From Wikipedia :
C-3PO (/ˌsiːˈθriːpioʊ/) or See-Threepio is a humanoid robot character in the Star Wars franchise who appears in the original trilogy, the prequel trilogy and the sequel trilogy. Built by Anakin Skywalker, C-3PO was designed as a protocol droid intended to assist in etiquette, customs, and translation, boasting that he is "fluent in over six million forms of communication". Along with his astromech droid counterpart and friend R2-D2, C-3PO provides comic relief within the narrative structure of the films, and serves as a foil. Anthony Daniels has portrayed the character in eleven of the twelve theatrical Star Wars films released to date, with the exception of Solo: A Star Wars Story, where the character does not appear.
Despite his oblivious nature, C-3PO has played a pivotal role in the galaxy's history, appearing under the service of Shmi Skywalker, the Lars homestead, Padmé Amidala, Bail Organa, Raymus Antilles, Luke Skywalker, Jabba the Hutt, and Leia Organa. In the majority of depictions, C-3PO's physical appearance is primarily a polished gold plating with a silver plated right leg (from knee joint to ankle), although his appearance varies throughout the films; including the absence of metal coverings in The Phantom Menace, a dull copper plating in Attack of the Clones, and a red left arm in The Force Awakens. C-3PO also appears frequently in both canon and Star Wars Legends continuities of novels, comic books, and video games, and was a protagonist in the animated television series Droids.
Bought my Sideshow C-3PO directly at Sideshow Toys, does a 3 mths installment plan and eventually paid about S$360/- for it inclusive of Courier delivery charges. It arrives in Jan 2022 and I'm generally happy with how it turn out. Not really a must have for me but for 2 very valid reasons, the Golden Droid need to be part of it.
1. It is a main character in the Star Wars franchise. It appeared in every OT episodes that without one in the house seem the collection incomplete.
2. There is a R2-D2 rolling around for awhile. Without it's buddy isn't right. Just like Barnie without Ernie, Jerry without George, Frasier without Niles, Batman without Robin. I made my point.
And I managed to convinced myself NOT to wait further for a Hot Toys version but just to go with the Sideshow ones, which has just made available a version 2 (many more ver2 I crave, Sideshow, ... Dengar, Gamorrean Guards, Zuckuss ... ahem).
How does the Sideshow C-3PO rates?
DESIGN - 3/5
There are 2 points which can be better thought of and 1 point which should have been done but Sideshow chose to keep this figure as good and short of being great.
1 - Arm piston on my set does not slide freely when positioning the arms. And a forced move result in some bending on the piston as it seem to get stuck in the rail. Here these pistons should be metal pins instead. No matter how well design the sliding rails are, age will eventually cause sliding to choke due to dust accumulation or other reasons. A metal pin piston will allow that additional strength to push the sliding motion through. In addition, the 2 little neck pistons can also be made in metal to reduce its fragility.
2 - Battery compartment for the eyes lighting is better to be located at the "backpack" location. It saves the hassle, and possibe damage, to the head by taking it in and out for battery changes. This is a common suggestion from collectors.
3 - There are wonderful details on the stomache exposing all the wires going in and around intertwining amongst each other. Unfortunately they are molded onto the stomache piece. I'd expect (or hope) the wires could be individually placed and will move arond when articulating the hip. With this will raise this figure to the next level.
That all said, the touch-on-touch-off "switch" for the eyes lightup LED is an excellent method. Definitely my choice over the analogue switch.
SCULPTING - 4/5
It is a droid, mechanical, with fixed shapes and contours. At this price point, it is fundamental to get every detail in place and in scale. That is the expectation. I think this figure met the criterias. But I don't know if the stomache wires are all correctly sculpted in - each and every one of it. Reckon it is not 100% accurate but that's just me being lazy (and rightfully so) to match it one by one with the actual movie prop. Benefit of a doubt - that it is not 1005 accurate, result in the short from the full 5pts.
PAINTING - 3.5/5
Chrome painting on plastic can be so reflective that it can easily be mistaken as metallic. It wasn't the case for this figure. These pictures shows a blurry reflection on the lights but when there is no light shine directly on it, the "gold" is pretty muted. I'd like this to be more "shiny".
Very subtle weathering has been done on the figure but it wasn't done well to my liking. Grease leak streaks are kinda haphazardly applied. Can be done better.
However the stomache wires painting need to be commended. very fine wires are also meticulously painted on. It could just be multiples template put on for paint spraying. Nevertheless the effort need to be recognize and the outcome is good.
ARTICULATION - 5/5
There isn't much posing for C-3PO in all the movies. Mostly bent arms downward, straight legs and a slightly tilted back. This figure can return all these stature effortlessly ... and more.
Head is on a ball joint that gives a full range of motion.
Sholder can be lifted sideways.
Hip joint can be pose with open legs and feet has rockers, can position in a “/\” manner.
Fingers are articulated each and every single one.
Torso can swivel some angle to each sides.
This category exceeds my expectations and more.
Sadly these amount of articulations and flexibility is not a high requirement on a figure that has not present dynamic movement/posture.
ACCESSORIES - 2.5/5
The set came with a communicator and 2 pcs of magnetic "scope" thing for accessories. And 1 standard black Hexagonal based stand with "crotch" grabber.
It is an expensive set and although movie props accessories may not be easy to assign as it really did not have a lot of opportunity to use.
However, It could perhaps use a light up base like the floor board on the Bespin freezing chamber with light up function, just like the one that came with their own Boba Fett.
Or to be more radical in making this version 2 a fully "explodable" figure and include a net bag. Would be great to pair it up with Hot Toys Chewbacca.
Anyhoo, accessories section is never one that breaks the deal for me 99% of the times. It can only sweeten it. So a low score here means just means specifically that it can be better that's all.
OVERALL - 4/5
C-3PO is still better represented in metal rather than plastic. But this Sideshow version is of very good quality and it will work in my display for a long long time. I am also unwilling to fork out big big moolah for a new metal casted 3PO which will most likely be costing an arm or a leg.
Taking away shipping charges, this figure cost just slightly above $310 which is the going price for a high quality Star Wars 1/6 scale figure. It is not too bad.
Overall am happy with this figure comes together.
LAST WORDS
In time of this publication, Hot Toys just announced a EPII Attack of the Clones (AoTC) C-3PO, literally few days ago, to commemorate AoTC 20th Anniversary. Asking for $395. It probably a matter of time this classic version will be announce and likely be above $395. If it will be the "exploded" version, then it is worth to invest in anohter.
As of now, my advise for younger collector who wants a C-3PO in their collection to wait up. Older geezers like me, waiting is a luxury. Go with this first (or if you can find a Tamashi Nation's version in a price you are willing to splash). Hot Toys waiting time is now at least 18 months. Who knows what will happen inside this 18 months. Old guys like me gotta be more pragmatic.
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