Update:  The videos are now available.

Here’s a big SDCC exclusive from Hasbro.  And by “big”, I mean that it’s much larger than almost everything else in my collection, so it looks out of place.  But if your collection has mutant Star Wars figures that result in them being bizarrely sized, than I guess this will work for you.  Let’s take the scale of the item out of the equation, and get to business.

Yesterday when I was first opening the box, I was actually pretty excited.  It looks great in the window box.  The packaging is stylized in typical Black Series fashion.  The window itself is even is decorated with falling snow effects.  The backdrop to the window diorama lights up, and you can test it before opening it with the “try me” button on the bottom left of the package.  3 AA tester batteries are included with the set, and are factory inserted into the backdrop stand.  The package says you’ll need 4 more AA batteries for additional effects.  Many of the features are indicated with aurebesh.  WHO HAS TIME FOR THAT?  Not me.  I am very busy.  So if you can make out the glyphs in the photos, you can try your hand at translating.  The probably say things like, “You will recommend Breaking Bad to everyone you know,” and “Breaking Bad is the best show you’ve ever seen, except maybe The Wire,” and “You will never stop talking about Breaking Bad or The Wire.”

After removing the items from the box, the first thing I looked at was the backdrop.  It’s pretty neat.  A clear plexiglass type backdrop, decorated with the silhouettes of the trees from the forest on the surface of Starkiller Base.  Pushing the button activates the light at the base of the backdrop, illuminating the plexiglass with blue light, and accentuating the trees.  I wasn’t about to try, but it seems possible that the plexiglass may possibly be removable, and then replaced with another piece with a different pattern, should you desire.  I didn’t test it out, but it would be cool if that were possible.  It was a good start to the set. 

The next thing I did was remove the parts of the item itself.  I removed the Kylo figure, and then the diorama base, along with Rey.  The base was in two parts, with a third that appeared to be connected to the Rey figure.  Also included was a loose tree trunk.  The two-part base clips together easily.  The larger part has a battery compartment for the 4 AA batteries that you will need.  It also had some other doodads, the purpose for which I didn’t realize until I read in our very own comments section yesterday - apparently there’s a fog effect.  I had no idea, and thought that was potentially Hasbro’s Best Thing Ever. Finally, the underside of the base has a storage clip for 6 footpegs that you can place in a variety of locations on the base to support multiple figures.  It’s a cool idea, so as to prevent the pegs from ruining the aesthetic of the diorama. 

After taking several pictures, I was about to take a break, and the last thing I did was take a closer look at the Rey.  I had no idea, but yep, that’s a 0POA statue.  It threw me for a loop, and I was suddenly not as excited about the set.  I realize that Centerpiece diorama characters are not articulated, but I believe previous incarnations come in parts so at least there might be some ability to vary up the look.  Maybe I’m wrong, but as a non 6” collector, I was surprised at this Rey.  It looks really cool at first, but after the initial disappointment in it having no articulation, I also wasn’t loving the portrait.  I think she looks nothing like Daisy Ridley.  The figure actually isn’t even removable from the rock outcropping that she is perched on.  The lightsaber blade is removable, for what it’s worth (not pictured).

I returned to the gallery project later on, and took a closer look at the Kylo figure. He’s pretty good, I assume (I’m not a Sixer, so I don’t really know) it’s a variant of an existing Kylo Ren.  The figure represents the point after Kylo was slashed across his face and neck, so he’s got a deep wound.  The robes and tunic by his right shoulder are torn away, revealing more injuries.  The robe itself is dusted with snow, although it’s a little too extreme in the application to look very realistic.  The back of the skirt is shredded, and that’s done very convincingly.  I like the effect.  Kylo’s belt is removable, and also has a slot in the back to hold the unlit saber hilt.  The robe itself is probably removable, but I wasn’t interested in attempting that.  It looked like a little too much effort would be required for that, and like I said, I am very busy.  One complaint is that Kylo’s right hand does not grip the saber hilt tightly enough.  It’s kind of terrible, actually. Overall, the figure is pretty neat, and Filthy Sixers™®© would probably appreciate it.

After inserting the batteries in the base, and filling the reservoir with a bit of water, I activated the lava lights and fog effect.  I love the lava.  The red ligts flicker, giving the lava stream the illusion of movement.  Very well done.  The fog effect was what I was most looking forward to.  Unfortunately, it disappointed me.  The fog that shoots from the nozzle is really just a bit of evaporated water, kind of like from those aromatherapy things you get at Bed Bath and Beyond.  At least that’s what Chris tells me.  Anyway, it’s underwhelming.  The “fog” doesn’t last more than an instant before dissipating.  I’m not sure what Hasbro could have done without using chemicals.  It was a valiant effort, but I’m sorry to say I wasn’t very impressed. 

Update:  Just to clarify the process, the small reservoir can best be seen (covered with the rubber stopper) in image 52 - it’s on the left side of the base, the “excavated” part.  You open the plug, and put a little bit of water into the reservoir.  The instructions recommend using a straw to dribble water from a glass. (You can see the instructions in image 11.)  There is a small opening concealed in the rock outcropping just below Rey and above the lava.  A camouflaged button shaped like a small rock activates the lava lights and the fog effect.  There are a few different settings:  on for 12 seconds, on for 20 minutes, lava only until battery dies, and off.

So what we have here is an outstanding environmental base, which includes a superbly executed lava stream. The Rey Statue does look good (minus the likeness) in the action pose, similar to the old Unleashed statues that Chris mentioned in the comments yesterday.  The Kylo Ren is a very good figure.  Besides the base and the lava, the other draw is the plexiglass backdrop.  A very nice touch, adding a high quality aspect to any shelf display.

I won’t rate it, since I’m not experienced enough in collecting this scale, but all in all, it’s a striking set, with more wins (Kylo, lava, backdrop) than losses (Rey likeness, underwhelming fog effect).  I’m sure this will be one of those hot sellers at SDCC, so it’s hard to criticize the $120 price tag.  It’s steep, so you Sixers out there will need to decide if it’s worth it. 

Here’s a short video that shows the fog (please excuse the annoying ambient noise - recommend you mute the videos):

This video is of the full diorama, with backdrop lights, lava, and fog:

PS - I managed to find my Jawa, so my entire 6” collection joined in the fun in the last picture.  It’s from a cutscene in TFA that was also cut from the cutscenes shown on the Blu-Ray.  The scene is very controversial, and known only to a few individuals.