Friday, September 26, 2008

Qui-Gon Jinn from Star Wars Episode 1

From Middle Earth to a galaxy far far away, Qui-Gon Jinn was introduced to us in "Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace (1999)". This was 22 years after "Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope (1977)" came out and 16 years since "Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi (1983)" so fans were expecting a lot. Fans were disappointed :( What's with Jar Jar Binks? And the Force is actually made up of midi-chlorians which are microscopic organisms that allow communication with the Force? What gives? Even so, The Phantom Menace was 1999's most successful movie, earning more than $431 million in North America and $493 million elsewhere.

The introduction of Darth Maul was a good move and the lightsaber duel between Qui-Gon Jinn, Obi-Wan Kenobi and Darth Maul was a high point and one of the best lightsaber duels in the entire Star Wars saga.

This Qui-Gon is from the Qui-Gon Jinn & Queen Amidala "Defense of Naboo" 2000 Portrait Edition and is light years ahead of the regular Qui-Gon, also released by Hasbro. This Qui-Gon is taller than most of the figures which is correct since the actor who portrayed him, Liam Neeson is a giant of a man. We also know him as Captain Mikhail Polenin in "K-19: The Widowmaker (2002)" alongside Harrison Ford and Henri Ducard/Ra's al Ghul in Christopher Nolan's "Batman Begins (2005)".

Qui-Gon comes with rooted hair and has a very good likeness of Liam Neeson

Qui-Gon showing off his jedi attire

Qui-Gon with lightsaber

Check out his side profile - every bit like Liam


Even his hands have veins, not the usual smooth skinned Hasbro hands

Qui-Gon is not only Obi-Wan Kenobi's master but it is also he who discovers Anakin Skywalker on Tatooine and believing him to be the "Choosen One" (much like the way Morpheus thought of Neo in "The Matrix" trilogy), makes Obi-Wan promise to train Anakin just before he dies, after being impaled by Darth Maul in the Theed Generator Room of Naboo.

And now, Kubrick Qui-Gon Jinn



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5 comments:

  1. BigHatDinoSeptember 26, 2008 at 4:46 PM

    Damn, every comment I leave on your blog of late seems to be negative: the hairline/forehead and the way the hair hangs looks odd - Barbie odd. I guess it's the problem with him having had long hair.

    The sculpt and outfit are really good though, and it's nice to see Hasbro putting a lot of effort into figures again :)

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  2. alex teoSeptember 26, 2008 at 4:56 PM

    hey bighatdino, comments (good & bad) are always welcomed :) This way, if we make enough noise, the manufacturers will hear us and do something about it (there's always hope). Other than the receding hairline, i agree with you that Hasbro did put in more effort on this one.

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  3. Dash MacBastardSeptember 26, 2008 at 6:15 PM

    I've got to agree with bighatdino; Qui Gon's forehead looks way,way too broad. Kinda like "The Leader" from the Incredible Hulk comics...
    The remainder of the face and rest of the figure is pretty good though.

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  4. WilliamJohnNeesonFanFebruary 6, 2009 at 12:56 AM

    Hi, you have nice toys there:) I really adore the Qui-Gon figure, It is perfect in every way and it really looks like Liam Neeson. Since Liam is a giant, the figure must also be.. Liam is 193 cm:s, how tall is the figure? A "normal" sized one is 20-30 cm:s I think... I sure wish I had one of those Qui-Gons too.. But I'm really happy for you:)

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  5. alex teoFebruary 6, 2009 at 9:26 AM

    hi williamjohnneesonfan, thanks for the compliments. this figue is indeed taller than most and i do see the likeness as well :)

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