For the most part, this is a repaint of the 2013 release, but there are some significant differences.  You can check out the original reviews of that release HERE.  I reviewed it in 2013, and Chris updated the photography and review in March of 2020.  In a nutshell, my original take was negatively impacted by the “pre-paint” release of The Clone Wars version, which was from the cartoon.  It was already possessed by Kid Boba, but he had left the paint scheme in tact from when it was his dad’s ship.  Effectively, it was Jango Fett’s ship.  I had problems with the performance of some of the features, as well as the general design.  Having been frustrated with buying the ship twice, when all I really wanted was the OT ship, I kind of laid into it back then.  Chris had better things to say when he re-reviewed it a few months back.  Basically, it was a great looking vehicle, which had some really annoying features.

Fast forward to this 2020 release, and we basically get the same overall result, despite the many changes.  It’s still a great looking vehicle - even better, actually.  But it has the same annoying design faults it had when it debuted.

Here are the basic problems:  The canopy does not stay open, which makes it annoying to try to put figures in the cockpit.  The cockpit seats are terribly proportioned, and it’s not easy to get a figure to display properly (but it can be done).  When the canopy is closed, it’s tricky to get it to snap shut correctly, so if you’re not paying attention, it can look “ajar.”  Same can be said for the hinged side panel.  It opens (but does stay open), however it doesn’t snap shut cleanly, so it looks a bit off.  The included container/escape pod thing isn’t executed particularly well, as it barely holds a figure.  The rear ramp, which is used in ESB to load the frozen Han Solo, is terribly designed so that figures can’t use it.  The wings don’t stay fully engaged in the “flight” mode.  It’s close, but they’re a bit off.  And finally, it seems counterintuitive to have the carbonite block slide into the front of the ship.  Not a terrible problem, but it’s just off from how we see it loaded in the film.

The positives are that it’s better scaled than earlier Slave I’s, and it looks amazing sitting on your shelf with proper figures milling about.  To collectors, that’s probably mostly good enough.  I don’t fly my ships around anymore.  I did that when I was a kid.  So as long as it looks great on display, I’m generally happy.  But there were so many features that missed the mark, it ends up being somewhat disappointing. 

All of that remains in place from 2013 to 2020.  But the new version is most definitely better, perhaps significantly so, even if Hasbro didn’t do anything to the features or mechanics of the ship.

All of that definitely make this a ship worth considering for an upgrade.  You just have to decide if you’re willing to shell out $150 for it.  If you don’t already have the 2013 version, that could be a very strong “yes.”  If you’d be adding a second Slave I to your collection, you’d have to seriously consider it. 

Now, let me say that even with the unaddressed design problems and features, the upgraded paint and the inclusion of the flight stand are significant.  I have to admit that when I first set up the stand and was able to see the ship supported in full flight mode, I got a little giddy.  I really think Hasbro should consider selling this stand separately at some point down the road.

Chris and I compromised and gave the 2013 release a 6.  I’d give this 2020 upgrade an 8.  If they’d managed to get the canopy to stay open and the wings to lock properly, it would be an easy 9.