JEDIpartner
06-29-2005, 02:20 PM
I just received my two units from Amazon.com the other day. I have to say that I was really impressed with the packaging in its simplicity and effectiveness. The cardboard base is nicely decorated with the current colour scheme and the back of the "bubble" (which is a very solid clear plastic - I was thinking "standard bubble" when I saw it on-line) has apath cut out of it so you can raise and lower the armature for the helmet.
The Vader figure is a retooled version of the VOTC Vader, for the most part. The ball-jointed sholders are gone but the rest of the articulation remains. The helmet and faceplate are pretty much what we've come to expect from the recent Vaders. There is so good paint application on the top part of the face plate where the helmet is to lock in. The helmet doesn't really lock in well but looks really nice. The back of the head just shows a little skin and a pretty deep gash which is painted nicely.
Vader comes with hands moulded to look like he is resting them on his knees. A second right hand is included as is a lightsaber. Chances are pretty good that you won't be using these but it's nice that they included them. A cape is also included. I put mine on the figure and it looks fine when Vader is sitting. I have it tucked around his back and underneath him. It's not so great when he is standing as it is not made to fit over his shoulders. Again, this figure was made for the chamber and not as a loose multipurpose Vader figure. It's a little too expensive for that.
The Meditation Chamber is obviously smaller than the version in the film. There is still some nice detail on the base and body of it. I really wish that there was a top part to this that wasn't part of the packaging. The inside is mostly white and there is a control unit that encircles the seat. The seat has an Imperial Navy logo moulded into it as well as Vader's "sit print". The control unit is detailed with some simple stickers. The "hat grabber" is simply moulded in a light grey plastic and has no paint accents. There is a lever at the back of the pod that will raise and lover the helmet onto Vader's head. Who knew you needed all of that technology just to put your hat on? The front of the chamber has some pretty long foot pegs where you can anchor the figure to.
My overall score on this is a solid "B" I'd have given it a total "A+" if it had the top half.
The Vader figure is a retooled version of the VOTC Vader, for the most part. The ball-jointed sholders are gone but the rest of the articulation remains. The helmet and faceplate are pretty much what we've come to expect from the recent Vaders. There is so good paint application on the top part of the face plate where the helmet is to lock in. The helmet doesn't really lock in well but looks really nice. The back of the head just shows a little skin and a pretty deep gash which is painted nicely.
Vader comes with hands moulded to look like he is resting them on his knees. A second right hand is included as is a lightsaber. Chances are pretty good that you won't be using these but it's nice that they included them. A cape is also included. I put mine on the figure and it looks fine when Vader is sitting. I have it tucked around his back and underneath him. It's not so great when he is standing as it is not made to fit over his shoulders. Again, this figure was made for the chamber and not as a loose multipurpose Vader figure. It's a little too expensive for that.
The Meditation Chamber is obviously smaller than the version in the film. There is still some nice detail on the base and body of it. I really wish that there was a top part to this that wasn't part of the packaging. The inside is mostly white and there is a control unit that encircles the seat. The seat has an Imperial Navy logo moulded into it as well as Vader's "sit print". The control unit is detailed with some simple stickers. The "hat grabber" is simply moulded in a light grey plastic and has no paint accents. There is a lever at the back of the pod that will raise and lover the helmet onto Vader's head. Who knew you needed all of that technology just to put your hat on? The front of the chamber has some pretty long foot pegs where you can anchor the figure to.
My overall score on this is a solid "B" I'd have given it a total "A+" if it had the top half.