Artoo-Detoo (R2-D2) - TVC - Basic (VC149)

Added: July 4th 2019
Category: Vintage Collection, The
Reviewer: Paul Harrison
Score:

Name: Artoo-Detoo (R2-D2)
Collection: The Vintage Collection
Number: VC149
Source: A New Hope
Availability: July 2019
License: Hasbro

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Celebrate the legacy of Star Wars, the action-and-adventure-packed space saga from a galaxy far, far away, with this collection of premium, highly-detailed 3.75-inch scale figures and vehicles. (Each sold separately. Subject to availability.)

Sigh. We shouldn’t be disappointed about The Vintage Collection Artoo-Detoo (R2-D2) figure, but we are. Waiting more years than we wish to admit for a “12-Back” version of this classic astromech droid has been debilitating at best. Now he’s here, and he’s not an ideal release. The irony here is that we’re paying minimally $5 more for a figure that was initially offered in the Star Wars [The Last Jedi] R2-D2 5POA Force link line, only because the figure is featured in premium collector packaging and has a little more deco than before, albeit incorrectly applied deco. Let’s face it. All collectors wanted to see in this beautiful packaging was a clean and all-white Artoo-Detoo (R2-D2) figure with Episode IV specific features. It that too much to ask? Then why is Hasbro offering us up a version of Artoo-Detoo (R2-D2) that looks like he was spat out from the Dagobah swamp, that should like the way he coincidentally looks in a Sequel Trilogy line look? We’re very perplexed about this. And we don’t know why some of the most straight-forward things about what Hasbro should do with The Vintage Collection goes right over their heads. Instead, Chewbacca (VC141) and Artoo-Detoo (R2-D2) (VC149) should have been two of the most obvious no-brainers of the entire line. And each lacks in disappointing ways.

If Hasbro didn’t want to tool an all-new Artoo-Detoo (R2-D2) for The Vintage Collection line, that’s fine. However, they should have treated the existing sculpt they did use with a little more nostalgic respect. The Build A Droid sculpt, now updated to remove the two extra holes on the body, is decent. It’s a great sculpt. We understand Hasbro propensity to use it over and over again. But this is Artoo-Detoo (R2-D2). And it’s supposed to satisfy the 12-Back requirement of this character. And it doesn’t. Hasbro would have been smarter to repack the Star Wars [The Last Jedi] figure without any changes because that version is better than this release (visually speaking). Artoo-Detoo (R2-D2) is an elevated version of the Build A Droid R2-D2 figure (and thank the Maker has foot wirings). Although not an Episode IV version of R2-D2 as far as we’re concerned, Artoo-Detoo (R2-D2) isn’t without merit and visually a striking figure thanks to its unique deco. This version of R2-D2 is a solid figure. It’s our preference that they went with clean deco instead, however. Why is it so tough being a The Vintage Collection collector.

This sculpt dates back pretty far into the Hasbro line. The first time we ever saw an R2-series astromech droid that utilized an ancestral version of this sculpt was 2009’s TLC R2-L3 Build A Droid figure. You couldn’t buy this figure “whole,” interestingly. You had to buy at least four other basic figures to complete it. Hasbro used this same sculpt a few other times (mostly in The Legacy Collection lineup) and in other line looks that followed. It appeared that collectors could not get enough of them. After years of none, it is a huge surprise and enjoyment to see this sculpt get utilized in the latest Star Wars toy line. Artoo-Detoo (R2-D2) is not perfect as he is missing some key paint operations here and there. But they also improved some deco too. Its sculpt is as accurate, and the scale is about perfect. The paint job that made it to the figure is nicely applied and is clean. But like we had mentioned a brief moment ago, important details like the silver paint on the joints of the legs are missing and should not be white. It’s difficult for us to accept that this is the only “12-Back” version of Artoo-Detoo (R2-D2) that we’re going to get for our collections. Is it a terrible figure? No. Does it disappoint? Yes.

Collector Notes

Artoo-Detoo (R2-D2)

Status: Artoo-Detoo (R2-D2) is a repaint of 2017's SW [TLJ] R2-D2 Force Link figure. This time the figure has been completely repainted and more closely matches the deco of the R2-D2 figre from 2018's SW [S] C-3PO/R2-D2 Force Link 2.0 set.

Articulation Count: 8 points (8 areas of articulation)

Articulation Details: swivel dome (1), swivel left leg (1), swivel right leg (1), hinge-jointed left foot (1), hinge-jointed right foot (1), left leg rolling wheel (1), right leg rolling wheel (1), third leg rolling wheel (1)

Accessory Count: None

Accessory Details: None

Date Stamp: N/A

Assortment Number: E5189/E0370

UPC: 630509804429

Retail: $12.99 USD

Market Value: Click here to check the latest prices based on Click here to check the market value on eBay! listings.

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