Review – Star Wars: The Force Awakens Sarco Plank Action Figure

If you’ve already read The Weapon of a Jedi* (recommended!) then you’ve met Sarco Plank*, a scavenger and rogue who attempts to harm Luke Skywalker in that YA novel. Plank, a new character from The Force Awakens, has been seeded into the Star Wars universe through that YA novel — which takes place between Star Wars and Empire — and after seeing the character design I’m not surprised that Kenner . . . I mean, uh, Hasbro . . . has already brought us an action figure even before the film reaches theaters.

Kenner?

I’m 100% serious here. If you’ve seen my reviews of Hasbro’s 3.75-inch scale Star Wars action figures from earlier this year (Cikatro Vizago and IG-RM review here, Bossk and IG-88 review here, TIE Pilot) then you already know that someone over at Hasbro has tapped into the vintage Kenner five-points-of-articulation action figure styling of the seventies and eighties. And I’m personally happy with this approach; I believe that this makes the toys far more playable for kids than the hyper-articulated action figures that had overtaken the field during the last decade.

Sarco Plank* continues where those Rebels and Mission Series action figures left off, extending the Kenner legacy to a new Star Wars movie and giving us an action figure manufactured using today’s skills combined with yesterday’s playability. It’s a perfect blend of two eras in one toy!

Classic Articulation

Sarco Plank* feels as if his articulation was lifted straight out of 1978, even going so far as having no neck articulation in favor of appearance over poseability. Like the vintage Chewie and Stormtrooper action figures, Sarco Plank* has only four joints. I’m five-years-old all over again.

And check out that t-hip joint and those legs! Any questions about Hasbro’s inspiration for these designs should vanish the instant you get a look at the lower half of the action figure.

Modern Sculpt

The playability design may come from my childhood, but the sculpt of the Sarco Plank* toy is clearly modern in design. From the fabulous details to the design of the hood and head — soft plastics hang down the front of the figure to add depth to the appearance — the look of the figure is clearly modern. That’s not to say that Sarco Plank* wouldn’t look good with vintage toys — it looks great alongside Return of the Jedi figures from 1983! — only that Hasbro didn’t slavishly follow the past and instead applied their skills perfectly to the toy’s final design.

Completely Satisfied

Sarco Plank* is exactly what I needed. A great sculpt, fabulous character design, and vintage playability design helps drive my excitement for The Force Awakens . . . not that I needed any more fuel thrown on that fire. Thank you, Hasbro, for returning Star Wars to its toy roots.

I can fully admit that the Sarco Plank* toy design isn’t for everyone. If poseability is important to you then this action figure is one you’re better off leaving in the store. If, however, you’re looking for a perfect sculpt and a toy that feels like it could have been released during the classic era then this is a figure you must buy.

I will absolutely buy more of the figures in this series. Thank you, Hasbro. This is an incredible toy and I’m completely satisfied with your design choices.