Artoo-Detoo (R2-D2) [Return Of The Jedi 40] - TBS [AC] - Six Inch Figures

It finally happened! Hasbro got off their lazy duff and sculpted an all-new Artoo-Detoo (R2-D2) action figure from the ground up on a larger scale and with more precise detailing while correcting all of the sins of the first generation of astromech droids and adding a few new surprises. We approve of the final result, and we're confident that most other collectors of the line will as well. This new version of Artoo-Detoo (R2-D2) [Return Of The Jedi 40] is refreshing. Aside from the small size, we didn't think the previous R2-D2 was terrible. But with a side-by-side comparison, you can see how far off their first effort is. From the bright white color of the figure to the blatantly misaligned seams, the original version needed a lot of refinement before collectors would deem it definitive. We believe Hasbro has indeed made a definitive Artoo-Detoo (R2-D2) action figure in The Black Series 6-inch line now, and we're confident that this is the new gold standard from which we'll see all other astromech droids built. We hope and pray for this uniformity to happen and that they'll break the molds of the original R2-D2 figure, never to make it again. We don't believe that is a concern because they likely want to keep producing figures using this tooling to show off their work.

There are no more removable side panels on the legs, thank goodness. These blue sections are bolder and more prominent, and it does the tooling a world of good by reducing the number of removable parts. Likewise, two dome panels are removable for inserting the periscope or sensorscope attachment accessories. It helps maintain the integrity of the figure, which we greatly appreciate. The basic articulation system of the original R2-D2 figure is intact here. We get a swivel dome, two swivel main legs, three hinge-jointed feet, and a slide-out third leg. Coincidentally, no rolling wheels are on the bottom of any feet. We prefer this approach more as the wheels were accurate but a nuisance when displaying the droid on a shelf or display. However, a new feature is the slide-up dome, which houses a display area for R2's attachments. We've never seen anything like this before on an astromech droid. A simple detail that we also appreciate here is the color of the body. As mentioned, the first version of R2-D2 came with a ghastly bright white body. Hasbro smartly used a "bone" or "eggshell" off-white color here, and it captures the aesthetics of the on-screen character. Also, the dome is bright but maintains a brushed nickel aesthetic, another screen-accurate detail.

Artoo-Detoo (R2-D2) [Return Of The Jedi 40] comes with two opening vertical front panels. Each side has three holes where the four arm attachments are inserted into the figure's body at various heights. Hasbro included a grasping arm, a pinching arm, a datalink tool, and a spray gun arm. Each plug into one of the body's six holes as you prefer, and the functionality is excellent. We get a lot of interchangeability here, and we love how Hasbro captured most of the droid's tools from the Star Wars saga. That said, there are some glaring omissions. Artoo-Detoo (R2-D2) [Return Of The Jedi 40] doesn't have the buzzsaw arm attachment. This oversight is lamentable because this is a Return Of The Jedi 40th Anniversary release, and that tool was specific to Episode VI. Hasbro missed the mark and wished they'd correct this faux pas. We also need the Prequel Trilogy-specific rockets. Hasbro may need to retool this figure to incorporate those rockets, as we only see a place to attach them to the figure if Hasbro has plans to snap them into place on the legs. Hasbro also incorporated two articulated front arms (the ones horizontally in blue). We see this on the TVC figure, so it's nice to see it here. Aside from those omissions, Artoo-Detoo (R2-D2) [Return Of The Jedi 40] is relatively complete and should meet most of your needs in your collection. Hasbro brought this character far in the 6-inch line. We can't wait to see what other astromech droids are following.