The Force Awakens in Concert (Sydney, Australia)

Ever since moving to Sydney earlier this year, my wife and I had been looking for an excuse to see a show at the Opera House. The perfect opportunity presented itself last week when the Sydney Symphony Orchestra presented a live performance of The Force Awakens.

Set to a rear-projected screening of the film under the sprawling curves of the Opera House, this was about as good as it gets (at least, short of seeing the score conducted by John Williams himself). It was a great way to start building anticipation for the release of the final film in the Skywalker saga this December.

Now we just need to squeeze in a rewatch of the The Last Jedi. Maybe on Triple Force Friday?

The Hunt Is On - The Vintage Collection 3 3/4" Tatooine Skiff Special Action Figure Set Found

While I've managed to pre-order the phenomenal Vintage Collection 3 3/4" Jabba's Tatooine Skiff from EB Games Australia, it's less clear if and when the accompanying Tatooine Skiff Special Action Figure Set will arrive down under. Our best bet is that, like the skiff, we'll see it released on 'Triple Force Friday' this October 4th. Fortunately, I won't have to wait that long - as I managed to pick up this trio of figures loose on the secondary market for close to RRP.

This set features repacks of the Vizam and Brock Starsher from The Black Series (both of whom I missed the first time around) along with a brand new figure, Vedain. Each figure features the expected minimum of fourteen points of articulation, while Vizam and Vedain's helmets are also removable. All three carry blaster pistols, while Brock also comes armed with a vibro-ax. Ordinarily, Vizam is also packed with a rail-mounted cannon, however this wasn't included in my particular purchase (and, unless you have the Sail Barge, isn't really that useful).

Now all these skiff guards need is a skiff to guard!

The Rise of Skywalker Second Teaser Trailer and Teaser Poster Released

While we all expected to see some new footage from The Rise of Skywalker at D23, most of us expected this to be in the form of a behind-the-scenes sizzle reel - just like the one we got for The Last Jedi. Instead, we were surprised with something that basically amounts to a second full teaser trailer. You can check it out below.

While the entire trailer only features about thirty seconds of new footage, there's an enormous amount to take in: B-Wing, Y-Wings, C-3PO with red eyes, a Blockade Runner, and an entire armada of Imperial Star Destroyers... And then of course there's that shot at the very end. But while the internet no doubt goes wild with speculation, it's important to remember that these trailers are deliberately crafted for the purposes of misdirection. Obviously, this is even more true when we're dealing with a film by the very father of the 'mystery box'. Everything else aside, this teaser is exactly what I need right now. A brief, thrilling reminder of how momentous this film will be - but without giving me even the slightest hint of how it's all going to end.

Less impressive, however, was the accompanying poster:

While I love the foreground imagery of Rey and Kylo dueling, the appearance of the Emperor in the rear is just... off. There's something about his face that doesn't look quite like right - almost as though his its animated - and this tends to throw off the entire composition. Regardless, this is only the teaser poster. We'll no doubt see an official (and more traditional) theatrical poster very soon.

What are your thoughts on the second teaser trailer and teaser poster for The Rise of Skywalker? Be sure to let us know via Facebook or Twitter, or by sending an email to relicsoftheforce@gmail.com!

Obi-Wan Kenobi Live-Action TV Series Announced

The long-rumoured - but never confirmed - live-action Obi-Wan television series has now been officially announced by Disney at this year's D23. Details are still thin on the ground, but Disney has confirmed that the series will be set eight years after Episode III - Revenge of the Sith, with Ewan McGregor reprising the titular role.

I, for one, couldn't be happier. This is the one story I've been hoping to see ever since Disney first announced that it would begin producing 'spin-off' films and television series. John Jackson Miller's novel Kenobi remains one of my favourite in the old Expanded Universe, so I can't wait to see a new take on Obi-Wan's desert adventures in the years between the prequel and original trilogies.

How about you? What are your thoughts on this announcement? Be sure to let us know via Facebook or Twitter, or by sending an email to relicsoftheforce@gmail.com!

The Mandalorian Trailer and Poster Released

This year's D23 is now underway, and the Star Wars reveals have already begun - starting with our first look (at least, for those of us who couldn't attend Celebration) at the trailer for the upcoming live-action series The Mandalorian. You can check it out below.

I have to admit that the tone of the show looks a lot more mature than what I'd expected from Disney television show. Then again, this is the company behind the MCU. Their ability to tell dark - yet still thoroughly entertaining - tales is well documented. Indeed, the fact that Jon Favreau (creator of the Iron Man films) is behind the show should give us a pretty good indication of what we can expect to see from the Mandalorian.

In addition to the trailer, Disney also unveiled this gorgeous poster for the show:

As well as giving us a great look at The Mandalorian's ship - the Razor Crest - this poster also gives us our clearest indication yet that (at least part of) the show will be set on Tatooine. I mean, those are Jawa sandcrawlers, right?

What are your thoughts on the trailer and poster for The Mandalorian? Be sure to let us know via Facebook or Twitter, or by sending an email to relicsoftheforce@gmail.com!

The Hunt Is On - The Vintage Collection 3 3/4" Luke Skywalker Special Action Figure Set Found

Last year, San Diego Comic Con gave us a phenomenal exclusive Vintage Collection  set in the form of the Doctor Aphra Special Action Figure Set. This year, they've done it again with an exclusive Luke Skywalker Special Action Figure Set. The set features two brand new figures - Stormtrooper Disguise Luke and Rebel Pilot Luke - along with a (much-needed) upgrade to the previously released Black Series Jedi Knight Luke. Given the lack of distribution down under, I hadn't held out much hope of getting my hands on this set. Fortunately a reliable eBay source came through, and I managed to score this trio loose for close to RRP.

In truth, these three represent the very pinnacle of 3 3/4" figures. The Photo Real treatment means that these are some of the most accurate Lukes we've ever seen. Previous releases just don't even compare. What's more, Hasbro have finally been sure to correct some egregious errors from the past - like packing Jedi Knight Luke with his correct (armless) Jedi cloak. The Rebel Pilot Luke is a must-have for my contingent of Rebel pilots, as his previous best release - all the way back from 2006 - leaves a lot to be desired. The Stormtrooper Disguise Luke fills a rather glaring gap in my collection of Original Trilogy figures, and while he might share much of the same body as his previous Legacy Collection iteration, he now comes with that gorgeous, crisp (and far more screen-accurate) Stormtrooper helmet we first saw packed in with the Stormtrooper Disguise Han exclusive figure. The two will make a great pair on display.

All-in-all, I'm absolutely rapt with this phenomenal little set. With these acquisitions, my Vintage Collection Hunt List is complete - at least until new figures are announced for this year's 'Triple Force Friday'. Bring on October 4th!

Star Wars Resistance Season 2 Trailer Released

Yesterday we received the bittersweet news that the second - and final - season of Star Wars Resistance will premiere on 6th October. You can check out the trailer below.

It's hard to not be a little disappointed by this announcement. While Resistance hadn't yet reached the lofty heights of The Clone Wars or Rebels, it showed a lot of promise - and this trailer certainly gives us a hint as to how much bigger its world was going to get. That being said, Resistance only ever had a limited time frame to work with (specifically, the twelve galactic months in which the Sequel Trilogy takes place). With that trilogy being wrapping up, I'm incredibly curious to see where Disney and Lucasfilm decide to take Star Wars animation next.

What are your thoughts on the trailer for season 2 of Resistance? Be sure to let us know via Facebook or Twitter, or by sending an email to relicsoftheforce@gmail.com!

The Hunt Is On - The Vintage Collection 3 3/4" Waves 7 and 8 Figures Found

As the drought of figures at brick-and-mortar stores continues, the online secondary market has come through once again. I recently managed to score all three Wave 7 and 8 figures on my Vintage Collection Hunt List - VC09 Boba Fett, VC146 Luke Skywalker (Crait), and VC147 Death Star Gunner.

As with the Original Trilogy characters in Wave 5, Boba is a repack of a figure from the very beginning of the Vintage Collection back in 2010. He's been given a few minor paint app tweaks, and - most importantly - the Photo Real face treatment (which appears to be based on the visage of an older Daniel Logan). This update to an already great super-articulated figure easily makes this the definitive 3 3/4" Boba Fett.

Of course, the most in-demand figure from these two waves will be Luke. Not only does he remedy an obvious hole in any 3 3/4" Last Jedi collection, but he also makes excellent fodder for any Legacy fan wanting a 'heyday' Jedi Master Skywalker. While collectors have reported some large variations in the face detailing on this figure, I managed to luck out with mine. Despite Luke's desirability however, I'm most happy for the third of these figures - the Death Star Gunner. A super-articulated version of this trooper has been on my wishlist for over a decade, so I'm rapt to see that Hasbro has finally given him the deluxe treatment.

With these acquisitions, my Vintage Collection Hunt List is complete - at least until new figures are announced for this year's 'Triple Force Friday'. Bring on October 4th!

The Hunt Is On - The Vintage Collection 3 3/4" Wave 5 and Exclusive Figures Found

Given the previously mentioned glut of old figures in stores, it's becoming increasingly unlikely that I'll be seeing future waves of Vintage Collection figures in my area any time soon. Life, uh, finds a way, however - so I've been turning to the secondary market in order to get my hand on the latest releases. The beauty of being an 'opener' is that this can be done rather cheaply. I recently managed to find all of the Wave 5 and Walmart exclusive figures on my Hunt List for around $17.50NZ each - considerably less than their MISB price of up to $29.99 at some retailers (I'm looking at you, Toyworld).

Wave 5 consists of repacks of four figures from the very early days of the Vintage Collection back in 2010: VC02 Princess Leia (Hoth), VC03 Han Solo (Echo Base), VC08 Darth Vader, and VC23 Luke Skywalker (Endor Captive). This time around, however, all four figures have been given the gorgeous Photo Real face treatment - providing them with some of the best likenesses we've seen in this scale. Add this to the super articulation and wonderful accessories that we've all come to expect from this line (Vader's three-piece helmet is a particularly magical touch), and you've got one phenomenal wave of classic characters.

While I'd picked up the Vader on his initial release many years ago, the Photo Real upgrade was sufficient incentive to purchase another. The Leia, Han, and Luke, on the other hand, were all figures that I'd missed the first time around. Given this, I was rapt to finally be able to add them to my collection (even more so given how much their initial releases sell for on the secondary market).

Along with this wave, I also managed to nab four exclusives that had no hope of making it to Australian shores: VC21 Gamorrean Guard, VC137 Ree-Yees, VC 143 Han Solo (Stormtrooper Disguise), and VC144 Lando Calrissian (Skiff Guard). The Gamorrean Guard is a straight reissue of the exquisite figure first released in 2010. I passed on this the first time, and have regretted it ever since - especially after picking up my 3 3/4" Jabba the Hutt. The Ree-Yees is a repack from the 3 3/4" Black Series line, while the Han Solo and Lando Calrissian figures are heavily modified (and improved) versions of previous Vintage Collection and Legacy Collection releases -  now with the Photo Real upgrade. Once again, these represented a handful of gaps in my collection that I was incredibly excited to fill. The trio of Return of the Jedi figures will go especially well with the raft of Jabba's Palace-themed figures I picked up from the last wave!

Micro Force WOW! Series 1 Figures

Last year my wife and I decided to diversify our collecting habits by focussing on a new line - specifically, Hasbro's Micro Force. These figures retailed for $2.99US (around $4.00NZ) in blind bags of two. We managed to collect full sets of both Series 1 and Series 2 - however, while three more series were released, these never turned up at any of our local stores. With interest in the line diminishing, Hasbro recently opted to reposition and rebrand the line as Micro Force WOW!, now selling four figures at a time in a new lightsaber-shaped blind box. We finally came across the first series of this new line at Hobbyco during a recent trip to downtown Sydney.

These new packs retail for $17.99AU. That's around $19.00NZ - or approximately $4.75NZ per figure. Given that the figures have more than doubled in price, we opted for a single blind box to begin with. Fortunately, we nabbed a great quartet. As well as new figures, the WOW! line also includes holographic (read: unpainted translucent) versions of previously released sculpts. We only received one of these however - a red holographic version of the Darth Maul we obtained in Series 2. The other three figures we pulled - holographic K-2SO; Luke Skywalker (Jedi Exile); and Bucket (R1-J5) - were entirely new for our collection

While we were rapt with this particular pack, we're not entirely sold on picking up more than these. Truth be told, we lucked out in getting pretty much every figure we wanted from this wave. The remainder are resculpts - or holographic rereleases - of characters that we already have in our collection. The considerably higher price of these new packs is also a big deterrent. It's a little frustrating to be honest. It's clear that Hasbro is attempting to offer a more involved blind-opening experience - perhaps in an attempt to emulate the wild success of lines like LOL Surprise! But once it's open, the lightsaber serves no extra purpose as a means of display nor has any other playability to offer. Further, given the low production costs of these figures, there's every chance that the lightsaber packaging may very well cost more than the items it contains - and this might go some way towards explaining the significant increase in prices. At the end of the day, it's hard to see how the addition of such a gimmick can save the line. While Hasbro might have been disappointed with the sales figures for the earlier waves of this line, there's every chance this was simply down to poor distribution (a complaint also shared by 3 3/4" figures right now). My wife and I would have invested heavily in Series 3 through 5 - had we been able to find them.

In short, we're hoping that Hasbro soon take this line back to its roots, and once again give us the chance to pick up simple (and cheap) packets of these fantastic little figures. Until then, we're unlikely to be dabbling much more in this line.

The Star Wars Identities Exhibition (Sydney, Australia)

A few months ago my wife and I moved to Sydney, Australia - just in time to catch the Star Wars Identities Exhibition at the Powerhouse Museum. Unlike the Power of Costume display we caught in Florida (which focussed exclusively on screen-used costumes) this exhibit features an additional range of concept art, maquettes, and - most exciting for me - model starships.

As the name suggests, the exhibition centres around the many influences that comprise our personal identities. Guests use an electronic wristband to interact with ten digital stations throughout the exhibit - each of which invites them to make decisions about what kind of person (or alien) they'd be in that galaxy far, far away. At the end of the tour, each guest's Star Wars alter-ego is projected on a screen for all to see.

Unfortunately, the 'identities' activity was a little underwhelming. Each guest's final character really ends up being a combination of only two choices - the costume (of which there were about a dozen options) and head type (of which there were around the same number). It would have been great if some of the other identity choices had an effect, making for a more unique avatar - but lets be honest, no-one came to this exhibition for the interactive component. The real attraction here were the gorgeous, screen-used costumes and props. And these certainly didn't fail to disappoint.

The Star Wars: Identities exhibition will next be at Warehouse TERRADA in Tokyo, Japan from August 8, 2018 to January 13, 2020. More locations and dates are expected to be announced after this, and can be found on the official website of the exhibition.