We’ve reviewed this figure 17 times in the last 6 months.  Okay, so it was only twice, and this is the third.  That’s because in our TVC retrospective, we took a second look at both VC64 Princess Leia (Slave Outfit) and VC88 Princess Leia (Sandstorm Outfit).  But this is actually the first one, on which those other two were based.  VC64 was a straight repack of the figure, but minus the alternate seated legs.  VC88 was a repaint of the same sculpt, giving a different color to the bikini, but dropped not only the seated legs, but also the drinking glass and the chain/collar combo in exchange for cut-scene specific headgear and goggles. 

So, if you’ve read those reviews, especially VC64, then you know almost everything about this figure.  However, the alternate seated legs are a huge plus, and, in my opinion, make this the best of all 3.  By popping off the standard legs at the waist, and replacing them with the sculpted legs which are in a lounging position, you can pose Leia beautifully on Jabba’s dais, as she carefully waits for the big plot to unfold.  This accessory elevates the figure, and allows for a fantastic palace display.  When the standard legs are in place, the figure can be displayed recreating any other scene.  Try posing her lounging on the dais with the standard legs, and then come back and tell us that this version isn’t FAR superior.  Sure, the TVC version comes on the classic cardback, but had Hasbro just included the alternate legs inside the TVC bubble, there’d be no reason to even bother with this version…oh, unless you’re into the build-a-droid thing.  So yeah, you’d still be interested in this figure anyway.  Forget what I just said.

As has been covered, the figure is sculpted well, and even with the figure being nearly nude, the articulation points aren’t really bothersome.  It’s clear Hasbro took great pains to ensure that this wasn’t a ridiculous looking figure, when it would have been easy to let it turn out that way.  The face is painted pretty well, and while perhaps not exactly a ringer for Carrie Fisher, it is still attractively done.  The paint on the rest of the outfit is also nicely detailed, although some might prefer the color choice that was used on the sandstorm version better.  Personally, I like this one.  The soft goods skirt works perfectly. 

Besides the alternate legs, Leia also comes with the glass that Jabba was drinking from aboard the Sail Barge.  It’s clear even at this point that Hasbro had plans to produce the Khetanna, because why else would they make the drinking glass, unless Jabba could be posed drinking it on board his yacht?  The cat was out of the bag even then.  And why is a cat inside a bag anyway?  Who puts cats in bags?  I don’t get it.  The vibro-staff is also a nice accessory, allowing Leia to slash her way to freedom.  My only complaint, as I stated in the other reviews, is that it would have been better if there was not only this particular chain, which seems appropriate for after the moment R2-D2 cut Leia free, but also a longer chain that Jabba could use to keep her close, and which Leia, in turn, could wield as the murder weapon.

In the comparison shot, you can first see the difference in the paint colors and facial appearance when comparing this TLC figure with the sandstorm figure.  Again, the VC64 prisoner figure is essentially identical.  The other comparison shot shows older versions of Slave Leia.  While the figures themselves are rendered completely obsolete by this release, I wanted to show the chains.  The POTF2 version came with a much longer version, while the POTJ version was actually a far superior accessory, being made of much more realistic chain links.  If you combined the length of the POTF2 version along with the quality of the POTJ version, we’d have an improvement over this TLC chain.  It’s a minor gripe, but enough to keep this figure from a perfect score.  As it is, we gave VC64 an 8, and stated that the legs from TLC would warrant a 9.  So a 9 it will be.  This is the definitive Princess Leia as Jabba’s prisoner.

Build-A-Droid 

Princess Leia contains the body for the astromech R3-M3, which could be seen rolling down a corridor of the Death Star as Obi-Wan was preparing himself to face Darth Vader.  Source:  A New Hope.

Nearly perfect figure, definitive, and moderately priced on eBay.  Along with the coming Sail Barge, this would normally warrant a re-issue.  But since we know that won’t happen, you should look to acquire this figure for about $40 as of this writing, perhaps even less if you shop carefully.