Sunday, March 23, 2008

Marmit Star Wars Stormtrooper

Kerberos Protect Gear Panzer Cops may be cool but they got their origins from the German Stormtroopers of World War II. In fact, many movies had influences from the German war machine for inspiration - not for their brutality or cruelty but the German soldiers were the most well-dressed, well-equipped among all the WWII nations. One of the greatest influence the German army had on a movie was Star Wars. The Imperial Force of the Empire in Star Wars were inspired by WWII Germany, from the uniforms of the Imperial Leaders, officers and Death Star troopers to some of the weapons (laser rifles of the Sandtroopers as well as their ammo pouches).

The Imperial Stormtroopers are the crack troops of the Empire. From the first scene when the stormtroopers boarded Tantive IV when Star Wars first opened in 1977, they have become one of the coolest soldier ever.

23 years later in 2000, Marmit finally gave us the best proportioned 1/6 Stormtrooper (don't even get me started on the obese, bloated stormtroopers by Hasbro!!). The Imperial Stormtroopers released by Marmit were like model kits which you had to put together over an articulated base body wearing a black body glove/suit. It came with instructions and although they are in Japanese, you could still make out the instructions through the clear graphics.

And here's the assembled Imperial Stormtrooper








Check out also reviews of Marmit's Imperial Sandtrooper here and Sandtrooper Sergeant here.

There's also my post of Darth Vader with Stormtroopers and my favorite: 1/6 Darth Vader and the Bounty Hunters onboard the Executor in "Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back"

5 comments:

Willy's Toys said...

Alex I have a question. Of course other than Sideshow, would you say the Marmit version is good? I want to get one for Drea because her birthday is coming up, and there is NO WAY I can afford a Sideshow Stormtrooper.

alex teo said...

hey Jon, Marmit Stormtrooper was good for its time but Sideshow version is way better in terms of articulation and quality of materials used. The blaster also looks more proportionate and well done. IMHO Marmit is second to Sideshow (it does look good from far i.e. if you don't examine it closely) - sorry for being a wet blanket but I have to be honest with you ;p

howard said...

Hi there,
I love your really well written blog on collector premium figures...

Regarding this Stormtrooper, I notice the 'boot' is adjoined with his shin-guard armour...

Do you think it's possible to cut/separate the shin-guard armor & boots & still enjoy the proper articulation as the ankle is supposed to be adjoined directly to the 'boot part' right ?

I don't have this yet (getting your expert opinion before doing so) Please advise. THanx

alex teo said...

Hi Howard

The MARMIT body that is included with this set does not come with feet. The legs end at the ankles. So cutting off the boots may not be a solution as there is nothing to attach them to. I've read somewhere that you can switch to a different body type but I'm not too sure which ones will fit because the armor is rather tight.

I much prefer the Sideshow Collectibles Stormtroopers which were released much later than these Marmit ones although I must admit, I am eagerly anticipating the Hot Toys version coming out this year. Cheers

howard said...

Hi Alex,
Thank you for that prompt & informative reply. (sorry for my late reply)

Noted on the MARMIT Stormie... was thinking of getting it as a comparison piece next to the Hot Toys version (which I ordered as well)

But based on the ankle articulation you've mentioned, I may have to think twice about acquiring the MARMIT ver. now...

Thanx again for the info.
Keep up the excellent work in regards to your blog!! :D