Princess Leia (Bespin Escape) - TVC - Basic (VC187)

If you lasted as a Hasbro Star Wars collector after the disappointment that was the Episode I line, you partook in the first collector-focused basic figure line known as Power Of The Jedi. The line ran from the summer of 2000 through the first quarter of 2002, just as the line look changed for Star Wars Episode II: Attack Of The Clones. And Hasbro altered the way they did things for collectors. Aside from a few examples that were movie-accurate, action features were no more, and Hasbro made a concerted effort to design characters in accurate scale to each other. So, Chewbacca became very tall, and Princess Leia became relatively short. Action figures were no longer all the same height. Another strategy Hasbro employed was choosing characters and outfits that weren’t first instinct. They decided to add the random Ewok, Mos Eisley Cantina alien, or background denizen from Jabba’s Palace. Nothing was off-limits, and collectors quickly embraced the Power Of The Jedi line with loving respect and eagerness as the next character got better than the previous. One action figure introduced into the Power Of The Jedi line was Leia (Bespin Escape). It was the first time Hasbro made the character available in the 3.75” basic figure line. Essentially the outfit is the Hoth gear minus the vest and new shoes. Princess Leia also dons the hairstyle from when she was wearing the red Bespin gown.

Two decades later, Hasbro releases Princess Leia (Bespin Escape) into The Vintage Collection line to a mixed reception. And the figure has the WORST. CARD. ART. EVER. While Princess Leia (Bespin Escape) isn’t free of issues, we think collectors are a little too tough on the action figure. Hasbro took 2010’s/2019’s TVC Princess Leia Organa (Hoth) [Leia (Hoth Outfit)] (VC02) figure and aggressively retooled it to make this action figure. It comes with an all-new head sculpt. The facial likeness is excellent, but the hairstyle is mediocre. Hasbro didn’t faithfully study the reference images to create a hairstyle that is screen-accurate. Yes, we’re disappointed by this oversight. But it’s not horrible either. Let’s say it needs work. They also tooled a new left forearm to remove the communications device that is part of the base figure’s arm. Also, brand new here are the two lower legs. Princess Leia removes her boots in the film to wear the red shoes part of the Bespin gown. But we don’t know where she gets the white shoes from that part of this revised outfit. It may forever remain a mystery. Hasbro did a fair job working in new tooling into the decade-old sculpt, so we commend them on that success. May collectors complain that Princess Leia (Bespin Escape) is too “hippy” and makes the figure look too wide. We don’t understand what the big deal is. Yes, we see some thickness in the lower waist area, but it isn’t the end of the world.

The figure comes with a very silvery E-11 blaster. It appears too large for the figure, but perhaps we’re incorrect with that assessment. We wish the figure came with a smaller version of this blaster, maybe the ones that Hasbro often uses with their Imperial Stormtrooper action figures. Hasbro designed the figure’s hands well, and they interact with the blaster well. Princess Leia (Bespin Escape) can hold the gun in both hands by themselves or with both hands simultaneously. They are functional, and we appreciate it when Hasbro designs action figures this way. Where the figure shines and lacks a bit is with the deco. The Photo Real paint operations are excellent, in our opinion. Our sample has some issue with the hairline’s right side, but overall, we’re quite pleased with the deco. There is a light “dirtiness” throughout the figure, but unfortunately, Hasbro decided to neglect and dirt on the shoes. So Princess Leia (Bespin Escape) looks weathered but has bright white shoes that create something glaring. This version of Princess Leia (Bespin Escape) may be the last time we ever get Hasbro to approach this character for the 3.75” line. We don’t expect them to attempt this character again. With that said, Princess Leia (Bespin Escape) is a tremendous update to the line. You can toss your 20-year-old version of this character and replace it with this one. Oh, and the figure looks glorious displayed in the Carbon-Freezing Chamber playset.