Hasbro Star Wars - Power of the Jedi Darth Vader (Dagobah) Review

Taking the form of Darth Vader , the Dark Lord of the Sith, this spirit is the embodiment of the dark side of the Force. It dwells in a cave on the swamp-covered planet of Dagobah. Although defeated by Luke Skywalker in combat, its unmasked face revealed that Luke has yet to master the ways of the Force and become a Jedi.  - From the Jedi Fact File

When I was still a geeky and introverted teenager, I used to spend hours arranging my Kenner Star Wars action figures on shelves and a few Action Playsets in rough approximations of famous scenes from the Classic Trilogy. Using the Dagobah Action Playset, the original 1978 Darth Vader and the 1980 Luke Skywalker (Bespin Fatigues), I created a crude but somewhat satisfactory diorama recreating the beginning of the "Force vision quest" scene. Vader and Luke stood on little pegged stands which could be moved back and forth to simulate the short duel. Of course, in those days one had to imagine the end results of the encounter, for there was only one Darth Vader figure, and his head didn't come off to reveal Luke's face.

Since then, Kenner and Hasbro have issued many variations on the Vader theme. Just as composer John Williams has written many iterations of the Imperial March to fit the emotional context of any given scene, there seems to be a Sith Lord action figure for every occasion (Darth Vader with Lightsaber and Removable Cape, Darth Vader with CommTech Chip and Interrogation Droid, Darth Vader [Emperor's Wrath] Darth Vader TIE Fighter Cockpit Gunnery Station...there's even a Darth Vader Complete Galaxy [Death Star]).

In 2000, Hasbro released its Power of the Jedi Darth Vader (Dagobah) 3.75 inch action figure. Essentially an improved version of The Power of the Force line's Darth Vader with Lightsaber and Removable Cape,* Dagobah Vader is the first figure that allows collectors to "relive" the eerie vision Luke confronts in the tree cave.

INT. DAGOBAH - TREE CAVE

Luke moves into the almost total darkness of the wet and slimy cave. The youth can barely make out the edge of the passage. He sees a lizard crawling up the side of the cave and a snake wrapped around branches of a tree. Luke takes a deep breath, then pushes deeper into the cave.

The space widens around him, but he feels that rather than sees it. It is very quiet here.

Then Darth Vader appears across the blackness. They cross lightsabers, but Luke parries perfectly and slashes at Vader with his sword.

Vader is decapitated. His helmet-encased head flies from his shoulders as his body disappears into the darkness. The helmet containing Vader's head spins and bounces and finally stops. For an instant it rests on the floor, then it explodes. The black helmet and breath mask fall away to reveal...Luke's head.

Across the space the standing Luke stares at the sight, wide-eyed in terror.

-- Leigh Brackett and Lawrence Kasdan, The Empire Strikes Back screenplay

The big difference is that Vader's proportions are less bulky than the 1990s "removable cape" edition, and instead of being solid black with silver, red, and white detailing, the Dark Lord's armor and helmet are a ghostly translucent gray, to suggest a surreal spirit-like appearance. The cape is, unlike most of the newer cloth accessories, made of the same material, but the sculpt accurately depicts the "flowing robes" effect.

The head is also removable and -- although I haven't even attempted this -- the helmet's faceplate can come off to reveal Luke's face. It's also translucent, and the lenses on the breath mask have an evil-looking reddish tint, giving the figure a distinctly menacing aspect.

As you might expect, the figure comes with a really nice lightsaber. Unlike the 1978 vintage figure's red-orange "hypodermic needle" retractable saber that was permanently attached to Vader's right hand, the red-bladed Sith weapon has a nice silver-and-black handle with the now-trademark translucent red "laser blade." The figure's articulation allows Vader to hold it either one-handed or like a broadsword; I prefer the one-handed stance since it allows me to pose the figure as if he is also cocking his fist at any opponent in the vicinity.

Weapons and Accessories : 

• Lightsaber
• Removable Cape
• Detachable Head
• Removable Faceplate (Luke Skywalker Face)

The figure, as did all the 2000-2002 Power of the Jedi line, comes with a small booklet with role-playing stats and "facts" about Darth Vader: Dagobah Spirit. For instance, its lifeform designation is Dark Side of the Force apparition, and the lightsaber blade can injure or even kill like its real counterpart. It's all obtuse to me, of course, but unopened figures all come with this little gimmick.

My Viewpoint: Because Darth Vader: Dagobah Spirit does come apart and the helmet-mask combination is so small, I don't recommend this figure for very young children. Even older collectors are warned that the different components -- the head, cape, and lightsaber -- do come off Vader's body rather easily, and pieces can and sometimes do get lost.  They also pose a potential choking hazard to kids under the age of three.

Also, most collectors get two of this figure, one to open and one to keep in the package, so if you are lucky enough to see Darth Vader: Dagobah Spirit for a good price, get it.