Review 1: Sideshow Collectibles Star Wars Episode VI: ROTJ Darth Vader Deluxe 1/6 figure

Sideshow celebrated the 30th anniversary of "Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi" last year with the new Darth Vader Deluxe Sixth Scale Figure. Sideshow had already released the "Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope" Darth Vader some time ago. That was way back in 2009. Check out my reviews HERE and HERE. The fact that Sideshow Collectibles chose to revisit this famous villain once again was probably because their first attempt fell a bit short in terms of standards so this was their second chance to get it right. And I'm very glad they did.

I already got my Sideshow Collectibles Darth Vader Deluxe Sixth Scale Figure last year in May 2014 (see my haul post HERE) but never really got around to reviewing it until the recent announcement by Hot Toys that they were also releasing their version of the Sith Lord - the "Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope" 1/6th Darth Vader Collectible Figure previewed earlier in my toy blog HERE. The announcement by Hot Toys made me want to see how different Sideshow's version 2.0 Darth Vader compares to Hot Toys' version.

Darth Vader first appeared on the big screen in May 1977 when Star Wars was first released. At that point in time, the film was just called "Star Wars" since it was the first and only film released and nobody expected that there'll be a sequel then. Darth Vader has since become a symbol for evil and probably the most famous of all Star Wars characters, if not of all science-fiction) movie characters. The American Film Institute listed him as the third greatest movie villain in cinema history on 100 Years... 100 Heroes and Villains, behind Hannibal Lecter and Norman Bates.

Darth Vader (Anakin Skywalker) may have appeared in all six Star Wars films and was in his signature costume in Episodes IV to VI but there are differences in his costume design in Episode IV: A New Hope (ANH) when compared with Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back (ESB) and Episode VI: Return of The Jedi (ROTJ). This particular review covers the Star Wars Episode VI: Return of The Jedi (ROTJ) Darth Vader figure (deluxe version).

Scroll down to see all the pictures.
Click on them for bigger and better views.

The box packaging is huge and all you see on the outside is mostly black. Darth Vader's mask and helmet is in fact embossed on the cover so you can see him at certain angles, peering back at you. Subtle and cool. Remove the top cover / lid and you see why this figure is called the ROTJ Darth Vader. The ESB Darth Vader and ROTJ Darth Vader are very much the same (i.e. in the full costume design) except in Episode VI: ROTJ, Darth Vader removes his mask to reveal his face to his son Luke Skywalker near the end of the film, showing the human side of him. And this Sideshow Collectibles "Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi" Darth Vader Deluxe 1/6 scale figure comes with an additional portrait / head sculpt, that of the unmasked Darth Vader, Anakin Skywalker.

According to Sideshow Collectibles, you can now recreate every memorable scene with this essential Darth Vader figure, featuring a fully articulated body, faithfully reproduced costume, and detailed helmet, mask, and portrait options. To complete your display, they've included an impressive Imperial-themed light up figure stand and a meditation chamber stand for Vader's helmet and mask. Two Lightsabers are included: Hilt Only and Hilt with Blade

The Imperial-themed light up figure display stand and meditation chamber stand for Vader's helmet and mask are stored in the bottom tray, along with the many extra gloved hands. A total of Ten (10) Gloved hands for various gestures are included.

Here's a look at the Light-up figure display base with Imperial symbol

Impressive, most impressive.

And this is the light-up Meditation Chamber display base

The additional Helmet and Mask accessories that go with the light-up Meditation Chamber display base (Helmet and Mask accessories are not intended to be assembled into one piece or placed onto the Anakin Skywalker portrait). Scroll down for the turnaround views.

In the movies. the ANH Darth Vader mask had lighter lenses whereas the lenses in ESB and ROTJ were much darker.

The Darth Vader mask is nicely detailed, both inside and out.

This is the additional 1/6 scale Anakin Skywalker Portrait / head sculpt with hermetic collar wrapped around his neck and slanted forwards in the front to meet the mask at the bottom of its triangular grill. The two sides of the front were edged by two tubes that followed the mask's edge until it reached the base of the triangular grill. At the end of these tubes were two silver studs.

On top of the slanted front of this collar were several interfaces, with wires running back from it to the back of the collar. From the sides of the collar came two metal stems capped with a curved fixture. These, when worn, touched the outer corners of Anakin's mouth.

The additional 1/6 scale Anakin Skywalker Portrait / head sculpt certainly has a lot of nice details

The ANH Darth Vader had the inner robes going over his armored breastplate whereas this ROTJ Darth Vader has the armor moved on top of the robes to emphasize more of the armor and give Darth Vader a more robotic and less human look. The helmet is the right size and looks so much better now than the previous version which was too small. Also, the detailed chest and belt boxes light-up which is pretty neat. The battery compartment is located at the back of his belt.

The Sideshow Collectibles "Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi" Darth Vader Deluxe Sixth Scale Figure features a Newly Developed Fully Articulated Darth Vader body (13.75" H or 349.25mm tall) with Fabric body suit and cape, Detailed armor and gloves, Head with Helmet and Mask. The height matters because the previous Sideshow ANH Darth Vader was too tall which made him almost a giant next to the Stormtroopers which wasn't very screen accurate.

NEXT: More pictures of Sideshow Collectibles 1/6 scale "Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi" Darth Vader Deluxe figure with his lightsaber

Related posts on Darth Vader:
May 15, 2011 - Father and Son Lightsaber Duel from "Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back"
November 6, 2010 - Star Wars Darth Vader Electronic Talking Bank
July 17, 2010 - Struck by Lightning! Kubrick Star Wars Darth Vader figure
July 31, 2009 - Sideshow Darth Vader with Sideshow Stormtroopers
July 30, 2009 - Comparing Sideshow with Medicom and Hasbro: a look at the different 1/6 scale Darth Vaders out there - Hasbro Ultimate Villain Darth Vader (Episode III), Sideshow ANH Darth Vader (Star Wars Episode IV - his first appearance), Hasbro Electronic Darth Vader from Episode VI and Medicom RAH Episode VI Darth Vader.