Darth Detori
10-02-2002, 08:54 PM
first of all, let me start by saying that I've been a fan of props and toys for a loooooooong time. Second, and as you can probably tell since I'm on here, I'm definantly one with the kid in me. With that said, here's my review.
Well there I was at work doing the whole day shift (12 hours). And the whole time I was wondering when mother would drive up with a package for me. 11 1/2 hours later it came, though I was bogged down with customers. So half an hour later, I finally got to open it.
WOW. Now I've owned four masterfully made, beautiful lightsaber replicas, one of which was an anakin saber based upon early designs. The other anakin saber I have is the kenner one. Both of these are quite large, whereas the REAL one was on the small side. This one is just a little bigger lengthwise then my old metal one, and is about the same length as the Hasbro one, but not NEARLY as fat. At least not in my hands.
A lot of the reviews I've read from a replica prop board I regularly frequent say that it feels like plastic. It doesnt. Not to me at least. It feels hard, and has that distinct cold feel that only metal has. Other people have had trouble opening it up and putting the batteries in. I had no trouble at all.
Now, I could review this as one of two things: A prop replica, or a toy. But the fact of the matter is, this really is like a bridge between the gap that seperates props from toys, and therefore I'll review it as both.
As a prop, it's out of proportion; it's too long and too big. But if you've never held a more accurate version then you really wouldn't know. It also has an annoying visible hex-head screw at one place (the back of the shroud). Though considering how it's constructed, it is kind of neccessary for it to be where it is. The grips are a little small as well, though I'm not quite sure what the accurate size would be. The pommel isn't accurate of course, since it's actually a speaker. It blends in relatively nicely though. It's not too heavy. It's basically the same weight as the hasbro one, just a LITTLE heavier.
now, as a toy..... oh boy, as a toy... Well I first played with it at work (kinda small space), so I couldn't swing it around very much. Then I used it a little in the parking lot, but I didn't really get into it and do a lot of moves as to not look like a lunatic.
But when I got home in the dark of the yard- THEN the fun really began. As I swung it over my head, jump-slashing, spinning, thrusting, behind my back, I felt the force flowing through me. For those few minutes, I WAS a jedi. the sounds integrated perfectly into my movements, the light flashed by my face, illuminating the world around me; I wasn't in my yard, I was on a forest planet. The experience is TOTALLY there.
So if you want a great, accurate anakin lightsaber replica, wait until they put out the limited edition. But if you want to be a jedi, if you want to live out those childhood dreams, THIS is THE saber. Period.
Well there I was at work doing the whole day shift (12 hours). And the whole time I was wondering when mother would drive up with a package for me. 11 1/2 hours later it came, though I was bogged down with customers. So half an hour later, I finally got to open it.
WOW. Now I've owned four masterfully made, beautiful lightsaber replicas, one of which was an anakin saber based upon early designs. The other anakin saber I have is the kenner one. Both of these are quite large, whereas the REAL one was on the small side. This one is just a little bigger lengthwise then my old metal one, and is about the same length as the Hasbro one, but not NEARLY as fat. At least not in my hands.
A lot of the reviews I've read from a replica prop board I regularly frequent say that it feels like plastic. It doesnt. Not to me at least. It feels hard, and has that distinct cold feel that only metal has. Other people have had trouble opening it up and putting the batteries in. I had no trouble at all.
Now, I could review this as one of two things: A prop replica, or a toy. But the fact of the matter is, this really is like a bridge between the gap that seperates props from toys, and therefore I'll review it as both.
As a prop, it's out of proportion; it's too long and too big. But if you've never held a more accurate version then you really wouldn't know. It also has an annoying visible hex-head screw at one place (the back of the shroud). Though considering how it's constructed, it is kind of neccessary for it to be where it is. The grips are a little small as well, though I'm not quite sure what the accurate size would be. The pommel isn't accurate of course, since it's actually a speaker. It blends in relatively nicely though. It's not too heavy. It's basically the same weight as the hasbro one, just a LITTLE heavier.
now, as a toy..... oh boy, as a toy... Well I first played with it at work (kinda small space), so I couldn't swing it around very much. Then I used it a little in the parking lot, but I didn't really get into it and do a lot of moves as to not look like a lunatic.
But when I got home in the dark of the yard- THEN the fun really began. As I swung it over my head, jump-slashing, spinning, thrusting, behind my back, I felt the force flowing through me. For those few minutes, I WAS a jedi. the sounds integrated perfectly into my movements, the light flashed by my face, illuminating the world around me; I wasn't in my yard, I was on a forest planet. The experience is TOTALLY there.
So if you want a great, accurate anakin lightsaber replica, wait until they put out the limited edition. But if you want to be a jedi, if you want to live out those childhood dreams, THIS is THE saber. Period.