Battle Above The Sarlacc - TSC - Battle Packs

Added: June 27th 2011
Category: Saga Collection, The
Reviewer: Paul Harrison
Score:

Name: Battle Above The Sarlacc
Collection: The Saga Collection
Number: N/A (Battle Packs)
Source: Return Of The Jedi
Availability: September 2006
License: Hasbro

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Luke Skywalker has escaped his scheduled execution in the Great Pit of Carkoon, home of the terrifying Sarlacc. Boba Fett temporarily captures Skywalker using his rope-firing wrist gauntlet. The Jedi and his friends, however, have luck on their side, especially when Han Solo accidentally activates Fett’s backpack and sends him tumbling into the Sarlacc’s digestive system!

We oft wonder. How does Hasbro come up with ideas for the Battle Packs sets? Do they really look for the most aggressive and action-packed sequences in the Star Wars films. Or do they look for scenes that have the highest concentration of main characters that would guarantee sell through at retail by kids and collectors? It may be a combination of both, but one thing is for sure and that is the Battle Packs line cleverly plays with collectors’ hearts by a clever mixture of a great hybrid (usually) of action figures, some new tooling to make previously released figures new again, and great packaging which ties everything up together with a refreshing new appearance. This recipe is a guaranteed success and it seems to be working very well. The Battle Above The Sarlacc set definitely does not have all of these traits and it is mediocre at best. But for those who don’t have any of these characters previously released at basic figures yet, this is a wonderful purchase to get them all for $5 each, although you won’t get all of the original accessories in this format. And the packaging is stunning. But some may find the benefit of the “per cost” of each figure of this Battle Packs set to be a much more important deal.

There are some things that are new here as well. All of the figures, save for Boba Fett, to some extent or another have all-new paint jobs. Even the dirt pattern on Han Solo’s shirt is different. Whether this was intentional, or just the machine in the factory behaving differently, we think it’s enough to consider this figure “newish” at best. The figure with the most aggressive paint job differences is the Weequay Skiff Guard. The figure has never looked more natural than now and looks significantly better than it’s POTF2 counterpart. Unfortunately, Weequay Skiff Guard comes with a pathetically flimsy force pike. Why Hasbro insists on packing figures with these misshapen weapons is beyond us and we wish they would retire them. Lando Calrissian also comes with one of these said weapons too. Speaking of Lando Calrissian, we think he has been improved with smoother colors that better match what was seen in Return Of The Jedi, but we hope to see an aggressive update to this figure with super-articulation as this is one figure that could be significantly updated as a result. This figure can only be reused for so long.

Luke Skywalker appears to be the only figure with slight retooling. His left leg is in a different position and gives him that “lunging” or “stepping forward” appearance. But this is still an “old’ figure now and is very limited in articulation and Hasbro can't seem to help his odd proportions. It’s amazing how some figures have the propensity to age after just a few years despite appearing state-of-the-art at the time of their original release. Luke Skywalker is a perfect example of this. Heck, even Han Solo and Boba Fett have aged and they have been released in the same product year as this Battle Packs set. (This of course doesn't make them "bad" action figures.) So, how should you view the final verdict of this Battle Packs set? It’s definitely more fun packaged than opened up. Apparently the packaging is where the Battle Packs line is scoring the highest marks by collectors. Unless a Battle Packs set has all-new product or never-before-released figures, it’s going to be hard-pressed to appease collectors. This is a cheap way to get five figures you may not have. And it’s the first time in almost a decade the Weequay Skiff Guard has been available for purchase (and it’s been updated – so that is always a great thing). Otherwise, you may be able to skip this set and sleep very well at night too. It's your call.

Collector Notes

Battle Above The Sarlacc

Assortment Number: 87117/87503

UPC: 653569171911

Retail: $19.99 USD

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

Lando Calrissian

Lando is in a real sticky situation! Han Solo reaches out with a staff to rescue his friend from the sclutches of the Sarlacc.

Status: Lando Calrissian is a repaint of 2004's SW Lando Calrissian (Jabba's Sail Barge) ('04 #07).

Articulation Count: 10 points

Articulation Details: ball-socket, 2 swivel shoulders, 2 swivel elbows, 2 swivel forearms, swivel waist, 2 swivel hips

Accessory Count: 3

Accessory Details: skiff guard blaster, removable helmet, force pike

Date Stamp: 2003

Han Solo

Han's eyesight starts to return after a long period of hibernation. He can now see that his friends are in a dire situation!

Status: Han Solo is a slight repaint of 2006's TSC Han Solo (SAGA 002) figure.

Articulation Count: 10 points

Articulation Details: ball-socket head, 2 swivel shoulders, 2 swivel elbows, 2 swivel wrists, swivel waist, 2 swivel hips

Accessory Count: 1

Accessory Details: force pike

Date Stamp: 2005

Boba Fett

As the galaxy's most notorious bounty hunter tumbles into the Great Pit of Carkoon, one would assume that Fett's days are numbered. This resourceful and fearless warrior may have other plans though...

Status: Boba Fett is a repack of 2006's TSC Boba Fett (SAGA 006) figure.

Articulation Count: 13 points

Articulation Details: swivel head, 2 swivel shoulder, 2 swivel elbows, swivel waist, 2 swivel hips, 2 ball-jointed knees, 2 ball-jointed ankles, swivel rangefinder

Accessory Count: 2

Accessory Details: blaster rifle, removable rangefinder

Date Stamp: 2005

Luke Skywalker

Luke gives Jabba the Hutt one final warning before he makes his daring escape. Jabba foolishly laughs at Luke's threat, and it will ultimately be the last mistake he ever makes.

Status: Luke Skywalker is a retool of 2004's SW Luke Skywalker (Jabba's Palace) ('04 #04) figure. The figure has a newly positioned left leg.

Articulation Count: 12 points

Articulation Details: swivel neck, 2 swivel shoulders, 2 swivel elbows, 2 swivel wrists, swivel waist, 2 swivel hips, 2 ball-jointed knees

Accessory Count: 1

Accessory Details: lightsaber

Date Stamp: 2003

Weequay Skiff Guard

This skilled skiff guard battles the Rebels during the botched attempt to execute Luke Skywalker.

Status: Weequay Skiff Guard is a repaint of 1997's POTF2 Weequay Skiff Guard. This time around he has been given the updated 2004 SW "Saga" force pike (although it's terribly flimsy).

Articulation Count: 6 points

Articulation Details: swivel head, 2 swivel, swivel waist, 2 swivel hips

Accessory Count: 1

Accessory Details: force pike

Date Stamp: 1997









Battle Above The Sarlacc Lando Calrissian Han Solo

Boba Fett Luke Skywalker Weequay Skiff Guard

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