![Han Solo (62) - Hasbro - The Black Series [Phase III] (2018)](/star-wars-the-black-series-phase-iii/thumbs/tbs3-six-62-han-solo1-th.jpg "Han Solo (62) - Hasbro - The Black Series [Phase III] (2018)")
Tag Archives: Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace
The Star Wars “Saga” line is officially two decades old. We’re revisiting all of the figures that made up this unprecedented lineup. Today, we continue with 2002’s Star Wars “Saga” [Phase I] Yoda (Jedi High Council) (’02 #53) figure. Check out the new review template, the all-new Photo Gallery, the rewritten review, and the other content we updated as we celebrate the 20th Anniversary of the line that supported Star Wars Episode II: Attack Of The Clones.
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The Star Wars “Saga” line is officially two decades old. We’re revisiting all of the figures that made up this unprecedented lineup. Today, we continue with 2002’s Star Wars “Saga” [Phase I] Darth Maul (Sith Training) (’02 #42) figure. Check out the new review template, the all-new Photo Gallery, the rewritten review, and the other content we updated as we celebrate the 20th Anniversary of the line that supported Star Wars Episode II: Attack Of The Clones.
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The Phantom Menace Anakin Skywalker figure hasn’t looked better. They updated it with Photo Real deco, fixed the mismatched ankle joints, changed a few colors, and reissued it like it was 2012 all over again. We took the time to break it all down for you by producing an all-new 60-image gallery complete with comparison shots, and a breakdown of what separates the 2012 version from the 2022 new release in the Collector Notes. This figure is shipping now. See this excellent figure updated in our RDRs now! There’s more difference here than you may realize.
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Today is January 30, 2022, and that means it’s been ten years since Hasbro released the Star Wars [The Phantom Menace 3D] line. Where does the time go? Although revered as a controversial lineup of a motley crew of products, it contained some of the best items we ever received from Hasbro. Yes, and it contained some of the worst products as well. Many blame Lucasfilm for the deluge of wave 1 products in this line that flooded stores everywhere. It’s believed they marketed this event as a new film, and stores bought up the products like there was no tomorrow. It would explain such an overage of products on the street date. Collectors would find “TPM 3D” products nearly everywhere for many years.
In the confusion of perplexing re-releases, overcharged 5POA action figures, and a deluge of products that rotted on shelves for years afterward, it’s easy to forget that the line did bring collectors some amazing newness and goodness. Let’s take a stroll down memory lane and recapture the good, the bad, and the ugly that this line brought to the Star Wars collecting community.
Tags: 3.75-inch Super-Articulated, Battle Packs, Class I Vehicles, Class II Vehicles, Class III Vehicles, Darth Maul, Discover The Force, Hasbro, Kenner, Movie Heroes, Obi-Wan Kenobi, Qui-Gon Jinn, Star Wars [The Phantom Menace 3D], Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace, The Clone Wars, The Vintage Collection
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Let’s continue our addition to the Hot Toys Visual Guide with the sixth scale Qui-Gon Jinn (MMS525). Click below to check out the full Visual Guide page.
Want to see your action figure photography represented in this Visual Guide? Click here for details and send us your submissions!
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It’s another EXCELLENT The Black Series [Phase IV] release with Aurra Sing. Hasbro did a great job here! (more….)
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You can get the general release Jar Jar Binks for $20 or less with more accessories, or pay $29.99 for the Best Buy Exclusive Lucasfilm 50th Anniversary Jar Jar Binks with fewer accessories. Your choice. (more….)
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What reason could there be that Hasbro didn’t tweak the paint operations on this figure to create a unique Battle Droid for The Black Series [Lucasfilm 50] line? Oh well. It’s a Best Buy exclusive.. (more….)
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The Black Series [Lucasfilm 50] Mace Windu is another excellent release. The Photo Real looks different this time. It’s a Best Buy exclusive.. (more….)
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Did you know The Black Series [Lucasfilm 50] Qui-Gon Jinn has a newly retooled head sculpt? They eliminated the “floating eyeballs” feature and completely repainted the figure. It’s gorgeous. It’s almost sad it’s a Best Buy exclusive.. (more….)
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The Vintage Collection Queen Amidala (VC84), also part of the “worst reissue wave ever,” has also never looked better. Frankly, the figure is a work of art. (It was in 2012 too.) It received a couple of enhancements. The Photo Real on this figure is absolutely mesmerizing. We took the time to break it all down for you by producing an all-new 64-image gallery complete with both versions (2012 and 2021) featured, comparison shots, and a breakdown of what separates the two releases in the Collector Notes. Check out this exquisitely updated figure in our RDRs now! There’s more difference here than you may realize.
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Our next Visual Guide Update takes a look at the first “Deluxe” figure in The Black Series [Phase IV] line. Click below to check out Jar Jar Binks (TPM01). Make sure to also check out our full review of this figure.
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The Vintage Collection Battle Droid (VC78), part of the “worst reissue wave ever,” was a curious release back in 2012. It’s more curious today because it’s not the best 3.75″ super-articulated Episode I Battle Droid action figure from Hasbro. The best is still from the 2011 Star Wars [Shadow of The Dark Side] Episode I Blue-ray Commemorative Edition four-pack. The figure is well-made and designed but falls short of definitive status thanks to its inhibited movement, and inability to stow the E5 blaster rifle on the backpack. Hasbro did make improvements, however, including a uniform weathered paint job. But Hasbro also employed a less rigid plastic this time, so the parts feel rubbery in places. We took the time to break it all down for you by producing an all-new 76-image gallery complete with both versions (2012 and 2021) featured, comparison shots, and a breakdown of what separates the two releases in the Collector Notes. Check out this excellently updated figure in our RDRs now! There’s more difference here than you may realize.
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The Galaxy Of Adventures Darth Maul is another fine release in this format. See why you’ll want one. (more….)
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The worst wave of The Vintage Collection repacks of all time is now hitting your local Walmart store. JTA reader and friend Russ T. found the wave at his local Walmart in NJ. Let us know of your store finds too in the comments!
Tags: 3.75-inch Super-Articulated, Anakin Skywalker (Peasant), Battle Droid, Hasbro, Kenner, Queen Amidala, Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace, Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back, Star Wars Episode VI: Return Of The Jedi, The Vintage Collection, TIE Fighter Pilot, Walmart
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We wanted to give The Black Series [Phase IV] Jar Jar Binks a perfect score, but unfortunately we cannot. As if the $29.99 MSRP isn’t egregious enough, the figure has a facial expression that’s odd (Jar Jar looks quite glum), and the paint operations aren’t totally right. The figure comes with too few accessories for a “deluxe” figure as well, even though they look great. But there is a great deal of positive here too. (more….)
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Check out our sneak peek on the brand new The Black Series [Phase IV] Jar Jar Binks 6″ figure. Hasbro wants you to pay more money for this one, but there is no reason why this figure “as is” should be a penny more than $19.99. If they want to include a boat-load of more accessories, we’ll listen to their argument about a higher MSRP. But right now, something is rotten in Denmark. We digress. Jar Jar Binks is excellent, but some of the paint operations don’t look right. For example, the figure is too dark in spots. The included accessories are nice, and the figure comes loaded with premium articulation, but is it worth what Hasbro is asking for it? You decide. Check it out. The review is coming soon!
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The Star Wars Toybox Darth Maul figure is pretty bad. It doesn’t look like the on-screen character much at all. (more….)
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Look at all of those cool accessories with the Diamond Select Toys Darth Maul figure! But how is the figure? (more….)
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The Sith Celebrate The Saga set comes with a never-before-released action figure. But is a 5POA version of TC-4 worth your $30? (more….)
Thank you for reading Research Droids Reviews: Season 12!
Tags: Battle Of Endor, Darth Maul, Darth Sidious, Darth Vader, Emperor Palpatine, Fan Channel Exclusive, Kylo Ren, Protocol Droid, Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, Sith Apprentice, Sith Master, Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace, Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace (Deleted Scene), Star Wars Episode VI: Return Of The Jedi, Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens, TC-4, Zabrak
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As of this post, The Vintage Collection Darth Maul (VC86) figure ranks as the 22nd most-visited review in our RDRs database. Now, it’s time to revisit the figure and get that rank higher since Hasbro re-released the figure in 2020 with significant changes. Another wise repack in The Vintage Collection “2.0” lineup, Darth Maul now comes with Photo Real deco, a flatter matte paint job, and significantly revised packaging (both card art and figure placement). We took the time to break it all down for you by producing an all-new 120-image gallery complete with both versions (2012 and 2020) featured, comparison shots, dioramas, and a breakdown of what separates the two releases in the Collector Notes. Check out this excellently updated figure in our RDRs now! There’s more difference here than you may realize.
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Hasbro surprised collectors in 1999 with high-quality Portrait Edition figures that still hold up extremely well today. Let’s go back more than two decades and check out the Queen Amidala (Red Senate Gown) 1999 Portrait Edition (3 of 3) figure. It’s beautiful. (more….)
Thank you for reading Research Droids Reviews: Season 12!
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Let’s take a look at the Episode I Theed Hangar Playset (Motorized). It’s terrible! Check it out in our Research Droids Reviews today! Be sure to leave your thoughts in our comments section, vote in the poll or comment about it on our Facebook page. Click the banner below for the direct link to the review! As always, you can also send your review requests via email if you’d like to see something that we didn’t cover yet.
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Let’s take a look at the Episode I R2-D2 Carryall Playset. It’s a hybrid of playset and carry case. Check it out in our Research Droids Reviews today! Be sure to leave your thoughts in our comments section, vote in the poll or comment about it on our Facebook page. Click the banner below for the direct link to the review! As always, you can also send your review requests via email if you’d like to see something that we didn’t cover yet.
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Let’s take a look at the Episode I CommTech Reader (Electronic) accessory. It’s the focus of our Research Droids Reviews today! Be sure to leave your thoughts in our comments section, vote in the poll or comment about it on our Facebook page. Click the banner below for the direct link to the review! As always, you can also send your review requests via email if you’d like to see something that we didn’t cover yet.
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