Order 66 Tsui Choi & BARC Trooper

The key figure in this two pack is obviously the BARC Trooper.  I'm kidding.  It's the all new Tsui Choi.  Straight from his film appearance, wait.  He wasn't in the film.  He's an EU character.  Then why does he look familiar?  Ah, he's the same race as Ratts Tyerell, the pod racer from Episode 1.  His family made an appearance in that film as well.  I'm actually surprised, we saw a Jedi version before the pod racer. 

So, that being said does he look like he should?  Yeah.  He's got funky blue and cream lizard looking skin and Jedi robes.  That's about all we could ask for.

That being said, I have to say I'm impressed with the little blue guy.  He's got some multi layer Jedi togs underneath the soft goods robe.  They even have the two pieces coming down under the sash.  Since I haven't seen his comic book version, I can't tell you if this is right.  But, for those of looking to add another Jedi to our temple display, Tsui will fit right in.

There a couple of things I really like about this guy.  Number one, the head sculpt.  The toothy grin is perfect, as are the little ridges on the side of his head.

Number two, his robe has a little piece of wire sown into the bottom.  This way you can situate it  the way think it looks best on display.

The downside isn't horrible.  They used dry brushing or something like it to get that natural look between the cream and blue.  Some places it look good.  Some it doesn't.  This is the only Tsui they had at my Target, but definitely check out the paint when making a Choi choice to purchase.

The paint apps are also evident on the back of Choi's neck.  Tilt his head full forward and you can see the line of the blue.  The one area where there's paint missing is the feet.  It just seems like they need something.

I'm not going to say much about the BARC Trooper.  He's okay.  Not great, not bad, just meh.  He's pretty much generic trooper body with the BARC Trooper head.  And to be honest.  I don't even know why this guy would need a special helmet.  It's so close to the standard helmet, it seems a waste.  It almost looks like somebody tried to bootleg a clone trooper.  If the Kashyyykk trooper's helmet turned into the headgear of choice for biker scouts, then whey even make this version?

The BARC trooper has the usual random smattering of grime.  Oddly, he's got more on his back than front.  Almost looks like the troops behind him were slinging mud balls at him to make fun of his silly hat.

My last little bit of annoyance with the BARC is  the pieces used in the should and ankle joints are molded in yellow.  The ones in the shoulders match alright enough to the yellow lines down his arms.  The ones in his ankle though have no yellow to match up to.  They stick out like a yellow traffic sign.  Apparently, BARC troopers need little reflectors on their ankles for directing traffic on Coruscant on the weekends.

I'll continue to pick on the BARC for a minute.  I understand not every figure can be sculpted and articulated to sit well.  But, shouldn't the characters that actually sit in the film be able to do it?  This guy can come no where near either kneeling or sitting thanks to his awful hips.  Above the waist, not bad.  Below the waist, bantha poodoo.  Come on, Hasbro!  I wish had a BARC speeder to tell you if he fits it, but I don't.  Sorry folks!

UPDATE:  Figrin Bran at Sir Steve's Guide pointed out this figure will sit better and fit on a BARC speeder when I posted this review.  I had to push his legs out to get them to go up farther.  After working with them they got smoother as well.  Thanks for the pointers!

My last point of contention with this guy is his gun.  I have to say I'm not a fan of the enormous cannons and multi barrel weapons that show up in comics these days.  I wasn't even a big fan of Roadblock carrying a 50 cal in the GI Joe comic.  This weapon just looks ridiculous.  If a single trooper couldn't pick up and fire and E-Web on Hoth, there's no way this guy could handle this thing.  There's no way to pose him with it that doesn't look like a caricature.  It will serve better in a hanger scene as something coming out of a gunship, rather than a personal piece of artillery.   Alright, I'll come down off the soapbox now.

Tsui Choi fares much better.  He's got ball jointed shoulders to make those Jedi moves.  Add to them cut wrists and ankles.  I'm not sure why the ankles are needed, but I'll never turn down a couple of nearly invisible points of articulation. 

The robe, as I mentioned above, has a piece of wire in it.  Missing, however, is a hood.  Now, maybe he just doesn't have one.  My guess is that making one to fit around that big melon was going to be a challenge to get right, so it got left off.

Finally, he comes with ever Jedi's best friend, his lightsaber.  This one reminds me of some of the more generic sabers that came around with the various Jedi and accessory sets from Episode 2.  Plain with rings around it.  There is one slight problem with it.  He can't hold it.  His hands are just not made in to hold a saber.  So, keep that little rubber band that holds it on in the package.   You're going to need it to have him fight a battle.