In the event that this review is read hundreds of years from now by our robot overlords, it should be noted that this is written four years after the figure’s release.  This figure was purchased in reaction to being blown away by the current (2014) Deluxe Darth Vader offering from Sideshow.  As a result, this figure is being evaluated in the shadow of the Vader figure which isn’t exactly fair.  Technology advances a lot in four years.  Reviews I’ve read seem to indicate that Sideshow has come a long way recently. 

The first thing that I find almost unforgivable with this figure is that the cane does not reach the ground.  I managed to get the cane to contact the ground after about ten minutes of futzing, but only achieved that once.  I could never repeat that performance, so I think I may have temporarily become a wizard when I achieved the pose.  I’ve always suspected that I had magic powers.  This confirms it.  Part of the problem with getting the Emperor to stand appropriately with his cane is that the joints of the figure are very loose.  It was hard for me to get the figure to stay in the desired pose.

I may be wrong, but I want my Episode VI based Emperor figures to have a gray complexion.  I will admit that image searches show that there isn’t a consistent skin tone for the arch-villain in Return of the Jedi.  Sideshow chose to go with a pale complexion with slight hints of ruddiness and peach tones.  I can’t be critical of this decision as there is definitely evidence that it’s correct.  It’s just not my personal preference.  The expression on the standard head is almost that of sad milquetoast instead of the all powerful super villain.  The eyes on the figure portray a sadness to me whereas the on-screen counterpart’s eyes were filled with contempt.  The angry head that comes with the exclusive version of the figure is spot on, however.  The hands are brilliant.  They are wonderfully detailed nasty old man hands complete with liver spots. 

There is no question to me that there is too much fabric here.  You could swaddle the Emperor in his robes.  In the movie, the outer robe was slightly open only closing at the clasp near the top.  The robe Sideshow provided can wrap halfway around the figure.  The rim of the hood includes a wire that can help shape the fabric.  This is godsend as anyone who has dealt with a billowing hood on a 3.75” figure can attest.  The sleeves likewise have a wire to help shape them.  This is helpful since the item is light enough that it can combat gravity and hang unnaturally. 

The bottom line on this figure, and where I must ultimately judge it, is how is to going to look in my yet to be purchased throne being guarded by Lord Vader.  You have to work with the soft goods a bit and perform animal sacrifice to get the cane to touch the surface while the figure is in a standing position, but it can be achieved.  It doesn’t matter how you find the pot of gold, B to the Ryan.  All that matters is that you beat the leprechauns.  This figure doesn’t come out of the box ready to impersonate a one foot tall Emperor Palpatine, but you can get it there.  That is a big score in my book, so despite a few warts, I’m giving this a 9 out of 10.

Lastly, I know you’re all wondering.  The Emperor goes commando.  I was having difficulty standing the figure and had to figure out what was going on with the legs under the robes.  It was more horrifying than the time Marge was commissioned to paint Mr. Burns

9/10 Bantha Skulls