Sunday, March 30, 2008

Darth Vader 14" Figure by Hasbro

This was the electronic 14" Darth Vader released by Hasbro in 1998. It was certainly an improvement over the rather dwarf-ish 12" version released much earlier and the extra two inches made a lot of difference to the overall look of the figure. In this instance, size does matter. David Prowse's imposing height coupled with James Earl Jones' deep basso voice made Darth Vader who he was (4 phrases from Episode VI are uttered when you push a button on his back coupled with his deep breathing we all have come to love; another button makes the lightsaber light-up sound as well as battle sounds followed by the power down sound). IMHO, Darth Vader was best remembered from Episodes IV to VI than the whiny spoilt brat played by Hayden Christensen.




Darth Vader's chestplate and belt - quite bad when compared with Medicom's.
The 14" version had a two stage helmet removal process. "You don't know the power of the darkside."

"Help me take this mask off." Stage 1: Removal of the helmet revealed Vader's mask with helmet attachment clamps and magnetic latch on top and at the sides as well as body heat regulators above the visual enhancement sensors and the air intake/output vents.


"Let me look on you with my own eyes." Stage 2 removal revealed the lower jaw and neck support durasteel shell which housed the voice processor and nutrient feed tube at the front as well as multiple power cells and power distributor at the back. Anakin's (Sebastian Shaw played Darth Vader unmasked) disfigured face as seen in Episode VI when Luke unmasks him towards the end. "Now go, my son..."

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