Review: Star Wars Galactic Heroes: Kit Fisto and General Grievous
I lose track of how many Galactic Heroes figures I have. Thirty? Forty? I have no idea. But I can tell you exactly how many of those figures are from the prequels: two.
You see, while the figures are just as adorable, I just don't have the same interest in characters who weren't in the original trilogy. I don't want to go off on a rant about the prequels: there are too many of those on the internet as it is, and, by and large, they aren't fair. Sure, we were all disappointed: let's leave it there.
Anyway, I generally steer clear of merchandise related to the newer movies, unless it's clearanced for next to nothing. Before you ask, no: these weren't on clearance. I passed up a Storm Trooper/Rebel soldier to get these instead.
You see, while the figures are just as adorable, I just don't have the same interest in characters who weren't in the original trilogy. I don't want to go off on a rant about the prequels: there are too many of those on the internet as it is, and, by and large, they aren't fair. Sure, we were all disappointed: let's leave it there.
Anyway, I generally steer clear of merchandise related to the newer movies, unless it's clearanced for next to nothing. Before you ask, no: these weren't on clearance. I passed up a Storm Trooper/Rebel soldier to get these instead.
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Why? Because, while I'm lukewarm - at best - on the prequels as a whole, I absolutely love General Grievous. Don't get me wrong: he's no Darth Vader, but I think the design is absolutely brilliant. Plus, he's got four lightsabers, which he spins around like fan blades. It may be juvenile, but I find that completely and totally awesome. Honestly, I don't really remember Kit Fisto. Wikipedia assures me he was one of the Jedi offed by Sidious in Episode III. I'm sure they're right. Galactic Heroes are produced by Hasbro, who also makes Super Hero Squad figures, Robot Heroes, Combat Heroes, and God knows what else. You can buy them at most toy stores. |
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Appearance and Construction: 8/10
These are really nice figures, both in appearance and construction. On the construction end, these are solid and sturdy: you shouldn't have any problems.
In terms of appearance, these are beautifully sculpted and cleanly painted. While I like Grievous more, I have to admit Fisto has fewer flaws. There are very few paint problems, and the overall impression is very well executed. The one complaint I can make is that his lightsaber is a little crooked.
Grievous could really use some more color and shading. They've left the armor, particularly the head, a little dull: it needs something to really work. Still, the excellent pose and sculpt make up for this minor issue.
One area I want to applaud on both figures is the lightsaber. Hasbro has used a translucent plastic, which works far better than the solid colors I'm used to. It's a minor detail that has a big effect.
I also want to draw attention to the backs of the figures: in both cases, Hasbro has maintained the same level of detail and care. These are excellent figures: I'd have given both an eight if grading them separately.
In terms of appearance, these are beautifully sculpted and cleanly painted. While I like Grievous more, I have to admit Fisto has fewer flaws. There are very few paint problems, and the overall impression is very well executed. The one complaint I can make is that his lightsaber is a little crooked.
Grievous could really use some more color and shading. They've left the armor, particularly the head, a little dull: it needs something to really work. Still, the excellent pose and sculpt make up for this minor issue.
One area I want to applaud on both figures is the lightsaber. Hasbro has used a translucent plastic, which works far better than the solid colors I'm used to. It's a minor detail that has a big effect.
I also want to draw attention to the backs of the figures: in both cases, Hasbro has maintained the same level of detail and care. These are excellent figures: I'd have given both an eight if grading them separately.
Packaging and Extras: ----
The packaging is the same as all the rest.
Beside this, you also get a poster relating to the Battle of Endor:
Wrong movie, guys. Also, this same poster came with three other packs I got at the same time, so, for the time being, I've got four identical posters. Until I take out the trash: then I'll have none.
Play and Display: +1
Both of these figures offer some useful articulation, but both also are missing some joints that seem kind of obvious. Lets start with Kit Fisto, since he's not going to take as long.
Fisto has one joint: a cut on his right arm at the shoulder, where the sleeve of his robe meets his white gauntlet (or whatever that is). The joint allows you to move his arm - and by extension lightsaber - in an arc from behind his back to the front of his body. This opens some good posing options, but it's a little irksome they didn't put a similar joint on his left arm. Fisto has great balance: you're not going to run into any problems there.
Grievous has good balance, though he's a tiny bit wobbly and front heavy. Even so, it would take a lot for him to topple over. Grievous has five points of articulation: one on each wrist and one on his head. The only limit is that two of the sabers will eventually hit something before making it 360 degrees. You can tilt the head upside down if you really want to.
As it is, you can get numerous different poses out of Grievous. As wonderful as that is, there's really no reason they had to stop here. Why not give us cuts on the shoulders or elbow? That would have opened up nearly unlimited options. I'd also have liked to see a cut on the waist.
In this scale, what they gave us is easily good for a bonus point, but if they'd have pushed the envelope a little more, there'd be room for a higher score.
Fisto has one joint: a cut on his right arm at the shoulder, where the sleeve of his robe meets his white gauntlet (or whatever that is). The joint allows you to move his arm - and by extension lightsaber - in an arc from behind his back to the front of his body. This opens some good posing options, but it's a little irksome they didn't put a similar joint on his left arm. Fisto has great balance: you're not going to run into any problems there.
Grievous has good balance, though he's a tiny bit wobbly and front heavy. Even so, it would take a lot for him to topple over. Grievous has five points of articulation: one on each wrist and one on his head. The only limit is that two of the sabers will eventually hit something before making it 360 degrees. You can tilt the head upside down if you really want to.
As it is, you can get numerous different poses out of Grievous. As wonderful as that is, there's really no reason they had to stop here. Why not give us cuts on the shoulders or elbow? That would have opened up nearly unlimited options. I'd also have liked to see a cut on the waist.
In this scale, what they gave us is easily good for a bonus point, but if they'd have pushed the envelope a little more, there'd be room for a higher score.
Price Tag and Final Analysis: 9/10
If it weren't for the translucent lightsabes, these would be good figures. That one detail, I think, elevates them to greatness. At normal prices, these two-packs run about eight bucks, which is too much. Five would be fair; six is still decent. But it's hard to quibble over a few bucks when the toys are this much fun.
Besides, I got these when Toys R Us was having a sale: two for $8.99. That means I paid $4.50 a pack, and $2.25 a figure. That's a price I can be very happy with. Oh, the other pack? That'll have to be another review: I didn't want to group figures from the original trilogy with those from the prequels.
In fact, I'm not displaying them together, either. As much as I like Grievous, I want to keep my Galactic Heroes display strictly old school. For a while at least, I'm sending Grievous to hang out in the Swine Trek.
Besides, I got these when Toys R Us was having a sale: two for $8.99. That means I paid $4.50 a pack, and $2.25 a figure. That's a price I can be very happy with. Oh, the other pack? That'll have to be another review: I didn't want to group figures from the original trilogy with those from the prequels.
In fact, I'm not displaying them together, either. As much as I like Grievous, I want to keep my Galactic Heroes display strictly old school. For a while at least, I'm sending Grievous to hang out in the Swine Trek.
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