Lando Calrissian (Skiff Guard) - RC - Basic

The Star Wars Retro Collection is inspired by the 1980s STAR WARS figures and features original figure design and detailing! Continue your collection from the galaxy far, far away!

Is it just us, or do other collectors notice the repetitive overlap across all of the Hasbro Star Wars brands when it comes to a focused event of new Star Wars show? Please look at what they offered us for the 40th Anniversary of Return Of The Jedi. With few exceptions, the same dang characters are in the 3.75-inch super-articulated and 5POA format and the 6-inch line. Releasing the characters in the same outfits repeatedly dulls the collecting experience and makes it mundane. Yes, the Hasbro Star Wars brands should have equal competition, but when it comes to celebratory things like movie anniversaries, Hasbro should keep things a little more interesting than they do when it comes to new series and movies. The Retro Collection is front and center to celebrate the four decades of the final Star Wars Original Trilogy film. And Hasbro didn’t think outside the box to cull together a wave of figures that makes sense when repeat characters are available in other formats. Where is the Emperor’s Royal Guard? Where is the Gamorrean Guard? How could these two characters be missed?

The modern Lando Calrissian (Skiff Guard) figure isn’t necessarily terrible, but details got lost in translation like other figures in the Retro Collection. Lando Calrissian (Skiff Guard) looks like a deer caught in headlights, and the paint operations are a bit disturbing compared to the original figure released by Kenner in 1983. Hasbro revised the character’s name; unfortunately, instead of Lando Calrissian (Skiff Guard Disguise), Hasbro opted to refer to it as Lando Calrissian (Skiff Guard). It’s not inaccurate, of course, but it breaks tradition, which bothers us more than anything. We believe the word “disguise” is relevant since Lando Calrissian intended to impersonate Tamtel Skreej and not present himself simply as a skiff guard. Nuances matter and we believe Hasbro’s executive decision to change these details is a setback for the line. Just like the name, the figure itself lacks vision, and the softer elements force the figures in this lineup to look like weak bootlegs. Between the shiny plastic and the sloppy paint operations, we’re certain collectors will be more disappointed than delighted when they receive their figures.

Lando Calrissian (Skiff Guard) comes with the standard accessories of the original 1983 figure. Hasbro crafted a well-fitted removable helmet. It doesn’t come with any paint detail, ad they cast it in a rich brown color. Coincidentally, the vibro-ax, while designed well, is much lighter gray than the original weapon four decades ago. We’re not sure why Hasbro has difficulty matching colors for the weapons in the Retro Collection, but it’s a long-running issue that they need to correct. We don’t feel that Lando Calrissian (Skiff Guard) is a poor choice, but there are so many other characters that Hasbro should have considered first that serve as symbols for the Original Trilogy’s third installment. We suppose we’re a bit bitter by the lack of support Hasbro gave the 40th Annivesary of Return Of The Jedi and looking for anything to complain about at this point. Because the bottom line is that the Retro Collection “is what it is.” There will be some excellent additions to the line and some not-so-excellent choices. It’s the name of the game with Hasbro. But we hope they produce the best figures no matter the decisions. These are not their best.