Star Wars Rebel Trooper Builder Set - SW [S - P1] - Multipacks (Exclusive)

Hasbro is messing with the Star Wars collecting community, aren't they? In all fairness, it was the Star Wars collecting community that complained for years until Hasbro finally listened to our whining and updated a long-awaited figure. The first Rebel Fleet Trooper from The Power Of The Force "2" [Red/Green] line left A LOT desired. It was a stiff-looking figure that was taller than Darth Vader. The figure also had the wrong colored pants. About four years later, Hasbro got down to business to update another Rebel Fleet Trooper. A critical Star Wars character, many collectors feel it should have been part of the original vintage Kenner line. Abandoning all previous approaches, Hasbro attempted to sneak in multi-functional articulation that worked as much as it didn't work, and updated the sculpt that also worked, and then didn't work. Hasbro approached in a way that collectors would have an acceptable modern interpretation of the Rebel Alliance character while giving the figure unprecedented tooling for multiple posing options. But in all honesty, 2001's POTJ Rebel Trooper (Tantive IV Defender) action figure fails as much as it succeeds. And we're disappointed to see it reused for the Star Wars Rebel Trooper Builder set (without any interchangeable head sculpts or paint operation corrections because the figure is becoming obsolete quickly.

The figure was birthed with inferior articulation. It needs refreshing or rebuilding from the ground up. Compared to what Hasbro now includes with other figures in this era, it's a figure that no longer works in the Star Wars action figure line. We have to wonder if something got lost in translation during this figure's making, or if what they'd planned didn't pan out as intended. The Rebel Trooper comes with 11 points of articulation. Sadly, all of the points are swivel articulation. The swivel points included here are head, shoulders, wrists, hips, knees, and boots. Surprisingly, this figure's articulation system allows it to transform into two completely distinct poses quickly. They mastered this effect, and the figure can go from upright to kneeling in seconds. They developed his pants so that they look natural no matter which way the knees and twisted and the arms can rest at his side or hold up the included blaster as needed to defend himself against stormtroopers. What surprises us the most about this figure is that he comes with a removable vest, but not a removable helmet. In our opinion, a removable helmet is essential, and we're disappointed that this isn't the case.

What's worse, Hasbro once again erroneously decorated the helmet, and it's screen inaccurate. The black detail on the helmet goes much too low down the front of it. In the film, there is a thick white band that separates the black portion from the brim of the helmet. And it looks off even if you're a casual collector or fan. The error is immediately noticeable because it affects the aesthetics of the figure. So we are quite disappointed to see this mistake once again. Because the helmet isn't removable, it isn't easy to make out this figure's likeness, personality, and expression. Do you feel our frustrations? The blaster is way too small too. And Hasbro didn't tool a functioning holster, so you can't store the included weapon when not in use. This missed detail never makes collectors happy. As a character that runs around the Tantive IV, premium articulation, especially in the limbs, would have been optimal. But instead, we have an action figure that looks the best static in a kneeling and aimed pose. Also, will collectors want four of the same figure with the same human likeness this many times? With an MSRP of $17.99, the Star Wars Rebel Trooper Builder Set is an online exclusive.