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Yodasnews Review: Yoda and CloneTrooper (501st Legion) Premium Format Statue
Review and Photography by Mark Picirilli – Composites by Jeff Gouse
Review Date: May 3rd, 2010
PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS
Product Type: Premium Format Figure
Product Size: 17" H (431.8mm) x 12" W (304.8mm) x 12" D (304.8mm)*
Product Weight: 16.00 lbs (7.26 kg)*
Box Size: 25.00" H (635mm) x 16.00" W (406.4mm) x 14.00" L (355.6mm)*
Packaging: Standard 30th Anniversary packaging
Artists: Matt Aylward, Idol Workshop, Bernardo Esquivel, James Lareau, Mike Najera,Pascual Wawoe, Tom Gilliland, Kevin Ellis, Jesse Lincoln, Simon Gardiea, The Sideshow Collectibles Design and Development Team
Manufactured by: Sideshow Collectibles
SUMMARY
After Anakin Skywalker's betrayal and the enactment of Order 66, only Obi-Wan
Kenobi and Yoda remain to infiltrate the Jedi Temple and reverse the homing
beacon that calls the Jedi back to Coruscant and into a trap laid by the Sith.
The two powerful Jedi approach warily, anticipating that Palpatine's emergency
session of the Senate has left the decimated Jedi Temple inadequately guarded.
An entire platoon of elite 501st Clone Troopers
stands between the Jedi and the temple doors, but neither Obi-Wan nor Yoda
express any fear as they approach their adversaries, their former allies. For
Obi-Wan, it is an honor to fight side by side with Yoda, his former master and
the most respected Jedi Knight of all. Head of the Jedi Council, Yoda is nearly
900 years old, but whatever frailty age has forced upon him disappears the
moment he draws his light saber. Though his stature is small, his skills as a
warrior are unparalleled. The Clone Troopers Yoda faces don't stand a chance
against the Jedi Master.
Sideshow Collectibles is proud to bring you the Yoda and Clone Trooper Premium Format Figure. Each piece is individually hand-painted and finished, each with its own unique quality and detail that is the trademark of a handcrafted Sideshow Collectibles product. Yoda is outfitted in a real fabric replica of his costume, balanced atop a 501st Clone Trooper while retrieving his light saber. Yoda's light saber features electronic light function (power source TBD, expected to be powered via a wall plug). The Yoda and Clone Trooper Premium Format Figure is an outstanding addition to any collection.
SCULPTING: Excellent
The sculpting on this piece is fantastic. The Clone Trooper is a perfect representation and looks just as you would hope it would. The dynamic pose of this piece mimics its on screen representation of a “pause” from that exact moment in the film. The angle of the knees, bends in the feet, etc all make this one a great sculpt.
As you can see in the macro shots here not a single element was missed with this Yoda. Every wrinkle, the expression of the brow, the mouth and wrinkles in his face all scream anger. While I was unpacking the Yoda, the first thing that came to mind with the sculpt was how perfectly the artist conveyed the fierce determination that was fueling Yoda’s attack.
PAINT APPLICATIONS: Excellent
The paint apps really could have muted an otherwise beautiful sculpt, but the paint apps on this piece work to enhance the already great sculpt. From the weathering on the Clone Trooper , to the dirt on Yoda’s fingernails, not a detail was missed. If you look close, you may see a small chip on the top of the helmet and a small dark circle stain, please note these are not on the piece, but just a minor blemish on ours. All the lines are crisp and clean. We did not find any sloppy paint lines, even when photographed with the macros lens. The base has just enough “dirt” added to it, a little less and it would have been too clean, a little more and it would have seem forced.
The entry and exit of the lightsaber was done in a realistic fashion. The entry wound is painted in such a way that when you look at you instantly get the felling that something goes there. The exit wound has small sculpting changes, as well as, the paint apps so it appears realistic, as if the saber, and whatever else was inside the clone are coming out.
ELECTRONICS: Above Average (Bordering on Excellent)
This is the only category to not get an excellent, but is still very well done. The reason it just misses on the Excellent rating is that for some reason the LED used in the hilt of the saber only really illuminates the first inch or so of the ignited saber. When viewing the back side of the trooper, the light saber hardly lights up, even in a pitch black area. However, please note that this is a very minor flaw and does not take a thing away from the amazing PF statue. As with most light up features, they are fun and a nice add on, but most people will never use this feature in a normal situation, but only to show off the piece or when taking collection photos.
Sideshow did an amazing job of concealing the batteries and switch seamlessly into the design of Yoda. You will need to unzip the back of Yoda to reveal a small black door and remove the plastic divider to get the electronics to work. Most items are shipped like this so that the batteries do not discharge or leak while in transit to you. Once Yoda is zipped back up, the on/off button is located is the belt buckle area and is easily turned on and off without having to remove any clothing.
DISPLAY STAND: Excellent
As stated above, the base has just enough “dirt” added to it, a little less and it would have been too clean, a little more and it would have seem forced. It’s very heavy , as you would imagine it would be, and the only thing holding both Yoda and the Clone trooper to the base is a small metal pin in the foot. While the statue is fragile because of the pose (it should be placed in a secure location in your collection room), the connection is solid and secure.
The Clone Trooper is secured into the base and then Yoda attaches to the Clone Trooper. The gun hand of the Clone Trooper is then attached via magnets inside the hand and the body. Once assembled it stands and displays perfectly, but you still want to make sure it’s not placed where people will be hitting it or brushing against it.
CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS: Excellent
As with most Premium Formats from Sideshow, mixed media was used in this design. Yoda’s robe and outfit all help bring the realism of this piece to life. While there is not a ton of options, you do have some variety as to how you want to display the robes, but we assume most will keep them as-is to keep it as close to the movie scene as possible.
It’s a solid piece at just over 16 pounds so make sure your shelf can support the weight. Most Ikea shelves that are seen in many collection rooms max out at 10 or 15 pounds, so we would not recommend putting this one on one of those glass shelves.
OVERALL RATING: Excellent
This is one of the best Star Wars PF to date. The design, concept, execution and details are simply amazing and not to be passed on. The fact that you can still grab this for retails shocks this reviewer. With only 1500 made, this one is sure to be a sleeper hit, grab this now if you have yet to. You won’t be disappointed. Click here to order one while supplies last!