Supreme Chancellor Palpatine: A Star Wars Action Figure Review

A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away....

It is a time of turmoil in the galaxy. A decade after the Naboo crisis and the election of Senator Palpatine as Supreme Chancellor, a new menace to democracy has emerged as Count Dooku, a former Jedi Master, becomes the leader of a Separatist movement that has enticed ten thousand systems to secede from the Galactic Republic.

In the face of this and other crises, the Galactic Senate has allowed the charismatic and seemingly incorruptible Supreme Chancellor to remain in office despite constitutionally mandated term limits. Quiet, unassuming, and devoted to maintaining peace and justice in the galaxy, Palpatine seems to be reluctant to use force against the Separatists.

But as it becomes apparent that the 10,000-strong Jedi Order may be becoming overextended in its efforts to maintain the peace throughout the galaxy, Palpatine's stance on negotiations shifts to a harder line as his operatives in the Senate and elsewhere push for the creation of an Army of the Republic. If the Separatist threat continues, Palpatine seems poised to gain absolute power for the duration of the emergency.....
 

Supreme Chancellor Palpatine: Character Background 

For all their flaws (real or perceived), the Star Wars prequels finally get around to explaining how a once-great and thriving democracy evolved into a tyrannical dictatorship even though it was protected by the formidable Jedi Order. The Republic didn't become the evil Empire because Palpatine -- who was introduced into the film series in The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi -- came from another galaxy and took it over by an external attack, but because the Senator/Sith Lord wormed his way patiently into the office of the Supreme Chancellor by using the weaknesses of the democratic system against itself. By allying himself with greedy ultra-capitalist organizations such as the Trade Federation and employing subtle "dirty tricks" to remove Supreme Chancellor Valorum from office, Palpatine cleverly manipulates people and events to get himself elected as head of the Senate and the Republic's Chief Executive. 

As George Lucas points out in the audio commentaries in The Phantom Menace and Attack of the Clones DVDs, Palpatine's rise to power is based not on that of a leader like Fidel Castro who took power at the point of a gun but rather more like that of Julius Caesar in ancient Rome or Adolf Hitler in 1930s Germany. Both used the established political system to get themselves elected, and both used internal and external threats, real or fabricated, to subvert and finally overthrow the weak democratic institutions and become dictators. 

As portrayed by Ian McDiarmid, Palpatine is the ultimate politician, seemingly devoted to democracy and peace. He projects an aura of calm reflection and confidence, and most people, even most members of the Jedi Council, trust him. Only a few -- Yoda and Obi-Wan Kenobi among them -- seem to have any misgivings about Palpatine's sincerity. 

Of course, Palpatine's relationship with Anakin Skywalker is the most important aspect of the character in the Star Wars saga. Ever since the Battle of Naboo in The Phantom Menace, Palpatine has been keeping a close watch on the powerful and headstrong Jedi; he becomes a father figure to young Skywalker and monitors his career, waiting patiently for the right moment to slowly but surely turn him away from Obi-Wan Kenobi's teachings and turn him to the dark side of the Force. 

You don't need guidance, Anakin. In time you will learn to trust your feelings. Then you will become invincible. I have said it many times, you are the most gifted Jedi I have ever met. 

Supreme Chancellor Palpatine: The Figure 

Although in some ways this figure from the Star Wars: Collection 2 wave produced by Hasbro in 2002 is somewhat unexciting as a toy -- the Supreme Chancellor is, after all, a politician and not, say, a fellow you'd expect would wield a blaster or lightsaber -- Palpatine nevertheless is one of the more detailed figures I've seen or owned. 

Not only is his sculpt-and-paint job consistent with those from the earlier Episode I figures, but the detailing captures the subtle and almost sinister looking aging process that is apparent in Episode II. Instead of his skin having a lively flesh-pink tone and his hair in gray-silver hues, Supreme Chancellor Palpatine has a paler complexion, not as greyish as that of his "later" Emperor Palpatine incarnation, but one can see more wrinkles and "liver" spots on the Supreme Chancellor's face. His hair has thinned a bit too, and it's now a distinguished-looking shade of white, giving Palpatine a "gentle wise old man" facade. 

Although sculpted and painted from plastic, Supreme Chancellor Palpatine's ornate cloak and tunic look as though they were made from the finest mix of heavy and light fabrics; reminscent of the outfits worn by the Trade Federation viceroy Nute Gunray crossed with the ceremonial outfit worn by Supreme Chancellor Valorum. The robes, with flowing sleeves and simple yet elegant lines, give the figure a distinctly regal appearance. 

Although adult collectors will probably appreciate the attention to detail to costume and physical characteristics, children more than likely will not find Supreme Chancellor Palpatine very exciting. For all his importance in the films, Palpatine is basically a mostly-offscreen presence, a puppetmaster who pulls everyone's strings yet doesn't fight anyone physically until the third film of each trilogy. Thus he has no nifty extras -- no blaster, no red bladed lightsaber -- in the carded package. 

The nature of the costume also seems to have limited Supreme Chancellor Palpatine's articulation. The head moves at the neck, of course, but his legs seem to have no knee joints to allow the future Emperor to sit, and his hands look as though they are permanently steepled in a contemplative pose as the duplicitous "phantom menace" mulls over his complicated schemes. 

As always, parents are cautioned that Star Wars figures have small parts; it might take brute strength, of course, but the hands and head could be forcibly removed and become a choking hazard. Hasbro recommends this toy for children ages 4 and up, although I strongly suspect older collectors (ages 12 and up), including completists like me, might like this figure better. 

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