Figure of the Day: Day 329
3/31/2007 3:20:41 PM - Adam

PADME AMIDALA Arena Escape
Saga Collection 1
Item No.:
Asst. 84851 No. 84855
Number: 0202
Includes: Chain, blaster, pillar
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $4.99
Availability: March 2002
Appearances: Attack of the Clones

Bio: Now a Senator from Naboo, Padme Amidala has grown in bravery and wisdom since her term as Queen. Padme shows her courage and resourcefulness by trying to escape after she is captured on the planet Geonosis and sentenced to death. (Taken from the figure's cardback.)

Image: Adam Pawlus' toy shelves.

Commentary: This is not an action figure for kids. This Padme Amidala is a fantasy figure for adults. Her pants are very tight, her top is also very tight, it appears she works out, and her action pose lets her raise a gun and fire. Oh, and you can tie her up with the included chain. This is just a strange release given that in 2002, the big push for the new movie line was to get more kids to buy with the reduced price of $4.99 per figure at most stores. Her sculpt is pretty good-- if a little idealized. It looks more like Natalie Portman than earlier releases in the face at least, but the figure isn't suited to sitting in vehicles or doing much of anything but standing around and pointing her gun at enemies. This was enough, though-- a lot of non-fans and non-collectors picked up this figure in 2002 not because they were curious about new accessories or leaps in toy making, but because she was hot. It was, to say the least, a noble experiment.

Collector's Notes: This figure, and a lot of white plastic figures from 2002-2003, have had a strange discoloration appear on them even if you never opened the figure-- a yellowish or greenish residue starts to appear on packaged or opened figures over time, like this Padme, the electronic beeping R2-D2 from 2002, and the ARC Troopers. This can be wiped off easily, but it appears on figures even if you store them in the dark under the best environmental conditions-- or so I've seen. Your mileage may vary. ( MORE IMAGES )



Day 329: March 31, 2007


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