AmanaMatt
07-31-2002, 03:22 PM
I'll say this much about these two (new) figures, they are better, by quite a bit - over the initial Ep II wave(s) we got back on 04/23.
Maul: Overall, the sculpt is quite good, as is the paint detail, with the exception of a lack of painted teeth, which, unfortuantely, does kinda make one go, 'ugh!' For those who are fans of the 'action features,' of which I am big-time not, Maul has not one, but two levers on his back that both control his right arm and hand. Honestly, not that big of deal, and this isn't as noticeable as the previous Anakin. Some with spew venom over it, though when this hits retail big. Maul stands well enough, and does have a sort of menacing pose. For me, the best thing about this piece, are really Maul's accessories. We finally get an excellent Probe Droid, with a wide enough base that will allow it to stand with little fear of falling over (it is removable too). This is a wayyyy better version of the probe droid with got with the Ep I accessory packs. I am a huge fan of metal lighsaber handles (that have detail to them), and this one is my second favorite, just behind Yoda's lightsaber (small, yet very cool). As a whole, a decent piece, and the inclusion of awsome accessories warrants its existance to me.
My grade for Maul: B
My grade for his accessories: A
Anakin: As a whole, a very good sculpt, with decent articulation. Hasbro still can't make one of these Anakin's really look like Haden Christenson, though, but this one is probably the coolest-looking Anakin to date. This fig does have a magnet on his right hand that is noticeable...but only if you pose him that way or don't open one; decent arm and wrist articulation makes this a total nonissue for me. The 'action feature' is a button featured on Anakin's back that allows his leg to be kicked, and this detracts a bit for me as the pose is a little wider that I care for. But, what do I know? As with the Maul, Anakin sports above average accessories including a gaffi stick (never can have enough of those), rifle, weapon rack, and what looks like a Tusken trash can. These make this figure worth the price overall. On a mention of the soft goods, as some have already made thier concerns known about this on other posts. Personally, I don't really care for soft goods as a whole, but when done decently - as this new Anakin's cloth has been done, I don't mind it and frankly this fig is probably one of the better attempts, IMO.
My grade for new Anakin: B
My grade for accessories: B+
Maul: Overall, the sculpt is quite good, as is the paint detail, with the exception of a lack of painted teeth, which, unfortuantely, does kinda make one go, 'ugh!' For those who are fans of the 'action features,' of which I am big-time not, Maul has not one, but two levers on his back that both control his right arm and hand. Honestly, not that big of deal, and this isn't as noticeable as the previous Anakin. Some with spew venom over it, though when this hits retail big. Maul stands well enough, and does have a sort of menacing pose. For me, the best thing about this piece, are really Maul's accessories. We finally get an excellent Probe Droid, with a wide enough base that will allow it to stand with little fear of falling over (it is removable too). This is a wayyyy better version of the probe droid with got with the Ep I accessory packs. I am a huge fan of metal lighsaber handles (that have detail to them), and this one is my second favorite, just behind Yoda's lightsaber (small, yet very cool). As a whole, a decent piece, and the inclusion of awsome accessories warrants its existance to me.
My grade for Maul: B
My grade for his accessories: A
Anakin: As a whole, a very good sculpt, with decent articulation. Hasbro still can't make one of these Anakin's really look like Haden Christenson, though, but this one is probably the coolest-looking Anakin to date. This fig does have a magnet on his right hand that is noticeable...but only if you pose him that way or don't open one; decent arm and wrist articulation makes this a total nonissue for me. The 'action feature' is a button featured on Anakin's back that allows his leg to be kicked, and this detracts a bit for me as the pose is a little wider that I care for. But, what do I know? As with the Maul, Anakin sports above average accessories including a gaffi stick (never can have enough of those), rifle, weapon rack, and what looks like a Tusken trash can. These make this figure worth the price overall. On a mention of the soft goods, as some have already made thier concerns known about this on other posts. Personally, I don't really care for soft goods as a whole, but when done decently - as this new Anakin's cloth has been done, I don't mind it and frankly this fig is probably one of the better attempts, IMO.
My grade for new Anakin: B
My grade for accessories: B+