Episode IV: A New Hope - SW [SOTDS] - Blu-ray Release Commemorative Figure & Mini-Poster Collection

Luke Skywalker is thrust into the Rebel Alliance's struggle against the evil Empire when he meets Obi-Wan Kenobi. As Obi-Wan begins Luke's Jedi training, they rescue Rebel leader Princess Leia from an Imperial space station; Obi-Wan faces his former apprentice, Darth Vader; and Luke proves that the Force is strong in him when the Rebels attack the Empire's Death Star.

It seems as if when it comes to Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope that Hasbro has decided what characters in the film best symbolize it. And with nearly every commemorative set we have been offered, whether for DVD, anniversaries and now Blu-ray that R2-D2, Luke Skywalker and Obi-Wan Kenobi are the first choice candidates for these said sets. While it makes the most sense to include these action figures, it’s become dangerously repetitive to the point that collectors almost can’t bring themselves to purchase another repacked group of figures. The Episode IV: A New Hope Blu-ray Release Commemorative Figure & Mini-Poster Collection definitely has some great core action figures, but they’ve been released so many times we’ve personally lost count. And dare we say that the new mini-poster inside is barely enough to make us feel a repurchase is worthwhile. So, it’s not that this set is “bad” in any way. It’s just that it’s exhausting. We think we would even rather see Greedo or another cantina denizen before another Obi-Wan Kenobi. It’s overkill and we hope Hasbro gets the memo that things have got to be changed up a little bit more going forward.

And with the recent update to R2-D2 in 2009’s LC Resurgence Of The Jedi Battle Packs set, why in the world would Hasbro include the R2-D2 from 2005’s TSC Early Bird Figures mail-away exclusive? (After all, they pulled two of the figure from that Battle Packs set and put it in this one! Why not just pull a third?!) Not only is that maddening, but it’s a backward step for Hasbro to take. Everyone knows that R2’s dome looks more like brushed nickel than shiny chrome, yet we’re back to the shiny chrome look. If it’s any saving grace, Hasbro did a spectacular job on the figure’s paint job. All of the blue detailing is crisp and sharp. It’s quite noticeable. Luke Skywalker actually is a repaint/repack of 2009’s LC Resurgence Of The Jedi Battle Packs set. For this release his colors appear more vivid, but to point out specific differences is not as easy to document. His eyes looks more natural and the streaks in his hair now appear more muted. In fact, you could say that they are almost "gone" now. Obi-Wan Kenobi is a very slight repaint of the figure in 2009’s LC Resurgence Of The Jedi Battle Packs set. Interestingly, Hasbro has found a way to make each Obi-Wan Kenobi figure based on the 2008 TLC Obi-Wan Kenobi (BD 34) sculpt unique from the last the last few years. What’s strange is that collectors can't seem to agree which one looks the best. Perhaps Hasbro cannot either hence the multiple versions. This version of Obi-Wan Kenobi is of course not a bad one, but it has certainly been overused as of late in the basic figure line’s special multipacks.

The Sandtrooper is sort of a blast from the past. First released as 2006’s TSC Sandtrooper (SAGA 037) figure, it has been reissued or repainted many times and released in many different configurations itself. While it should be considered a straight repack, there are some very small variances for this release that you’ll probably notice (for starters the Tatooine sand is applied darker now). Perhaps what is most interesting about this figure is how it was packaged. The backpack was affixed to him backwards when we removed him from the packaging. Also, the thermal detonator that came with the 2006 basic figure is nowhere to be found in this boxed set. Interesting, huh? As a whole package, it moderate at best. There are no wow factors here, nor is there any reason to jump up and down over its contents. We think Hasbro needs to be a little creative with character representation for A New Hope. The characters that they overuse clearly are blatant icons of the film, but it doesn’t do much for collectors when the same three or four characters see release after release. So, while it’s not our most favorite set in the Blu-ray Release Commemorative sets, it serves a good purpose. And those that don’t have these figures yet should be happy over this product. But we still say make the Resurgence Of The Jedi Battle Packs set your mission. Your collection is sorely missing out if you don't have it!