Star Wars Legacy Collection: Han Solo (Death Star Escape) Review

When I saw photos of the upcoming Star Wars Legacy Collection figures, I knew I had to get my grubby paws on them.  Han Solo (BD 30) is no exception.  For those of you late to the collecting game, this figure is a much needed improvement over the old Han Solo Death Star Escape figure (from the now defunct Kenner's Power of the Jedi Collection).  The main difference (besides the level of sculpt) is that Hasbro's version of Han Solo comes with loads of accessories and [obviously] more articulation.


Flavor Text:

"After rescuing Princess Leia, Han battles his way back to the Death Star's hangar.  The stormtrooper disguise came in handy, but now it's his bold nature and his blaster that will free him from the Empire's clutches."



The Good:

• Han Solo has 14 points of articulation: ball-jointed head, ball-jointed shoulders, ball-jointed elbows, swivel wrists, swivel waist, swivel hips, ball-jointed knees, and ball-jointed ankles.

• The facial sculpt of Han Solo is just amazing!  It really does portray the "scruffy nerf-herder" quite well right down to his sideburns!  Also, if I'm not mistaken, Han's mouth looks like he's actually smirking (it could just be my overactive imagination).

• There is a nice number of detailed accessories that comes with this figure: 1x [removable] stormtrooper body armor, 1x [removable] thermal detonator, 1x [removable] stormtrooper helmet, 1x BlasTech E-11 Imperial blaster pistol, and 1x BAD (Build-A-Droid) torso of R3-A2.

• The stormtrooper helmet has been painted and sculpted more accurately to match the Stormtroopers in the Star Wars movies.  However, Han's helmet is missing a few paint applications (the empty "rectangular" shaped spots right beneath the visor and the two slightly "rectangular" shaped spots on the back of the helmet).

The Bad:

• In order to allow the stormtrooper's body armor to fit Han Solo, his torso was sculpted to be a lot [noticeably] thinner, giving him an emaciated look without the armor on.  His arms are also way too skinny.

• This is really nitpicking, but the paint application on both Han's arms is wrong.  The long shirt sleeves aren't supposed to be white, but rather slightly tan (matching the color scheme of his clothing under his trademark vest).  This was probably done in order to match the color of the stormtrooper armor.

• Two issues with the stormtrooper belt: (1) the holster still can't hold the blaster perfectly.  This needs to be changed; (2) the removable thermal detonator (located at the back of the stormtrooper belt) has got be non-removable!  Each time I try to pose Han, I inadvertently touch the thermal detonator causing it to fall off.  That little piece of plastic can easily be lost.

• I wish Hasbro would just stop with "rubber-banding" the blaster to the figure's hand.  Doing this warps the shape of the plastic accessory permanently.  The blaster looks like it could use a little Viagra, if you know what I mean.

The Ugly:

• If anything, it's the price tag for these figures.

Additional Notes:

• The stormtrooper helmet accessory that comes with Han is noticeably larger than any previously released [removable] stormtrooper helmet.  This is due to Han's head sculpt being slightly larger than usual.  However, I really like the new Han Solo head sculpt and the overall size (this allows for more detail and expression).

• FYI, in order to place the stormtrooper body armor over Han's body, you will have to remove his head.  I've tried to put the body armor on without removing his head with no such success.

• Just had to compare Han Solo in stormtrooper disguise with the Legacy Collection Han Solo.  Look at that detail and amazing likeness (referring to the recently released Han Solo)!

• Another comparison shot, this time with Kenner's Power of the Jedi Han Solo Death Star Escape figure.  Look at the vast improvement and weep!

I purchased Han Solo online via BriansToys* for approximately $11.00 (price doesn't include S&H, which they charge separately for some reason). At this time, I recommend shopping around through eBay and other fine online retailers like BigBadToyStore for these. I've seen some sellers on eBay price them at $7.99 to $9.99 (not including S&H). Or else, the old-fashioned way of visiting your nearest Walmart or Toysrus is another way to go (if you have the patience and long for the adventure), which may sell them for $7.00 a piece.

*From my past experiences with BriansToys, they usually charge ridiculously high prices for regular Star Wars figures. However, almost always they deliver the figures in C-8 or better condition.

NOTE: I DO NOT REPRESENT eBAY, BRIANSTOYS, BIGBADTOYSTORE, AND OTHER PREVIOUSLY MENTIONED STORES. I HAVE NOT BEEN PAID TO MENTION THEIR NAMES. I AM ONLY RECOMMENDING THEIR SERVICES BASED UPON MY PAST EXPERIENCES WITH THEM.


Overall, Hasbro's LC Han Solo (Death Star Escape) is a huge improvement over Kenner's POTJ: Han Solo Death Star Escape figure. The amount of accessories and the amazing facial sculpt of Han Solo alone is worth the $11.00 price. Heck, the head sculpt is far superior to Hasbro's Han Solo in Stormtrooper Disguise figure!If you're a serious Star Wars collector and manage to see this hanging on the pegs, get it. You won't regret it!