Editor’s Note:  This review has been updated with our second look at TVC…

Original Review:  Chris - 01/04/2012 1:03 PM

This is the second repack figure in wave 10 (Qui-Gon Jinn being the other).  This figure was first released back in 2009 in the Legacy Collection as BD06 - Obi-Wan Kenobi.  At the risk of getting into an admin fight with nomadscout who gave the figure an 8 out of 10 at the time, I’m not a huge fan of this figure.  To be honest, part of that might be due to the advances we’ve seen in other Jedi figures over that time.  This figure is very much undermined by the lack of ball jointed hips.  It has a narrow stance which makes posing the figure in fighting stances near impossible.  In fact, the end result often ends up looking silly as if the padawan needs to tinkle. The head sculpt bears zero resemblance to Ewan McGregor and is imprecise for lack of a better word.  It’s almost like the head is out of focus.

The positives for the figure are the articulation with ball joints at the shoulders, elbows, knees and ankles.  The ankle joints move easily and with a decent range of motion which usually makes for great poses, but the aforementioned narrow stance largely undermines that opportunity.  The 2005 Episode III Kenobi has been repacked often, but when it was re-released in the Thirtieth Anniversary collection, Hasbro gave that figure ball jointed hips and a new head sculpt.  The fact that those upgrades, and an unlit saber hilt, could not have been added to this figure especially considering the premium price point is a shame. You probably already own this figure, so the only reason to purchase it would be for the card.  Kids will be able to get this figure in the Movie Heroes line without the robe but with additional accessories for a cheaper cost. Yet it will be packed at the same ratio as the must own Darth Maul figure from this wave. It seems there was no lesson learned from the re-release of 4-LOM.  6 out of 10.

Updated Review:  Bret - 9/28/2018 07:05 AM

I’ll agree with Chris for downgrading the score from our earlier 8 to a 6.  After a couple of years, Hasbro really could have given us a definitive TPM Obi-Wan Kenobi, but like the Qui-Gon Jinn wavemate, this figure disappoints.  The head sculpt is pretty terrible, bearing no resemblance to Ewan MacGregor.  The articulation is pedestrian for a Jedi, even though the well-executed soft goods “skirt” would allow for ample range of motion of proper ball-jointed hips.  The sculpt is otherwise decent, but nothing to write home about.

The robe is huge.  It’s common, but still a negative.  The lightsaber has an edge over Qui-Gon’s, because latter’s weapon was Episode 1-era crap.  This is at least modern, with the blade “flare” and the slimmer hilt.  Speaking of hilt, this figure is missing an unlit one, which is a travesty.  He does come with a Jedi communicator, although unlike some previous figures, this version of Obi-Wan has no belt “hook” to secure the device, so good luck not losing it.

The lack of ball-jointed hips makes Jedi-posing nearly impossible.  It’s not a dynamic figure, which is terrible considering that the lightsaber fight with Qui-Gon is one of the great moments of the entire saga.  Hasbro really did next to nothing to give us a proper TPM Kenobi on a TVC cardback.  If you’re a completist, you’ll want this.  Otherwise, you’ll be angry it exists.  As Chris alluded to, it would have been so much better if Hasbro released the Episode III Obi-Wan, but with a good Episode I head sculpt.  Instead, we got some garbage.  It’s probably the best version of this figure available, but that’s not saying much.  Hasbro did so well with the other TPM figures in TVC, but Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan really got a raw deal, and so did you, as a collector.

Ebay prices are low to moderate, showing there is some demand for this figure, despite the shortcomings.  Along with Qui-Gon, Hasbro really needs to make available a definitive TPM Obi-Wan.  Ball jointed hips, an Ewan face, a hilt with a belt peg, a hook on the belt for the communicator, and a slimmer robe are musts.  Rocker ankles and ball jointed wrists would also be welcome additions to this key figure in the saga.  Throw in a re-breather, and you pretty much have the entire film covered with one figure.  Let’s get to it sooner rather than later. 

In fact, the 20th Anniversary of TPM is next year.  No need for anything too fancy.  How about some convention exclusive 3-packs (like Aphra) to celebrate TPM’s 20th across major conventions in 2019 with definitive versions of these characters: