Emperor Palpatine - TSC - The Episode III Greatest Battles Collection (13 of 14)

The Supreme Chancellor expands his power and controls the Galactic Senate. As the Clone Wars rage, he sets in motion the final part of his plan to rule the galaxy and destroy the Jedi.

In 2005, the Revenge Of The Sith toy line came out a month before the film hit theaters. While fans waited to see the film, they were busy trying to figure out why Palatine had so many different looks represented in the various basic and Deluxe figures Hasbro released at the toy line launch in April 2005. Did Emperor Palpatine have a “quick change” appearance that made him go from good to evil? Did he have the option to switch back and forth? Did he go through a metamorphosis? Was he injured? Was he dead then brought back to life? Why does one figure look like he is from Return Of The Jedi while many others look like they’re from the Prequel Trilogy instead? The questions didn’t end until we saw the film and only then did we realize that the newly hailed Emperor Palpatine was injured and permanently disfigured by his own Force lightning deflected by Mace Windu’s lightsaber. When he realized he needed to “save” the newly named Sith Lord, Darth Vader, from his defeat by Obi-Wan Kenobi, he donned his traditional black robes while being accompanied by Shock Troopers. This popular figure was Emperor Palpatine (III 12). Now he has been re-released in The Saga Collection’s The Episode III Greatest Battles Collection. He was a likely choice for this line, but we would be lying if we said we weren’t a bit exhausted by this figure now.

Emperor Palpatine is fun, but he isn’t the greatest action figure Hasbro has produced. He has a pretty good likeness and wonderful paint operations but comes with some annoying action features that reduce the quality of the sculpt tremendously. Is that a nicer way of saying that it’s not very good? What is most frustrating about it, however, is that it has some really good points that are completely lost. When an action figure comes across as more of a statue than anything else, not much more can be inferred. Is it accurate to refer to Emperor Palpatine as a statue instead of an action figure? We don't know. Emperor Palpatine comes with eleven points of articulation. Hasbro interestingly decided to waste ball-jointed articulation in the neck of this figure, and it’s something we just don’t understand. Perhaps the removable hood is part of the reason. But you don’t get a good range of movement in the head while the hood is on the figure. He also comes with ball-jointed shoulders, but other than that, there isn’t much more in the form of premium articulation. Hasbro has decided to work in an action feature into the figure’s right arm. They have added a spring for a “pull and release” feature that “fires” two different projectiles: “Force lightning” and “Force push” effects. We assume some kids will take joy in playing with this feature. For the collector, Hasbro has given Emperor Palpatine a red lightsaber.

As briefly mentioned above, Hasbro has sculpted Emperor Palpatine’s hood so that it is completely removable. On paper, this is a very nice feature. When you remove the hood completely, you’ll find a well sculpted and very well painted head sculpt. The sculptors did a great job in recreating Emperor Palpatine’s injured likeness. There are evident signs of burning and disfigurement that has been seamlessly worked in an ironically beautiful pattern on the head. Hasbro has also been careful to match the color of his hands to the color they painted his head. We love the fluidity the careful paint applications have given this figure. Emperor Palpatine also comes with a swivel waist which is pretty much rendered useless due to the inherent design of the outer robes. Two separately sculpted feet swivel back in forth to help you attain an even center of gravity as well. The outer robe, with some force, seems that it could be removable, but when we tried we thought we were going to tear it, so we stopped. Because of this inability to remove it, we have not included it as an accessory here. You can certainly risk damaging your own if you wish. Emperor Palpatine is a decent figure which serves a purpose, but if you’re bothered by action features, you’re not going to find favor with this action figure. Until Hasbro makes a new one, this one will have to do sadly. He also comes with a miniature hologram figure. It’s cool if you find a Darth Sidious one with this figure.