Luke Skywalker (Jedi Master) - TBS [P3] - 3.75 Inch Figures (Exclusive)

After tragedy destroyed his attempt to rebuild the Jedi Knights, Luke Skywalker vanished from the galaxy. Now, the Resistance needs his help to thwart the efforts of the evil First Order.

Sigh. Did you ever have overflowing and unbridled enthusiasm/anticipation for an upcoming super-articulated 3.75” action figure that you can’t contain your emotions for it? And then have you then been severely underwhelmed once you finally got it into hands? Regrettably, that’s where we stand with the Luke Skywalker (Jedi Master) figure from The Black Series [Phase III] Walmart exclusive (for now) line. Hasbro made us wait two years for any Episode VII (and subsequently Episode VIII) version of Luke Skywalker (Jedi Master) and we’re sad to say that we’re not in love with it. Like so many of their recent figures, there is no denying how great the sculpt is. But the paint operations and choices for articulation only to be inhibited by molded parts is as frustrating as it is disappointing. Add in the severe lack of accessories and we’re truly left with something that harbors a little tinge of resentment for something that should have brought pure blissful joy instead. We should qualify that tinge of resentment as it’s not bitterness. But we feel that Hasbro should have generally done w hole heck of a lot more with Luke Skywalker (Jedi Master) than what the final production figure offers. We’d go so far to say that the Star Wars [The Last Jedi] Luke Skywalker (Jedi Master) figure is better. And that kills us to admit that.

On paper, Luke Skywalker (Jedi Master) is a good action figure. He is loaded with super-articulation. With a total of 27 points of articulation, Luke Skywalker (Jedi Master) should be able to attain any pose you want him to attain. Sadly, the lower sculpted robes prevent any meaningful movement. You have ball-jointed hips, knees and ankles all obstructed thanks to his lower robes. This in and of itself makes Luke Skywalker (Jedi Master) not much better than statuesque. What’s the point of including all of this premium articulation only to have it inhibited by other parts of the figure that prevents the movement of them? We’re extremely disappointed by this. Even the upper body feels like it’s obstructed, even when it’s technically not. There is just so much potential here that has been rendered useless thanks to not thinking this figure out all the way before considering it final. We’re even not crazy about his head sculpt. It seems as if Hasbro faithfully recreated Mark Hamill's likeness here, but the particulate paint operations don’t reinforce to the collector that this is a great likeness of Luke Skywalker (Jedi Master). His face looks more rotund than the Star Wars [The Last Jedi] Luke Skywalker (Jedi Master) figure and in some ways, we think the 5POA version looks better as a result. It’s maddening and definitely disappointing.

In a pleasant move, Hasbro included a nice soft-goods cloak. This supersedes the 5POA version for this feature alone. The material is woven from a premium fabric and it hangs nicely on the figure’s head and covers his profile very nicely. It has a beautiful drape and hangs as you’d expect it would. But the accessory inclusion stops there sadly. Why is there no porg? Why are there no alternate hand attachments? Why doesn’t he have his lightsaber hilt or fully lit lightsaber? Why could you include a gun for good measure? Obviously Hasbro could have been included a whole heck of a lot more. We’re not sure what’s going on with Luke Skywalker (Jedi Master). Perhaps like many of you we have over-anticipated this action figure for so long that it probably would have never met our expectations. Then again, we feel about the same way for The Black Series [Phase III] 6” Luke Skywalker (Jedi Master) figure too. It was backed by a great deal of hype but ultimately the final product just hasn’t delivered satisfaction in any meaningful way. Despite how Luke Skywalker (Jedi Master) turned out, he will likely be a hit in the final The Black Series [Phase III] 3.75” line. There is a great energy amongst 3.75” super-articulated fans as we all wait for The Vintage Collection’s return. Maybe that’s another reason why we’re not feeling the excitement for this figure.