Hasbro have released a number of basic 6 inch "Hero" figures over the past 4-years, geared at the discount stores in the US and here in the UK. The figures are made to a 6 inch size, not a scale, so are all identical in height. They are well sculpted, with basic but neat paint applications and are nicely boxed and are a niche line for collectors as well as affordable toys for young Star Wars fans.
The 2019 range was sold in Lidl here in the UK. It was made up of 6 figures, 5 of which were repacks from previous years. The new figure for the UK was a Chewbacca from Solo : A Star Wars Story, the figure we are reviewing here.
(Chewie has had a limited release in 2018 in a Solo themed box. It did not make it to the UK)
Packaging 4/5
The 2019 packaging retains the white scheme as seen in the 2017 releases. The box dimensions also remain the same, as does the size of the window through which you can see the head and chest of the figure. The Star Wars logo sits just under the window and is now black. Beneath this is an image of Chewie and the Hasbro logo. The character name is presented in red on the side of the window.
The left spine of the box repeats the Star Wars logo, character name and then includes a bigger version of the Chewbacca image. The right hand spine has the same header with the logo and character name, but then opens up with a short piece of character text repeated in 5 languages. The inclusion of this text is of course always seen on Black Series releases, and the text for Chewbacca is word-for-word as found on the back of the Vandor Chewbacca Black Series Exclusive.
"A MIGHTY WOOKIEE NEARLY TWO CENTURIES OLD, CHEWBACCA HAS FALLEN UPON HARD TIMES DURING THIS AGE OF THE EXPANDING EMPIRE"
The box opens from the top and the figure slides out strapped into the card insert. Once removed you can see the insert is not just plain grey, but carries a feint design of an Imperial corridor.
Paint & Sculpt 4/5
The Chewbacca sculpt is good, with a fair likeness to the head and a lot of detail in the fur around the head and the body. The bandoleer is the double sided version Chewie uses on Vandor-1 and is a separate piece that could be removed if you wish.
The paint is well applied with a level of shading around the chest and down into the arms and legs. The figure seems to be constructed out of two plastic types. The torso and legs are a very hard hollow plastic, while the head and arms are much softer and feel solid.
The issue with the figure, as is often the case with these 6 inch Hero figures, is the height. Chewie is far too small and is even shorter than a Black Series Han Solo and is dwarfed by the more accurate Vandor-1 Chewbacca. The figure is the same height as all the other figures in the line, making Chewie the same height as Luke and Han. I guess Hasbro don't think kids are too bothered by scale at this price point.
Accessories 3/5
The term accessory in this instance is not quite accurate. While Chewie comes with a Blaster Rifle, it is actually cast as part of his arm and cannot be removed. The detailing on the gun is nice, but it is left as a base grey colouring and is very soft and rubbery.
Articulation 4/5
These figures are usually between 4 and 5 points of articulation, and the joints basic rotating joints only. Chewie weighs in with 4 which includes a jointed neck which is restricted partially by the fur overlapping onto the chest.
Head : ball joint neck
Body : waist swivel
Arms : shoulder swivel
Legs : nil
The arms swing out and around, while the legs are static and can only be moved by way of the waist swivel. Being static the legs do allow Chewie to stand perfectly.
Summary
As I sum up, I do have to remind myself this is a figure that is being sold at £4.99 in Lidl stores, and is aimed purely at children and not collectors. To that end it is a brilliant sculpt and paint job for the price - and even the basic articulation wouldn't deter a child who perhaps wants a larger size Star Wars figure (maybe like Daddy)
I score the Star Wars 6 inch Hero Chewbacca a 4 out of 5, and putting the sizing issue aside he is up there with the other great figures in the line like C-3PO, Luke Jedi Knight, Darth Maul and Rey.
