Maybe it’s just me, but lately I’ve noticed a surge in monstrously enormous action figures. The “Super-Size Me” mentality has hit the toy aisles with a vengeance, and Jakks Pacific is the name of the game. From an 18-inch Bossk to a 4-foot-tall Darth Vader, this is the time to be a collector of large-scale toys. But is bigger always better? Let’s check out one of their latest — the 18-inch R2-D2 — and find out!
Packaging
There’s really not much to say here. It’s an open tray that serves little more than to provide a SKU and a tiny bit of background info on the character. I’ve always been an opener, but I do appreciate a good package. Generally speaking, large rotocast figures come in open boxes, so R2-D2 doesn’t really lose any points for the boring design.
Sculpt
These large figures aren’t usually known for their top notch sculpt work, but I’m loving this Artoo. He has all the techy dials and doodads that are important to the design, although I’m sure hardcore fans can point out things that are missing. The majority of the droid is made out of a firm, hollow plastic, but they did mix it up a bit where appropriate. The piping at the feet is a far more pliable, and they went with a clear, glass-like plastic for the “eyes.” It’s a nice little touch that makes it feel a little less toy-ish. All of the panel lines are sculpted, and while he does seem a touch on the slim side to my eyes, it’s a pretty nice-looking representation for a hollow piece of plastic. What does cheapen him a little are the obvious mold lines and multiple visible screw holes.
Paint
While the sculpt is pretty good overall, the paint doesn’t quite hit the same level. The body is cast in white plastic, so that’s really no issue, but there are a number of sloppy cuts — particularly on the dome. It’s not horrible by any means, but any slight overspray or missed paint apps on a figure this size are going to be pretty noticeable. The Walmart I picked this guy up at had issues with all of them.
Articulation
Any articulation section on a mass market R2-D2 figure is going to be pretty minimal, and it’s really no different here. There are three points: the dome and each of the two legs. The good news is that the legs are nice and tight, so there is no danger of him toppling over. I really would have loved if Jakks had included a third leg option, but I know that’s not their typical M.O.
Overall
This is one of those odd buys for me. At $50, and without any sound or lights, this is a pretty pricey figure for what you get. It’s very basic in terms of sculpt and articulation. It doesn’t really fit with anything else I own. And I can’t do too much with him with my current photography preferences. So was he worth it. To me? Absolutely. With Star Wars fever running high, this giant R2-D2 brings back all those memories of collecting as a kid in the late ’70s. Just having him puts a huge smile on my face, and that’s what this hobby of ours is really all about.
Thanks for reading!
