Massiff - SW [S - P1] - Basic (’02 #34)

Star Wars Episode II: Attack Of The Clones introduced Star Wars fans to a wide range of never before seen creatures. From the gigantic beasts in the Geonosis Arena to the equivalent of "space dogs" in the Tusken Raider camp, there was no shortage of beasts to help the Star Wars universe appear larger than it already is. The Massiff creatures are pets of the Tusken Raiders, but George Lucas also made them indigenous to Geonosis. Unfortunately, the scenes involving Obi-Wan Kenonig getting attacked by a pair of Massiffs got cut for time. But Hasbro made an action figure set based on them on Geonosis. The Massiff action figure also comes with a Geonosian Warrior, proving that those cut scenes inspired this action figure release. Although more prominently featured in the Tusken Raiders' nomadic camps on Tatooine, it would have been incredible to see them undomiciled and running wild on Geonosis. The dog-like creatures are vicious, four-legged animals that accompany the Tusken Raiders wherever they set up camp. Sadly, we'll probably never see a Geonisian Warrior and Massiff paired together unless footage from the deleted scenes makes it out to the public one day.

We initially believed that Hasbro accidentally mixed up the Geonosian picador riding the orray into the Geonosis Arena. This duo could "almost" serve as that pair. More astute lovers of Episode II may want Hasbro to release an orray one day for an exact match. But we're inclined to believe that we'll never see that larger creature in the 3.75" toy line. So, perhaps collectors will use the Massiff in this set as an orray for the Battle of Geonosis displays. While the orray and the Massiff look nothing like each other, they both walk on all fourlegs and have a similar body shape. The paiting of the Massiff with a Geonosisan Warrior is an unexpected release. And since the two figures together are based on a deleted scene from Star Wars Episode II: Attack Of The Clones, they feel out of place in the lineup. The Massiff (and Geonosian Warrior) two-pack set isn't that great, but you do get two figures for the price of one, and there is undoubtedly value here. At the very least, it's a great army building set regardless. Interestingly, the Geonosian Warrior serves as an "accessory" here but is an all-new sculpted action figure. Use them as bacground filler, or army build them as you desire.

Hasbro decided not to reuse 2002's SW [S - P1] Geonosian Warrior ('02 #15), released earlier in the line since that one comes with wings. It turned out pretty well. So let's talk about the Massiff. Essentially a solid piece of plastic, the only articulation it has is a hinge-jointed mouth. That said, Hasbro sculpted the figure very well. Posed in a slightly "moving forward" position, the Massiff has a sculpt that should impress you. Its tooling is beaten only by its paint job, which showcases its most frightening characteristics like razor-sharp teeth, spikes, and beady eyes. All of these traits warn you that this is one nasty creature. We often wonder if they ever bit any of the Tusken Raiders' children in the camp. The Massiff comes with a removable harness that features real-metal chains. It also comes with a "handle" that fits nicely over the Geonosian's hand to recreate handler and beast or walking the "dog." It's odd to see Hasbro add a basic figure that's first, a creature, and second, a poorly articulated statuesque character. It's a bizarre decision they made, but perhaps they did it to help stock the line with background characters for your dioramas.