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!

He doesn't have to shoot you now

After watching this clip and hearing Asajj Ventress say, "Shoot him. Shoot him now!"...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wTsNIUcc5rU

I can't help but be reminded of this classic Looney Tunes cartoon:

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=5314731674851192994

Clone Wars Good, Not Great

My wife, son and and I saw the Clone Wars movie last night. The theater had respectable attendance, but hardly a sell-out. We had a row of boys sitting behind us who were very funny. When a Lego commercial came on before the trailers, one boy called out, "Now that is what I'm talking about!"

They and my son were all very excited when the Clone Wars logo hit the screen and the music played. I won't go into a whole review since you can find plenty of them on the Internet. My little boy's favorite parts were Ahsoka and the walkers climbing up the mountain. Oh and he also really liked the little baby (I won't say more to spoil the movie for those who haven't seen it).

The funniest part was actually when my boy had to use the bathroom in the middle of the movie. We both walked down the staircase (we were in a stadium-seating theater) slowly while watching the movie. Then, when we rounded the corner, we both ran out the door and out to the restroom. I've never seen him use the potty as fast as he did then! Once we were done, we ran back with my boy leading the way (with direction corrections from daddy). I don't think we missed much of the movie at all!

There are plenty (as in almost too many) battles in the movie. I hope the TV series isn't mostly open warfare because I think that is too much violence to expose to kids and frankly it gets mind numbingly repetitive. My favorite parts of the Star Wars saga are all on a lot more personal level such as lightsaber battles, speeder bike chases, verbal sparring between friends and enemies.

I was also disappointed that Capt. Rex used the swear word d**n. I guess director Dave Filoni thought it would add "realism" and grit to the battle, but that word was never used in any of the six films. There are plenty of fictional words that could have been used in its place and been more relevant to this galaxy far, far away (shab and osik come to mind off the top of my head).

Anyway, I'm sure we will see it in the theaters at least one more time. When it was over my son immediately said that he wanted to see it again! Also, this might be the last chance to see Star Wars of any form in the theaters.