Micro Review: Collection II from Micro Machines: Star Wars Episode I by Galoob

 I promised that more reviewed of the basic vehicle/figure collections from Galoob's Star Wars Episode I Micro Machine line were coming, and here's Collection II! These were released in 1999 to coincide with the film that I was initially wowed by, then disappointed with, then actively hated, then apathetic towards, and now that I will defend and love with all of the vigor of a Victorian gentleman defending the honor of a lady. Funny, huh? Also, notice how Nute Gunray looks like he's wearing a scarf? Turns out that's a part of the slowly decomposing rubber band that had held the figure in the tray for the past 17 years. I didn't notice it until I started typing the review and I honestly questioned if I should retake the figures. I decided not to, though, because this is a review of 17 year old Micro Machines. I'm just not putting that much effort in here. Sorry, y'all, but Homey don't play that. Let's take a look at some Micro Machines and just enjoy ourselves, shall we?

Micro Review: Collection I from Micro Machines: Star Wars Episode I by Galoob

   I'm so into Micro Machines right now and as I'm filling in some gaps in my collection I'm also bringing you some reviews of cool, classic Star Wars product. Today I'm looking at the first pack of the smaller carded Micro Machines sets released for Episode I: The Phantom Menace. I remember these being out but I didn't collect many of them at the time as I was more interested in the traditional 1/18th scaled figures. These were cool sets that I remember thinking had bizarre character selections. There were lots of B and C list (even Z list, possibly) characters in them which is always cool when it comes to Star Wars, but which seemed weird when it was really hard to assemble the main film cast. This set gives you one of the top dogs, though, as you get a young Anakin Skywalker figure. Let's take a brief look at the first in a series of five of these short reviews, shall we? Join me after the break...

Action Figure Review: Luke Skywalker from Star Wars Hero Mashers by Hasbro

    It's time for a special edition of "Barbecue17 reviews his kid's toys!" Tonight I'm reviewing an action figure that my little one picked up today while we were out on a grocery/toy run: Luke Skywalker in his X-Wing pilot's outfit from Hasbro's Star Wars: Hero Mashers line. I've been concerned for the health of this line (like so many of Hasbro Star Wars products of late) so it was good to see a few new figures in stores. While my attention has been on Micro Machines lately (in case you haven't noticed) my little one was pretty excited to find some new Mashers she had never seen before. They had a Shadow Trooper, Plo Koon, and this Luke Skywaler. She picked Luke tonight and we brought him home and played with him through snack time. She's in bed now so I grabbed Luke off of the table, snapped some pics, and decided I'd get you fine folks a review of something new that you can hunt down. Ready for a closer look at Luke Skywalker in his X-Wing gear? Then join me after the break...

Micro Review: Naboo Temple Ruins from Micro Machines: Star Wars Episode I by Galoob

 I hope you're all about some Micro Machines because I am right now! Today I'm extremely pumped because I've added one of the Episode I sets from 1999 to my collection: The Naboo Temple Ruins! Say what you want about Episode I (a film I've come to appreciate more and more over the years) but it had one heck of a toyline which was filled with some of the best stuff Kenner/Hasbro and Galoob had ever made. Let me take you back to the summer of 1999 when a young Barbecue17 roamed his neighborhood during the day in a Darth Maul t-shirt drinking Star Wars branded Mountain Dew out of a giant Boss Nass cup from Kentucky Fried Chicken, listening to Barenaked Ladies' Stunt and SmashMouth's Fush Yu Mang on a portable Walkman, and scouting the neighborhood pool for the ladies I was too shy to talk to. My evenings were spent toy hunting (you know, whenever someone would take me to the store), though, and while I picked up a couple of the Micro Machines playsets back in the day, at the time I was much more focused on the standard Kenner/Hasbro action figures. Now, though, I'm trying to make up for the folly of my youth as I managed to find this set at a great price, possibly less than the original retail price (I may have paid around $15 shipped). Ready for a look at a cool toy from days gone by? Then join me after the break...

Micro Review: Speeder Chase from Micro Machines: Star Wars by Hasbro

 In today's Micro Review I'm looking at another set of three vehicles from Hasbro's Micro Machines: Star Wars line. It's called the Speeder Chase and it includes a Jakku Landspeeder, a First Order Transporter, and Rey's Speeder. As far as I'm aware, both Rey's Speeder and the Jakku Landspeeder seem to be pretty unique to this set. I have a First Order Transporter already (the one released with the First Order Stormtrooper Playset) but this one is neat and clean while that one was covered with sand. This is a set that you can pick up at retail still for around $5 bucks and which might be a great introductory set to Hasbro's Micro Machines. Ready for a short look at three Micro Machines? Then join me after the break...

Micro Review: Desert Invasion from Micro Machines: Star Wars by Hasbro

 I've been fairly critical of Hasbro's efforts (or lack thereof) on the Micro Machines line but I will give them credit for the work they're doing with the actual Micro Machines vehicles themselves. Today I'm looking at one of the small three-packs that you can find for around $5: Desert Invasion. Packed with the Resistance X-Wing, Kylo Ren's Command Shuttle, and a Luggabeast, this is a pretty cool little set of three vehicles (well, two vehicles and a creature) from the beginning of The Force Awakens. No stands included, though, which really is a shame. This is a micro review so how about we keep things short and get it rolling, eh? Join me after the break...

Action Figure Review: Darius from Masters of the Universe Classics by Mattel

 Wow! After the first five months of this year feeling pretty light on Masters of the Universe Classics releases, June has been a veritable treasure trove of figures with the release of the Power-Con 2016 exclusives. Of course, there's still the main Collector's Choice subscription figure as well and for the third figure in 2016 we get Darius! Darius is from the New Adventures of He-Man and is another figure that only ever made it into prototype form in the vintage lines, similar to Mara of Primus or He-Ro and Eldor. Mattel has made another dream come true, though, and we now have Darius for the shelf. While we no longer get bios on the back of the packages, Darius is called the "Leader of the Galactic Protectors," so my guess is that he was replaced by Master Sebrian in the cartoon and was pretty much forgotten (other than a few brief international comic appearances). Ready for a closer look at an old hero who has been given a second chance? Then join me after the break...