R2-D2 Ambush on Ilum
The Anniversary Collection Target Exclusive Battle Pack
Item No.: No. 87213
Number: n/a
Includes: Four other figures
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $19.99
Availability: January 2007
Appearances: Clone Wars

Bio: Though foul weather and cold can sometimes endanger astromech droids, Artoo did not hesitate to rush to his mistress' side and warn her of an impending attack. (Taken from the figure's box.)

Image: Adam Pawlus' toy room.

Commentary: Do you like snow? So does Hasbro. They've done a few snow planet-specific versions of R2-D2, such as this one. It takes a previously released figure and adds a slightly blue tint to the lower parts of the figures, which suggests the look of wading through snowy terrain or a blue paint factory. The figure is the same mold used for the 2003 "Sail Barge" R2-D2, meaning he has articulated ankles on all three legs, a retractable third leg, a rotating dome, articulated shoulders, and a hole in his head for a drink dispenser (not included, of course.) The detail is OK, but better molds exist and this isn't the finest R2-D2, although it does use what was the standard astromech body type from roughly 2002-2004. It serves a purpose as a low-cost figure, and the eye sculpt really bugs me-- but for kids, it's fine, and the unique blue on the bottom is something you won't find on any other R2-D2 figures.

Collector's Notes: When you get right down to it, this gift set is a "sum of its parts" kind of item. Each figure, by its lonesome, is merely OK. Another R2-D2 and C-3PO with a snow Padme with limited articulation and two Chameleon Droids for $19.99 is a spiffy deal at just $4 per figure, but at $6.99, this R2-D2 would be a little disappointing. After all, the 2006 Hoth R2-D2 took a previously released $10 Vintage figure, added some extras, and it sold for a mere $7-- so this figure would need more to be really exciting, but as it is, there's nothing wrong with it. It's just those looking to thin their collection could probably live without it.

Day 530: October 18, 2007