With this Ben (Obi-Wan) Kenobi figure, we have completed the small two-wave subset of “Flashback” figures which were designed to herald the Episode I line.  The date of publication of this review is May 2nd, 2019.  Say, I wonder if there is any reason we scrambled to complete our reviews of the line that immediately preceded the Episode I line by today. Is tomorrow (at the time of this review) special for any reason? Back on the main point, this completes the retail releases prior to the Star Wars line cutting over to the world of Senators, Gungans, Sith, and low fidelity sound chips.

As stated in the Flashback Yoda review, this figure was initially announced as Obi-Wan Kenobi with “hood up.”  At the time it felt like a gratuitous incremental change that is endemic in the toy industry and is designed to get customers to re-purchase an item they essentially already own.  I know I have referenced this clip before, but this type of industry practice is brilliantly mocked by Dana Carvey:

The problem is that in 1998, I wasn’t the spoiled, psychopathic collector I am today, obsessing over every detail of figure accuracy.  The community still had a bit of the vintage Kenner “close enough” mentality.  Heck, back in the day, we went two years with Stormtroopers piloting our TIE Fighters.  What’s the big deal?  They’re all Imperials.  Close enough.  Flash forward today, and I will go on a virtual crusade to make sure that Hasbro adds a holster to that upcoming Rogue One Stormtrooper to make it Original Trilogy-accurate.  I obsess over ab dots, backpack holes, and robes versus cloaks.  Mr. Nomadscout might have a blindspot for ab dots, but don’t let him fool you.  He obsesses over different things.  YOU WANT US ON THAT WALL.  But, I wasn’t always this way.  In 1998, I was prepared to sail into the sunset with the permanently sculpted hood-down POTF2 Ben Kenobi figure as my one Obi-Wan to rule them all.  I was wra-wra-wra-wrong.  When Kenobi engages Vader at the end of A New Hope, his hood is up, and we should have a figure that reflects that.  In the days of plastic robe-ery, which I’m thankful are gone, this could only be done with a new sculpt.  If you look at the comparison shot with the BD34 - Obi-Wan Kenobi figure, a sculpted hood actually looks much better at this scale (but just the hood). 

Another element that is important to any “final showdown” Kenobi figure is that it needs to be able to achieve a THWG (two-handed-weapon-grip).  If you want to know why that pose is very important, please read this article that explains why that aforementioned TLC Kenobi is NOT definitive.  The short answer is that a two handed sword style was explicitly choreographed for the battle with Vader.  Courtesy of swivel elbows and wrists, the TLC figure can actually achieve a THWG, but it’s not easy to align the hands gripping the saber hilt, especially since the grip of the hands is very loose.  The recent TLJ - Ben Kenobi figure actually excels at the THWG poses required for this scene.

Where that TLJ figure falls absolutely short is that the lower body offers zero dynamism.  The Legacy Collection figure can achieve dynamism via articulation.  This figure adds dynamism via the sculpt.  The figure’s right leg is sculpted in a slightly forward bent stance.  This is exactly how Kenobi addresses Vader before their final parry in front of the hangar doors, but this touch of realism comes with a cost.  It makes the figure difficult to stand (yay, POTF2!).  Still I feel this is one of a handful of Flashback figures that can still have viability in a modern display if you so chose.  For that reason, I’m giving this figure a 4 out of 10.