Yodasnews Review:  Venator-Class Attack Cruiser Titanium Series

 Review and Photography by Jeffrey A. Gouse (SithLord0498)

Review Date: January 19, 2010

 

A lone desert planet sits in the foreground with the vast blackness of space draped behind it when suddenly a small cruiser flies by, running from an unseen aggressor.  Within moments, however, that aggressor reveals itself as its massive triangular form consumes both your vision and imagination.  It is widely regarded as one of the most memorable and powerful opening sequences in motion picture history. 

Not to be outdone by its 1977 predecessor, Revenge of the Sith boasts an awe-inspiring opening sequence of its own as a very familiar shape fills the screen—albeit in an earlier form.  Bearing its red and yellow markings, the Venator-class Attack Cruiser was the last capital ship to serve in the Republic Navy because, by film’s end, it would strip its colors and become the first Imperial Star Destroyer.  Its transformation into a cold gray goliath was a symbolic transition between freedom and tyranny, Republic and Empire…Prequels and Original Trilogy. 

Today’s review looks at the miniature die-cast Venator-class Attack Cruiser.  In fact, this review examines two versions: the original Republic cruiser with the red and yellow markings and the later plain gray Imperial incarnation (released a few assortments later).  It may seem strange to dredge up a 2006 product for an in-depth review in 2010, but there is a specific reason: the Titanium Series has reached its end. 

As with most toy-related business decisions, the most likely reason for its cancellation is an overall lack of sales.  Of course, filling the pegs with endless repaints of the same starfighters probably drove away many consumers, but this is all academic at this point.  Still, we as collectors should be thankful for the long run the die-cast did have because it yielded some very high-quality pieces.  Like the Neimoidian Shuttle and TX-130 Fighter Tank, the Venator cruiser is a stellar example of Titanium Series at its aesthetic peak. 

And so, let us begin this bittersweet look at a fantastic piece…  

SCULPTING:  Excellent 

Because the differences between the two cruisers are strictly limited to their paint applications, this category will encompass both versions of the Venator cruiser.  Accuracy in this case is a very tricky thing to accomplish because of the sheer size of the original vehicle.  Sculpting and fitting all of the individual armored plates and other minute features at such a small scale is beyond the realm of a $6 mass production item, one that is quite honestly the Star Wars equivalent of a Hot Wheels car.  Instead, Hasbro’s sculptors crafted these vehicles in the spirit of the original design when it came to the details.  They mimicked the shapes and styles of the plates while carving their own pattern into the hull. 

That is not to say they completely ad libbed the design.  The raised central seam (the 700 meter long hangar bay doors) is proportionate to the original ship, and the arrangement of the three small gray pieces in the center of the strip has been taken straight from the source material.  Those details are more noticeable on the Republic version because they stand out against the red paint, and you can clearly see them in the “Paint Applications” image.  Just look at the bottom right portion of the composition.  Found at the base on both sides of the rear superstructure, the heavy turbolaser turrets are also accurate in terms of number and placement although the shapes are not.  Again, this is an issue of the scale being too small for such fine details.  The shape, proportions, and major details of the command superstructure are also very accurate with the dual bridges containing a healthy dose of detailing despite their 1.3 cm x 0.2 cm dimensions.

 

Next, we move to the rear of the command ship and arrive at the busiest part of the sculpting.  While the main hull does contain a multitude of etched lines and raised details, the rear fin (which houses the hyperdrive) and the group of eight primary and secondary thrusters comprise a clustered chaos.  However, Hasbro’s designers managed to successful reign them in and preserve the individuality of each piece.  The eight thrusters are divided into four matching pairs, and each pair is different from the next in terms of shape and size.  Proportionately, they are as close as one can get to the original CGI model, and the rippled textures of the thrusters are cleanly sculpted.  As for the rear fin, it too manages to contain fine details in the form of evenly spaced ridges.

Big screws not withstanding, the underbelly of the attack cruiser is less detailed than the top.  This should come as little surprise though.  However, do not let the simplicity fool you—the quality of the work is just as high as the work done topside.  In fact, the underbelly contains one of the most impressive sculpting features on the ship: the lower hangar bay.  It is little more than a grid pattern recessed a few millimeters into the vehicle, but it is a highly effective simulation of the on-screen hangar bay regardless of the viewing distance.

 

PAINT APPLICATIONS 

Imperial Version:  Excellent 

Considering the one-note color deco on the Imperial version of the Venator-class cruiser, one would hope Hasbro can achieve a solid application, and they most certainly did.  The light blue paint on the tips of the ion drive thrusters are evenly applied and refrain from slopping outside their boundaries.  The dark paint wash used to give the ship definition and shading has also been evenly applied and brings the sculpted details to life.  This is particularly impressive because of the sheer amount of crevices in the ship.  There are plenty of spots where the paint could have gotten clogged, but that does not happen at all.  

Republic Version:  Excellent (Bordering on Above Average) 

Keep in mind that this was the first version released.  Taking that into account, it’s no surprise that the main issues with the paint deco here were fixed on the Imperial version—it was Hasbro’s second go at it.  The issues of which we speak deal with the dark paint wash.  Whereas the etched lines on the Imperial version are completely filled in, the lines on the Republic version often look as though they were passed over with brush strokes that were too shallow.  The result is a ship with muddled details and poorer definition. 

Putting that aside, the remaining applications are superb.  The blue tips of the thrusters are just as nicely applied here, and the two small insignias for the “Open Circle Fleet” (the fleet under Anakin and Obi-Wan’s direct command) have been placed with great precision and clarity.  The remaining red markings are nearly perfect with only the slightest misses on a few edges.  Casual viewers will not even notice.

OVERALL RATING:  Excellent 

Both versions of the Venator-class attack cruiser are fantastic pieces that represent the high quality often associated with the Titanium Series.  They are also excellent examples of when it is appropriate to release paint variants without appearing redundant, unimaginative, and/or cashing-in.  Most collectors won’t need five different colors of Jedi Interceptors, but they will need both of these vehicles if they want to have a visual display of the Star Destroyer’s evolution.  Add the classic Star Destroyer and the SSD Executor (both released in very early Titanium assortments), and you have a nearly-complete display.  Only the Episode II-era Acclamator-class cruiser is missing, a ship which saw very limited release in the last wave of the larger scale Action Fleet vehicles. 

Sadly, the end of the product line means such a display will not come to be. 

Titanium Series, rest in peace.  You will be missed. 

As for the repaints…you will not be missed.