Packaging - **1/2
The backs of the cards have larger pictures of the figures, since it only
shows this wave of four. But the picture for both FX-7 and the
trooper are very poor quality shots. I've seen custom cardbacks with
far superior images. Sculpting -
***1/2
The sculpt work on these figures follows the consistently nice work that
Hasbro has been doing recently on the small Star Wars figures. The
detail on FX-7 is excellent, and the sculpting of the hands and arms on
the trooper to hold the gun is nicely done. Of course that means he
can't do much else, but I suppose that since this pose is the most
interesting and important, you can cut him some slack. There's also
plenty of detail on his uniform and helmet, and the face sculpt is fairly
good for such a small scale. Paint -
****
The paint ops on both figures is excellent, particularly FX-7. The
small details all around his 'body' are very well done, and there's
certainly no slop. There's
not as much detail work to the trooper, but his eyes were well done, and
the colors were all clean and consistent on the uniform. Articulation
- ****
You can't argue with 39, yep, 39 points of articulation on FX-7. His
'head' turns, his central arm repository turns, the small side arm turns,
and all 18 arms have two points of articulation each. Obviously he's
the most articulated Star Wars figure ever, and he's unlikely to lose the
crown. The trooper is
pretty good as well, but additional arm articulation would have given him
some other pose opportunities. As it is, he has neck, shoulder,
hips, knees and ankles. The legs are very much like the 21st Century
eXtreme Detail figures, and because of the 90 degree cut joints at the
knees he can manage sitting and kneeling positions without a
problem. Standing is a little tricky, but by putting one leg in
front of the other you'll manage to get him upright. Accessories -
**
On the accessories front, we're pretty light here. FX-7 comes with
nothing, although he does work very nicely with the Bacta Tank if you also
have that deluxe figure. The
trooper at least has his blaster, but a removable helmet would have been
cool. The hands are rubber banded around the blaster, and I'd
suggest leaving them that way. Value
- **1/2
Some places like Wal-mart will have these for $7, and that's really
pushing it. Other stores will be charging as much as $8, and that's
way too much. A few stores may still have them for $6, and that
seems far more appropriate. Prices on figures have gotten completely
out of line this last year, and I'm hoping we see that reverse in 2002. Overall -
***1/2
FX-7 is one of the nicest 3 3/4" Star Wars figures they've produced,
although he's not the most exciting character in the world. I wish
they'd put that much effort into the cooler aliens once in awhile. The
trooper is certainly an improvement over earlier versions, and I like the
majority of the articulation. The price is the only thing really
hurting these figures. The high marks in articulation, sculpting and
paint helped these two to a higher overall. Where
to buy -
The first bricks and mortar store that these have shown up at is Wal-mart,
although I doubt either Toys R Us or Target will be far behind. They
are also hitting Electronic Boutique stores, and some have reported
getting them for $6 there! On-line: -
Action
Figure Express has the set of 4 in stock for $33.95 plus
shipping. Search for 'FX-7'. (MROTW Affiliate). -
Entertainment Earth isn't as good a deal if you can only by one set, but
they might have them when others don't. Their set
of 4 is $39.99, and a case
of 12 is $90. Obviously, if you can get two more folks to go in on a
case, it's a heck of a lot cheaper. (MROTW Affiliate). -
Aisle
Sniper has them for $8 each, so if you only want one or two of this
set that's the best approach. -
Michael Wong let me know that Toyzz.com
have the FX-7 and the new Amidala for only $5.99 each. That's the
best on-line price I've seen so far! I
checked about 6 other on-line retailers, and they were all either more
expensive, or they didn't have them yet. If you have a suggestion
for a good on-line retailer, please let me
know. I'm always looking for new possibilities!
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