Review: Barbie as Lt. Uhura
Posted by Lindsay

Okay, at this point we've been over my love of Star Trek, and my enjoyment of geek-targeted Barbie dolls.  So you had to be expecting this.

The 2009 Barbie Trek line only did Kirk, Spock and Uhura.  The Trek uniform goes badly with Ken's neck, makes him look truly bizarre, so I was only interested in Uhura. 

Besides which, last time Barbie was crossed with Star Trek, they came out with this set.  That's what I can only assume is a version of Yeoman Rand with less insane hair.

(Yes, I know it's actually just stereotypical "Barbie" in a Trek Costume, but still...)
Who cares about Yeoman Rand when you could have Uhura?  Not me.

These are not easy to get your hands on for cheap.  I haven't seen them in Toys'R'Us, I've only seen them personally in comic stores, with an obscene mark-up.  I ended up getting mine as a gift.

Uhura and the other 2009 Trek Barbies are Pink Label, which is Mattel code for "Collectible and expensive, but not stupidly expensive/rare".  "Collectible" Barbies tend to have better costumes and facepaint than their "for-play" cousins.

As you go up the continuum (Pink-Silver-Gold-Platinum), the dolls become rarer, more expensive, and less likely to show up in stores.

Appearance and Construction: 8/10

Now don't think that the mark down here is because I don't think she's beautiful.  I do think she's beautiful, and am happy to have her in my collection.

But there are a multitude of little things here that make me unhappy.  Her right boot doesn't quite fit right.  The visual interpretation of the knit fabric used in the movie is awkward. 

The head doesn't look much like Zoe Saldana.  There's a good reason for that, it's not a new headsculpt, but a familiar Barbie head known as Mbili:
See Photos Here.

Now, I don't personally care whether she looks just like the actress or more like a general modern version of the character, but some may be disappointed. 

The sticker around the edge of the base isn't quite centered (Hard to tell here). 

I was too worried to take out the little tabs holding her costume in a pretty drape (you can see them in some pics); it felt like I might not be able to get it to lay right myself.

Overall, a bit disappointing for a Pink Label Barbie, but even after all that, she's too nice to go lower than 8.

Packaging and Extras: --

The packaging was pretty straightforward, shows off the doll fine.  She is a pain and a half to get out of there, though.

I want to say a word here thanking Mattel for her phaser.  The little spinny bit - spins.  So this tiny gun can in fact be set either to stun OR to kill, unlike the "boy's" version which came with McCoy.  From pictures it looks like the communicator and tricorder that come with Kirk and Spock, respectively, also open.  Good for them putting in the detail work. 

On the other hand, she can't hold it without help, and it's her only accessory, which is sad at her price point.

I'm also a bit confused by her costume construction. In this picture you can see the little tab I was talking about.  That holds her red dress to the black collar, which is a seperate, very small piece.  I just don't understand the decision not to attach them.

Yes, her costume also includes matching red panties.

No, I'm not giving you a picture, pervert.  Here are some nice detail shots instead.

The phaser is nice, the costume is overall nice, I can't quite penalize her for being a collectible Barbie and not coming with the amount of accessories an action figure would.

There's one more thing she comes with, but I'm going to address it below. 

Play and Display: -1

Uhura is a Model Muse Barbie, which means she has less articulation than even a standard Barbie, but I knew that going in, so I'm not too disappointed.  She has a ball jointed neck, balls at the shoulders, and pins at the hips.

Also, just because she's wearing those awesome combat boots, don't think she doesn't have high-heel-ready toes underneath.

Cause she does.

Here's where I think Mattel seriously dropped the ball.

The first picture here, is the stand she came with.  It's a waist hold stand, and it's ugly.

In the second picture (far right), I've switched it out for a Model Muse Stand,  (stolen from Trixie, below) which is designed to support her legs properly. 

Maybe they thought...you'd want to display her with one or both legs awkwardly hovering?  It's not as if she has enough articulation to manage a kick.

It's just one piece of plastic vs. another, but it makes a difference to the look. 

Especially with a little A-line dress like this, why would you put her in a stand that scrunches the waist fabric?  (I've smoothed it some in the pic.)  

It's unthinkable to me that a high end doll like this would come with the wrong stand. 

On the upside as far as play goes, her hair is really soft and well done. 

But the stand was just the last straw as far as points go. 

She's lucky it's only a -1.

Special Section: Discussion of Custom Potential

Seriously, no.  You just want a long haired doll with a nice facesculpt, you can probably get one cheaper than this.  I'm not touching Uhura.

Price Tag and Final Analysis: 7/10

Uhura is a nice doll, and a great 12" Star Trek collectible, but not perfect. 

If the costume was just slightly better tailored, if she had come with the right stand, and one more accessory, she'd be a steal, but as it is, you'll be lucky to snag one at all.

Originally marked at $43 each, the Star Trek Barbies are marked down to $38 on Barbiecollector.com, and there's a range of people selling them on Amazon or Ebay for 25-40 dollars.  I'd personally be hesitant to pay more than 30, although I might, because I like scifi chicks, and they're not in stores.  I'd say 25 is a fair price, though make sure you have a Model Muse stand on hand, too!

I don't know how much this one was, as I said, she was a gift, but I'm very happy to have her as part of my collection.  Just a couple more pictures:

Wonder what happens to dolls I don't like as much?  Drop by the Workshop. 
Looking for Erin's geeky rants?  Check down the hall, second on the left is The Middle Room.