The MH16 Obi-Wan Kenobi comes with a cool Light-Up Lightsaber feature and an all new sculpt.There are two schools of thought when it comes to the latest wave of Movie Heroes. The ultra detailed, super articulated crowd have been at the forefront in recent years, especially with the premium stylings  of The Vintage Collection. But a more traditional approach has emerged with Movie Heroes where the articulation is limited and action features have returned to attract a younger audience. And that's not necessarily a bad thing.

The second wave of Movie Heroes has less re-issue more new sculpt with action feature. More focused on play than display, they're still very displayable unlike the old action feature laden figures of old. A new iteration of Queen Amidala in Theed Palace battle outfit is most welcomed since we haven't had a version since 1999 and it badly needed an updated. How does she measure up?

We second our dose of pasty white, angry, former padawans turned gun for hire with the all new Aurra Sing from the Discover The Force Walmart exclusive wave of figures. Twelve years is a long time to upgrade from the almost pre-posed Power of the Jedi figure, but it's a worthy and even definitive effort.

I  guess it was bound to happen.  Box Office Mojo is reporing that The Phantom Menace has surpassed Star Wars on the all-time US box office chart, unadjusted for inflation.

As the Star Wars saga makes its spectacular 3D return to the big screen, don't forget to get your FREE collectible Darth Maul 3D glasses at participating Real D theaters across the nation (while supplies last)! May The Force Be With You...in 3D!

The Anakin Skywalker 3D Podracer glasses are available for sale at Amazon for $9.95 each via the manufacturer, Look Eyewear. This may be a good opportunity for you to get them if you weren't able to in the theaters this weekend.

As the clock strikes midnight, fans are once again venturing to their local movie theaters to see Star Wars  in the big screen and in 3D. AMC Theaters across the country will be giving away FREE Hasbro Fighter Pods. On Friday and Saturday, a limited edition Anakin Skywalker PodRacer glasses will also be given out to the first 3-400 theatergoers while supplies last.

McDonalds will be promoting the release of The Phantom Menace 3D by incuding Star Wars Spinners with every Happy Meals purchase, Fans can collect up to eight character themed spinners beginning February 10th at participating McDonalds restaurants.

The 1999 party continues and it's happening at Walmart. The Discover The Force exclusives are now being put out just in time for the release of The Phantom Menace 3D this weekend. Our initial concerns about single case assortments being found have been proven unwarranted by the wonderful revelation that Walmart stores (most of them anyway) will be placing a POS display with all 17 exclusive pieces including 12 figures, 2 Battle Packs, 2 Vehicles, and the Qui-Gon Jinn Electronic Lightsaber. Discover The Force indeed!

This set as a whole is not bad. The not fully assembled Episode I C-3PO, while lacking the 14 points of articulation we see as standard today, is as solidly sculpted and painted now as it was back in 1999. The only drawback is that he can't hold the included Anakin Podracer flag as he should be able to. The Power of the Jedi Sebulba (Boonta Eve Challenge) sculpt is good enough and Anakin Skywalker, from 2000's POTJ "mechanic" figure, is marginal for what he is due to the limited articulation. This Anakin mold is also used for the Target 2 Pack exclusive, with the "dirtier" variation for this Battle Pack. 

Opening Day moviegoers of Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace 3D will receive these cool Darth Maul 3D Glasses while supplies last. 

January 30th is only a few days away and ToysRUs stores are busy setting up their new The Phantom Menace 3D Feature Shop this weekend. While there sadly wasn't the traditional Midnight Madness, the stores are putting out merchandise en masse including all 2012 Hasbro and LEGO product.

Target adds another Star Wars Episode I 3D feature endcap in addition to the aisle display they already have up. Let's hope the new merchandise starts flowing in soon!

Jedi Temple Archives has posted some sample boxed shots of the next upcoming BIG Vehicle, The Trade Federation MTT Droid Carrier. As previously reported, the ship will come with 20 Battle Droids (4 fully articulated, 16 pre-posed) and electronic sounds and play features.

ToysRUs is putting out merchandise early prior to the January 30th street date and their pending Feature Shop. We found their exclusive Podracer Pilots ($26.99) and Vintage Class II Attack Vehicles ($31.99) in their Scottsdale, AZ store. They've also put out The Vintage Collection TPM Wave, Movie Heroes and Clone Wars Wave 1, and Fighter Pods. Happy Hunting!