Review: Ted (Spoilers)

CAUTION: Yen's blog contains harsh language and even harsher notions of propriety. Reader discretion is advised.



Ted (Spoilers)
106 mins / Dir. Seth McFarlane

I wasn't sold by the trailer, as I'm wary of a Seth McFarlane vehicle. That said, I've heard great, great things by people who went to the preview showings the other week, which only serves to make me even more cautious…



The Plot: A young boy's Christmas wish is granted as his teddy bear comes to life and a lifelong friendship is formed. But how long can a boy be a boy, and what happens when it's time to let go..?

The Good: Hats off to Wahlberg and Kunis for playing it so straight. Seriously. Both performers are seriously under-rated, if only because they frequently seem to star in films that demand so little of them. Added to their performance is the marvellous CGI of Ted (and mostly great voicework of McFarlane, even if he's just being a dialled-down Peter Griffin), and the film's masterstroke: That no-one questions the existence of a living teddy bear. Shock? Yes. Disbelief? No. It's a bold move, and it pays off massively as the audience don't doubt it, either. The viewers aren't allowed to connect too closely with Wahlberg's John or his bear, because they're both portrayed as being likeable enough to lead the film, but flawed enough that you don't mind when they're beating the shit out of each other. As a film, it's very likeable, but I had a hard time loving it.

Despite what I'm going to go on and grumble about, there are lots of laugh-out-loud moments in Ted. Maybe not enough to justify over 100 minutes, but it's frequently funny when it's not trying too hard. The cameo by Ryan Reynolds is underplayed to perfection, and even the overworked Sam Jones appearance still holds its own. It's a shame that a premise as innovative as this is mired by such a formulaic plot, but it is still better than a lot of things I've seen this year. I just feel like it needed more work and less incidental characters.

The Bad: You know how certain episodes of Family Guy aren't as funny as the others for some reason, and you get the impression that Seth McFarlane's sat there and thought 'hmm, I can't think of anything intrinsically funny for this part of my comedy show, and I seem to have painted myself into a corner. I know, I'll just have one of my characters say fuck for no real reason, or be gratuitously offensive in the hopes that the nervous-laughter of the audience is confused for amusement…'?

The first half of the film features lots of that. After a deceptively sweet setup, the film shifts into gross-out-comedy™ mode, and while we're assured that John and the titular Ted are besties, we don't really see much evidence of that outside of them sitting on the sofa getting wasted all the time. Don't get me wrong, I get that aspect of it, but all the character development is saved for the second half, which co-incidentally is when the swearing is reined back. It's not that they can't work together, just that McFarlane can't pull it off. 60% of Ted is brilliantly inventive, the other 40% is the most lazy clichéd writing I've seen in a long time. That said, I did guffaw when Wahlberg punched that kid. Trust me, it's funny.

The Ugly: They all live happily ever after in a house just like at the start. Do you see? All Mila Kunis' character had to do was stop whining and accept that things were great the way they were! But would she listen? No. Still, she learned in the end that it was her attitude that had to change. Tch, women eh?*

Worth £8+? I don't think it's really a cinema movie. More of a DVD-night with beer. Lots of beer.

After the credits: Nothing to see, here. As soon as the names hit the screen, you can move along, move along.



An interesting and occasionally beautiful second-draft. It'll be great when it's finished.

* That's the film that I saw, anyway.

DISCLAIMERS:
• ^^^ That's dry, British humour, and most likely sarcasm or facetiousness.

• This is a personal blog. The views and opinions expressed here represent my own thoughts (at the time of writing) and not those of the people, institutions or organisations that I may or may not be related with unless stated explicitly.

Review: The Lorax (3D)

CAUTION: Yen's blog contains harsh language and even harsher notions of propriety. Reader discretion is advised.



The Lorax (3D)
86 mins / Dir. Chris Renaud

This is what happens when my local has Batman on three of its five screens and Magic Mike on the fourth. In a bid to avoid the hubbub around the Sports Day that's opening as I type this, I went to see a kids film during the summer holidays. That's how desperate I am for cultural fulfilment.



The Plot: In an isolated town that has forgotten about nature, a young boy Ted learns of a mysterious creature named The Once-ler: the only one who knows the story of what happened to the trees. The Once-ler recounts the tale of the young man responsible, and the guardian of the forest that tried to stop him - The Lorax.

The Good: The animation itself looks great (although most animation at this level looks great these days), and as usual the 3D works a treat in this format. The voice-acting's solid enough, and when it's not being hampered by the story the characterisation's quite good, too. There are a lot of sight-gags involving the forest dwelling creatures that should please everyone, and they were certainly the highlight for me.

The Bad: There are two or three musical numbers in the film which seem jarringly out-of-context, given that it's not a musical. I can forgive the opening titles that introduce the town of Thneedville, but after that the songs are too widely-spaced to be a motif. It's not a biggie, and it probably won't bother the kids.

The Ugly: From the trailer, I was worried that the film would descend into a hand-wringing eco propaganda reel, and it certainly tries to become the conscience of the audience, but the problem for me is that the environmental message is hammered home so tactlessly that it actually comes off as insincere. The film seems to have things to say about ecology, consumerism and authority, but they're mish-mashed into an unconvincing morality tale that shoots itself in the foot as it's delivering it. Apparently fans of Dr Seuss are unhappy with the way the story's been butchered, and without being familiar with the source-text, I still get the feeling they have every right to be. The core of the story itself is so far at odds with the medium of delivery that it renders the whole thing pretty much pointless.

Worth £8+? Not really. The little ones will enjoy it, but they could just as easily enjoy it on DVD.



Final Thought: If trees are so great and plastic is so bad, how are you going to market spin-off merchandising? Did you think of that, Universal?


DISCLAIMERS:
• ^^^ That's dry, British humour, and most likely sarcasm or facetiousness.

• This is a personal blog. The views and opinions expressed here represent my own thoughts (at the time of writing) and not those of the people, institutions or organisations that I may or may not be related with unless stated explicitly.

Review: The Dark Knight Rises (Spoiler-free*)

CAUTION: Yen's blog contains harsh language and even harsher notions of propriety. Reader discretion is advised.



The Dark Knight Rises (Spoiler-free*)
165 mins / Dir. Christopher Nolan

*DISCLAIMER:Although this review doesn't feature any plot-spoilers, it could well colour your view of the film if you're reading this before seeing it. Obviously, this applies to reviews of all films, but it seems especially appropriate to mention it here.
My advice? See the film without reading any reviews. Including mine.

This will be short, for two reasons: 1) I really need to see the film again to absorb things more fully, and 2) Without spoilers, I'm limited to what I can say.

• On the whole, it's as dark and intense as the previous two films in the series. Sometimes more, sometimes less, but always around the same watermark.

• For a Batman film, there's not a lot of Batman. When he is around, everything's so 'explodey' that it's difficult to enjoy his presence. He's toned down his 'growly voice', thankfully, but he gets a couple of quippy lines that seem woefully out of place in the film.

• Bane seems underused, but I say that as someone with no real history with the Batman comics. Most of the Bane-hype has been built up by people who are versed in his history, and I suspect there's going to be a bit of grumbling in the Batfanverse over his portayal here. He didn't come over as a genuine threat, to me somehow. A lot of this is down to his ridiculous voice. About a third of what he says, you can't make out until someone replies to him to give his masked mumbling some context, and the rest of the time he sounds like Goldmember speaking through a Darth Vader mask. From a largely civilian point of view, Bane seems wasted here, and Tom Hardy is definitely wasted in the role, as he's capable of so much more. It was always going to be difficult to follow the charisma of The Joker, let alone best it, and it feels like the film-makers realised that, so didn't try too hard.

• Before today, I wasn't entirely sure what value there'd be putting Catwoman in the story. After watching the film, I'm still not sure. With all of the other characters that are introduced in tDKR, as well as familiar faces making appearances, it seems a little crowded for someone who doesn't bring that much to the party.

• I did enjoyed the end-sequence. I think they missed a trick, but it still made me smile, and it's a great way to end the trilogy.

After the credits: Nothing. As soon as the names appear on the screen, you can make your way to the exit.

All in all: Very enjoyable, despite my grumbling. It just feels like there's too much story fighting for attention, and the flow suffers as a result. But keep in mind that I wasn't head-over-heels with the previous two movies on my first viewings, either.



A strong five, but The Dark Knight Rises doesn't seem to have the intrigue or fun of its predecessors. As with Prometheus, the mainstream-anticipation for this film may be its undoing.

DISCLAIMERS:
• ^^^ That's dry, British humour, and most likely sarcasm or facetiousness.

• This is a personal blog. The views and opinions expressed here represent my own thoughts (at the time of writing) and not those of the people, institutions or organisations that I may or may not be related with unless stated explicitly.

Review: The Dark Knight

CAUTION: Yen's blog contains harsh language and even harsher notions of propriety. Reader discretion is advised.



The Dark Knight
152 mins / Dir. Christopher Nolan

A twenty minute break, after Batman Begins is just enough time to whizz down to Sainsburg's for a sandwich (because I can't eat the shit that passes for 'hot food' in the cinema) and queue for another coffee…

The Dark Knight is another one I didn't exactly gush about when it was first released. I could see what everyone loved about it, of course, I just wasn't completely sold myself. Tonally, it's quite a different beast, adhering more closely to the model for superhero flick, although still with plenty of crime-thriller thrown in to keep it muted. Gone are the domed archways over the city's monorail system, the last vestige of Tim Burton's Gotham; in The Dark Knight, Gotham is presented as an actual breathing city, not just a fantastical backdrop for the man with the cape. A plot revolving around the city's crimelords and their ill-gained money and power stays just on the right side of convoluted, and doesn't feel stretched, even rolling in at two and a half hours. I don't think it's necessarily a stronger (or even equal) plot than BB, but that doesn't really matter when Nolan has an ace up his sleeve...

Whatever else it has going for it, this is of course Heath Ledger's film. Irrespective of the events that occurred after filming had closed, he steals every scene he's in and owns the film completely. What happened afterwards was undeniably terrible, but to let that colour your view of his performance is almost to cheapen it (imho). His portrayal of The Joker is priceless, and offset beautifully by the other characters having no real idea of how to deal with the threat he poses. Ledger shows us a masterclass in theatrical madness, with more than a hint of danger about it.

But it's not all fun and games. We have Bale putting on a frankly ridiculous voice as Batman, this time round, and Maggie Gyllenhaal has replaced Katie Holmes, making a character I wasn't bothered about actually unlikeable. The conclusion of the Two-Face arc also seems like a massive waste, given the amount of time and effort went into convincingly building the character.

As much as I love The Dark Knight, I can't ignore those flaws, given that two of them are central to the film itself.
But ultimately, it's still a great ride.



DISCLAIMERS:
• ^^^ That's dry, British humour, and most likely sarcasm or facetiousness.

• This is a personal blog. The views and opinions expressed here represent my own thoughts (at the time of writing) and not those of the people, institutions or organisations that I may or may not be related with unless stated explicitly.

Review: Batman Begins

CAUTION: Yen's blog contains harsh language and even harsher notions of propriety. Reader discretion is advised.



Batman Begins
140 mins / Dir. Christopher Nolan

It's at times like this, that Cineworld remind me of why I live 10 minutes away from one of their picture-houses and pay for that card every month. Notwithstanding the absolute shower of shit my local has been half-arsedly putting on recently*¹, a one-night-only double-bill of two intense movies in preparation for a third intense movie is precisely what a geeky shut-in like me wants. So let's get wired on overpriced coffee and lost in Gotham...

For me, Batman Begins was a grower, if you'll pardon the expression. When I originally saw on its initial release, I was slightly underwhelmed, I can't deny it. Since I didn't read any of the advance press (hey, I'm spoiler-sensitive), I wasn't aware that it was a reboot, and consequentally spent most of the film trying to tie it in with Keaton-era Batman. Which clearly doesn't work.

A couple of years later, I watched it again, and while I got more out of it I still felt something missing. Something I couldn't quite put my finger on. Then late last year, someone (I can't remember who, sadly) told me what I'd been doing wrong. I was watching it as a superhero film. It sounds stupid, but seems so obvious: As a superhero tale, it touches on hardly any of the bases an audience is used to. The origins-aspect takes way too long, the plot sprawls wider than it should to be just the story of Wayne/Batman, and most importantly; it doesn't spoon-feed you a linear plot the way that most films in the genre do.

As a superhero film, Batman Begins is too loosely focused. As a dark, crime thriller that just happens to have Batman in it, it's pretty fucking awesome. And I'm not saying that all of the hero-genre should be like this, it just works really well in the context of Batman.

In fact, applying the thriller-aspect to the film, I wanted to see more of Scarecrow and Ra's al Ghul. The final sequence with the microwave-emitter on the train almost seems too comic-book in comparison to the tale that's been woven up to that point. Liam Neeson and Cillian Murphy are both on great form in BB, even (or probably because) Neeson is essentially being Qui-Gon Jinn again, only in a more jaded form.

I'm still not a massive fan of Christian Bale's Bruce Wayne, although I like his Batman persona (again, even if/because there's so much of Keaton's Batman in his cowled performance), and it's left to Michael Caine to bring the warmth to the scenes where we're meant to be sympathising with Wayne. I'm also not huge on Katie Holmes, but that's just me.

On reflection, and it's taken me time to reflect, there are a lot of things I like about Batman Begins very much, and they far outweigh the things I don't.




*¹ The Five Year Engagement, Katy Perry, and Friends with Kids / Magic Mike which I point-blank refuse to see. It's the fucking summer for fuck's sake - not everyone's at home watching the fucking sport. #Fuck

DISCLAIMERS:
• ^^^ That's dry, British humour, and most likely sarcasm or facetiousness.

• This is a personal blog. The views and opinions expressed here represent my own thoughts (at the time of writing) and not those of the people, institutions or organisations that I may or may not be related with unless stated explicitly.

Four hundred and sixty seven, thanks for asking.

CAUTION: Yen's blog contains harsh language and even harsher notions of propriety. Reader discretion is advised.

I blame these guys...

Back in 1997, around about the time of the Star Wars Special Edition cinema releases, Reed and myself were out on a Saturday afternoon, and I bought the Power of the Force 2 Stormtrooper and Luke/Stormtrooper (left/middle). Because Stormtroopers are cool. Later that same week, I bought the vintage trooper (on the right) to go with the other two.
'But I'm not going to start collecting again', I told myself (and others), 'I'll only buy the ones that are really cool...'

Then, over fifteen years, this happened:


^^ Click for a larger version, but I'll warn you now, it's big (3648*2688px, 2.2mb)

Four hundred and sixty seven in total. That's not quite all of them there, they wouldn't all fit on the table.
I keep telling myself I'll stop at five hundred. But I know I won't.

FIGURE / NAME:	SERIES:	GIVE ME MORE DETAILS, DAMMIT:
Durge	Clone Wars	GT Clone Wars Durge.
Anakin Skywalker	Prequel Trilogy	TPM Issue, Mos Eisley tunic, no backpack.
Aurra Sing	Prequel Trilogy	PotJ Issue, 'long arms', orange bodusuit
Ask Aak	Prequel Trilogy	RotS Issue (Gran senator)
Tusken Raider	Prequel Trilogy	AotC Issue, with 'chop-off' magnetic head.
Zuckuss	Original Trilogy	Saga Issue
Ewok	Original Trilogy	Saga Issue, Paploo
Bossk	Original Trilogy	Pale Yellow Suit, mouth open
Clone Trooper	Clone Wars	Saga Issue, Clone Wars Quad-gun trooper, blue armour
Eeth Koth	Prequel Trilogy	AotC Issue, hard-goods cloak
Barriss Offee	Prequel Trilogy	AotC Issue, action pose and hard-goods robes
Dash Rendar	Original Trilogy	PotF2 issue, Shadows of the Empire collection
Clone Trooper	Prequel Trilogy	RotS issue, Red shock-trooper armour
Savage Opress	Clone Wars	TCW Issue, shirtless version. 'Maul' 2012 packaging.
Chewbacca	Original Trilogy	PotF2 Issue, 'buff' build
Death Star Gunner	Original Trilogy	PotF2 Issue
Darth Maul	Prequel Trilogy	PotJ Issue, Brown Sith Training Tunic
Chewbacca	Original Trilogy	Saga Issue, light-brown satchel, fully jointed shoulders.
C-3PO	Vintage	Removable limbs vintage version
Ugnaught	Original Trilogy	Saga Issue, Blue Apron
Ponda Baba	Original Trilogy	PotF2 Issue, Walruss Man
Mouse	Original Trilogy	TAC Issue, Comic 2-pack, Stormtrooper with Nemoidian head and hands
Darth Vader	Original Trilogy	PotF2 moulding, wider-legged stance, from Xizor 2-pack
Obi-Wan Kenobi	Prequel Trilogy	RotS Jedi Knight, with soft-goods cloak, squeeze leg for slashing action
Padme Amidala	Prequel Trilogy	AotC Issue, White outfit Geonosis Arena Battle
Momaw Nadon	Original Trilogy	PotF2 Issue, short tunic
Mace Windu	Prequel Trilogy	AotC Issue, action pose from battle-droid 2-pack
Jawa	Clone Wars	TCW Issue, Small Jawa from 2-pack
Ewok	Original Trilogy	PotF2 issue, Wicket
EV-9D9	Original Trilogy	PotF2 Issue
Luke Skywalker	Original Trilogy	PotF2 Issue, Endor Poncho, from Speeder Bike set
Lando Calrissian	Original Trilogy	TAC Issue, Smuggler Outfit
Ewok	Original Trilogy	Saga Issue, 'Graak', Black Ewok from 2-pack
Darth Maul	Prequel Trilogy	TPM Issue, Hard-Goods Robes and cowl
Massif Dog	Prequel Trilogy	From Geonosian Warrior 2-pack
Clone Trooper	Clone Wars	GT Clone Wars Arc Trooper, Red trim on armour and kama
Clone Trooper	Prequel Trilogy	RotS Issue, AT-RT Driver
Clone Trooper	Prequel Trilogy	RotS Issue, White armour with clip-on shoulder patch
Stormtrooper	Original Trilogy	PotF2 Expanded Universe Series, 'Spacetrooper' issue
General Veers	Original Trilogy	Saga Issue, swivel jointed elbows
Nemoidian Guard	Prequel Trilogy	Rots issue, Silver armour version
Grand Admiral Thrawn	Original Trilogy	PotF2 Expanded Universe series
Scout Trooper	Original Trilogy	PotF2 Issue, from Speeder Bike set
Imperial Guard Officer	Original Trilogy	PotJ Issue
Greedo	Original Trilogy	PotF2 Issue, 'buff' build
Treadwell Droid	Original Trilogy	Saga Issue, from Jawa 2-pack
Clone Trooper	Prequel Trilogy	RotS Non-poseable 3-pack issue, Sniping (blue detail)
Stormtrooper	Vintage	1978 Vintage Stormtrooper
Rodian Jedi	Prequel Trilogy	Geonosis Arena Battle 3-pack, non poseable
R2-D2	Original Trilogy	Saga Issue, Fixed/extended front leg, pop-out saber in head
Pit Droid	Prequel Trilogy	TPM Issue
Death Star Trooper	Original Trilogy	TAC Issue, removable helmet
Anakin Skywalker	Original Trilogy	TAC Issue, 'young' Anakin from end of Jedi - translucent version
Power Droid	Original Trilogy	Saga Issue, paired with Jawa
Takeel	Original Trilogy	PotF2 Issue, from Cantina Aliens 3-Pack
Han Solo	Original Trilogy	Saga Issue, 'swing hips' Han in shooting pose
Orn Free Taa	Prequel Trilogy	AotC Issue
WEG-1618	Original Trilogy	Star Tours Excl, Gold Body, Humanoid, long-goggle head
Anakin Skywalker	Original Trilogy	PotF2 Issue, 'old' Anakin from end of Jedi - Solid version
Endor Rebel Trooper	Original Trilogy	PotF2 Issue, fixed helmet
Jaden Korr	Original Trilogy	Potf2 parts for Jedi Academy Figure
Stormtrooper	Original Trilogy	PotF2 Issue, 'buff' build
Lott Dodd	Prequel Trilogy	Nemoidian, Trade federation
Saesee Tiin	Prequel Trilogy	PotJ issue, hard-goods robes
Stormtrooper	Original Trilogy	TAC Issue, Force Unleashed, Jump Trooper
Death Star Droid	Clone Wars	Build-a-Droid version
Ugnaught	Original Trilogy	PotF2 Issue, Blue Tunic from 2-Pack
Clone Trooper	Clone Wars	GT Clone Wars Clone Trooper, limited posability
R5-D4	Original Trilogy	PotF2 Issue, Rocket-inside version.
Clone Trooper	Clone Wars	Republic Commando Fixer, Battle Pack version
Captain Antilles	Original Trilogy	Saga Issue, removable helmet, Head poseable for choking by Vader
Kit Fisto	Prequel Trilogy	AotC Issue
Yoda	Prequel Trilogy	Sage Issue with beige hard-goods cloak drawn at lower half
Lak Sivrak	Original Trilogy	PotF2 Issue, Cantina Alien (Wolf Man)
Stormtrooper	Original Trilogy	Saga Issue, Sandtrooper, Fully poseable, Black shoulder pauldron
Tie Fighter Pilot	Original Trilogy	PotF2 Issue
C-3PO	Original Trilogy	TAC Issue, green slime and removable limbs. Popping eye.
Darth Maul	Prequel Trilogy	Magnetic Slash-Apart
Mon Mothma	Prequel Trilogy	RotS Issue
Stormtrooper	Original Trilogy	TAC Issue, removable helmet
Lobot	Original Trilogy	Saga Issue
Boba Fett	Original Trilogy	PotF2 Issue, grey gloves
Yoda	Prequel Trilogy	TPM Issue with chair
Lobot	Original Trilogy	PotF2 Issue
R3-D3	Original Trilogy	Star Tours Excl, Clear-Dome, white body
Luke Skywalker	Original Trilogy	AotC Blue Card issue, Bespin Fatigues, pop-out left hand
Snowtrooper	Original Trilogy	PotF2 issue, E-Web repeating blaster set.
Chewbacca	Vintage	1978 Vintage Chewbacca
Death Star Droid	Vintage	Vintage version
Clone Trooper	Prequel Trilogy	Mace Windu Battle Pack, Clone Commander helmet (removable)
Probe Droid	Original Trilogy	PotF2 Issue, Imperial Probe Droid (Hoth)
Asajj Ventress	Clone Wars	Jedi vs Sith Battlepack version. Hard-goods skirts
Princess Leia	Original Trilogy	Comic 2-Pack issue, Shadows of the Empire, blue robes
Jawa	Original Trilogy	Small Jawa from Ronto Set
Super Battle Droid	Prequel Trilogy	Matt-blue, Arm-cannon
Admiral Ackbar	Vintage	Vintage 1983 Admiral Ackbar
Captain Tarpals	Prequel Trilogy	TPM Issue
Lando Calrissian	Original Trilogy	PotF2 Issue, General's clothes from RotJ
Luke Skywalker	Original Trilogy	Red Guard disguise
Yoda	Prequel Trilogy	AotC Issue, Beige Hard-goods cape, open all the way
Chewbacca	Original Trilogy	Snoova disguise
Han Solo	Original Trilogy	PotF2 Issue, Endor Trenchcoat
Droideka	Prequel Trilogy	Rolled-Up version from R2-D2 carry case
Nabrum Leids	Original Trilogy	PotF2 Issue, from Cantina Aliens 3-Pack
Clone Trooper	Prequel Trilogy	Mace Windu Battle Pack, purple armour, Phase 2
Jawa	Original Trilogy	Large Jawa from Ronto Set
2-1B	Original Trilogy	PotF2 Issue
Zev Senesca	Original Trilogy	TAC Issue, Snowspeeder Pilot, 'straight' arms, pivoting gloves
Voolif Monn	Clone Wars	TAC Issue, from GT Clone Wars
Darth Vader	Original Trilogy	PotF2 issue, hard-goods cloak
Han Solo	Original Trilogy	PotF2 Issue, packed with Special Edition Jabba
R2-D2	Prequel Trilogy	Saga Issue, Flick-out jets on front half of body.
Anakin Skywalker	Prequel Trilogy	AotC Issue, Hard-goods robes and aritificial hand
Utapauan Guard	Prequel Trilogy	RotS Issue
Clone Trooper	Prequel Trilogy	TAC issue, Mygeeto cold weather (snowtrooper) purple armour
M'iiyoom Onith	Original Trilogy	TAC Issue, (H'nemthe), comes with Cantina bar-section (curved)
Grand Moff Tarkin	Prequel Trilogy	RotS Issue
Palpatine	Prequel Trilogy	Rots Issue, Darth Sidious Hologram version (removable hood)
Darth Maul	Prequel Trilogy	TPM Issue, sits on Sith Speeder Bike
Hoth Trooper	Original Trilogy	PotF2 Issue, beard and green goggles around neck
Palpatine	Prequel Trilogy	TPM Issue, Senator Version
C-3PO	Prequel Trilogy	TPM Issue, 'naked' version
Emperor's Royal Guard	Original Trilogy	PotF2 issue, hard-goods cloak
Padme Amidala	Prequel Trilogy	TPM Issue, Purple Naboo Outfit
Battle Droid	Prequel Trilogy	TPM Issue with STAP vehicle
Boba Fett	Original Trilogy	TAC Issue, Holiday Special Appearance
R4-G9	Prequel Trilogy	RotS Sneak Preview Figure, gold/white Astromech
R4-J1	Original Trilogy	Saga Issue, Build-a-droid, Green lampshade-head, with non-matching leg
Droideka	Clone Wars	Underarms feature projectile slots
Saesee Tiin	Clone Wars	Saga issue, space-attack armour, from GT Clone wars
Imperial Worker	Original Trilogy	Saga Issue, from Death Star Bay / Falcon Search
Tusken Raider	Original Trilogy	PotF2 Issue
Basso	Original Trilogy	TAC Issue, Comic 2-pack, Stormtrooper with tattooed head and hands
Yoda	Original Trilogy	PotF2 Issue, Transparent version from end of Jedi
Garindan	Original Trilogy	PotF2 issue
Battle Droid	Prequel Trilogy	TPM Issue, un-pained figure packed in with Nute Gunray
Jar-Jar Binks	Prequel Trilogy	TPM Issue
Battle Droid	Prequel Trilogy	TPM Issue, 'clean' version
Tusken Raider	Prequel Trilogy	AoTC Issue, female Tusken with child in backpack
Darth Vader	Prequel Trilogy	RotS Issue, Operating-table Vader
Commando Droid	Clone Wars	TCW Issue, from 'Hostage Crisis' battlepack
C-3PO	Original Trilogy	Disneyland exclusive, 'Droids' sculpt
Admiral Motti	Original Trilogy	PotF2 Issue, from Death Star Briefing set
Boba Fett	Original Trilogy	PotF2 Issue, Brown gloves
Crix Madine	Original Trilogy	Saga Issue, Endor Briefing outfit
A'Sharad Hett	Prequel Trilogy	Comic 2-Pack Issue, Tusken outfit, paired with The Dark Woman
Ki-Adi Mundi	Prequel Trilogy	TAC Issue, soft-goods robes
Polis Massan	Prequel Trilogy	RotS Issue
Palpatine	Original Trilogy	Comic 2-Pack issue, Cloned Emperor, Dark Empire
Rebel Fleet Trooper	Original Trilogy	TAC Issue, ANH Medel sequence, green outfit, removable helmet
Hoth Trooper	Original Trilogy	PotF2 Issue, from Gunner Emplacement pack
Magna Guard	Prequel Trilogy	Rots issue
Malakili	Original Trilogy	PotF2 Issue, rancor Keeper
Obi-Wan Kenobi	Prequel Trilogy	AotC Issue, headband/Mic combo
Palpatine	Original Trilogy	PotF2 issue, hard-goods cloak
Dannl Faytonni	Prequel Trilogy	Saga Issue
G2-4T	Original Trilogy	Star Tours Excl, 'Johnny 5' goggle-head, name painted on side on red panel
Endor Rebel Trooper	Original Trilogy	Saga Issue, Black trooper with removable helmet
Grand Moff Tarkin	Original Trilogy	PotF2 issue
Shaak Ti	Prequel Trilogy	AotC Issue, hard-goods robes
Stormtrooper	Original Trilogy	PotF2 Comm-tech issue, jointed arms and legs, non-removable helmet
Podcace scavenger droid	Prequel Trilogy	TPM Issue
Princess Leia	Original Trilogy	PotF2 Issue, 'buff' build
Scout Trooper	Original Trilogy	PotJ Issue, left arm at 45 degrees
Scout Trooper	Vintage	1983 Vintage
Tusken Raider	Original Trilogy	PotF2 Issue
Bespin Guard	Original Trilogy	PotJ Issue
Luke Skywalker	Original Trilogy	Comic 2-Pack issue, High-collar black cloak, Dark Empire
Obi-Wan Kenobi	Original Trilogy	PotF2 issue, light-up saber (button on back)
Asajj Ventress	Clone Wars	GT Clone Wars Ventress
Chancellor Valorum	Prequel Trilogy	TPM Issue
C-3PO	Original Trilogy	Weathered Gold PotF2 version
Darth Vader	Original Trilogy	The Vintage Collection, soft-goods cape, swiveling elbow-joint arms
Ponda Baba	Original Trilogy	Saga Issue, Jointed legs for Cantina Seat diorama
R2-D2	Original Trilogy	TAC Issue, McQuarrie Concept, loose figure
Endor Rebel Trooper	Original Trilogy	TAC issue, Black trooper with Rocket Launcher (from battlefront)
Darth Vader	Original Trilogy	PotJ Issue, Emperor's Wrath, transparent helmet
Cad Bane	Clone Wars	TCW Issue
Obi-Wan Kenobi	Original Trilogy	TAC Issue, 'spirit' Obi-Wan, translucent plastic
Robinino	Clone Wars	TCW Issue, from 'Hostage Crisis' battlepack
Nikto	Original Trilogy	PotF2 Issue, from Skiff-Guards Cinema Scene 3-pack
Bossk	Original Trilogy	Deep Yellow suit, mouth closed
Obi-Wan Kenobi	Prequel Trilogy	TPM Padawan, button in back for slashing action
Qui-Gon Jinn	Prequel Trilogy	TPM Issue, hard-coods robes
Super Battle Droid	Clone Wars	TCW Issue, with cannons that clip on under the forearms
Han Solo	Original Trilogy	PotF2 issue, from Falcon Gunner Emplacement
Xizor	Original Trilogy	Comic 2-Pack issue, with Princess Leia.
Elis Helrot	Original Trilogy	TAC Issue, 'Skullface' (Givin)
Aurra Sing	Clone Wars	TCW Issue
Aurra Sing	Prequel Trilogy	Saga Issue, Wal-Mart exclusive, black bodysuit
Palpatine	Vintage	1983 Vintage
Anakin Skywalker	Prequel Trilogy	Mos Eisley Encounter 3-pack
AT-AT Pilot	Original Trilogy	Saga Issue
Red R2-unit	Prequel Trilogy	Exclusive with Naboo Royal Starship playset
Battle Droid	Prequel Trilogy	Blue markings, with mini-tank.
Pit Droid	Prequel Trilogy	TPM Issue
Stormtrooper	Original Trilogy	PotJ issue, white shoulder pauldron, from Cantina-Diorama-Set
Kyle Katarn	Original Trilogy	Comic 2-Pack Version, from Yuzhann Ving pack
Jawa	Vintage	1978 Vintage Jawa (no cape)
Bespin Guard	Original Trilogy	Legacy Collection issue, human (black) version
Salacious Crumb	Original Trilogy	TAC Issue, from C-3PO Green Slime pack
Padme Amidala	Prequel Trilogy	TPM Issue, Tatooine handmaiden outfit
Droideka	Prequel Trilogy	TPM Issue
Obi-Wan Kenobi	Original Trilogy	PotF2 Issue, non-electronic, hard-goods cloak
Kyle Katarn	Original Trilogy	PotF2 Expanded Universe series issue
4-LOM	Original Trilogy	PotF2 Issue
Clone Trooper	Clone Wars	Republic Commando Boss, Battle Pack version
Agen Kolar	Prequel Trilogy	RotS Issue, hard-goods cloak
Tatooine Pod Droid	Prequel Trilogy	Yellow Pull-Back-Let-Go Droid, from Tatooine Accessory Set
Clone Trooper	Clone Wars	GT Clone Wars Clone Trooper, limited posability
Clone Trooper	Prequel Trilogy	501st Legion, blue paint detail, phase 2 (RotS) armour
Palpatine	Prequel Trilogy	AotC Issue, Senator Version
Dark Trooper	Original Trilogy	PotF2 Expanded Universe series issue, Phase III
Emperor's Royal Guard	Original Trilogy	PotF2 Expanded Universe series
Watto	Prequel Trilogy	TPM Issue
Clone Trooper	Prequel Trilogy	Mace Windu Battle Pack, purple armour, Phase 2
Battle Droid	Prequel Trilogy	AotC Issue, action-pose legs and red head/chest markings
Crix Madine	Original Trilogy	Saga Issue, general's outfit from RotJ
Darth Maul	Prequel Trilogy	PotJ Issue, shirtless version, with assault droid
Hondo Onaka	Clone Wars	TCW Issue, with Kowakian Monkey Lizard
Jawa	Original Trilogy	Small Jawa from PotF2 2-pack
B'Omarr Monk	Original Trilogy	PotF2 Issue Mail-Away
Nikto Jedi	Prequel Trilogy	Saga Issue, Geonosis Arena
Darth Maul	Prequel Trilogy	Hologram version, non-poseable
Scout Trooper	Original Trilogy	PotJ Issue, left arm at 45 degrees
Palpatine	Prequel Trilogy	TPM Issue, Darth Sidious Version
FX-7	Original Trilogy	PotF2 Issue
Wookiee Warrior	Prequel Trilogy	RotS Issue, Orange bandolier
Adi Galia	Prequel Trilogy	TPM Issue, hard-goods cloak
Plo Koon	Prequel Trilogy	Hologram version
Djas Puhr	Original Trilogy	Saga Issue, Black-skinned alien pilot from Cantina Sequence
Rebel Fleet Trooper	Original Trilogy	Saga Issue, swivel jointed legs
Chewbacca	Original Trilogy	Saga Issue, dark-brown satchel, up/down jointed shoulders, swivel-joint right-arm
Super Battle Droid	Prequel Trilogy	Matt-blue
Stormtrooper	Original Trilogy	PotF2 Issue, 'buff' build
Xizor	Original Trilogy	PotF2 Issue, single carded version, with web-weapons
Han Solo	Original Trilogy	PotF2 Issue, Stormtrooper Disguise
General Grievous	Clone Wars	GT Clone Wars Grievous
Salacious Crumb	Vintage	1983 Vintage, from Jabba The Hutt playset
Boss Nass	Prequel Trilogy	TPM Issue
Snowtrooper	Original Trilogy	Saga Issue, poseable head
Stormtrooper	Vintage	1978 Vintage Stormtrooper
Geonosian Warrior	Prequel Trilogy	AotC Issue, slash-apart action, from 2-pack with Anakin Skywalker
Anakin Skywalker	Prequel Trilogy	TPM Issue, Mos Eisley tunic, INC backpack.
Saelt Marae	Original Trilogy	PotF2 Issue, 'Yak Face'
JN-66	Prequel Trilogy	AotC Issue, Jedi Temple Analysis Droid
Count Dooku	Prequel Trilogy	AotC Issue, magnetic feet for playset
Clone Trooper	Prequel Trilogy	RotS Issue, Black shadowtrooper armour
IG Lancer Droid	Clone Wars	Saga Issue. Like IG-88 but with shoulder spikes.
IG-88	Original Trilogy	PotF2 issue, Shadows of the Empire collection
Rune Haako	Prequel Trilogy	TPM Issue
Stormtrooper	Original Trilogy	PotF2 Issue Sandtrooper, Orange Shoulder Pauldron (painted Grey)
Dexter Jettster	Prequel Trilogy	AotC Issue
Darth Talon	Original Trilogy	Comic 2-Pack, paired with Cade Skywalker (female Twi'lek, red with black tattoos)
Dark Trooper	Original Trilogy	Saga Issue, Phase 1 Armour, droid version
Darth Vader	Original Trilogy	The Vintage Collection, soft-goods cape, swiveling elbow-joint arms
Saesee Tiin	Prequel Trilogy	RotS Issue, soft-goods lower robes
Darth Krayt	Original Trilogy	Comic 2-Pack issue, paired with Sigel Dare
Mace Windu	Prequel Trilogy	TAC Issue, soft-goods robes
Battle Droid	Prequel Trilogy	TPM Issue, with 'silver stars' battle damage
Stormtrooper	Original Trilogy	PotF2 Issue, 'buff' build
Jar-Jar Binks	Prequel Trilogy	Mos Eisley Encounter 3-pack
Stormtrooper	Original Trilogy	TAC Issue, removable helmet
Xizor	Original Trilogy	PotF2 Issue, 2-Pack version from Vader-duel
Imperial Guard Officer	Original Trilogy	PotJ Issue, swivel-joints in arms.
Human Jedi	Prequel Trilogy	Geonosis Arena Battle 3-pack, non poseable
Jango Fett	Prequel Trilogy	AotC Issue
Fode and Beed	Prequel Trilogy	Podrace Announcer from Jabba 2-pack
AT-ST Driver	Original Trilogy	PotF2 Issue
General McQuarrie	Original Trilogy	TAC Issue
Nexu	Prequel Trilogy	Geonosis Arena, battle-cat (it came carded)
Nemoidian Guard	Prequel Trilogy	Rots issue, Bronze armour version
Momaw Nadon	Original Trilogy	Saga Issue, grey highlights to skin, tunic continues below waist
Cade Skywalker	Original Trilogy	Comic 2-Pack, paired with Darth Talon
General Grievous	Prequel Trilogy	RotS Sneak Preview Figure
Greedo	Original Trilogy	Saga Issue, 'big head' version, jointed knees
Meena Tills	Prequel Trilogy	RotS Issue (MonCal senator)
Clone Trooper	Clone Wars	Republic Commando Sev, Battle Pack version
Plo Koon	Prequel Trilogy	PotJ issue, hard-goods robes
Jawa	Original Trilogy	PotF2 Issue, Jawa from Ronto Pack
Battle Droid	Prequel Trilogy	TPM Issue, OOM-9 with yellow markings and back-antenna
Jawa	Original Trilogy	Small Jawa from Ronto Set
Ki-Adi Mundi	Prequel Trilogy	TPM Issue, no cloak, hard-goods tunic.
Dwarf Spider Droid	Prequel Trilogy	TAC Issue
Captain Argyus	Clone Wars	TCW Issue, Blue Senate-Guard with removable helmet
Bib Fortuna	Original Trilogy	Saga Issue
Jawa	Original Trilogy	Saga Issue, crossed bandoliers and gun on cable. From Treadwell Droid 2-pack
Luke Skywalker	Original Trilogy	Saga Issue, Jabba's Palace Hologram, translucent plastic
Clone Trooper	Prequel Trilogy	AotC Issue, Phase 1 armour, red trim on armour, rotating 90 degree bent arms
Clone Trooper	Clone Wars	GT Clone Wars Clone Trooper, limited posability
Stormtrooper	Vintage	1978 Vintage Stormtrooper
Admiral Ackbar	Original Trilogy	PotF2 Issue
Luke Skywalker	Original Trilogy	PotF2 issue, X-Wing Pilot
Clone Trooper	Clone Wars	Republic Commando Boss, 2012 'Maul' packaging version
Mon Mothma	Original Trilogy	Saga Issue
Clone Trooper	Prequel Trilogy	Saga Issue, Clone Commander Helmet, Red circular logo on helmet, chest and arms
8D8	Original Trilogy	PotF2 Issue, Jabba's Torture Droid
Pax Bonkik	Prequel Trilogy	TAC Issue, Rodian Podrace mechanic, grey overalls, blue waistcoat
Stormtrooper	Original Trilogy	PotF2 Issue Sandtrooper, Orange Shoulder Pauldron (painted black)
Lobot	Vintage	1980 version
Stormtrooper	Original Trilogy	PotF2 Issue, Grey Shoulder Pauldron, from Dewback set
Clone Trooper	Prequel Trilogy	RotS Non-poseable 3-pack issue, Standing
R5-D4	Original Trilogy	PotF2 Issue
Ahsoka Tano	Clone Wars	TCW Issue, with Huttlet
LIN Droid	Original Trilogy	Saga Issue, from LIN (dome) droid & jawa 2-pack
CZ-4	Original Trilogy	TAC Issue, droid from background in Mos Eisley w/goggly eyes
BoShek	Original Trilogy	PotJ Issue, human pilot, black overalls, cantina patron
Dengar	Original Trilogy	PotF2 Issue
Count Dooku	Clone Wars	GT Clone Wars Dooku.
Magna Guard	Prequel Trilogy	Rots isssue
Clone Trooper	Prequel Trilogy	Utapau assault orange armour, Clone Commander helmet (removable)
Wookiee Warrior	Prequel Trilogy	RotS Sneak Preview Figure
C-3PO	Original Trilogy	Saga Issue, 'junkpile' version, bundled with net and Chewbacca (light-brown bag)
Stormtrooper	Original Trilogy	PotF2 issue, Sandtrooper, Orange shoulder pauldron
Umpass-Stay	Original Trilogy	TAC Issue, Gong-beater in Jabba's Palace. Comes with one half of Gong
Darth Maul	Prequel Trilogy	TPM Issue, hard-goods cloak, holding macrobinoculars
Darth Maul	Prequel Trilogy	TPM Issue, no cloak, hard-goods tunic, 90degree rotating arms
R2-D2	Original Trilogy	Saga Issue, Electronic Push-button front, Orange head-light
Stormtrooper	Vintage	1978 Vintage Stormtrooper
Luke Skywalker	Original Trilogy	PotF2 Issue, Stormtrooper Disguise
Stormtrooper	Original Trilogy	PotF2 Sandtrooper, from Dewback set
The Dark Woman	Clone Wars	From Comic 2-pack with A'Sharad Hett
Endor Rebel Trooper	Original Trilogy	Saga Issue, White trooper with removable helmet, Firing-stance
Vulture Droid	Prequel Trilogy	TPM Issue, from Vulture-Droid 3-droid 'holding' pack
Chewbacca	Original Trilogy	TAC Issue, McQuarrie Concept, loose figure
R4-M9	Star Tours	Star Tours Excl, 'Lampshade' head Astromech unit, with turquoise markings
Luke Skywalker	Original Trilogy	PotF2 Issue, Dagobah Training, 'buff' build
Jawa	Original Trilogy	PotF2 Issue
Hermi Odle	Original Trilogy	TAC Issue
Tion Medon	Prequel Trilogy	RotS Sneak Preview Figure
Darth Vader	Original Trilogy	PotF2 issue, light-up saber (button on back)
Luke Skywalker	Vintage	X-Wing Pilot
Clone Trooper	Prequel Trilogy	Saga issue, Phase 1 armour (all white), fully posable
Palpatine	Prequel Trilogy	RotS Issue, Darth Sidious black robed version (removable hood)
Obi-Wan Kenobi	Prequel Trilogy	TPM Issue, tunic only
Yoda	Clone Wars	TCW Issue with cane
Yun	Original Trilogy	Potf2 parts for Dark Forces 2 Figure
Boba Fett	Original Trilogy	TAC Issue, Holiday Special Appearance
Clone Trooper	Prequel Trilogy	Clone Commander Bacara (blue variant)
Sigel Dare	Original Trilogy	Comic 2-Pack issue, paired with Darth Krayt
Teemto Pagalies	Prequel Trilogy	TPM Issue, Podrace driver, big bottom jaw and dopey grin
Ree-Yees	Original Trilogy	PotF2 Issue
Clone Trooper	Prequel Trilogy	Saga Issue, Red circular logo on helmet, chest and arms
Stormtrooper	Original Trilogy	PotF2 Crowd Control Stormtrooper with JetPack
RX-24 ('Rex')	Original Trilogy	Star Tours Excl, 3 Arms, Swivel-body, blue face-dome
Clone Trooper	Clone Wars	Aqua Trooper (GT Clone Wars)
Gamorrean Guard	Original Trilogy	PotF2 Issue
Scout Trooper	Original Trilogy	PotJ Issue, left arm at 45 degrees
Clone Trooper	Clone Wars	GT Clone Wars Clone Trooper, limited posability
Jabba The Hutt	Prequel Trilogy	TPM issue with 'goo' pot, from Fode & Beed set
Clone Trooper	Prequel Trilogy	Orange Utapau Assault Armour
Mouse Droid	Original Trilogy	PotJ Issue, from Death Star Droid pack
Han Solo	Original Trilogy	TAC Issue, Bespin Torture Rack
Clone Trooper	Prequel Trilogy	TAC issue, Mygeeto cold weather (snowtrooper) purple armour
Darth Vader	Original Trilogy	PotF2 issue, poseable knees, soft-goods cape
Anakin Skywalker	Prequel Trilogy	Episode I, Jedi hair and hard-goods cloak
Palpatine	Prequel Trilogy	TPM Issue, Hologram Darth Sidious Version
Clone Trooper	Prequel Trilogy	RotS Issue, White armour with clip-on shoulder patch
Clone Trooper	Prequel Trilogy	RotS Issue, Removable helmet and black chest plate / shoulder pauldron
Weequay	Original Trilogy	PotF2 Issue, Weequay Skiff Guard
Labria	Original Trilogy	PotF2 Issue, from Cantina Aliens 3-Pack
Jawa	Clone Wars	TCW Issue, Large Jawa from 2-pack
Darth Vader	Vintage	1978 version, vinyl cape
Stormtrooper	Original Trilogy	Saga Issue, Sandtrooper, orange shoulder pauldron, removable helmet
Battle Droid	Prequel Trilogy	TPM Issue, OOM-9 with yellow markings and back-antenna
DL-X2	Original Trilogy	Star Tours Excl, Metallic blue four-sided pyramid body, 'no head'
C-3PO	Prequel Trilogy	AotC Issue, Geonosis Arena with Battledroid backpack
SP-4	Prequel Trilogy	AotC Issue, Jedi Temple Analysis Droid
Yoda	Clone Wars	Saga Issue Yoda with Kybuck
Darth Maul	Prequel Trilogy	TPM Issue, Soft-goods lower-half robes
Darth Maul	Prequel Trilogy	Saga issue. Training Gear with black/red hard-goods robes
Anakin Skywalker	Prequel Trilogy	TPM Issue, Mos Eisley tunic, INC backpack.
Han Solo	Original Trilogy	PotF2 Issue, with Carbonite Block
Clone Trooper	Clone Wars	Republic Commando Scorch, Battle Pack version
R-3PO	Original Trilogy	Saga Issue, Maroon coloured Protocol Droid
Jawa	Original Trilogy	Small Jawa from Ronto Set
Mara Jade	Original Trilogy	PotF2 Expanded Universe series issue
Anakin Skywalker	Original Trilogy	PotF2 Issue, 'old' Anakin from end of Jedi - Transparent version
C-3PO	Original Trilogy	TAC Issue, McQuarrie Concept, loose figure
Jawa	Original Trilogy	Large Jawa from PotF2 2-pack
Battle Droid	Prequel Trilogy	TPM Issue, darkened/weathered for Naboo Swamp/Battle
Tusken Raider	Prequel Trilogy	Hard-goods cloak, rifle-holding stance
Battle Droid	Prequel Trilogy	TPM Issue with STAP vehicle
Chewbacca	Original Trilogy	PotF2 Issue, 'slave' chewie, with chain dangling from neck
Luke Skywalker	Original Trilogy	PotF2 issue, from Falcon Gunner Emplacement
Obi-Wan Kenobi	Original Trilogy	PotF2 Issue, Transparent version from end of Jedi
Obi-Wan Kenobi	Prequel Trilogy	TPM Issue, hard-coods robes
Stormtrooper	Original Trilogy	PotF2 issue, Sandtrooper, Orange shoulder pauldron
Ephant Mon	Original Trilogy	Saga Issue
Clone Trooper	Prequel Trilogy	Utapau assault orange armour, AT-RT Pilot helmet
Roron Corobb	Clone Wars	TAC Issue, from GT Clone Wars
Clone Trooper	Prequel Trilogy	Red casual fatigues with clip-on armour
Han Solo	Original Trilogy	TAC Issue, McQuarrie Concept, loose figure
Darth Vader	Original Trilogy	PotF2 issue, from Tie Fighter cockpit pack, top section of helmet removes
Battle Droid	Prequel Trilogy	TPM Issue, 'clean' version
Asajj Ventress	Clone Wars	Clone Wars Issue 'realistic' Ventress
R2-Q5	Original Trilogy	PotJ Issue, Black Astromech
Clone Trooper	Clone Wars	GT Clone Wars Clone Trooper, limited posability
Clone Trooper	Prequel Trilogy	RotS Non-poseable 3-pack issue, Crouching
Stormtrooper	Original Trilogy	TAC Issue, Force Unleashed, Evo Trooper
Clone Trooper	Prequel Trilogy	Clone Commander (RotS) with red shoulder pauldron and flip-down visor
Stormtrooper	Original Trilogy	PotF2 Issue, 'buff' build
Clone Trooper	Prequel Trilogy	RotS issue, Red shock-trooper armour
Yoda	Vintage	1980 Vintage Yoda
Palpatine	Original Trilogy	Saga Issue, Hologram version of PotF2 sculpt
Yoda	Original Trilogy	PotF2 issue
Tarfful	Prequel Trilogy	RotS Issue
Luke Skywalker	Original Trilogy	PotF2 Issue, 'Floppy Hat' farmboy.
Ewok	Original Trilogy	PotF2 issue, Logray
Sebulba	Prequel Trilogy	Mos Eisley Encounter 3-pack
Stormtrooper	Vintage	1978 Vintage Stormtrooper
Weequay Pirate	Clone Wars	TCW Issue, from 'Hostage Crisis' battlepack
Tusken Raider	Original Trilogy	PotF2 Issue, seated from Bantha pack
Jawa	Original Trilogy	Saga Issue, from LIN (dome) droid 2-pack
Stormtrooper	Vintage	1978 Vintage Stormtrooper
Anakin Skywalker	Prequel Trilogy	AotC Issue, slashing action arms, shouting mouth, from 2-pack with geonosian
C-3PO	Original Trilogy	PotF2 Issue, non-removable limbs
Palpatine	Original Trilogy	PotF2 Issue, hands light up for Lightning effect
Stormtrooper	Original Trilogy	PotF2 issue, Sandtrooper, Orange shoulder pauldron (painted grey - custom)
Twi'lek jedi	Prequel Trilogy	Geonosis Arena Battle 3-pack, non poseable
Nute Gunray	Prequel Trilogy	TPM Issue
Jawa	Original Trilogy	Large Jawa from Ronto Set
Pote Snitkin	Original Trilogy	Saga Issue (Jabba's Sail barge)
Droideka	Prequel Trilogy	TPM Issue
Clone Trooper	Prequel Trilogy	Mace Windu Battle Pack, purple armour, Phase 2
Clone Trooper	Prequel Trilogy	RotS Issue Clone Fighter Pilot (grey uniform)
Death Star Trooper	Vintage	1978 Vintage
Bossk	Original Trilogy	Mid Yellow Suit, mouth open
Grand Moff Tarkin	Original Trilogy	Stormtrooper armour, PotF2 head, with PotF2 Stormie body
Death Star Droid	Original Trilogy	PotJ Issue, from Mouse Droid pack
Utapauan Guard	Prequel Trilogy	RotS Issue
Princess Leia	Original Trilogy	PotF2 Issue, from Speeder Bike set
Zuckuss	Vintage	Vintage 1980 Zuckuss
Bespin Guard	Original Trilogy	Legacy Collection issue, alien version
Rebel Fleet Trooper	Original Trilogy	Saga Issue, swivel jointed legs
Emperor's Royal Guard	Original Trilogy	PotF2 issue, hard-goods cloak
Asajj Ventress	Clone Wars	Clone Wars (Movie/TV Series) Issue, soft goods skirt
Bespin Guard	Vintage	1980 version, black-guard
Endor Rebel Trooper	Original Trilogy	Saga Issue, White trooper with removable helmet
Ewok	Original Trilogy	Saga Issue, 'Romba', Brown Ewok from 2-pack
Rebel Fleet Trooper	Original Trilogy	PotF2 Issue, 'buff' build
Ponda Baba	Original Trilogy	PotF2 Issue
Mace Windu	Prequel Trilogy	TPM Issue, hard-goods cloak, 'preview' version, non action pose
R2-D2	Original Trilogy	PotF2 Issue, Extendable Front Leg
Dark Trooper	Original Trilogy	PotF2 Expanded Universe series issue, Phase III
Admiral Piett	Original Trilogy	Saga Issue
Death Star Trooper	Original Trilogy	TAC Issue, removable helmet
Princess Leia	Original Trilogy	PotF2 Issue, soft-goods clothes
Tusken Raider	Original Trilogy	PotF2 Issue
Lando Calrissian	Original Trilogy	PotF2 Issue, General's clothes from RotJ
Droideka	Prequel Trilogy	TPM Issue
R2-D2	Original Trilogy	PotF2 issue, Electronic, from Tatooine-rock background set
Qui-Gon Jinn	Prequel Trilogy	TPM Issue, no cloak,hard goods tunic only.
Snowtrooper	Original Trilogy	PotF2 Issue
Super Battle Droid	Prequel Trilogy	Distressed metallic grey
Geonosian Warrior	Prequel Trilogy	AotC Issue, from pack with Massif-dog.
Ugnaught	Original Trilogy	PotF2 Issue, Grey Tunic from 2-Pack
Aurra Sing	Prequel Trilogy	2012 'Movie Heroes' Issue, with briefcase of lightsaber hilts (3)
4-LOM	Original Trilogy	TAC Issue, Poseable head
IG-88	Original Trilogy	PotF2 issue
ASP-7	Original Trilogy	PotF2 Issue
Padme Amidala	Prequel Trilogy	TPM Issue, Red/Queen Robes
Scout Trooper	Original Trilogy	Saga Issue, fully articulated
Boba Fett	Original Trilogy	TAC Issue, green helmet and chest plate. Peg-in jetpack.
Ugnaught	Original Trilogy	Saga Issue, Grey Tunic
Dash Rendar	Prequel Trilogy	PotF2 issue, Shadows of the Empire collection
Commando Droid	Clone Wars	TCW Issue, from 'Hostage Crisis' battlepack

Oh, You're welcome.

DISCLAIMERS:
• ^^^ That's dry, British humour, and most likely sarcasm or facetiousness.

• This is a personal blog. The views and opinions expressed here represent my own thoughts (at the time of writing) and not those of the people, institutions or organisations that I may or may not be related with unless stated explicitly.

Review: The Amazing Spider-Man / Second-Pass (Spoilers)

CAUTION: Yen's blog contains harsh language and even harsher notions of propriety. Reader discretion is advised.



The Amazing Spider-Man (3D) / *SPOILERS*
136mins / Dir. Marc Webb



Watching the film again with the addition of a third-dimension has really only underlined its faults. It's still a good film, but it's not standing up to repeated viewing.

• The 3D's okay. Not 'great', but not as bad as it could have been. Useful in a couple of sequences, but just mostly background-depth apart from that.

• Why is Embeth Davidtz getting her name mentioned in the 'starring' lines promoting the film? She's got one proper line over two scenes and is about as important to the story as the Stan Lee cameo. Was it in her contract to be up with the main cast? Did she have a lot of scenes cut?

• Spidey's webbing is "stronger than steel", and yet when he cocoons The Lizard in it during the school-fight, he just tears if off like it's candy-floss. That's fine, maybe it's a device to show how insanely powerful Connors' alter-ego really is. Because obviously, large animals have no problem at all getting out of steel enclosures, that's why there aren't any zoos.

• And how did Parker come to be in the posession of a box-load of webbing anyhow? We see the OsCorp box on Peter's desk at home, but that amount of industrial-application tech would set Peter back a fortune (not that they'd sell a 'civilian' a box of the stuff anyway). So did he swindle or steal it?

• Connors grows a new arm before he transforms into Lizard for the first time. I can accept that in a comic-book/movie context, but why would it disappear when he reverts to his human form? That doesn't make any sense, even in a movie like this.

• Where does Peter get his Spidey-suit from? One minute he's hand-sewing an ill-fitting sex-pest mask to wear with his regular street clothes, the next he's got a full suit, which has clearly been 'designed', eye lenses an' all. I don't mind that the suit exists, it just appears suddenly with no explanation.

• I can't believe they just abandon the subplot with Spidey wanting to apprehend Chad Kroeger for killing his uncle Ben. I know they wanted to leave something for the sequels, but it just seems like it's been forgotten about (even with the wanted-poster in shot at the end). It's understandable that the story with Richard Parker and OsCorp will unwind into the forthcoming films, but not closing out the Milton-Out-Of-Drive-Angry thread seems sloppy.

…but those questions are nothing… nothing, compared to the one that really bugged me watching the movie a second time…

• You know that bit with the cranes? Where Spider-Man has previously rescued a crane driver's son, and he's crowbarred back into the story to illustrate that the man on the street supports Spider-Man (not like the Police! Boo!), and he really is The People's Arachnid™? The crane driver notices that Spidey's in trouble (since the TV news reporters suddenly stop speaking like they're on TV and start broadcasting in concerned, conversational tones), and he gets All The Guys™ to swing their cranes out in a line over Sixth Avenue, so that the injured web-slinger can get to OsCorp Tower quickly and without obstruction? Well, when Spider-Man is limbering up for his initial run/jump/swing, a helicopter is hovering overhead. A fucking helicopter. That's what Spidey needs, not a series of fucking cranes! Save the boy a bit of energy (and ridiculously expensive webbing), and give him a lift, you bastards! I can't work out if it's a Police helicopter or a news-channel one, but either way this sequence is ridiculous. Even my brother-in-law (an old-school Spidey fan) thought it was over the top.

But don't let all that put you off, it is a good film, it's just flawed slightly.

DISCLAIMERS:
• ^^^ That's dry, British humour, and most likely sarcasm or facetiousness.

• This is a personal blog. The views and opinions expressed here represent my own thoughts (at the time of writing) and not those of the people, institutions or organisations that I may or may not be related with unless stated explicitly.

Star Wars Open Day, 2012

CAUTION: Yen's blog contains harsh language and even harsher notions of propriety. Reader discretion is advised.

"Do you know what the two best feelings in the world are? Opening a brand new Star Wars figure, and watching other people fail."

Woo! It's Open Day! Come on over!



Following last year's documented 'sit and open then photograph action figures like the OCD geek you are' day, I found myself once again with a surfeit of unopened toys (not to mention more time than is good for me). These aren't the only figures I've bought in the last year, just the ones I didn't open right away for whatever reason. Also, they're all Star Wars figures, this time around. This year's Avengers line just didn't appeal, sadly. Anyhow, in no particular order...

+ + + + +

Click on any of these images to open a larger version in a new window/tab...

Bespin Wing Guard (Sgt. Edian) (The Legacy Collection)

Purcased from: Forbidden Planet, Newcastle

Amazing. You look everywhere for two years for a figure, including ordering one online at an inflated price then cancelling the order when the website dicks about over actually having it in stock... and then you see it in FP for less than standard-retail. Result. When can I tell you, I've got a thing about Bespin. I blame Jedi Outcast.


Bespin Wing Guard (Utris M'Toc) (The Legacy Collection)

Purcased from: Time and Space, Broadstairs

It's basically a re-paint of Sgt. Edian, above, but done well enough that you don't notice at first. Like I said, I love Bespin.


Prince Xizor (Power of the Force 2)

Purcased from: Toy Sale, Torquay

The single-carded version of Shadows of the Empire's Xizor, on an Italian PotF2 card. There's a small toy shop near the harbour in Torquay that I checked on the off-chance when I was there last, and it paid off as they had a bunch of 1990's era figures, still at 1990's era prices. Another result. The addition of this chap means I now have all three released versions of the Faleen prince (don't ask me why I didn't get this back in the day, I have no idea).


Super Battle Droid (The Clone Wars)

Purcased from: Wilkinson's, Didcot

Yeah, full-price I wouldn't, but he was in the sale. Nice and stylised, and unlike the SBDs from the movie lines, he actually stands up on his own without the peg-stand.


Aurra Sing (The Clone Wars)

Purcased from: Toys-UK, Didcot.

A over-hyped character from the Expanded Universe, who's somehow being under-used in the animated show. Either way, I do have a soft spot for Aurra Sing, if only because she's a strong female character who doesn't make a song and dance about being a female character. That's quite a rarity in the genre.


Aurra Sing (Wal-Mart Exlclusive)

Purcased from: Asda, Broadstairs

The Wal-Mart/Asda versions of the 2012 Phantom Menace line featured a section with old-school 3D glasses, for the sole purpose of looking at the picture on the back of the card (loosely tied in with the 3D re-release). Oh well. That said, I only got the 'exclusive' version because I couldn't see her on a regular card.


Savage Opress (The Clone Wars)

Purcased from: Sainsbury's, Didcot

The gap between Darth Maul's brother appearing on The Clone Wars animated show and actually appearing in regular shops in the UK was 18 months. Cynics have suggested that the TV show is a glorified toy advertisment. No-one appears to have told this to Hasbro. No matter, this figure is badass, and worth the wait.


Republic Commando Boss (The Clone Wars)

Purcased from: Sainsbury's, Didcot

After a brief cameo in season three of The Clone Wars, it looks like Delta Squad from the 2005 LucasArts game are getting another Hasbro outing, this time individually, rather than as a battle-pack. That said, the last run had Scorch released as a single figure, but the rest as pack-exclusives. So, who knows...


Darth Maul (Power of the Jedi)

Purcased from: Ebay

I missed this one back in 2001, so had to play the waiting-game to spot a bargain on Ebay. As luck would have it, he turned up at less than the price he retailed at originally. Shirtless-Maul for the win.


Hostage Crisis Battlepack (The Clone Wars)

Purcased from: Sainsbury's, Didcot

There's a big blank gap at the back of the packaging here where the US market got an exclusive promo DVD. Due to licensing restrictions, UK sets were sold without this (I've got it anyway, I'm like that).
Hostage Crisis is another one of those ones that isn't really special, per se, but when it's on clearance at under a tenner, it seems silly not to. The Weequay pirate looks good alongside Hondo Onaka from last year, and the Commando Droids will look good anywhere. Just got to figure out where/when I'm going to display Robinino. He'll look nice alongside Cad Bane, I suppose, but he can't stand on his own for shit...

+ + + + +

And because I love you so much, here are the scanned versions of the card-fronts. Again, click-for-big...

You're very welcome. And remember...

Three-and-three-quarter-inches is enough for anybody...

DISCLAIMERS:
• ^^^ That's dry, British humour, and most likely sarcasm or facetiousness.

• This is a personal blog. The views and opinions expressed here represent my own thoughts (at the time of writing) and not those of the people, institutions or organisations that I may or may not be related with unless stated explicitly.

Review: Katy Perry - Part of Me (3D)

CAUTION: Yen's blog contains harsh language and even harsher notions of propriety. Reader discretion is advised.



Katy Perry: Part of Me (3D)
97 mins / Dir. Dan Cutforth / Jane Lipsitz

A preface...

I ran a poll on Facebook, asking if I should go and see this film (more out of boredom and idle interest, as the only other movie opening this week at my local is Spider-Man, and I've already seen that). Out of all of my friends, the ones that exercised their legal and moral right to vote, opted for this…



…what a bunch of bastards those 14 people are. I'll wager a shiny guinea that not one - not one - cast their 'yes' vote without a wry, mirthless grin upon their visage.

Melissa Cann, Sophie Hughes, Claire Lisa Tadman, Diane Licitra Small, Gareth Jones, Stephen Short, Stacey Watkins, Gillian Humphreys, Adam Rolland, Andy James Ellis, Kris Mooney, Steve Rice, Graham Alderton, George Virtue… Thank you, I'll remember this.

Meanwhile, Emma Downie, Liz Brown, Louisa Gleghorn, Porle Miller, Alex Duigan, Douglas O'brien, Jeff Hunt… you didn't get what you voted for this time, but hey: That's democracy. I appreciate what you did, don't give up the fight.

So I trudged through the pissing rain on Friday afternoon to go and see Katy Perry: Part of Me, in 3D, no less. And I brought it all on myself.


…and on with the show:



A self-indulgent 97-minute advertisement for all that is going wrong in the music industry, presented with all the warmth and sincerity of an insurance seminar. We spend a year on-and-off in Katy's company as she tours the world, with handpicked interview clips from her trusted crew that she's worked with for several years now. At no point are you in any doubt that, despite their long and valued service, she would fire them the instant they say "no" to a single one of her demands.

Katy's views on feminism, religion and sexuality are all glossed over (yet still brought up, bizarrely) with a practised hand that comes from having a record company (and/or manager) telling you that you're not allowed to express an actual opinion on anything. I honestly don't know if I was more disgusted by her parents, (a couple of touring, preaching right-wing Christian ministers who campaigned for years against everything Katy has become, but are suddenly hunky-dory now that their daughter is an international sensation) for being coat-tailing hypocrites, or Katy herself, for not calling them out on their two-faced brown-nosing as they ride along on the tour-jet and refuse to have an opinion on "I Kissed a Girl", since it paid for their house.

All the while, Russell Brand lingers listlessly in the background, reduced in the edit to a cameo role only because to cut him out completely would rob the film of the ten-minute section in which Perry cries after their split, and is on the verge of cancelling an arena-show in a fit of child-like pique. But she doesn't cancel the show. Because she loves her fans, see? She fights back the tears and graces the stage with a superficial smile. Which, co-incidentally is indistinguishable from the one she uses when she's actually happy.

The 'documentary' only serves to underline that at one point, Katy Perry did indeed have personality, fire, determination and the ability to craft good songs, but all of these things are being willingly and systematically stripped away as she and the music she sells become more bland and soulless by the day. On her thirtieth birthday, Katy Perry is due to be replaced by a tin of beige paint with a music-box on top. No-one will notice until someone asks why the whining has stopped.

This film is like walking into Claire's Accessories and being assaulted by the staff and customers for an hour and a half.

And it only gets a 1 because of the PG-friendly eye-candy.

DISCLAIMERS:
• ^^^ That's dry, British humour, and most likely sarcasm or facetiousness.

• This is a personal blog. The views and opinions expressed here represent my own thoughts (at the time of writing) and not those of the people, institutions or organisations that I may or may not be related with unless stated explicitly.

Review: The Amazing Spider-Man (Mild Spoilers)

CAUTION: Yen's blog contains harsh language and even harsher notions of propriety. Reader discretion is advised.



The Amazing Spider-Man (2D) / *Mild Spoilers*
136mins / Dir. Marc Webb (HA HA! WEBB! LIKE A SPIDER WOULD MAKE! AS IN WEB! I AM FUNNY.)



I wasn't impressed by the trailers when I saw them at the cinema. Largely because a) I grew more and more civilian towards the web-slinger with the last run of movies as they went on, and b) When you're Marvel and you've already released Avengers this year, is there really any point in a reboot of an origins story that most folks still remember from ten years ago, and only features one superhero anyway?

The Good: Andrew Garfield plays a good Spider-Man. I'm not convinced about his portrayal of Peter Parker, but I think that's more down to the character than the actor. When he's not being the awkward whiny teenager that the role apparently requires, he's surprisingly likeable. Also putting in a good turn is Emma Stone. Sure, she over-eggs the pudding from time to time, but she's nowhere near as annoying as she could have been (ie: Kirsten Dunst). Elsewhere, the supporting players are competent in their supporting/comic-book roles (see my exception in The Ugly). There's not really much you can do with 'Stern Police Commissioner' or 'Weeping, Concerned Aunt', so in that respect, they're all fine.

The visuals, in the 2D I saw it in, are pretty spot on (see my exception in The Ugly) and Spidey looks good swinging around New York. Certainly less plastic than his last three outings, but the camera-work's a lot more choppy this time around too, so that will hide any limitations in the animation.

Considering this is a bona-fide origins tale (and considering the arse-numbing running time), the story skips along at a fair old rate. In this case, I count that as a good thing, because there are certain events you're waiting for anyway, so no time's wasted getting them laid out. The spider-bite sequence occurs rapidly and without fuss, and the 'getting to know my powers' montage is equally underplayed. In fact, the 'Other Defining Moment in Spider-Man's Formation'™ is compressed to around a minute, which pretty much robs it of the impact it had in previous tellings...

The Bad: And yet, despite the cramming in of plot-points and origin-exposition, it feels like not a lot actually happens. One of the biggest questions the film asks is left unanswered for a sequel, and various others seem not to matter, apparently. I suspect it'll become clearer after another viewing, but I can't work out why it took them over two hours to tell this story. Avengers was only ten minutes longer, and they had seven lead characters. The film certainly doesn't drag, but I was very aware that I'd been in the cinema for bloody ages. On top of this, there are parts of the trailers that aren't in the film. Nothing unusual there, but they seem to be talky bits, which the plot sorely needs.

Oh, and the bit with the cranes? My facepalm nearly gave me concussion.

It'd be nice to think that Spidey has been rebooted so that he could make an appearance in Avengers 2, but I don't think the Paramount/Columbia divide isn't about to be bridged any time soon. It seems odd though, that no other superhero activity is mentioned in The Amazing Spider-Man, and yet the public are surprisingly calm with a vigilante that can climb walls, and no-one seems fucking terrified enough at the prospect of a seven-foot man-lizard throwing cars off of Brooklyn Bridge. Speaking of which…

The Ugly: The Lizard looks like he's been animated in Claymation. I'm not normally one for slagging off CGI, but he really stands out in this film as being like an animatic that someone forgot to finish. Maybe it's the bizarrely human features on an otherwise lizard-like body, maybe it's because they tried to leave something of Rhys Ifans to come through in the performance, but something about him looks awful. And acts pretty awful, too, but that's almost besides the point.

After the credits: There's a short scene after the first batch of names, which serves as a reminder that they haven't answered the question that's been asked for the last two and a quarter hours. And at the very end? I don't know, I didn't hand around that long (this time).

Is there a Wilhelm Scream™? Not that I heard, but I could have missed it if it was low in the mix. Even Rock of Ages had a Wilhelm, sort it out Marvel!

Is there a Stan Lee cameo? Yes, of course there is, although it's not a speaking role this time. Although the sound of your palm slamming into your face will drown out anything he says anyway, as it usually does.

Worth £8+? If you're on the fence about Spider-Man, yes, probably. If you know it's not your thing, it's not going to change your mind or surprise you.

For a film that's as completely unnecessary as The Amazing Spider-Man, it's pretty good. Not great, but pretty good.

Disclaimer: That's a tentative 5/7. Further viewings could alter that. Although it's unlikely to go up.

DISCLAIMERS:
• ^^^ That's dry, British humour, and most likely sarcasm or facetiousness.

• This is a personal blog. The views and opinions expressed here represent my own thoughts (at the time of writing) and not those of the people, institutions or organisations that I may or may not be related with unless stated explicitly.