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Reviews |
Yoda
Comparison review of between Attack of the Clones and Revenge of the Sith Lightsaber Replicas
Yoda AOTC LE
Released : 2002
Edition Size : 2500
Display Case : Included (old style case)
Retail Price : $249.99
Part No : SW-104
Yoda ROTS LE
Released : 2005
Edition Size : 2900
Display Case : Included (new style case)
Retail Price : $369.00
Part No : SW-133
Star Wars Episode II: Attack Of The Clones was the first film in which Yoda appeared in purely digital form throughout. Whilst there had been a brief scene in Episode I featuring a fully digital Yoda, he had previously been represented by a puppet controlled by the great Frank Oz. Attack Of The Clones also witnessed another momentous first for Yoda: the first time we got to see his lightsaber. We all knew that Yoda was a powerful Jedi master, but it was still a surprise see Yoda power up his lightsaber and take part in a full fledged duel.
The history of Yodas lightsaber was revealed in an interview soon after Master Replicas had been formed as a company with Steve Dymszo (one of the founders of MR). Prior to Episode II a friend of Steve Dymszo had bought some antique flashguns. On seeing a Praco Steve joked that it could be Yodas lightsaber. Afterwards for fun Steve modified it to look more like a lightsaber using some model kit parts, and re-arranged some of the flashgun parts. Pictures of this creation found their way to an editor of Star Wars Episode I Visual Dictionary, who showed them to Lucasfilm. When designing Yodas lightsaber for the film Lucasfilm negotiated the rights to use this overall design for the digital lightsaber that they would create. The outcome was a digitally modelled hilt which bore similarities to the Praco design which Steve had created, but altered some of the parts, and the scaling, and it ended up as the official design for Yodas lightsaber.
As Steve Dymszo was one of the founders of Master Replicas it was fitting that in 2002 MR produced a Limited Edition of Yodas lightsaber from AOTC. This was the first time that a fully CGI ‘prop’ had been replicated, and it therefore generated a mixed reaction from fans. Opinion was divided along the lines of some being glad to obtain a real world version of a Yoda saber, and others protesting that it should never have been made at all as there was no real world prop to replicate.
Despite the mixed reaction, the edition run of 2500 sold out fairly quickly. Three years later with the release of Revenge Of The Sith imminent Master Replicas released the first of five lightsaber replicas from that film – a second version of Yodas lightsaber. Some saw this as a re-hash of the previous release, however changes had been made to the digital ‘prop’ for Episode III, and in addition this new version would be battle damaged.
The most obvious differences are the overall finish and coloring, and the battle damage. However there are a number of more subtle changes that serve to differentiate these two lightsabers.
Starting at the emitter end, the emitter shroud remains approximately the same, however the battle damage and scorched appearance is very apparent on the ROTS version which sports a graded blackening, and a number of small ‘stains’. At first appearance these ‘stains’ appear to be accidental, however they are consistent on the entire run, and are indeed intended!
AOTC on the left, ROTS on the right. Note the small ‘stain’ markings on the ROTS
The emitters themselves are also slightly different. The inner silver disc part of the emitter is recessed further on the AOTC version. On the ROTS it is still recessed, but only very slightly. The ROTS emitter also has slight weathering around its edges.
AOTC emitter
ROTS emitter
Right behind the emitter there is a small knob attached to the main body. On the AOTC version this is chromed silver, on the ROTS however this has been changed to a slightly weathered black color.
AOTC shroud and top of the saber body
ROTS shroud and top of the saber body (note the ‘stains’ on the shroud, and the long scratch on the saber body)
On the body of the saber there are a number of small scratches on the ROTS version – one long one and a small grouping of shorter ones.
Reverse of the AOTC shroud and top of the saber body
Reverse of the AOTC shroud and top of the saber body (note the group of smaller scratches on the saber body)
Further down the body of the saber is the ‘clamp’. The ‘switch’ side of the clamp has suffered some serious weathering/battle damage on the ROTS version, however additionally the color of the LED has changed from clear on the AOTC to green on the ROTS.
AOTC ‘switch’
ROTS ‘switch’
The same is true of the LED on the other side of the ‘clamp’ which has also changed color between the two films.
AOTC LED
ROTS LED
Beyond the clamp are the five grips. The gap between the sleeve and the grips is very slightly wider on the AOTC version – this is hard to notice in the pictures, but is noticeable in person.
It is worth mentioning that a number of AOTC Yoda LEs have shown an issue over time on the grips. The grips on the AOTC version are covered in a thin rubberised coating which sometimes bubbles up. This can lead to a noticeable white area on the grip which gets larger over time. The lightsaber pictured has suffered this condition on one of the grips, and the bubbles became so large that it proved necessary to try and repair it.
Having read about being able to peel the coating off, sure enough this was indeed very easy to achieve. Rubbing the bubble carefully the coating can be removed, and whilst the grip then feels very different, it does not change the appearance and it is hard to tell which grip has had the coating removed without touching it. One of the grips on the AOTC version pictured has now developed a small bubble on the edge of one of the other grips as can be seen in the pictures.
AOTC grips (note the small bubble on the edge of the grip)
ROTS grips
The ROTS grips have weathering around the edges, and a different pattern of scratches on each grip.
ROTS on the left, AOTC on the right
Finally the pommel of the saber has undergone some changes. The knurling around the end has been altered. On the AOTC version the grooves are narrowly spaced, and not very deep. For the ROTS version they are deeper and more widely spaced, with a darker finish ingrained into the grooves. The darker finish is also ingrained in the ring which circles the saber below the grips on the ROTS version.
The copyright notice stamped on the end of the sabers varies in color between the versions – on the AOTC it is black, but due to the darker overall finish on the ROTS it is a greyish-white.
AOTC pommel
ROTS pommel
Overall these two versions of the CGI lightsabers used by Yoda both have their merits. As with the Obi-Wan ANH weathered and AFBB versions some will always want the weathering, and some will want the pristine. However unlike the Obi ANH some also want neither as these are not replicas of a real world prop.
The weathered finish of the ROTS is quite well done, however the battle scarring with the stains and scratches is not perfect. Whilst on display in the display case it looks very good, up close the battle scarring looks obviously faked. In fact on seeing the ROTS version up-close it is hard to believe how good it looks in the display case. That said to me the AOTC does not feel like the weapon of an 800 year old jedi master, it just feels too new – and for that reason alone the ROTS version nudges very slightly ahead for me.
However as will all aesthetic choices not everyone will agree, and the AOTC version looks amazing and positively gleams. It is perhaps worth noting that the AOTC version comes with an old style display case, and looks far better in a new style ROTS Yoda case if you can get one.
AOTC top, ROTS bottom
Review by MikeyX
11th Jan. 2008
All images ©2008 MikeyX.
Unauthorized copying is prohibited.
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