Review of Boba Fett - Jumbo Vintage Action Figure
Star Wars

Introduction

You have to give companies credit when they try try something new - they could just sit around, getting fat and lazy, but instead they try their best to come up with another money making angle. Of course, just cuz they try don't mean they succeed.

Gentle Giant has a new idea. Go back to the well of vintage action figures from the popular Star Wars line, but instead of simply re-issuing them, they've super sized them as well. Once just 3 3/4" tall, now they are a towering 12".

These are being called 'Jumbo Vintage". The first release was a Stormtrooper, which was a Comic Con exclusive. Now, the venerable Boba Fett has joined him as a Celebration V exclusive, with several more already announced.

These first two cost $85 each. Yes, $85 each. I suspect the wider releases will be slightly cheaper, but not a whole lot. That's a price similar to what some sixth scale companies are charging for mid range, fully articulated, licensed action figures, so Gentle Giant has their work cut out for them.

Packaging - ****
The big selling point for this line is the packaging. That's pretty rare for any collectible series, but this is one of those cases where you really are supposed to keep this guy in the package.

However, it's designed so that you don't have to. You have to cut a few pieces of tape, but then the back piece of plastic pops off, the tray is not glued in, and the figure can be removed without any damage. There are a few twisty ties however, which I could certainly have done with out.

The insert is a match for the old vintage line, front and back. I have to admit that on the card, this thing looks pretty cool.

Sculpting - ***1/2
Then I took it out. Unlike the trend with vintage Mego style figures, this is a vintage figure up-sized. While the simple look was passable in the smaller scale (and re-released vintage figures have been popular), it really screams goofy blown up to three times it's original size.

Unlike something like MOTUC, there is no updating of the style. They went back to the original, scanned every detail (or lack thereof), and recreated an exact duplicate in the much larger size.

I get the idea, I'm just not sure it's a great one. He does stand well on his own, and the sculpted hands work as well as can be expected with the weapon and limited articulation.

There is one departure from the original - this one is hollow. I'm sure that reduced the cost of production considerably.

Because they DID manage to do what they set out to do, I'm scoring them pretty high here. However, when we get to the Overall, my feelings about whether this really works or not in this scale will come through.

Paint - ***
The paint work is solid and relatively clean, but like the sculpt, it's simple and basic. Based on the old figure, the colors are generally consistent and even. There's a little bleed here and there, and the occasional sloppy edge, but for the most part it's reasonable work.

Articulation - **
Whenever people complain about modern Star Wars figures, it's clear that they've forgotten the early 80's. This figure is a fine reminder.

Cut joints are the rule of the day. There's a neck joint, shoulder joints, and hip joints. Kenner certainly worked the five point concept.

Accessories - **1/2
Like his old school counterpart, he comes with his blaster. The original blaster was very tiny, and because of that size, very simple in design with little detail. This is a much larger blaster, but they've tried to keep the same simple design.

One accessory is light though, especially at this price point. I think that trying to stick with the vintage concept was fine - they just needed to more appropriately price the series.

Fun Factor - ***
Like his old school counterpart, he comes with his blaster. The original blaster was very tiny, and because of that size, very simple in design with little detail. This is a much larger blaster, but they've tried to keep the same simple design.

One accessory is light though, especially at this price point. I think that trying to stick with the vintage concept was fine - they just needed to more appropriately price the series.

Value - *
I get it - they've taken the vintage figure and blown it up. People have been doing this for years with all kinds of various items, but they all have one thing in common: they're gimmick products. This isn't a 12" Boba Fett that has attempted to make the most of the scale, it's a gag gift.

But that's not all bad. Get a bunch of these on a wall, all lined up in their packages, and I'd have to admit that they'd look pretty damn cool. The cool wears off mighty quick though when you see the $85 price tag. These are $20 figures, easy. $30? Yea, I could live with that, but it's pushing it. $85? That's simply ridiculous, and seems to me that someone thinks that Star Wars collectors are easy targets.

Things to Watch Out For -
Watch out telling your friends how much you paid for this guy - they may attempt to have you committed.

Overall - **
I have two main problems with this series. First, any time I like a figure better IN the package than out, I know there's a problem. This is exactly the case with this figure, and after shooting him, he went right back on the card where he'll remain on display.

I'm not sure blowing up the vintage figures to this scale was all that great of an idea. It reminds me of having a over sized pencil, or a big pair of scissors. It's amusing for a few minutes, then you realize you don't have any place to put it.

On to my second and much bigger issue. It's the value score, which really hurts this figure in a major way. $85? Wow. I'm still astounded by the price they're charging for these, and there's simply no way most collectors will buy more than one or two of their favorites.

Score Recap (out of ****):
Packaging - ****
Sculpting - ***1/2
Paint - ***
Articulation - **1/2
Accessories - **
Fun Factor - ***
Value - *
Overall - **

Where to Buy 
These were a Celebration V exclusive, but the regular figures should be available at lots of online retailers. If you're looking for Boba though, you better hit ebay.

Related Links -
I haven't reviewed much Fett merchandise in the last couple years, but as a huge Fett fan, I've still been buying. Here's some past reviews:

- I had a guest review of the Legacy set, as well as a guest review that compared the Medicom and Marmit versions. 

- I looked at his dad, Jango, as well as the Medicom version of him. I also love the Premium Format version, and going back even further is the Unleashed version.

You should also hit the Search Reviews page, in case any other applicable reviews were done after this one was published.

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