No matter how old you are or how cool you were as a kid everyone at some point has picked up a large stick, or wrapping paper tube, whirled it round their head and made the 'vvvvvvvrrrrrrrrmmmmmmm' sound.
This childish, and yet highly socially acceptable, behaviour is not due to a national love of fencing, more to do with a cheaply made film released in 1977. Star Wars has been described by it's creator (George Lucas) as 'The Ultimate B Movie' and judging from the two sequels (technically it was a trilogy) and the amount of money he made from them, it certainly was.
However with the coming of 3 prequel films this franchise has been introduced to a whole new generation of fans, and a new generation of merchandising. The taking dolls and action figures are all very well (everyone knows someone who still has a millenium falcon) however what we really wanted was the Jedi weapon, the Light Sabre.
Finally those nice people at Hasbro have made children's dreams come true (for around £15 - £20), and parents nightmares all the more real. The 'Sabres' are made out of durable plastic and are extendable going from the simple hilt (roughly 80cm), right out to the full size of roughly 3ft. built inside the plastic is a flashing LED and sound box, so that when switched on the blade makes 'realistic' sights and sounds, the whirring as you swing it through the air, and then a crashing should you strike an object (or sibling). Thankfully these toys are highly durable so you don't have to treat them like they're made of glass, and they don't drain the batteries too quick either (2 AA batteries).
For anyone who knows about star wars you'll know that the light sabre is also the weapon of choice of their moral enemies (Sith) and even within the Jedi order there is a certain about of individuality in the weapons (something not lost on the merchandisers). Of the weapons I've seen available there are 3 basic types, all based on the characters of the latest film 'Attack Of The Clones'.
Firstly there is the hero, Anakin Skywalker, who has the basic Jedi blue bladed weapon. Secondly there is the sabre of Count Dooku / Darth Tyranus who uses the Sith red blade, however with a unique curved handle, and also there is a purple jedi sabre used by Mace Windu. I have heard of a double ended blade like the one used by Darth Maul in 'The Phantom Menace' but have never seen it.
EDIT: Just discovered they also go a green 'Yoda' blade. JOY, he's my favourite character!
I would recommend these products for kids, and big kids, alike. They're not that expensive considering other toys on the market, very fun to play with and although they may look like they'd only appeal to Star Wars fans, but deep down haven't we all had moments who we wished we were a Jedi.
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Oct 5th, 2003
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