Galactic Marine - TAC - Basic (30 02)

Clad in armor and uniforms designed to maximize combat efficiency in hostile environments, the Galactic Marines are the Republic’s front line forces and often take on the most formidable opponents. After the issuance of Order 66, a squad of these troopers betrays and shoots down Jedi Master Ki-Adi-Mundi on Mygeeto.

Isn’t it exciting when we have the opportunity to connect the dots between the Prequel Trilogy and the Original Trilogy? When we all saw Order 66 get enacted in Star Wars Episode III: Revenge Of The Sith, we were immediately drawn to the Galactic Marines on Mygeeto. Interestingly, they were on a cold, snowy planet just like their Original Trilogy lookalikes, the Blizzard Force snowtroopers. Of course there are many differences between the two uniforms, but there was enough of a resemblance to make the connection. There is something about that hood that draws us in as Star Wars fans. Perhaps it’s the fear of the unknown maybe? (Unfortunately Hasbro has taken the mystery of many Star Wars characters away from us.) But the Galactic Marine just struck a chord with the viewing audience and we just couldn’t wait to see this action figure get the opportunity to be released in the basic figure line. Just like the Airborne Trooper, the Galactic Marine was extremely high on the wish lists of nearly all collectors. Hasbro made us wait a while, but it was well worth it because the Galactic Marine is one of Hasbro’s finest accomplishments. (And he isn’t even perfect, that’s how great he is.) He is perfectly scaled, extraordinarily decorated and has “passable” articulation to make him a stellar action figure.

The Galactic Marine has one of the most impressive sculpts any figure in the basic figure line has seen. This doesn’t mean that he blows us away with his ability to be posed in a variety of ways, but aesthetically this action figure is brilliant. The attention to detail that has been incorporated into this action figure is nothing short of amazing and Hasbro has been able to show off this fine sculpting thanks to a stunning dirty wash that showcases these accomplishments as if this action figure was pulled right from the set of the film. (Yes, we know all the clones were CG, but just go with our point.) The Galactic Marine is a triumph as far as action figures are concerned. And although we don’t prefer the Bodie Taylor head, the helmet covers it up and stays snuggly on the figure. That’s all we care about as far as that is concerned. The Galactic Marine has the aforementioned removable helmet, removable pauldron and removable backpack. The figure is super-articulated and the joints are masked thanks to the figure’s great design and he comes armed with the much scaled-down version of the DC-15 blaster rifle (which is accurate for the 3.75” line). (Too bad the Airborne Trooper came with the older style.) And as the official “first” action figure in the 30 (77-07) line, he holds a special place in our hearts and minds. (Darth Vader 30 01 never shipped in a case assortment.)

The paint job on this figure can be described in many ways: sublime, fantastic, fabulous, ingenious. (And boy oh boy do we mean all those adjectives wholeheartedly!) This is the wash that (to some degree at worst) every clone trooper released by Hasbro should have! The Galactic Marine has the most realistic “dirt” we have every seen accumulate on an action figure ever. It’s not too dirty and it completely hides the chance of any clean armor to squeak by us. Any action figure aficionado should quickly realize that this is the base figure by which we should judge all others when it comes to a spectacular paint job. Hasbro spent the time to mark up the figures forearms, legs, helmet, back and boots to an unbelievable degree without overdoing it. We couldn’t be more pleased with the final results. We feel the only place this figure could have used a little bit more work was in the functionality of the sculpt. Again, this figure looks marvelous, but we had a hard time balancing him. He is top heavy and the use of a stand is almost required to prevent him from falling backwards. The stiff kama prevents any quality movement in his legs and you won’t be able to attain a running pose do to this inhibition. Despite these setbacks however, the Galactic Marine is an absolutely required purchase. He’s a good reason why we collect all of the Star Wars action figures we do.