Here’s a fun one.  If you are a frequent reader of this site, you know of my fondness for the Power of the Force “2” (POTF2) Freeze Frame line. The figures certainly don’t hold up today, but it served as a turning point in the modern Star Wars action figure line in a few ways.  One reason is that it’s when Hasbro finally turned the corner on the overly muscled, bulked up era of the first three years of the line.  If you don’t know what I’m talking about, here is Exhibit A.  While the proportions were still far from perfect, they took a big leap toward realistically sized humans.  But unlike Kevin Smith, Hasbro wasn’t ready to let He-Man die. Enter the Freeze Frame Lando Calrissian in General’s Gear.  With a 52” chest and a 31” waist, Lando would give 80’s Arnold Schwarzenegger a run for his money.

This figure roars back to the worst of the POTF2 era in more ways than just the “human v” proportions. It’s locked into a ridiculous rock God power stance. A semi could drive between Lando’s legs, and it wouldn’t even have to fold in the mirrors. Due to this being the six point of articulation era, there is nothing that can be done to undo Lando’s legs akimbo.  Not that it would matter if the figure were better articulated because the massive monochrome plastic cape would do its best to inhibit any movement.  Finally, the silliest part of this release is that the screen accurate sidearm is permanently sculpted onto the figure’s chest, and the Kenner division of Hasbro decided to give Lando an oversized cartoonish blaster.  Look at that thing.  The scope is nearly as long as the entire pistol, and what is that underneath the barrel?  Is that a tactical mounted flashlight?  Lando must be moonlighting for the S.W.A.T. team.

On the positive side, despite being a fairly terrible figure, this was an exciting release at the time as it represented one of the famed Final 17, which are the 15 Power of the Force (1985) debut figures plus the Episode VI carded Paploo and Lumat.  Those are some of the rarer Kenner-era figures, and whenever one is brought back into the modern line, it’s reason to celebrate.  That is another reason for my fondness toward the Freeze Frame line.  The overall character selection was varied and exciting.  It ranged from this first ever modern General Lando, to deep cut figures like Ishi Tibb and Lak Sivrak, to new takes on core characters like Ewok Village Leia and the first removable helmet Darth Vader.  It was a fun time in the hobby, but as mentioned in the open, the figures have not aged well. This Lando in General’s Gear is a lowly 2 out of 10.