By all accounts, the new BMF is a jaw-dropper -- it holds over twice the number of action figures, includes light-up headlights, engines, cockpit, and game table, has movie sounds and dialog, and sports electronic laser turrets, missile launcher, docking bay, and Jedi training probe.
Of course, the measure of any good toy is how successfully kids and fans embrace it. If eBay auctions selling professionally-enhanced movie-accurate versions of the Falcon toy are any indication, it would seem the Falcon is a hit -- and the media agrees.
EW.com recently named the BMF first on its list of holiday gifts "For the Kids", although most fans would agree this ginormous hunk of junk (hardly!) isn't just for younglings. It's the perfect blend of nostalgia for old-schoolers, high-tech gadgetry for newbies, and fully-loaded over-the-top goodness for the passively-amused.
As a result, this Falcon with "special modifications" gets starwars.com's vote for coolest collectible of 2008. Be sure to check out our prior coverage of the BMF, as well as an interview excerpt from Hasbro's Mark Boudreaux on the making of the new Falcon.
Other Notable Collectibles of 2008
Princess Leia Slave Costume -- part of Rubie's Costumes' "Secret Wishes" line, it's not hard to see why this one gets one's Jedi senses tingling.
Vader Toaster -- fans can now wake up to the dark side -- of the toast, that is. StarWarsShop's exclusive Vader Toaster was the brainchild of Lucas Online's own Bonnie Burton, and has been burning up the blogosphere since its launch a couple months ago.
Vader Bronze -- sculptor Lawrence Noble, who adorned both Lucasfilm campuses at Big Rock and the Presidio with this Yoda and other bronzes, recently unveiled his latest masterpiece: Vader. Aside from its stunning artistry, what makes this one noteworthy is the price: $18,000. You could almost buy your own ship for that, sure, but it wouldn't look this darn cool.
Star Wars Bedsheets -- Pottery Barn Kids launched an unexpected hit this year with there retro Star Wars bedsheets, allegedly selling out instantly upon release. It's no surprise, really -- for the first time, grown-ups could dream of childhood between the first queen-size Star Wars sheets ever.
Hasbro's AT-TE -- Hasbro gets a second shout-out on our "best of" list this year with another sizable addition to their ever-growing Star Wars lines: the AT-TE. Dubbed "the big one" at Toy Fair (should we call this one "BATTE"?), this thing looks as good as it plays. Nothing this cool has emerged from the Imperial toy arsenal since 1981's original AT-AT toy -- and that one didn't have six legs!
