One of the most popular collecting formats to hit the Star Wars line was the Evolutions three pack.  Debuting in the Revenge of the Sith line, the sets promised to deliver 3 related figures with premium articulation and accessories.  Over time, that promise eroded a bit, and “evolved”, if you will, into something a bit different.  Instead of figures with premium articulation, we started getting standard-type figures that were unlikely to be released in the basic line.  The sets also dropped the premium accessories, and topped it all off with an increased price.  But before that happened, we got this “in between” version of Evolutions.  The set has one figure that should have been in the main line (Secret Apprentice), while the other two (Jedi and Sith) probably didn’t get enough screen time in The Force Unleashed to deserve a basic figure. The articulation level is lacking in one of the figures.  And while the accessories aren’t bad, there isn’t much included that feels “premium” for any of the three. 

Credit:  Packaged sample on loan from the collection of Randy S.

Secret Apprentice

This probably should be the best figure in the set.  It’s Starkiller’s main outfit, at least to start the game.  I think.  I don’t remember.  Well, this would probably be the candidate for a Starkiller basic figure.  If you hadn’t noticed, the character has a slew of action figures, but it wasn’t until the 7th one was released that had his debut in a main line (VC100 in 2012).  This one has full super articulation.  The range of motion of the legs is a bit limited by the plastic kama,  The arms are limited a bit by the chest armor, which very nearly prevents the figure from performing a THWG.  Fortunately, it’s still just barely possible.  The overall sculpt is decent, with a lot of details throughout.  The face sculpt isn’t great, though. It doesn’t really look like Sam Witwer.  The figure includes 3 different lightning effects that wrap around his limbs. It comes with an ignited lightsaber, but for whatever reason, doesn’t not include an unlit hilt.  The limits on the range of motion of the arms and legs, the less than stellar face, and the missing hilt prevent this figure from excelling.  It’s still pretty good, but it could easily pass for a basic figure, and doesn’t qualify for the “premium” level that we should have been getting in the evolutions set.  While it should be the best figure in the set, I don’t believe it is.  I’ll give it a 7.  It’s a high 7, but still a 7 for the record books.

Sith Lord

This version of Starkiller is based on his appearance after the player chooses to follow the dark side.  He was severely wounded after killing Vader, and then fighting Palpatine.  Palpatine nearly destroyed Starkiller, but ended up reviving him in much the same way that he saved Anakin after Mustafar.  His appearance is as a pale but muscular person trapped behind an evil Sithy mask.  The mask itself looks like a cross between a Mandalorian helmet and Boussh’s helmet.  The figure’s arms and hands are covered in what appear to be creepy blades, or something like that Wolverine cat would have.  But I don’t read the funny books, so you’d have to ask Jimmy about that.  This figure is super articulated, but has the best range of motion of the three in this pack.  It can achieve all sorts of dynamic fighting poses, although of course, by today’s standards, I’d prefer ball jointed waist and wrists and rocker ankles.  Nevertheless, it still works well.  The figure has a peg hole in the belt to accommodate the rather interesting hilt, and of course it’s got the fully ignited lightsaber, with which it can perform an excellent THWG.  While the accessories aren’t overwhelming, it does come with the unlit hilt, which the Apprentice figure does not.  The unique design and solid articulation make this a surprisingly better figure than the Apprentice version.  8 out of 10.

Jedi Knight

This is the weakest figure in the set.  It has an appealing take on the “light side” approach to an outfit.  It’s like a basic Jedi outfit, but with flair.  It has some soft goods aspects to the robes, including some rather odd pieces that drape from the wrists.  The likeness to the character is rather poor.  The face looks more like Channing Tatum than Sam Witwer/Starkiller.  The goofy head can be concealed to a degree by the removable plastic hood.  It fits pretty well, and blends nicely with the rest of the plastic/soft goods hybrid outfit.  Like the Sith version, it comes with a lightsaber and a hilt, which plugs into the belt.  All of that makes for an interesting figure, but it is basically dealt a devastating blow because it includes swivel elbows. This bit of ancient articulation is unacceptable in a set that is supposed to include premium level figures.  The elbows are almost ruinous to this Jedi Knight figure.  However, it still looks good, it can achieve a THWG, and let’s face it, it’s a minor version of a video game character, not a main character in one of the films.  I’ll give it a 6.