Transformers Review: Darth Maul (Star Wars Crossover)

Intro:

            The Star Wars mythology essentially started quite simple: it was a plain and simple war between good and bad. But as the story developed, it grew to become an entirely new world of its own, on par with Tolkien’s Middle Earth.

            Then we were introduced to the two major forces in the Star War universe – the Jedis and the Siths. The Jedis are basically the knights in shiny armor (minus the shiny armor), almost equivalent to the Knight Templars. The most famous of these Jedis are arguably Obi-wan Kenobi, Yoda and Luke Skywalker.

            The Siths, on the other hands, is the antithesis to the Jedis. They are basically the Dark Lords of the SW universe. The most famous of them are arguable Darth Vader and Darth Sidious (or more commonly known as Emperor Palpatine).

            In Star Wars Episode1: The Phantom Menace, we were introduced to another Sith Lord, by the name of Darth Maul. Among all Sith Lords, I would rank him as the most unique-looking. Characterized by this trademarked red and black facial tattoos, and the facial spikes, he is one mean-looking dude and really looks like he means business.

            Although Darth Maul have been released several times in the Star Wars Crossover line, I never actually felt inclined to buy him, until, thanks to persuasions from a certain Big Daddy during Chinese New Year this year, that I actually gotten myself ol’ tattoo face.

Alternate Mode:

            The box says that Darth Maul transforms into a Sith Infiltrator (so that’s what they call it!).

            Unlike the previously reviewed Yoda, Darth Vader and the Star Destroyer/ Jedi Cruiser Darth Vader/ Anakin Skywalker, whom all are made from plastics; this particular figure is made from PVC rubber, which I actually kinda dig.

            While I do have to admit that this Sith Infiltrator really does invoke the looks of Vector Prime (of Galaxy Force/ Cybertron fame), he isn’t exactly as detailed as the latter. Then again, what is there to be detailed about, right?

            In this mode, Darth Maul is armed with 2 spring-loaded projectiles, made from his two light sabers. On mine, the springs on the left wing is a bit loose, thus the projectiles may be accidentally shot to somewhere if you are not careful.

            There is also a stand, of sorts underneath, which although is nice to have, I wished that there was some sort of mechanism where I can choose whether to deploy them or otherwise, rather than to have them deployed every time. Also, due to the shortness of the stand, the lower wings will tend to fold in due to the lack of space. 

 

            The kibbles are very minimal, and that is always a plus point.

            Overall, a nice alternate mode, but with a lot of room to improve.

Robot Mode:

            Standing at about 6 ½-inches tall, Darth Maul is kinda small and skinny. I expected him to be a bit buffer, but I was proven otherwise. 

            The hips are a bit awkwardly designed, in my opinion. They seemed to be a bit too big, considering how small the waist is. 

            The two light sabers can be held separately in separate hands; or when slotted into the same hands, as depicted in the photo, it will give the illusion as if Darth Maul is wielding double-end light sabers instead. 

            Articulation-wise: the head rotates 360°; the shoulders have all-around motions; the arms rotate slightly below the shoulders; double-jointed elbows and bendable wrists; the body rotates at the waist; the hips rotate and they also move in and out, albeit limitedly; the hip guards and groin guards also moves in and out; the legs rotate and bend at the knees; and finally, the feet tilt down and back up.

            Although the articulations are there, I can’t help but feel that the articulations are a bit hindered and stiff. The right arm keeps on popping off whenever I try to transform him, although this may just be an isolated quality issue. 

            The one thing that I really do dig about this figure is the head sculpt. The red and black combination, along with the thorns really makes him cool. Some of you may look and him and sees a bit of Red Skull (of Captain America fame) in him.

            Overall, a robot mode with a lot of room to improve.

Overall:

            As far as a Transformers figure goes, there are many better figures than him. The TIE Advanced Darth Vader still remains, in my humble opinion, the best Star Wars-based Deluxe-sized figure in offer. For fans of Darth Maul or Star Wars, you’d probably want to get him to add into your collections, but as far as Transformers fans goes, it really depends on your personal preferences.

            Final verdict: 6.5/10.

Intro:

            The Star Wars mythology essentially started quite simple: it was a plain and simple war between good and bad. But as the story developed, it grew to become an entirely new world of its own, on par with Tolkien’s Middle Earth.

            Then we were introduced to the two major forces in the Star War universe – the Jedis and the Siths. The Jedis are basically the knights in shiny armor (minus the shiny armor), almost equivalent to the Knight Templars. The most famous of these Jedis are arguably Obi-wan Kenobi, Yoda and Luke Skywalker.

            The Siths, on the other hands, is the antithesis to the Jedis. They are basically the Dark Lords of the SW universe. The most famous of them are arguable Darth Vader and Darth Sidious (or more commonly known as Emperor Palpatine).

            In Star Wars Episode1: The Phantom Menace, we were introduced to another Sith Lord, by the name of Darth Maul. Among all Sith Lords, I would rank him as the most unique-looking. Characterized by this trademarked red and black facial tattoos, and the facial spikes, he is one mean-looking dude and really looks like he means business.

            Although Darth Maul have been released several times in the Star Wars Crossover line, I never actually felt inclined to buy him, until, thanks to persuasions from a certain Big Daddy during Chinese New Year this year, that I actually gotten myself ol’ tattoo face.

Alternate Mode:

            The box says that Darth Maul transforms into a Sith Infiltrator (so that’s what they call it!).

            Unlike the previously reviewed Yoda, Darth Vader and the Star Destroyer/ Jedi Cruiser Darth Vader/ Anakin Skywalker, whom all are made from plastics; this particular figure is made from PVC rubber, which I actually kinda dig.

            While I do have to admit that this Sith Infiltrator really does invoke the looks of Vector Prime (of Galaxy Force/ Cybertron fame), he isn’t exactly as detailed as the latter. Then again, what is there to be detailed about, right?

            In this mode, Darth Maul is armed with 2 spring-loaded projectiles, made from his two light sabers. On mine, the springs on the left wing is a bit loose, thus the projectiles may be accidentally shot to somewhere if you are not careful.

            There is also a stand, of sorts underneath, which although is nice to have, I wished that there was some sort of mechanism where I can choose whether to deploy them or otherwise, rather than to have them deployed every time. Also, due to the shortness of the stand, the lower wings will tend to fold in due to the lack of space.

            The kibbles are very minimal, and that is always a plus point.

            Overall, a nice alternate mode, but with a lot of room to improve.

Robot Mode:

            Standing at about 6 ½-inches tall, Darth Maul is kinda small and skinny. I expected him to be a bit buffer, but I was proven otherwise.

            The hips are a bit awkwardly designed, in my opinion. They seemed to be a bit too big, considering how small the waist is.

            The two light sabers can be held separately in separate hands; or when slotted into the same hands, as depicted in the photo, it will give the illusion as if Darth Maul is wielding double-end light sabers instead.

            Articulation-wise: the head rotates 360°; the shoulders have all-around motions; the arms rotate slightly below the shoulders; double-jointed elbows and bendable wrists; the body rotates at the waist; the hips rotate and they also move in and out, albeit limitedly; the hip guards and groin guards also moves in and out; the legs rotate and bend at the knees; and finally, the feet tilt down and back up.

            Although the articulations are there, I can’t help but feel that the articulations are a bit hindered and stiff. The right arm keeps on popping off whenever I try to transform him, although this may just be an isolated quality issue.

            The one thing that I really do dig about this figure is the head sculpt. The red and black combination, along with the thorns really makes him cool. Some of you may look and him and sees a bit of Red Skull (of Captain America fame) in him.

            Overall, a robot mode with a lot of room to improve.

Overall:

            As far as a Transformers figure goes, there are many better figures than him. The TIE Advanced Darth Vader still remains, in my humble opinion, the best Star Wars-based Deluxe-sized figure in offer. For fans of Darth Maul or Star Wars, you’d probably want to get him to add into your collections, but as far as Transformers fans goes, it really depends on your personal preferences.

            Final verdict: 6.5/10.