Ever since Disney took over the Star War franchise, it's been tradition for Hasbro to release a 3 3/4" figure pack to coincide with the home video release of each new film. Unfortunately, the figure selections in these packs has often been highly questionable. The first pack (the Force Awakens' "Takodana Encounter" Pack) bundled the exclusive - and highly desirable - Maz Kanata with three straight repacks. Further, these repacks are usually of unique characters (like Jyn in the "Jedha Revolt" pack and Rey in the "Battle on Crait" pack) that collectors already own, and that aren't required in duplicate. This time, however, Hasbro have done everything right.
The Force Link 2.0 3 3/4" Mission on Vandor-1 four-pack - released to accompany the home video release of Solo - features three brand new (and highly desirable) figures. First up is train-heist Han, who comes complete with a blaster pistol, working holster, fur coat, and the most adorable pair of goggles you ever did see. Best of all, he features a surprising nine points-of-articulation - only three less than many of the figures in the premium 3 3/4" lines. Next up is Qi'ra, making her first action figure appearance in one of her adult outfits. The figure is a superb likeness of Emilia Clarke, and also comes with a sidearm and working holster. Interestingly, though, the figure eschews Qi'ra's screen-accurate mini-skirt and tights in favour of a far more 70s-esque pair of slacks. While never actually seen in Solo, this outfit is, in fact, the very one worn by Qi'ra in the animated Forces of Destiny episode "Triplecross".
But the real star of this pack is Weazel. Ever since my first viewing of Solo, I've been hoping to assemble the whole of Enfys Nest's Coud-Riders gang in action figure form. Weazel is a first step towards this. Sculpted with a gorgeous crispness - and featuring pleasing little details like the two additional rockets strapped to his waist - Weazel is everything you could want in a figure. He, unlike the other three figures, also comes packed with two weapons: a rocket launcher and blaster pistol. Further, his diminutive height makes the reduced articulation makes little-to-no-difference to his poseability.
The single repack in this set is the Rangetrooper from Wave 1 of the Force Link 2.0 line. But this is as it should be. Nobody minds duplicate troopers - especially when the initial release of this figure was hard to track down for many collectors.
All up, this stands out as Hasbro's best home video pack to date. Featuring the perfect blend of characters - and a wise choice of a repack - it should be an easy sell for anyone collecting 3 3/4" figures.
