R2-D2 (Deluxe) - Heroes Of The Rebellion - 1:6 Scale Figures

"An extremely well put-together little droid."

Joining the Star Wars Heroes articulated figure collection, Sideshow Collectibles is proud to present the R2-D2 Deluxe Sixth Scale Figure.

Everyone's favorite droid from the galaxy far, far away is ready for adventure with intricate articulation and fantastic detailing. The feisty blue and white astromech rolls right off the big screen, with sequencing lights and a swiveling dome that features various moveable ports and hinged panels. Prepared to assist the Rebel Alliance, it’s full speed ahead for the starship mechanic, with rolling treads and a retractable third leg enabling tripedal travel. Additionally, Artoo features a hidden Skywalker lightsaber hilt with a magnetic tip that allows access to a range of his internal gadgetry, including periscope, life-scanner, and multiple articulated arms for performing various intergalactic duties. Recreate all of your favorite movie moments with special bonus accessories, including Ben Kenobi's round table, Leia’s secret holographic transmission, and a multi-tiered beverage tray for R2’s one-time server gig on Jabba the Hutt’s luxury sail barge!

Full of fun and surprises, this R2-D2 figure from Sideshow Collectibles is sure to delight Star Wars fans and collectors of all ages.

It is quite difficult to comprehend that in the first quarter of 2015 Sideshow Collectibles will be celebrating their ninth year since the release of their very first Star Wars 1:6 Scale Figure. The release of Luke Skywalker (Jedi Knight) turned the page of history for collectors. Hasbro, who for years was the purveyor of 12-inch scaled toys, had decided to step out of the limelight in this scale and pass the torch to Sideshow Collectibles. They believed this scale needed more attention, deserved screen accurate authenticity, and in general, should be designed with collectors in mind first. And the only way that would happen was if a company like Sideshow took the scale by the reigns and created their own property. They had more of a budget to work with and the direct-to-market platform helped ensure this could be a reality. Still licensed from Hasbro, Sideshow Collectibles has produced an incredible array of characters for the line. Not only did they update many of the characters Hasbro produced, they also introduced characters that were never part of the Hasbro lineup. Sadly, Sideshow’s figures (for the most part) didn’t complement the Hasbro line too nicely because the lines were worlds apart from each other stylistically. Mixing high-end collectibles with toys is hard to do, and it certainly is no exception with Hasbro versus Sideshow Collectibles. What has frustrated collectors, however, is that it’s taken a long time for them to make some of the Star Wars universe’s most popular basic characters. In fact, by the time R2-D2 was released from Sideshow, a decade had almost passed since they picked up the line. Thankfully, it’s been a dream in the making and the production figure is nothing short of impressive. Well, we should say that figure visually is stunning. Functionally? Well, that is not so stunning. We will do our best to explain.

It’s cliché at this point to use this word, but R2-D2 is simply stunning. Again, we mean this visually.We could search for the most silvery phrases in the dictionary, but “stunning” is the only word you’ll need to understand the figure’s magnificence. Where the figure falls short is in its quality and functionality. The plastic is thin and brittle and the doors don't open and close nicely. We even had trouble with one of the holoprojectors falling down into the dome of the figure. (The figure will need to be replaced.) It seems to make up for this by Sideshow determining R2-D2 should come loaded with features. And this is a nice thing. While we imagine this R2-D2 can pass for any version of the astromech droid from the entire Star Wars saga, it's more than evident R2-D2 has been produced with the Original Trilogy in mind first. Sideshow Collectibles produced a highly detailed R2-series astromech sculpt. But until they cast it in better quality plastics, we're a little anxious about what character they'll make next. There are so many 1:6 Scale Figure droids we would love to see produced in this line. But at $149.99 each, you have to wonder how many would actually be feasible. The dome rotates, really no surprise here, but just like the Premium Format Figure of R2-D2 (from 2013's Sideshow Exclusive C-3PO And R2-D2 set), the projectors are articulated as well. You get a wide range of movement from them. There are quite a few panel utility access ports, as well as access compartment with a hinge-jointed panel. You will also find three application arm compartments, all with hinge-jointed panels as well. The light-up logic function display is gorgeous. There are various indicators which show R2-D2's complex processing abilities. Then the accessories like the sail barge bar and Luke Skywalker's lightsaber hilt are just the extra premiums added in here to make this a total must-have release. The periscope extends and the life scanner extends. And you get all of this at once. What more else could you desire in a 1:6 Scale Figure of R2-D2?

The paint operations on R2-D2 are nothing short of amazing either. But let's be honest and reiterate once again that Sideshow has very little problems with this. Sideshow Collectibles gave the entire figure a dirty wash. You really couldn’t ask for a better final application of paint then what they have done here. There is no doubt that R2-D2 has a relatively simple base paint job, but it is the accenting that blows this figure out of the water. We love the black wheels on each of R2-D2’s “feet,” or as Sideshow calls them, “treads.” And the copper wiring at the base of these treads are just beautiful. When completely opened up and with every tool extended, you can make R2-D2 look exactly how he did when he was electrocuted trying to break into the bunker on Endor. That is how many attachments and utility tools he has been designed with here. When all told, R2-D2 comes with seven (7) separate utility arms (including the exclusive ones), and a wide range of accessories based on the Original Trilogy. We couldn’t be more impressed with what's included here. As an extra, Sideshow Collectibles has added Obi-Wan Kenobi’s table which lights up. It also comes with a miniature holographic Princess Leia accessory to finish the look. But perhaps our most favorite accessory is the restraining bolt. Again, all of these extras help you to forget about the brittleness of the figure, something that has us quite down honestly. When compared to Medicom Toy’s Real Action Heroes R2-D2, the RAH Medicom version definitely supersedes the quality. Sadly, the Real Action Heroes R2-D2 is too small in scale. Their respective size differences are quite noticeable. They did a fine interpretation of the character and we’re please with both versions. The Medicom Toy version is much cleaner, so if you need a clean R2-D2, you know where to find one. Overall, R2-D2 was a good first attempt. Sideshow must perfect its shortcomings before they start the next astromech droid. But in all honesty we cannot wait for more astromechs to come forth from Sideshow Collectibles, just bettered.