Artoo-Detoo (R2-D2)/See-Threepio (C-3PO) - Droid Factory

All different types of Astromech droids populate the Star Wars galaxy. Each droid is different and has their [sic] own unique personality and colors. C-3PO is a Protocol droid that is fluent in more than seven million forms of communication. He is a constant companion to Astromech R2-D2, a skilled starship mechanic and fighter pilot's assistant. Over the years, these two droids were involved in some of the galaxy's most defining moments and thrilling battles. Join C-3PO and R2-D2 on their adventures throughout the galaxy.

Something we have wanted for year from Hasbro has come to pass at Disney Parks. Build A Droid has always had a huge following after making its debut in 2008. Hasbro didn’t keep the line alive that long, and Disney Parks quickly took the opportunity to make their own unique take on the Droid Factory concept and released a huge collection of parts which fell under their huge STAR TOURS attraction. By that time, Hasbro had completely abandoned the Build A Droid figure line and collectors had to rely on Disney Parks to continue making them for collectors. In 2015 (after STAR TOURS ended), they released another incredible batch of parts, which for the first time, added realistic takes on many of the astromech droids from The Clone Wars (as well as the films) and for the first time fell under the general Disney Parks banner – with no Hasbro involvement. Clearly Disney Parks realized there was lost money to be made if they brought it under their own banner. So Disney has really taken over the Droid Factory collection, which makes us glad because they are releasing consistently excellent products with no ending in sight. Now that we have a new protocol droid collection, it seems the sky is the limit for these impressive collectible toys.

Two characters collectors were desperate to see in the Droid Factory line were R2-D2 and C-3PO. We eventually received R2-D2 in the 2012 SW [TPM 3D] Royal Starship Droids Battle Packs set from Walmart, but it wasn’t so easy to convince Hasbro to release a version of C-3PO that utilized 2009’s TLC U-3PO Build A Droid figure. Thankfully, Disney Parks announced at 2017’s Star Wars Celebration Orlando that Protocol Droids would become part of the Droid Factory experience. (JTA broke this news weeks before the official announcement from Disney.) And in that announcement they revealed a pretty neat 40th anniversary inspired two-pack: Artoo-Detoo (R2-D2)/See-Threepio (C-3PO) – complete with their original vintage Kenner names. The set is striking and heartwarming, but it isn’t perfect. We believe many collectors will look past the set’s few, small faults. Based on the scene when they land on Tatooine in the escape pod, Artoo-Detoo (R2-D2) and See-Threepio (C-3PO) come about as dirty as we have probably ever seen them; well, save for a few exceptions perhaps. Both are based on current Disney Parks Droid Factory sculpts and they look incredible and are collector friendly thanks to the vintage Kenner inspired packaging as well.

Artoo-Detoo (R2-D2) and See-Threepio (C-3PO) come with aggressive paint operations. We didn’t notice this out of the package, but their dirt applications are a dot matrix/silk screened type of application. It looks a bit odd under high resolution, but it’s not so obtrusive to the naked eye. Your opinions may vary on this, but it works more than it doesn’t for us. Artoo-Detoo (R2-D2) and See-Threepio (C-3PO) are quite filthy, but they look good this way. And if you compare stills from the film, Disney Parks did a rather fantastic on the overall aesthetics like sand and dirt accumulation, leaking grease and other fine details. Artoo-Detoo (R2-D2) utilizes the same standard Droid Factory R2-series astromech droid sculpt, but See-Threepio (C-3PO) is an all-new figure. Boasting an impressive 21 points of articulation, we finally have a Build A Droid version of our favorite protocol droid, albeit a revised Disney Parks version. Initially worried he wouldn’t come with appropriate articulation, we’re thrilled to see they held nothing back with these new protocol droid sculpts to give collectors the best figures possible. Other than some unnecessary sheen from the plastic used, the Artoo-Detoo (R2-D2)/See-Threepio (C-3PO) two-pack is destined to become a classic hit.