Here’s a couple of “5POA” figures that might actually be worthy of being called “OK.”  There have been a handful decent offerings in this budget-friendly, kid-oriented, dumbed down figure line since it started becoming a real thing around 2012, when Hasbro started putting serious resources to it (at the expense of the traditional 3.75” collector line).  TPM3D may have been one of the worst things that has happened to collectors of Star Wars figures.  Besides a glut of TPM-sourced product that no-one asked for, the confusing nature of the Walmart exclusives (Is this a coincidence that Walmart was involved?), and the almost simultaneous dual releases of some of the same figures in both TVC and TPM3D, this line saw the rise of under-articulated figures being pushed out to retail.  Some of this seemed to coincide with the premature demise of TVC in favor of the partially aborted “Legacy Collection 2” and then by the evil Black Series, all of which shared retail space with line after line of 5POA figures.  It’s a nightmare that we might only now be waking up from, but even now we’re unsure of what the future holds.

But through all of this, sometimes Hasbro would sneak out a very few figures in the 5POA line that could at least be deserving of some consideration for a spot on your super-articulated shelves. Examples include Resistance Gunner Paige (for the groundbreaking helmet), Obi-Wan Kenobi (for the iconic pose), and R2-D2 (worthy of TVC), all from the TLJ line. In this set we get a 2-pack of repainted figures from the TLJ line that you may find desirable, even in your non-5POA collection.

Based on the TLJ C-3PO sculpt, this repaint seems to render obsolete one of the complaints I had about the first release.  The non-vac metal paint finish on a clean C-3PO was a problem.  The VC06 C-3PO also suffers from this problem (and a few others), but at least it is highly posable.  While this release certainly doesn’t address the lack of articulation, the fact that it has been weathered to replicate the Tatooine desert wandering chapter of his “life”, pretty much negates the issue of the non-shiny paint job.  It’s meant to be dull, dirty, and greasy, and it works out pretty well.  I’d still prefer vac-metal, but this isn’t terrible by any stretch.  It’s a great looking sculpt.  I gave the TLJ version a somewhat respectable (for a 5POA figure) score of 5, but the paint application on this figure bumps it up to at least a 6.  Not bad for your display.

R2-D2 is a repaint of the already outstanding TLJ release.  The sculpt is rooted in the much-loved Build-A-Droid line, but corrects one of the glaring issues with the astromechs as they had those unsightly holes on each side of the body towards the bottom.  The TLJ figure gloriously eliminates the holes, and this figure is no different.  That TLJ release was completely clean (as was C-3PO).  R2 didn’t need a vac-metal finish, and in fact it seems most collectors prefer the silver dome to not be vac-metallized.  Also included again are the extending rocket accessories that clip onto the legs, along with two flaming jets.  The rocket gizmos do not affect the aesthetic of the mold at all when left unattached, and kudos to Hasbro for that.  This release adds some dirt and grime, presumably to match the desert punishment R2 received on Tatooine.  It neither improves nor denigrates the figure in any way, you just get an alternate display option versus the clean one.  I believe this mold is going to be released as VC149.  It’s a worthy mold, although some collectors might be annoyed to pay $12.99 for a figure that was available for $7.99 in TLJ, or half of $14.99 in this Solo two-pack.

Besides the irony of this set being released in the line-look inspired by the only Star Wars film in which these droids did not appear, it has been a difficult road into collectors’ hands.  The set was due out at the very end of the Solo line, and only managed to make it as a Toys R Us Canada exclusive.  It was later said to be “rescued” from oblivion by Entertainment Earth, but even they could not save it.  Pre-orders were cancelled and the item was dropped from the site.  Shortly thereafter, Amazon got a bunch of inventory.  It still is available as of this writing, and can be ordered via out sponsor link here.

I gave TLJ C-3PO a 5, and R2-D2 an 8.  I’ll give this C-3PO an improved 6, while leaving the excellent R2-D2 at 8.  The set gets a worthwhile 7.

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