dr_teng
08-16-2010, 02:02 PM
Before I write in the rest, I wanted to mention that I've switched to a new Youtube account for statue stuff, it's : http://www.youtube.com/WYObsession
I'm saving my dr_teng account for other projects, though the Scarlet Witch video will stay there, since I can't find the original video yet.
On to the review!
(Jedi Luke original review here, with higher-res photos (http://www.whatsyourobsession.com/sideshow-collectibles-jedi-luke-skywalker-premium-format-statue-review/)
Video review here, watch it in high-def) (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iff-e5sAdks&feature=player_embedded)
I won this from Sideshow in one of their month of SDCC contests. The original Luke Skywalker PF was a disaster in terms of likeness (which is why it still goes for UNDER $100 on Ebay) and while the Dagobah version was better, it wasn't nearly as good as Sideshow's recent efforts have been. Does Jedi Luke break this curse or is it the third in a trilogy of mediocrity? Let's find out!
http://www.whatsyourobsession.com/review/sideshow-collectibles/jedi-luke-premium-format-statue-1-low.jpg
I really like this pose. Luke like he's battle-ready, but still cautious. It makes me think him and Vader are circling each other, each of them waiting for the other to act. The way his left hand is opened and his expression add to that effect.
http://www.whatsyourobsession.com/review/sideshow-collectibles/jedi-luke-premium-format-statue-2-low.jpg
The base is a simple black at the bottom and the top of it has an interior industrial feel, with some grating. Nothing too fancy. Looking up at Luke, you'll notice the clothing is nicer than many other premium format statues. It's not restricted to one fabric type, it looks and feels good. On a statue where so much of it is covered in fabric, it's nice that Sideshow didn't cheap out. Kinda wish the little pouch opened up though. I might Bad-Word-Bad-Word-Bad-Word-Bad-Word-Bad-Word- about when I break one of Hot Toys' little accessories, but they try their damn best to make sure they function.
http://www.whatsyourobsession.com/review/sideshow-collectibles/jedi-luke-premium-format-statue-6.jpg
The exclusive is a switch-out hand with a blaster. The blaster is nicely sculpted, though there are some paint issues on the inside of the hand but it's impossible to see these on display. The regular hand is Luke's lightsaber, which unfortunately has a subpar light-up feature. It's bad enough that they probably should've scrapped it until they figured out a better way to do it. The lightsaber looks just fine when it's not lit up. I've heard Darth Talon is a little better, but I never tested hers.
http://www.whatsyourobsession.com/review/sideshow-collectibles/jedi-luke-premium-format-statue-5.jpg
Let's talk about what'll make or break this statue, the head sculpt. It's not perfect, but it's the best Luke I've seen to date. Since it's the older Luke from Return of the Jedi, he looks a little more worn out. Seeing plenty of your buddies die out over a war and making out with your sister will do that to a man. From certain angles, I definitely see Luke. From others, not so much. Some of his features seem a bit harsh. The paint is impressive, I felt they did a good job bringing out the sculpt. The hair looks great. It comes off as flowing instead of a big hair blob, with good highlighting work.
http://www.whatsyourobsession.com/review/sideshow-collectibles/jedi-luke-premium-format-statue-3-low.jpg
It wasn't everything I was hoping for, but it's easily the best Luke Skywalker Premium Format statue to date. If the face were a weeeee bit closer in appearance and the lightsaber lit up fully, it would be damn near perfect. As it is, it's still a fine addition to a Star Wars collection.
http://www.whatsyourobsession.com/review/sideshow-collectibles/jedi-luke-premium-format-statue-4-low.jpg
4/5
I'm saving my dr_teng account for other projects, though the Scarlet Witch video will stay there, since I can't find the original video yet.
On to the review!
(Jedi Luke original review here, with higher-res photos (http://www.whatsyourobsession.com/sideshow-collectibles-jedi-luke-skywalker-premium-format-statue-review/)
Video review here, watch it in high-def) (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iff-e5sAdks&feature=player_embedded)
I won this from Sideshow in one of their month of SDCC contests. The original Luke Skywalker PF was a disaster in terms of likeness (which is why it still goes for UNDER $100 on Ebay) and while the Dagobah version was better, it wasn't nearly as good as Sideshow's recent efforts have been. Does Jedi Luke break this curse or is it the third in a trilogy of mediocrity? Let's find out!
http://www.whatsyourobsession.com/review/sideshow-collectibles/jedi-luke-premium-format-statue-1-low.jpg
I really like this pose. Luke like he's battle-ready, but still cautious. It makes me think him and Vader are circling each other, each of them waiting for the other to act. The way his left hand is opened and his expression add to that effect.
http://www.whatsyourobsession.com/review/sideshow-collectibles/jedi-luke-premium-format-statue-2-low.jpg
The base is a simple black at the bottom and the top of it has an interior industrial feel, with some grating. Nothing too fancy. Looking up at Luke, you'll notice the clothing is nicer than many other premium format statues. It's not restricted to one fabric type, it looks and feels good. On a statue where so much of it is covered in fabric, it's nice that Sideshow didn't cheap out. Kinda wish the little pouch opened up though. I might Bad-Word-Bad-Word-Bad-Word-Bad-Word-Bad-Word- about when I break one of Hot Toys' little accessories, but they try their damn best to make sure they function.
http://www.whatsyourobsession.com/review/sideshow-collectibles/jedi-luke-premium-format-statue-6.jpg
The exclusive is a switch-out hand with a blaster. The blaster is nicely sculpted, though there are some paint issues on the inside of the hand but it's impossible to see these on display. The regular hand is Luke's lightsaber, which unfortunately has a subpar light-up feature. It's bad enough that they probably should've scrapped it until they figured out a better way to do it. The lightsaber looks just fine when it's not lit up. I've heard Darth Talon is a little better, but I never tested hers.
http://www.whatsyourobsession.com/review/sideshow-collectibles/jedi-luke-premium-format-statue-5.jpg
Let's talk about what'll make or break this statue, the head sculpt. It's not perfect, but it's the best Luke I've seen to date. Since it's the older Luke from Return of the Jedi, he looks a little more worn out. Seeing plenty of your buddies die out over a war and making out with your sister will do that to a man. From certain angles, I definitely see Luke. From others, not so much. Some of his features seem a bit harsh. The paint is impressive, I felt they did a good job bringing out the sculpt. The hair looks great. It comes off as flowing instead of a big hair blob, with good highlighting work.
http://www.whatsyourobsession.com/review/sideshow-collectibles/jedi-luke-premium-format-statue-3-low.jpg
It wasn't everything I was hoping for, but it's easily the best Luke Skywalker Premium Format statue to date. If the face were a weeeee bit closer in appearance and the lightsaber lit up fully, it would be damn near perfect. As it is, it's still a fine addition to a Star Wars collection.
http://www.whatsyourobsession.com/review/sideshow-collectibles/jedi-luke-premium-format-statue-4-low.jpg
4/5