Disney Elite Series Princess Leia
January 2017
Dave
Dave
Manufacturer:
Disney, Elite Series
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Size:
Approximately 10” comparable to 1/6th scale
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Date of release:
2016
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Price:
£29.99 ($34.99)
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I am writing this in early January 2017, just a couple of weeks after the death of Carrie Fisher, the actress who portrayed Princess Leia in all Star Wars movies where the character has featured, except the recently released Rogue One, where CGI was used to recreate the nineteen year old princess when the actress was herself approaching sixty.
Within my current collection (numbering over 200 pieces) I do not own a Princess Leia item. This is for two distinct reasons. One, as a boy I was more interested in having the more war-like figures and toys (the typical response to boys the world over and one I hope that recent Star Wars releases are going some way to overturning) which were the male characters. And two, as an adult I have tended to collect pieces that I find attractive, or at least visually pleasing. And the sad fact is that there are very few pieces (so far) that do the Princess justice. I have found that, on the whole, the plastic likeness of human faces often leaves a bit to be desired and representations of Leia have been particularly underwhelming. This is the case with many of the original trilogy human faces (Han, Luke and Old Ben for instance), but especially true of Leia. |
However, I was in a Disney Store a couple of days ago, and it appears I have now discovered the piece to fill the void in my collection.
Disney have recently released a new range of 1/6th scale figures. In store I saw a Jyn Erso, Director Krennic, Death Trooper and Princess Leia. All seem to tie into the release of Rogue One as all are as they appear in the movie, including the nineteen year old Princess. And the range looks stunning. Disney originally began releasing figures when they first purchased Lucasfilm back in 2012. The initial release was their 14 inch range of electronic light and sound figures. A credible first outing and one I rate (especially with a £20 price tag). Next up, in conjunction with the release of Episode Seven, The Force Awakens, Disney released a range of 7 inch die cast metal figures under the banner of the Elite Series. On the whole these are excellent and I have picked up a number. Finally, this new range seems to be an extension of this Elite Series. |
The packaging is consistent. Large front window, grey sides and rear and metallic red (and now blue) trim. The items are called ‘Elite Series’. But there the similarity ends. Firstly the scale is larger at approximately 1/6th scale rather than 1/10th, the material is plastic throughout rather than metal and finally the figures are clothed in proper fabric rather than sculpted onto the figures.
I decided to purchase Leia. The head sculpt is one of the best I have seen and the pricing Disney have gone for is astounding. Within the box you get the Princess as she appears in both Rogue One and at the beginning of Episode Four, A New Hope. Clad in a white robe (with hood), hair (real strands as well and not sculpted) bundled into her iconic ‘headphone’ buns and brandishing her pistol as seen in EP4. As well as this you also receive two additional hands to replace the ones on the figure and a Stormtrooper blaster. Again, the inclusion of additional hands makes this set stand out, providing a feeling of the luxury normally obtained with the purchase of a Sideshow Collectables piece (for a fraction of the price). Now, the design of the packaging allows you to display Leia as she is purchased. The large front window provides a full view of the figure. |
However I prefer to display my pieces unboxed. Taking her out of the box is relatively straightforward, Disney have used both elasticated clear bands and plastic tags to secure the piece. The former I applaud but the latter does require that you snap the tag to remove her, a shame in my opinion as it limits the ability of the collector to replace her back in her box as she arrived.
Once out of her box I was once again impressed by the quality. She is light, almost dainty in build, as was Carrie herself, the clothing is well made and feels made of good material. The plastic itself has a slight elasticity to it (especially noticeable in the hands, allowing Leia to grasp her pistol or blaster). The level of articulation is excellent. Wrists (full 360 degree and hinged), elbows, shoulders, waist, hips, knees, ankles, front part of foot, and neck (again both rotation and inclination).
Her head sculpt is excellent. Not perfect, too plastic to look truly realistic, but one of the closest. Whoever the model maker was they should be congratulated – could she have been created directly from the CGI we see used in Rogue One? I wonder?
The pistol (a Drearian Defence Conglomerate Defender sporting blaster pistol) and the Stormtrooper E11 blaster are good likenesses to the original movie props. A small gripe is that the E11 has a moulded shoulder stock and it would have been nice to see one that hinged – but for the price I am being very picky!
One final area that this scale figure varies from the smaller 7 inch range is by way of a lack of a base / stand. Given the size of the figure a base would go some way to making her balance better. That said, with a bit of manipulation of her legs you can make her stand without the use of any aid.
This figure compares excellently to the much more expensive Sideshow equivalent. After purchasing Leia I will be getting the rest of the set… now all I have to do is find space for the collection to go!
I cannot recommend Leia enough, a wonderful figure at a fantastic price.
Once out of her box I was once again impressed by the quality. She is light, almost dainty in build, as was Carrie herself, the clothing is well made and feels made of good material. The plastic itself has a slight elasticity to it (especially noticeable in the hands, allowing Leia to grasp her pistol or blaster). The level of articulation is excellent. Wrists (full 360 degree and hinged), elbows, shoulders, waist, hips, knees, ankles, front part of foot, and neck (again both rotation and inclination).
Her head sculpt is excellent. Not perfect, too plastic to look truly realistic, but one of the closest. Whoever the model maker was they should be congratulated – could she have been created directly from the CGI we see used in Rogue One? I wonder?
The pistol (a Drearian Defence Conglomerate Defender sporting blaster pistol) and the Stormtrooper E11 blaster are good likenesses to the original movie props. A small gripe is that the E11 has a moulded shoulder stock and it would have been nice to see one that hinged – but for the price I am being very picky!
One final area that this scale figure varies from the smaller 7 inch range is by way of a lack of a base / stand. Given the size of the figure a base would go some way to making her balance better. That said, with a bit of manipulation of her legs you can make her stand without the use of any aid.
This figure compares excellently to the much more expensive Sideshow equivalent. After purchasing Leia I will be getting the rest of the set… now all I have to do is find space for the collection to go!
I cannot recommend Leia enough, a wonderful figure at a fantastic price.