30th Anniversary Collection

TACBASIC

Concept Snowtrooper

Info and Stats
Number:  
30-42
Year:  
2007
MSRP:  
$6.99
Definitive Status:  
Close
 
This figure has room for improvement and/or has a few minor flaws, but is close to definitive and worthy of display.
Grade:  
8/10 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: 10/23/2019

Original Review by Chris:  10/10/14

The McQuarrie Concept Snowtrooper is easily my favorite of the concept figures.  It’s the only one I truly “army built”.  I’m not sure if it’s also my favorite McQuarrie design, but it’s close.  There is something about the creepy smile configuration of the “teeth” of the helmet.  It would be evocative of the smile on the Heath Ledger Joker if McQuarrie’s Snowtrooper didn’t predate that movie by decades, so the reverse is actually true.  But don’t tell that to Dark Knight fans.  They think that Nolan invented movies, but I digress.  I will say this.  I’m not sure which McQuarrie design I enjoy the most, but this Concept Snowtrooper is the one that I wish had made it into the films in some way.  Apparently Dave Filoni and crew agree with me. 

The reason why this is my favorite figure of the subset is the degree to which it is configurable.  By popping off the head, the backpack harness can be removed.  Unlike some other instances when a figure’s gear can be removed, the Concept Snowtrooper sill looks natural absent of this piece of equipment.  The underlying torso is not reduced in size to make room for the harness and that torso also features nicely sculpted and detailed armor.  Additionally the cowl of the helmet can be removed.  McQuarrie drew this concept both with and without the cowl.  The fact that both presentations can be achieved is another example of the love Hasbro showed the McQuarrie Signature Series.  I honestly can’t say which way the figure looks better.  I feel it’s sleeker with the cowl, but more menacing without.  You shouldn’t have to make this action figures Sophie’s Choice.  You should own multiples so that your answer to “which way should this be displayed” is “yes”.

That display versatility would make this a 10 out of 10 figure for me it were not for a couple of issues.  The first is my usual complaint:  no ankles.  The plastic skirt already limits the leg articulation, but without ankles to help compensate, the knees can’t be meaningful engaged.  I need to come up with a sniglet that means “because the figure has no ankles, the knees can’t be meaningfully engaged” because I’m honestly sick of writing it.  I’m sure you’re equally tired of reading it.  My other complaint is that the way the figure interacts with the rifle is just weird.  I know this was partially supported by one of the sketches, but it can only be described as awkward.  If you’ve ever shot a long gun, just pantomime how you would have to shoot this rifle with your wrist turned down.  It’s uncomfortable even without the actual weapon.  There is no way you could shoot it accurately, but to be fair, shooting accurately was never a concern for the Imperial Stormtroopers.  These two irksome issues compel me to deduct a point.  9 out of 10.

Updated Review by Bret:  10/23/19

As with most of the McQuarrie figures, they have flaws, particularly by today’s standards.  But we give them some bonus points and the benefit of the doubt, because they’re McQuarrie figures.  This really should be a 6 because of the poor lower body articulation, but we’ll give it an 8.

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