Action Figure Review: Luke Skywalker (Jedi Knight) from Star Wars: Retro Collection by Hasbro

 

   I don't seriously collect Hasbro's Star Wars: Retro Collection but when I stumbled upon Luke Skywalker (Jedi Knight) from the Return of the Jedi assortment at GameStop at the beginning of April I just had to pick him up. Back when I started getting into Star Wars when I was in sixth grade (around 1995/ 1996) my dad let me order five or six loose figures from a store that advertised $5 or $6 dollar loose Star Wars figures in Lee's Action Figure News & Toy review. Since Kenner/ Hasbro hadn't yet released a Jedi version of Luke Skywalker in the Power of the Force II line yet, this was my top pick. I have a few complete vintage Star Wars figures but I've never had my vintage Luke Skywalker (Jedi Knight) completed. For $12 bucks, this was a nice figure add a Kenner styled Jedi version of Luke to my shelf without breaking the bank. Ready to check out this sight tweak of a vintage Kenner classic? Then join me after the break...

The Facts:

Height: 3 7/8ths inches

Articulation: Swivel hips, swivel shoulders, and a swivel head.

Accessories: Lightsaber, blaster pistol, and cloak. 

Non-Scalper Price: $12 dollars

Comparison:

* The new version of Luke Skywalker (Jedi Knight) is on the left while the classic Luke Skywalker (Jedi Knight Outfit) is on the right. Obviously the figures are very similar with minor differences due to molding. The biggest difference is the head sculpt, as the newer one has an improved headscupt. The shoulders don't flow as seamlessly with the torso on the newer figure as they do on the vintage figure, though. 

The Positives:




* There isn't much to say about the design of the vintage Luke Skywalker figure that hasn't been said; it's one of the most recognizable vintage action figures out there with a simple, sleek design. For the most part Hasbro has translated Kenner's vintage figure well here and the body sculpt is incredibly similar. 

* The headsculpt is quite different, though, and looks much improved over the vintage portrait. Yeah, some people probably won't like that Hasbro updated thing a bit but I think it looks better and it easily separates this figure from the vintage toy while still making it look like it belongs. Luke's hair looks a bit better this time around and his face is a bit thinner. Rather than the face being painted, I think this time the head was molded in Luke's skin color with the hair painted on. 

* Luke's cloak is really nice. It's fabric and matches the vintage accessory nicely. It's made from a felt-like material and hangs nicely over the figure. My vintage Luke never had a cloak, so it's fun to have one finally. 

* Just like the other figures in this line (and pretty much every other Kenner inspired retro action figure), Luke is articulated at the big 5: Hips, shoulders, and head. Luke is well made with smooth joints and feels pretty accurate to the vintage toy. By this point in the vintage line Kenner was adding a bit of a pose to the limbs of certain figures, so Luke's left arm is bent at an angle while his right arm is bent only slightly. 

* The vintage figure had a running change where Luke first came with a blue lightsaber and then a corrected green lightsaber. This one comes with green, as he should, and it looks very cool. I mean, it's nothing compared to today's lightsaber accessories that are like mini prop replicas, but it does have a vintage charm. 

* Luke also comes with the DL-18 blaster pistol that he swiped from one of Jabba the Hutt's guards. It's a sharp, crisp sculpt and has always been one of the most accurate blaster sculpts from the vintage line. 

The Negatives:

* My only complaint is that Luke's shoulders look off a bit. He is wearing a tunic over his black Jedi outfit at this point in the film, but I don't think that is what is causing the issue. The shoulders seem a bit too big and don't match the torso sculpt like he vintage figure.

   Luke Skywalker (Jedi Knight) turned out quite well and makes a nice alternative to the vintage figure if you're not looking to drop a couple hundred bucks. I just want a vintage styled Return of the Jedi Luke to go along with my Episode IV Luke (the 1995 Kenner Classic Edition 4-pack version) and my Empire Strikes Back Luke (a true vintage Bespin Luke). This version of Luke Skywalker is quite nicely done with some decent upgrades with the only downside being the slightly oversized shoulders. He's a Good and a 1/2 figure and definitely caters to a certain market, but I'm pleased with him.

I've reviewed quite a few different Luke Skywalker toys! Head over to Tosche Station to check all of them out.

For more Star Wars: Retro Collection reviews check out the following:

Cara Dune

The Child

Greef Karga

Kuiil

The Mandalorian

Moff Gideon