Toyguide Update: Jar Jar Binks (Lost Line)

The Yakface Toyguide updates resume today with the addition of Jar Jar Binks (EP1-01) released as part of the Kenner Lost Line variant packaging for The Vintage Collection.

PROS: For fans of Jar Jar, this latest version attempts to improve upon the less articulated Movie Heroes version and does to some degree. The semi-new figure incorporates additional points of articulation in the neck, shoulders and wrists as well as well-disguised ankle joints. Hasbro also has taken this figure a step further by revising the deco to a lighter, less suntanned shade and adding soft goods for the “skirt” allowing him to sit upon a kaadu fairly well. This is a solid figure if you’ve yet to find the MH version but you may want to hold out for that one for the reasons below.

CONS: In this case being super-articulated doesn’t mean better when compared to the Movie Heroes (MH13) version. The joints are poorly matched as evidenced by they contrasting colors especially in the shoulders and knees. Also, the superfluous lower neck joint doesn’t do much to improve upon the figure and is more of an aesthetic distraction than anything else. Then there is the skin color/deco. Where the MH figure seems to hit the right colors, this new version seems too light and the ornate deco on the arms is far too dark and is flat out wrong. Overall this figure seems like a waste of tooling resources, but your mileage may vary of course.

Head to the toyguide for the full image gallery and to judge for yourself whether this figure is worth adding to your collection.

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