Sunday, July 19, 2009

Sideshow Star Wars Darth Vader Review

Since we've been on the subject of Star Wars (see previous post), we cannot leave out the most iconic villain of all time IMHO - Darth Vader. Since I posted about it almost a year ago (link HERE), Sideshow Star Wars Episode IV 1/6 scale 14-inch Darth Vader, the Sith Lord has finally made his presence felt in my home.

The box itself already beats Medicom's version. Without opening it, from its size you can sense that it is going to be good. "I sense something, a presence I've not felt since......." Since forever lah! There hasn't been a properly made 1/6 scale Darth Vader!! Medicom Darth Vader (pictures HERE) is nice BUT certainly NOT 1/6 scale - its puny size is a joke and I've got pictures to prove it (that'll be in a later post, now let's drool)



Accessories include lit and unlit lightsabers and three extra interchangeable hands. Does Darth Vader really need any other accessory? "I find your lack of faith disturbing."



Sideshow chose to produce Darth Vader as he FIRST appeared in "Star Wars (1977)". Once "Star Wars" became a success and sequels were realized, Lucas numbered the initial film as "Episode IV" and gave it the subtitle "A New Hope" when the film was re-released in 1981.



At 14 inches tall, this 1/6 scale Darth Vader by Sideshow certainly cuts an imposing figure and is a joy to behold, after wanting a properly scaled and proportioned Darth Vader for so long. "The force is strong with this one."



No loose joints or monkey limbs here. Everything is tight and 14-inch tall Darth has no problems standing on his own two feet, even though Sidehsow has included a display stand.



Darth Vader comes with a fully detailed Episode IV helmet, full body suit, armored breast plate, control box chestplate, inner robe, outer cape with chin clasp, detailed belt with lightsaber clasp and armored boots. "Impressive. Most impressive. Obi-Wan has taught you well. You have controlled your fear. Now, release your anger. Only your hatred can destroy me."



"You are unwise to lower your defenses!" There are some issues which I will bring up in the next post but needless to say, overall I think Sidehsow did a really good job to give us a 1/6 realization of Darth Vader.



"The ability to destroy a planet is insignificant next to the power of the force."



"You should not have come back!"



"You don't know the power of the dark side!"



In my next post, I'll post close-up pictures of Darth Vader with and without his helmet plus chestplate and belt details.

I've already covered 1/6 Anakin Skywalker as he grew from boy slave in Episode I (see my post HERE) to Jedi Knight (link HERE) to Sith Apprentice (nicely done by Sideshow - pictures HERE) to Ultimate Villain (Hasbro's interpretation HERE) and finally, his redemption (Sebastian Shaw as Anakin Skywalker in Episode VI, before George Lucas changed it to Hayden Christensen in the Special Edition - posted HERE)

8 comments:

Fat Gecko said...

Argh...cannot..resist..arms reaching for the credit card...the force is indeed strong in this one! Help!!

cosmicbaby said...

oh my! The power of the dark side corrupts... so corrupted that it will make you use a vibrator tip as protective head gear :)

alex teo said...

hey fat gecko: You will use the card, You will purchase Sideshow Darth Vader and You will feel the Force! ha! ha!

wah marcus, so suggestive - LOL

desmond said...

Yes Alex, Sideshow Darth Vader is a must collection for SW fans :P

alex teo said...

yeah desmond, it's been too long - finally a near perfect Darth Vader!!

Fabdex said...

His head looks wrong: seems like the helmet is too... tiny ?

Really looks weird to my Star Wars fan eyes.

Unknown said...

hi, love ur reviews :) Shld i get Sideshow's or Medicom's?? i m leaning towards Sideshow. Does your sideshow version's fake leather peel?

alex teo said...

hey chien, you definitely must get the sideshow Darth Vader! it's the BEST by far IMHO

Check out this link (http://toyhaven.blogspot.com/2009/07/comparing-sideshow-with-medicom-and.html) to see how BAD the Medicom Darth Vader is when compared to the Sideshow version CHEERS