SKU:  400007217096

I sometimes worry that our readership will think that I lack objectivity in reviewing items when I’m too positive.  I’ve also made a promise to myself that I’m not going to be a phony just to pander to the popular opinion.  So when I’ve been effusive in my praise of line as I have been with this Cars crossover, I get a sense of relief when I get the chance to offer some negative points.  Looking at Sally as Princess Leia through the blister of the package, I thought I was going to get just that chance with this line.  In package, it looks like a fairly straight forward repaint with Leia’s iconic hair buns tacked on.  Out of the package, I found myself appreciating the item and my opportunity for critical commentary was lost.  Before going further, Sally as Princess Leia is definitely the weakest of the line largely due to the simplicity of the costume it attempts to replicate.  But along the lines of the old “what do you call the person who finishes last in medical school” joke, being the weakest of this line doesn’t mean it’s a weak offering.

The first thing that jumped out at me was that the car uses pearlescent paint.  In order to make up for the rather simplistic mold, Mattel compensates with a premium paint finish that really gives the car a luminescent appearance.  I thought for sure there would be a Star Wars Easter egg embedded in the Porsche emblem on the hood.  These middle aged eyes couldn’t make out what the emblem said at 5 AM.  When I zoomed in with the camera to see the word “Porsche” I felt exactly like Ralph Parker with his Little Orphan Annie decoder ring.  The aforementioned hair buns with hub cap centers are the most obvious representation of Princess Leia aside from the white paint scheme.  The 1138 license plate is a bit gratuitous.  There is nothing about Sally or Princess Leia that organically calls for inclusion of the LFL number. But when the subject of Princess Leia’s Episode IV costumes doesn’t give you much to work with, it’s a nice nod to Star Wars fans.

For me the best detail is the subtle design of Princess Leia’s belt that appears in the location of Sally’s rebellious tattoo in Cars.  The designers of this toy did their homework.