Ugnaught - TLC - Basic (BD 43)

On Cloud City, Ugnaughts operate the carbon-freeze chambers that are typically used to freeze Tibanna gas but can also freeze living matter. Ugnaughts work in Bespin's Tibanna gas processing plants or as general laborers in the city.

The Ugnaught is a very welcome update to our 3.75" Star Wars action figure collections. More than ten years ago in 1998, Hasbro presented us with our first modern Ugnaught two-pack, and we were thrilled. Perhaps many of us didn’t realize that figures that were essentially statuettes with movable arms and waists would be standards no longer acceptable by collectors in the modern collecting age rendering them obsolete. Hasbro met our expectations (and then some) by creating a new classic Ugnaught action figure masterpiece that includes a remarkable eighteen (18) points of articulation at twelve (12) different areas on the figure. Articulation of this magnitude is no small feat on a character of this stature. The smaller sized Ugnaughts don’t have a lot of room for tons of articulation and Hasbro did a fine job on making it all work out like a charm. No detail was spared, and Hasbro delivered us a truly incredible figure. As a result, we are nearly speechless. We are thankful for the time and energy Hasbro spent to make this figure's design so awesome. Ugnaughts are background characters and background characters don't get a lot of attention when it comes to articulation or detail. On the Ugnaught, we also get a flawlessly sculpted plastic apron. While we are fans of soft goods, it was designed beyond expectations nonetheless. You almost are left with the illusion that you could remove the writing utensils right out of the upper pockets on his chest and use them yourself. So, we are obviously fine with the way it turned out! The costume has a "beautifully dirty" wash that accents every wrinkle and crinkle in his navy blue jumpsuit. Again, no detail went unnoticed by the fine artisans at Hasbro. Thank you, thank you, thank you Hasbro!

The Ugnaught's portrait is fantastic. His white hair is interwoven with yellowing, perfectly capturing age progression and the natural discoloration hair gets over time. Why so much creativity and attention to detail went into this figure eludes us, but don't take that as a criticism. We are extremely exhilarated over the final results! It is evident that Hasbro sculptors and painters are holding themselves accountable and they have created a spectacular product here. They are utterly trying to immortalize a timeless product, an action figure that will not age over time. The Ugnaught succeeds at this. And while we would have to take another gander at this Ugnaught in about ten years from now to confirm this to be true, we are confident that we would not be the least bit disappointed. Collectors may be curious to know while this was originally meant to be a two-pack, the second Ugnaught was dropped for costing-out issues. But we are confident that you will find this single release worthy of its $7.99 plus tax price tag. You will also get the famous white utility case and a carbon-freeze control panel with this figure. Hopefully, this will make up for a missing Ugnaught. (Wishful thinking, we know.) Two figures in one package are always a better deal. But a highly detailed single figure takes precedence for us. We have to remember that. The next variant Ugnaught will also have this same control panel. (Editor’s Note: The variant was released as 2009's LC Ugnaught (BD28) figure.) Getting the same accessory is a bit unfortunate as we think a better or different accessory could have been included instead. The heads on both Ugnaught figures will be interchangeable so we'll be able to assemble that vintage Kenner take on this character

The Ugnaught is really free from any issues. If we were to look for some fault, we would comment that the waist articulation is a bit encumbered by the plastic apron. But the movement of the waist joint is indeed possible. You may decide to remove the cape from your sample for variation or just morbid curiosity, but note that his waist looks very thin once this is removed and clearly appears as if something is missing. Hasbro designed the figure so that the apron drapes closely to the body and in order to do this, they have to have the apron sink into the body a bit, thus creating a very thin middle. So, it was almost unnecessary to make separate parts here since they are needed together to work for the full effect. Still, separate pieces do create a nice texture on action figures and it is our opinion that it gives the Ugnaught a whole new level of authenticity. The Empire Strikes Back wave of figures is a great mixture of old and new. And the approach on all of them has been great. The Legacy Collection has been a collection of figures with some of the worst distribution woes we have ever seen in the history of collecting. As such, we recommend purchasing these new figures as you see them. Waiting is not recommended. We don't, however, foresee these figures being rare, so don't panic yet. There is not much more we could ask for as far as an Ugnaught action figure is concerned and we are confident you will see this as the definitive version for your collection. But we would be happy to get a few more different versions to add to our carbonite-freezing dioramas. So bring them on, Hasbro! You're our only hope to see this come to light. This is a testament to the great things Hasbro can do and we really hope they keep the ball rolling briskly!