Update: JTA updates with some compelling evidence that goes a long way towards confirmation.  Click through to the update.

(Back to The Vintage Collection Basic Figures)

Reference

Wookieepedia article on Qui-Gon Jinn

Major Variants
*None Reported

Notes
* Life sized Darth Maul give away sticker on card

Roundtable Reviews!
This is the second repack figure in wave 10 (Qui-Gon Jinn being the other).  This figure was first released back in 2009 in the Legacy Collection as BD06 - Obi-Wan Kenobi.  At the risk of getting into an admin fight with nomadscout who gave the figure an 8 out of 10 at the time, I’m not a huge fan of this figure.  To be honest, part of that might be due to the advances we’ve seen in other Jedi figures over that time.  This figure is very much undermined by the lack of ball jointed hips.  It has a narrow stance which makes posing the figure in fighting stances near impossible.  In fact, the end result often ends up looking silly as if the padawan needs to tinkle. The head sculpt bears zero resemblance to Ewen McGregor and is imprecise for lack of a better word.  It’s almost like the head is out of focus.

The positives for the figure are the articulation with ball joints at the shoulders, elbows, knees and ankles.  The ankle joints move easily and with a decent range of motion which usually makes for great poses, but the aforementioned narrow stance largely undermines that opportunity.  The 2005 Episode III Kenobi has been repacked often, but when it was re-released in the Thirtieth Anniversary collection, Hasbro gave that figure ball jointed hips and a new head sculpt.  The fact that those upgrades, and an unlit saber hilt, could not have been added to this figure especially considering the premium price point is a shame. You probably already own this figure, so the only reason to purchase it would be for the card.  Kids will be able to get this figure in the Movie Heroes line without the robe but with additional accessories for a cheaper cost. Yet it will be packed at the same ratio as the must own Darth Maul figure from this wave. It seems there was no lesson learned from the re-release of 4-LOM.  6 out of 10.

6/10 Bantha Skulls

If you’ve been paying attention to the per case pre-order prices on e-tail sites, you’ve probably seen this handwriting on the wall.

(Back to The Vintage Collection Basic Figures)

Reference

Wookieepedia article on Qui-Gon Jinn

Major Variants
*None Reported

Notes
* Life sized Darth Maul give away sticker on card

Roundtable Reviews!
Chances are you already own this figure.  In fact, you may own it several times over. It was first released in 2008 in the Legacy of the Jedi Evolutions set from the Thirtieth Anniversary Collection.  The figure returned in 2009 as part of the Qui-Gon Jinn and Eopie set which was the mail away redemption for the Legacy Collection.  This time, the Jedi robe was replaced by a soft goods poncho.  That same accessory and figure combination was available again in 2010 as part of the Legacy Collection Tatooine Desert Ambush Battle Pack.  Each time there are subtle differences in the paint applications particularly in the salt and pepper wash on the hair. 

The figure itself is decent but it’s showing its age in a few areas.  We’ve become spoiled with Jedi figures the past few years. I’ve come to expect an unlit saber hilt which can be attached to the belt.  This figure includes neither the hilt nor the peg hole on the belt to which one could be attached.  The decade old lit saber accessory is very dated.  It lacks the flare at the hilt modern sabers have and the hilt portion if noticeably oversized.  Adding ball jointed hips really would have upped the appeal of this figure and would have made it easy to justify repurchasing.  Sadly, that retool was not in the cards for this release.  The head seems too small and does not bare a terrific likeness to the actor who is famed for his improvisational comedy.  All of these minor negatives warrant a one point deduction to an otherwise decent figure.  It’s the best Qui-Gon Jinn figure to date, but you probably already own it.  7 out of 10.

7/10 Bantha Skulls

(Back to The Vintage Collection Basic Figures)

Reference

Wookieepedia article on Padmé Amidala

Major Variants
*None Reported

Notes
* Life sized Darth Maul give away sticker on card

Roundtable Reviews!
Chapter 31.  If you’re wondering where you can spot this particular costume, set your Blu-ray to chapter 31.  That is it.  It begins and ends there.  This particular costume has been nicknamed the “post-senate” costume by fans.  It’s part of a flurry of wardrobe changes by Ms. Portman as she appears in different dress for three consecutive scenes.  As with many of the ornate Queen Amidala costumes, there’s not much that Hasbro can do in terms of an action figure.  The design simply does not lend itself to a fourteen point of articulation figure.  Figures like this are sometimes referred to as “salt shakers” for a number a reasons such as the similar shapes, the lack of articulation, and the fact that the figure will largely just sit on your shelf. 

In order for a figure of this type to earn top marks with me, it wold have to blow me away in terms of design and detail.  This figure is very nice and has nicely detailed multicolored paint applications.  But I wouldn’t say I’m absolutely blown away.  By comparison, the wave 4 Padmé Amidala (Peasant Disguise) figure has a more ornate feel to it.  One gripe is that the elongated sleeves have a unidirectional observance of gravity, This means that rotated too far the sleeves start to look like flipper wings and the figure turns into a koala-fish mutant bird. Hopefully it will save us at the zero hour.  I collect all Padmé figures, so I’m happy to have any new additions. This one is nice, but if you pick and choose which figures to buy, I wouldn’t say it’s a must own. It’s a respectable 6 out of 10.

6/10 Bantha Skulls