30th Anniversary Collection

TACBASIC

Galactic Marine

Info and Stats
Number:  
30-02
Year:  
2007
MSRP:  
$6.99
Definitive Status:  
Needs Resculpt
 
The sculpt is irredeemable. It will take an all new sculpt to make a definitive version of this item.
Suggested Hasbro Action:  
Resculpt (Low Priority)
Grade:  
6/10 Bantha Skulls
 
* Bantha Skull is compensated for any purchases made through these Ebay links.
* Bantha Skull is compensated for any purchases made through these Ebay links.
Review by: Bret&Chris
Review date: 08/28/2019

Original Review by Chris:  1/10/14

Under the leadership of Commander Bacara, the Galactic Marines first did battle against the CIS on the planet Mygeeto and then turned on their Jedi general Ki-Adi-Mundi for Order 66.  Mygeeto is a play on the name Megiddo, which is a tell, or archaeological mound, in northern Israel.  Megiddo is part of the etymology of the word Armageddon and the site of the apocalyptic amassing of armies in the Book of Revelations.  The subtext is thinly veiled, but as Order 66 serves as the Jedi apocalypse, it gives greater symbolic significance to Bacara and his Galactic Marines.  Of course, the real reason fans were clamoring for a Galactic Marine is not because of some simplistic Lit 101 analysis, but because they are evocative of the Original Trilogy snowtroopers. 

There were consistent rumors that the Galactic Marine was going to be updated in the Black Series to be timed with the would-be release of Revenge of the Sith 3D.  That release was nixed, and LFL supposedly put a moratorium on Prequel Trilogy figures.  The potential for a new Galactic Marine figure vaporized.  While a new version of this character would undoubtedly be a better figure in terms of the type of articulation and the poses it could achieve, I can state unequivocally that this 2007 edition of the Galactic Marine will be the best detailed version ever released.  The dirty wash on the white boots and back pack are amazing; bringing out every crease and fold.  What I presume is a style of dry brushing on the kama and armor is not as visually compelling, but adds an element of battle distressing.  These types of paint operations are simply not done anymore in the line.  This alone commands that you have at least one of the 2007 Galactic Marines in your collection.

When the figure was released, there was some bickering among fans that it could not stand unassisted.  The bottom of the feet are slightly curved and requires a moment to balance correctly, but the figure can stand.  If it couldn’t, you’d see fewer pictures above and a lot more whining below.  The bulkiness of the legs and the hard plastic kama do limit the range of motion of the legs however.  This is one area where an update would do better.  The kama would be made of a more pliable material (think Snowtrooper Commander) and the joints would move more freely.  The bulkiness of the upper body likewise limits the movement of the arms.  I don’t think this would be improved upon today, otherwise you’d risk violating the integrity of the character.  One of the real shames with this figure is that the included DC-15A rifle is ridiculously flimsy.  Even in the package, it is contorted in the figure’s hands.  It has the rigidity of a twist tie and I think you could actually tie it in knot with some effort.  This poor accessory compels me to reduce the score of the figure.  I feel bad, since most fans can easily remedy this with the DC-15A rifle included in the Saga Legends Clone Locker, but I have to evaluate this based on the items in the package and not ones I assume are elsewhere in your collection. 

I’m partially relieved that the update to this figure has been placed into an unknown status.  An upgraded figure would have compelled me to rebuild my Galactic Marine army, but I’m not ready to retire the 2007 figure.  Despite it’s posing limitations, I don’t think Hasbro could do better in terms of detail.  7 out of 10.

Update by Bret, 8/27/19

As stated by Chris, this figure was super-popular at the time, and was a great inclusion in the Revenge of the Sith-themed launch wave for TAC.  But 5 years later, it’s clear this figure has some work to do to achieve the standards of today.  It is a great looking sculpt, and the paint and weathering are pretty amazing.  But the limited range of motion of the lower body, the balancing issues, the flimsy weapon, and the lack of range of motion of the head/helmet, make this a borderline substandard action figure.  In the 5 years since Chris reviewed this figure, time has knocked it down another point.  6/10.  The figure needs a resculpt, although admittedly now is definitely not the time. 

In our updated gallery, we’ve included images of the Ultimate Galactic Hunt gold foil packaging.  This variant applies to the front of the card, as well as the golden coin.  The back of the card, as well as the figure itself, are identical to the first release.  This is one of 12 gold UGH figures in the TAC line, all of which are from within the first 24 figures released in 2007.

* Bantha Skull is compensated for any purchases made through these Ebay links.
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