Kenobi v. Vader

Kenobi v. Vader (OTC Obi-Wan Kenobi, Ralph McQuarrie Concept Darth Vader)

Kenobi v. Vader (OTC Obi-Wan Kenobi, Ralph McQuarrie Concept Darth Vader)

Modern Star Wars action figures do have their benefits. Accurate sculpts, articulating limbs, better weapons… trust me, I get it. This Obi-Wan Kenobi from the Original Trilogy Collection is a near bullseye. Everything perfect except for the ridiculously roomy cloak. And with two interchangeable head sculpts, the Ralph McQuarrie Concept Darth Vader is just all kinds of cool.

j j j

Jailbreak!

Jailbreak! (Vintage Lando Calrissian Skiff Guard Disguise, Vintage Leia Boussh Disguise)

Jailbreak! (Vintage Lando Calrissian Skiff Guard Disguise, Vintage Leia Boussh Disguise)


Deeply critized for its shortcomings, the plan to rescue Han Solo from Jabba’s palace was pretty much a disaster from the word ‘go’. At least we’ve got some kick ass action figures to show for it. So I’ll say no harm, no foul.

j j j

Jawas, Night.

Jawas, Night (Vintage Jawas, Saga Treadwell Droid WED-1016)

Jawas, Night (Vintage Jawas, Saga Treadwell Droid WED-1016)

Although the Jawa action figure was among the original 12 released by Kenner in early 1978, it was a few months or more after the initial wave that he (along with the dynamite ‘Sandpeople’ figure) showed up on my local toy shelves. I can still remember my happy surprise to find that Kenner wasn’t finished making new Star Wars toys! Time would show of course that they were really just getting started.

j j j

Uncut, Scene 194.

Star Wars Uncut, Scene 194. (Vintage Han Solo, Vintage Greedo)

Star Wars Uncut, Scene 194. (Vintage Han Solo, Vintage Greedo)

With Scene 194 in the can, the micro-trilogy of my Star Wars Uncut scenes is now complete! Han Solo and Greedo hammer it out right here. Unlike Scene 18 and Scene 323, this one didn’t have a lot of motion to conquer. Just two dudes talking. So I found myself with time and energy to add some extra flavor by way of a guest appearance as well as a more tricked-out sound design than the previous efforts.

[ If you like what you see don’t be shy about giving the videos a “like” tag on the Vimeo page. Inclusion in the Star Wars Uncut project is vote-based, so the more “likes” I have on each video, the better chance they’ll make it into the final cut. Thanks, and enjoy! ]

j j j

Uncut, Scene 323.

Star Wars Uncut, Scene 323. (Vintage Stormtroopers, Saga Stormtroopers, Vintage C-3PO, Vintage R2-D2)

Star Wars Uncut, Scene 323. (Vintage Stormtroopers, Saga Stormtroopers, Vintage C-3PO, Vintage R2-D2)

Ready to roll on stop motion animating scene 323 for the Star Wars Uncut project. This one looks to be tougher than the first. And I’ll be straight up with you, that one was a bitch.

j j j

Leia Shot First.

Leia Shot First. (Star Wars Uncut Scene 018, frame 131 ~ Vintage Princess Leia)

Leia Shot First. (Star Wars Uncut Scene 018, frame 131 ~ Vintage Princess Leia)

OK, I guess announcing a hiatus was premature since I find myself compelled to post cool frames from my stop motion animations. This one’s from the completed Scene 018.

j j j

Uncut, Scene 18.

Star Wars Uncut, Scene 18. (Saga Stormtroopers, Vintage Stormtroopers)

Star Wars Uncut, Scene 18. (Saga Stormtroopers, Vintage Stormtroopers)

A glimpse of the set I’ve put together for the first of three scenes I’ll be filming for the Star Wars Uncut Project. Going with stop-motion animation. Only one day into it and already I can see that I’m in for a daunting, rewarding, and educational experience. Huge thanks to Whit at DBSW for his help and inspiration. Because this will take up every last lick of my free time for the next 10 days, and because I’m taking some vacation, and because we’re moving on September 1… this blog is going on hiatus until early September. Mata yo tomodachi!

j j j

Nikto & Weequay.

Nikto & Weequay. (Vintage Nikto, Vintage Weequay)

Nikto & Weequay. (Vintage Nikto, Vintage Weequay)


Or, alternately titled “Bad Cop, Worse Cop”.

Despite being straight-up ugly to the core, these two Jabba the Hutt cronies rate all high marks in my book. Great details. Sophisticated color palates. And they both tote that groovy vibro axe thingy (which, although not proven, is likely the coolest weapon in the vintage line). Also Weequay has the rare distinction among the vintage figures of possessing the ability to hold his weapon with both hands, not just one. Yeah, pretty rad.

j j j