R2-D2 - TFA - 12-Inch Figures

A loyal and dependable astromech droid, well equipped for starship repair and computer interface even after decades of service, R2-D2 continues to be full of surprises.

With the high volume of complaints that the 3.75” super-articulated line has essentially gone the way of the dinosaurs, it’s becoming harder and harder to find saving grace with Hasbro’s products anymore. Some collectors have faced the music and accepted the “5POA” format as the new format, while longtime collectors are kicking and screaming and blaming Hasbro for all of their problems. It’s true. Collecting is about one-tenth the fun it was just a few short years ago. And with fewer products on store shelves, there is less of a chance that there are going to be products that are going to appeal to collectors. But one format that has softened our hearts a bit are SOME of the figures in the 12-Inch Figures line. Now, this line also has some major issues. After all, the Star Wars collecting community has officially dubbed them as shampoo bottles. But the nonhuman characters, especially the droids, have shaped up well and have exceeded our expectations. The extra booster rockets are silly, but hey, this figure needs some play value. That’s where we stand with R2-D2.

Now, it’s certainly hard not to get aggravated about R2-D2’s role in The Force Awakens. His pitiful role in the film had angered fans and confused others. It’s perhaps due to his insignificant role that the 12-Inch Figure version of him wasn’t slotted into the line earlier an put by the wayside until the other more main characters were released. But that was a big mistake on Hasbro’s part. The droid is synonymous with Star Wars, and earlier would have been better. Even if they had slotted R2-D2 earlier, he probably would still not make it to shelves in a timely fashion. It goes without saying that Hasbro’s nightmarish distribution issues are at the crux of why none of us can find any new stuff at retail. We wonder if it will ever be fixed at this point. Almost an afterthought, R2-D2 enters The Force Awakens toy line without any fanfare sadly. He even should have been released before the 2015 TFA BB-8/C-3PO/R0-4LO TARGET exclusive 12-Inch Figure multipack, but he has now officially arrived months after it.

R2-D2 is absolutely imperfect. It would be silly to classify as a better-than-average collectible. But we still think he looks pretty good, and he is interesting and endearing. The biggest issue collectors are going to have with his is the gray colored dome. That’s a given. We have to agree, but for $9.99, it’s not a deal breaker for us by any means. R2-D2 looks perfectly scale for the 12-Inch Figures line, has excellent detail and a beautiful paint job. He comes with only three points of articulation, and in all honesty, it’s all he needs. Hasbro could have gone pretty cheap and just painted on the foot wires, but they sculpted separate pieces to recreate this detail. We’re impressed. We don’t know which came first here: the chicken or the egg. But due to distribution woes, we’re not entirely sure if R2-D2 is the all-new sculpt or if R0-4LO is. So, we’re just going to go by their release dates. Using this method, R2-D2 is technically a retool and repaint of the R0-4LO figure from the TARGET exclusive set. We’re fond of R2-D2. Hopefully, those that want him will be able to get one.