Review – Star Wars Jedi Force Landspeeder

I know that there are some adult collectors out there who see the Star Wars Jedi Force Landspeeder* as a toy for kids, but if we ignore the entire “hey, toys are for kids!” bit of that reasoning and instead focus on the great design and adorable look of the toy then I think I’m safe in saying: “This Landspeeder is great for any Star Wars fan who can admire a well-crafted collectible.”

One Sweet Ride

At about 6.5-inches long, the Star Wars Jedi Force Landspeeder* is a bulky and fairly good-sized Landspeeder toy that has super-deformed proportions and, to me, simply looks fun. The design is clearly the classic Star Wars Landspeeder, and the pull back motor makes it even more fun to race across the living room than the classic 1978 Landspeeder ever was. Sure we don’t get the lever to retract the wheels, but we do get a toy that moves itself and that, to me, is far more fun than wheels that hide inside the body of the toy.

Sculpt

Fantastic! I’m fairly sure this was a computer-modeled design, but for mechanical devices that never really bothers me and can, in fact, make me even happier since everything gets smooth and machined lines. As is appropriate one engine cover is missing, the air intakes on the front are made of lots of lines that curve around the body, and there’s even fake controls on the vehicle’s dash. Yeah, fantastic is the right word for the sculpt.

Paint

I would have liked some weathering effects on the vehicle, but what we get is a fairly clean and simple set of paint apps that work well. The silver is a bit sloppy in spots, the maroon coloring is patchy and fuzzy in places, but that’s just me picking nits and as a mass market toy for children I need to just shut my fingers and accept that the paint is just fine for what this is: an inexpensive toy for kids.

Luke Skywalker

The Star Wars Jedi Force Landspeeder* just wouldn’t be complete without a Luke Skywalker action figure, and Hasbro knew this so they tossed in a cute little Luke toy that stands 2.5-inches tall. This line isn’t known for articulation, and Luke demonstrates that with his swivel hips — both legs move as one piece — a swivel neck, and ball-hinge shoulders. Overall the figure design is just fine; not spectacular, but then I bought this for the vehicle and the figure’s there only to look neat in the seat.

Closing Thoughts

Who should buy the Star Wars Jedi Force Landspeeder* before the line vanishes from store shelves? Well, anyone who collects Landspeeder toys, of course, but also everyone who wants to introduce classic Star Wars designs to younger kids. This really is more of a toy than it is a collectible for adults, but I still think adult collectors who love toys will see just how fun the design really is.

An excellent job by Hasbro’s designers and my only real complaint has to be that there’s no good way to fasten C-3PO and R2-D2 to the back of the toy.