Big Millennium Falcon Toy Review

My son (well actually my son and I to be truthful) received the Big Millennium Falcon (BMF) for Christmas. Here is my review as a dad with a three going on four year old:

What I personally like best about the BMF is how it gives me a fresh perspective on this iconic vehcle. The toy is at a huge scale of almost three feet long. It is so big that Hasbro had to create a special one person vehicle that docks inside the Falcon (recognizing kids couldn't heft the full vehicle around the backyard for dogfights!). So this toy is really more of a playset than a toy vehicle.

This makes sense when you think of how many important scenes of ANH occur within the Falcon: Obi-Wan trains Luke to use the Force, R2 beats Chewie at dejarik (space chess), the heroes hide in smuggling compartments, etc. Then add in the scenes for ESB: the hyperdrive is broken/fixed, Han and Leia have their first kiss, the ship is attacked by mynocks, etc.

The assembly is pretty simple. The saucer and cockpit are already attached so the biggest step is to attach the front two mandibles. The top and bottom gun placements and the communication dish fit into place firmly as well.

The landing gear, however, is a completely different story. There are no less than seven separate landing gear pieces that fit into the bottom of the craft. However these pieces do not fit firmly into place. Sliding the Falcon on the carpet even just slightly is enough to dislodge at least a couple of them. I recommend leaving the landing gear and lower gun placement off the ship. You lose the ability to easily use the ramp but it makes for a more stable playset for the little one.

As a side note, in the most recent issue of Star Wars Insider, the model designer explained that he used the Empire Strikes Back version of the landing gear which includes an additional pair. Why is that you ask? Well for the ESB film, Lucas wanted a full model of the Falcon constructed. However the set designers discovered that the two-in-back one-in-front design was inadequate to support the weight. It is apropos that the BMF has the same additional support!

Star Wars Cache

Like Obi-Wan's chest or Han's smuggling compartments in the Millennium Falcon, it is important to have a hidden place to keep good stuff. I've learned the same is true with Star Wars toys for my son. Even though we spent plenty of money at the Midnight Madness sale (and a few other places since then), he hasn't seen much of it yet.

I have them tucked away in a hidden spot so that we have instant rewards on hand for good behavior. Yes, I am not above bribery for good moral behavior. Han would be proud! It can in handy just the other day. My little guy was diagnosed with the croup and had to get a shot of steroids to help his breathing. He didn't even cry, although it did make his leg hurt. He got an AT-TE out of it (the two-inch Titanium series version, not the $100 toy version!) even though he didn't ask for anything.

Having my Star Wars cache is also a good excuse for Daddy to go hunting again to keep the "larder" well stocked!

SCUBA Trooper for Bath Time

Here is a great Star Wars figure that can be used for bath time. It is the clone SCUBA trooper, as seen in the Tartakovsky 2-D cartoon from a few years ago. I like this figure because there aren't many small pieces that can get lost. The loose parts consist of a backpack, a very long gun, and two flippers.

Although the flippers attach pretty firmly, I resorted to super-glue to keep them on. I know that Star Wars purists and collectors are cringing when I say super-glue, but I think that is the best choice for toys that are going to be played with. I figured that it would be better to have a toy that has the flippers, that may not fit into some vehicles, than a SCUBA trooper with lost gear!

Spider Droid No Match For Kid

Following the theme from my previous post, I have another vehicle to add to the toddler-disabled list: the Homing Spider Droid. According to the official background, this droid has formidable weapon that can disable other vehicles as well as scythe through enemy troops. However, its principle weakness is its legs that support the central ball unit. If it loses one, it falls to the ground completely disabled.

The Hasbro version has a similar weakness. The legs are inserted into pegs that are fairly firm. But, when I came home from work today, I saw its whole right side missing. The top and bottom turret weapons and the canopy were also missing (once again the canopy...). I'm surprised the upper cylinders of each leg have not fallen off or been removed yet.

The good this is that the pieces can be reassembled pretty easily. The trick is finding them all again!