Boba Fett - POTF2 [R/G] - Deluxe

HEIGHT: 1.8 Meters (With Armor)
STATUS: Bounty Hunter
CLASSIFICATION: Human
AFFILIATION: Freelance
WEAPONS PACK SPEED: 500 KM Per Hour (estimated)
WEAPONRY: Photon Torpedo, Laser-Guided Projectile Missiles, Heavy Blasters

As a result of Luke Skywalker's daring rescue of Han Solo from the clutches of Jabba the Hutt, Boba Fett was thrust into the Great Pit of Carkoon and presumed to be a victim of the dreaded Sarlacc. Sometime later, the notorious bounty hunter was spotted on Nar Shaddaa with a menacing-looking weapons pack. Several rumors have been spread concerning his recent escape and present situation, the most prevalent one being that the Hutts have contracted him to capture Han Solo and Princess Leia alive for the death of Jabba.

A weapon's master, Boba Fett was a veritable arsenal hidden throughout his Mandalorian armor. His new pack is reported to possess powerful turbo thrusters that provide prolonged atmospheric flight up to 500km per hour. Shielded battlewings open to reveal missile racks loaded with concussion rockets, while heavy-rotating blasters, similar to those mounted on Jabba's sail barge, respond to optically-activated signals in the helmet. Certainly the deadliest feature of this device/vehicle is the bolstered photon torpedo launcher. It is estimated that this pack was designed and built by Boba Fett himself: besides the fact that not one of its kind has ever been seen before, the type and variety of its weaponry – few other than Fett would dare carry a photon torpedo on his back – suggest that this battle machine be a signature model of the galaxy's most notorious bounty hunter.

In 1997, most collectors wondered if the Deluxe Boba Fett figure was a gigantic example of Hasbro’s sarcasm. We’ll explain. If there is one thing that you know about Star Wars collecting, it’s that a long time ago in the late seventies, Kenner promised a rocket-firing feature with the new and mysterious mail-away Boba Fett action figure. But due to safety regulations, the rocket-firing features was abandoned and a glued-in-place rocket ended up being the final outcome. (Most were disappointed.) So here we are 16 years later and we wonder if we all finally have our supersized rocket-firing Boba Fett action figure? Please say it isn’t so! This Boba Fett figure from the Deluxe line brings us an all-new version of Boba Fett (based on two different previously sculpted figurers by the way) as well as an obnoxiously large arsenal of weaponry that seems as ridiculous as it does impractical. For kids, this set seems ideal. But for collectors we bet you’ll be rolling your eyes at it as frequently as you will be plopping down cash to pick It up. (It is Boba Fett after all, isn’t it?) For less than $8 you do get a great deal of plastic here. But is it something you’re going to want for your collection? The jury is still out on that one.

Included with Boba Fett is what Kenner is calling a Wing-Blast Rocketpack. Yeah, we don’t know what that means either. It is actually a nicely sculpted accessory. It includes a bevy of projectile concussion rockets "and" an overhead cannon which articulation is perched atop the bulk of this large backpack for extra edge in any battle. The whole premise of this is laughable. The “armor on top of armor” approach doesn’t make much sense. Isn’t Boba Fett bad enough on his own? Does he really need this much help to capture his quarry? We think not. Again, we’re not dismissing the fact young Star Wars fans are going to love this figure and accessory set, but for collectors it comes across as a very bad joke. The Wing-Blast Rocketpack comes with a host of features too. It has neat flip-out wings that articulate in a couple different directions. There are also smaller outer cannons that move via swivel articulation to ensure the whole area is covered against any threats. An articulated (and removable) harness goes over Boba Fett’s shoulders to keep him in place, but he already comes equipped with a bar on his back that slides the figure perfectly into place in the Wing-Blast Rocketpack that you don’t have to worry about him going anywhere.

The Wing-Blast Rocketpack is also nicely decorated. A ‘bantha skull” emblem adorns the left back wing. And the color scheme is faithful to this infamous bounty hunter and makes it feel like it is actually his. Some have suggested the design of Boba Fett’s accessory was inspired from concept art. We’re not too inclined to feel the same way. This is just “bad toy making” at its finest. And after all, there needs to be something for the kids to play with otherwise how will Kenner capture the new generation of fans? (We’re just not sure if this is the ideal way to do it.) The Boba Fett figure is actually all-new. In all honesty it’s a terrible likeness of Boba Fett. Kenner managed to slim down the proportions of his body type, but he still has a wonkiness that exists in his upper torso and helmet. (What is up with that bump on his visor?) Interestingly, Boba Fett doesn’t come with his signature blaster. Of course, he comes with a gigantic weapon instead, so perhaps it isn’t needed. But what do you do with him when he goes on more covert missions and puts his Wing-Blast Rocketpack in the garage for a couple of days? We’re not sure either. It seems that playsets are the way to go instead. And we hope Kenner bangs them out soon.