Star Wars The Black Series Yoda and Commander Gree review (2024)
Yoda and Commander Gree are the latest pair to join the Star Wars The Black Series Clones of the Republic subset line. This finally addresses a major hole in any worthwhile prequel display as Yoda was in desperate need of a figure. Somehow Hasbro had cranked out a slew of Attack of the Clones and Revenge of the Sith figures without giving us one of the more important members of the Prequel Trilogy.
Commander Gree wasn’t nearly as important, but as one of the longtime Clones and one that actually failed in his mission to assassinate a Jedi, he was a suitable package partner. Of course, I would have been happier getting Yoda on his own and Commander Gree with another forest green clone from the Battle of Kashyyk. But beggers/choosers and all that good stuff.
Let’s see if this Yoda/Commander Gree set is worthy of leading the charge amongst the Wookies or needs to just get stranded in the vines.
Packaging: This set is the second for the Clones of the Republic subset line with a sky-blue accent color. Both sides feature a portrait of Yoda or Commander Gree, but there’s no connecting mural image as has been the norm since Hasbro updated the Black Series packaging.
As usual, the bio does a great job of setting the stage for the figures explaining what led Yoda and Commander Gree to be paired up. For the bulk of the Clone Wars, Commander Gree was typically paired with Jedi Master Luminara Unduli (available now for pre-order on Amazon).
Likeness: Yoda has a great default head sculpt. He’s got a warm, inviting expression that still works for calmly leading the troops into battle during the Clone Wars. His tufts of hair are missing presumably as that would have been harder to sculpt in the wisp-like way it was in the prequels.
Hasbro reused the mold from the Dagobah Training two-pack with Luke Skywalker (get it on Amazon). That mold was fine and it’s not like Hasbro needed to upgrade Yoda molds every two to three years.
Yoda’s Jedi robe is made of soft goods. That’s a welcome bonus instead of it all being done in plastic. This setup makes more sense seeing as Yoda was far more active in fights during the Clone Wars than the Original Trilogy. It also shows off more of his Jedi tunic complete with Nehru collar.
Commander Gree gets the newer clone body, which makes for easier posing. It’s a smooth looking armored mold. Unlike the 187th Clone Trooper paired with Mace Windu, Commander Gree doesn’t have a removable helmet. As shown in Clone Wars, Commander Gree had a unique haircut, which would have been fun to see done in this format.
I do wish his bandolier from the Clone Wars was included just to reinforce that he’s not just a basic green trooper.
Scale: Yoda should come up to an average character’s knees. Padawan Ahsoka should be the only one he’s taller than that mark. Thankfully, Hasbro scaled Yoda properly and he looks appropriately less threatening than if he were standing closer to everyone’s waist.
Commander Gree doesn’t have anything to switch up his height from the standard Clone figure. He’ll definitely be looking up at Chewbacca and other Wookies.
Paint: Like most Yoda figures, his paint job is a bit darker than how he appears in the films. It’s a case of a little too much green and not enough yellow green for his complexion. There is some shading with a dark wash, which does a great job of bringing out more details in the head sculpt.
His tunic is the appropriate shade of chocolate brown. Smaller detail work like his eyes and nails are very crisp. For a smaller scale figure, the paint work was very well done.
It’s important to note that this is not Commander Gree’s look from Revenge of the Sith. His accent color was a forest green and while on Kahsyyk, had a camo pattern paintjob. This is more Gree’s look from the Clone Wars TV series and comic book. The application of the green, like the 187th Trooper, is so clean with a very vibrant shade of forest green that really pops against the white and black.
The only area where the paintjob isn’t pristine is the stripe just above his elbow. It got a little askew though that’s easier to forgive looking at the sharp application of the detail work like the mouth grill, blue vent ports and visor.
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Articulation: Despite his size, Yoda has excellent articulation. All of the signature poses I thought the figure needed to have it can accomplish.
From resting both hands on his cane, to sitting in his chair and even gripping his lightsaber with both hands, Yoda’s articulation is impressive…. (ok, indulge me) most impressive.
I’ve been wowed before with this Clone Trooper mold, but it still is so much fun to pose. The main thing here is the lack of restrictions due to joints not having deep enough cuts or poor engineering.
Commander Gree doesn’t have any problems hitting the requisite Clone poses and is more than ready to step into the arena to battle Separatists droids.
Yoda and Commander Gree have:
- neck
- ball-jointed shoulders
- elbow (with swivel)
- wrist
- wrist hinge
- torso
- hips
- thighs
- knees (double jointed)
- ankles
Accessories: Yoda shines again in this category with all the essential goodies and then some.
First is his lightsaber. Typically, Hasbro designs the lightsabers so the blade can be removed. This time, we get Yoda’s bright green saber with highly detailed hilt and an unlit hilt. That’s extremely helpful as I dread taking the hilt off and the connecting piece snaps off.
Not an issue here and I’d love that to be the new norm for Jedi figures.
Yoda also gets his walking cane with some sold twisted areas in the sculpt so it doesn’t just look like a toothpick.
He also has an alternate portrait. This one is far more perturbed and not at all pleased with the Separatists army running amok. There’s a ton of character in this portrait and is beautifully done.
Finally, Yoda has his Jedi Council Chamber chair. Years ago, Hasbro released a Phantom Menace set with the various council members sitting and sizing up Anakin.
I’d totally be down to get more of the chairs for the other Masters if they’re as well done as this one. Yoda can hit his usual sitting pose just fine.
Commander Gree has the smaller DC-15S Blaster Carbine and the larger DC-15A blaster rifle. This is standard gear for the Clones so it’s fine.
It would have been cool to give him something to truly stand out from a clone grunt.
Worth it? This set was a commendably priced at $44.99. That’s better than the normal $50 you’d pack for a two-pack. Awesome job, Hasbro.
Rating: 10 out of 10
Yoda definitely needed this upgrade and Commander Gree turned out very nicely as well. These two-packs are proving to be well worth picking up.
Where to get it? This set is currently sold out on Hasbro Pulse. You can try secondary sellers on Amazon.
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