventure.

Han Solo always feels like the right fit for inclusion in the Hasbro Star Wars toy line. But we’d venture a guess that not everyone would agree after the release of the Star Wars “Saga” [Phase II] Han Solo Action Collection/12 inch Figure. Looking a little more like Herman Munster without the makeup than actor Harrison Ford, the Han Solo 12 inch Figure also incorporates a clumsy action feature, a bulky frame and a likeness that might make you cry in disbelief. It’s not that Hasbro’s previous Han Solo 12 inch Figures from the past were perfect, but they do come across as “better’ when compared to this release. Also, aren’t we past action features at this point, especially for a collector-focused line such as the Action Collection subset? Han Solo isn’t without merit, but we have to wonder why we’re repeating characters when there are so many others to get to in this format. And if you’re not improving the previously offered characters to the point of definitive status, why are we wasting time getting rehashes that pale in comparison? Han Solo may interest some collectors of the line, but we’re not sure who. We find that Han Solo is a disappointment, and a setback with what Hasbro achieved in the 12 inch Figures line thus far.

Hasbro based Han Solo after the many GI Joe figures made during the nineties. It’s surprising to us that they felt military and muscular body types would make good bucks for the Star Wars line. Sometimes these thicker body types work for some Star Wars characters. But most often they don’t. And we think this buck fails the character of Han Solo. Try as they may, Hasbro didn’t quite work out all of the kinks with Han Solo before deeming him as appropriate for production. We’re surprised Lucasfilm LTD. approved the portrait. Han Solo’s head is much too square, and the likeness doesn’t come close to imitating the onscreen character. The hairstyle might be reminiscent of Han Solo, but the square-shaped head makes it difficult to see that too. Also of note, Hasbro painted the skin of his face in flesh color and most of us know by now what kind of effect that creates. Han Solo has a porcelain-like aesthetic for the contour of the skin on his face. Due to the size of his head and the bulky body Hasbro used to create this 12 Inch Figure, Han Solo comes off as a hulking version of himself. You might go so far to say he looks like a Franken-Solo version of himself. As you can see, we’re not too fond of this figure.

The action feature is simply a waste of tooling resources here. Whether or not Hasbro already had a GI Joe 12 Inch Figure with this action figure, isn't something we know, but if they did need to newly tool the “quick draw” action feature for Han Solo, we’d rather see them use the time and resources to develop a portrait that looks like the character better. When the tab on the back is pressed, if swings Han Solo’s waist around to deliver the aforementioned “quick draw” action. Han Solo comes with his signature blaster pistol. It’s a beautifully designed accessory, but because the buck is of an old GI Joe character, his hands don’t welcome the blaster as well as they should. And more often than not, the blaster falls out of his hands with the slightest movement. There aren’t any trigger fingers to help hold the gun in place. Again, why didn’t Hasbro update the hands, which are essential details when it comes to a character who fires a gun? The rest of Han Solo didn’t turn out badly, and we’re talking explicitly about his costume. All of the parts are in place, including a functioning holster which houses the blaster pistol – and about the only place on this figure, it will stay in place. Han Solo is an easy pass. Don’t go crazy trying to obtain this one.