Star Wars 2.5' New Millennium Falcon

I was hesitant to purchase this toy after reading early reviews questioning its durability, ease of use, plastic quality, and landing gear integrity. After a few days' worth of play with my son, however, I can say this iteration of the Millennium Falcon has exceeded my expectations and nullified my original fears.As stated throughout the reviews, the ship is impressively huge in size (almost creating the illusion of 1:1 scale with the figures) and hugely impressive in sculpted detail. I don't recall seeing even a retail collector's model of the Falcon with this level of hull detail. The interior embellishments are likewise beyond anything I've seen on a toy before (though the stickers included to further decorate the interior are maddening to apply). Regarding it's usability as a toy: the previous reviews are correct in that it is too large to be carried or "flown" as a spaceship (my seven year-old son can barely lift it) but it succeeds wildly as a stationary playset, which I believe was the probable intent. I have been reading the novels of the original trilogy and watching the movies with my son and periodically giving him various action figures from the saga to "spice up" the experience. Until recently he had shown little interest in playing with the toys despite a vigorous interest in the stories; upon receiving the Falcon, however, he immediately began generating adventures and creating his own action figure narratives centered around this monstrous vehicle. It really seems to have invigorated his connection with the stories and kindled his interest in the other toys (for better or worse, as he's now researching other $100+ vehicles to further his galactic adventures).The landing gear are as unreliable as everyone says, although I wonder now if this, too, might not be by design. The landing gear are essential to elevate the craft so some nifty features may be used including a very cool automated landing ramp and some ventral laser cannons. Any large, heavy toy so precariously perched on several thin legs is apt to be pushed and tossed about with much shear stress between the landing gear and the hull. Should these legs be more securely attached they would likely break off. I therefore think they were designed to disengage so easily to avoid such damage. It is annoying, but after playing with the craft I no longer see a good alternative. I first considered gluing them on as others have mentioned, but I am now certain that would simply induce the kind of breakage theorized above.Perhaps my greatest uncertainty about the product before purchase was the "soft" plastic mentioned in other reviews, supposedly akin to firm rubber. After handling the toy I can honestly say I don't comprehend this complaint as it seems nearly as rigid and sturdy as the toy vehicles I enjoyed in the 80's. Some give can be detected in the larger, thinner segments of the chassis, but this seems only natural for a toy of this size. Anything harder, like the polystyrene used in models, would likely chip and break more easily. I have built models since childhood, played with a lot of plastic toys in my youth, and dabbled in painting plastic and resin models. The material used for this toy seems, to me, perfectly appropriate for its size and function.The included action figures are very good. Han is extremely well detailed, featuring all of his pilot's gear from the first film and a blaster which fits firmly in both his holster and his hand at the same time. He is also extremely articulated, allowing him to comfortably sit in the pilot's seat or hold his holstered pistol in the aforementioned ready-to-draw pose. The towering Chewbacca figure in this set is the best Chewie I've ever seen.There have been innumerable Star Wars toys over the last thirty-odd years, some delightful and some awful. This new Millennium Falcon is, without hyperbole, one of the best ever. My son could not be happier with it and I am thoroughly satisfied with my purchase.

I purchased this on sale with a little trepidation due to the complaints about the landing gear and 'soft' plastic. However, the toy is an absolute blast and the landing gear work fine. A few items to note:- Granted, the instructions are a little unclear, but it's fairly obvious that the landing gear are mated to a specific location underneath the Millennium Falcon. In other words, each landing gear is unique to its location. They will immediately fall off if the incorrect landing gear is positioned in the wrong spot. It took me a minute to figure this out, but after positioning everything correctly, the toy is very stable. If you need to turn the Millennium Falcon, lift it and turn... if you turn it directly on the carpet, the landing gear will fall off.- The detail is great. Stickers are a little tricky to put on, but patience is the key.- Great lights and sound effects. Some of the smaller pieces (chess pieces, missiles) will probably be lost if you're not careful.- Lots of compartments and storage areas. There's a spot for almost all of your action figures (assuming you have less than 20).Overall, an incredible toy if you can find it at the right price. If you take care of it, it will provide years of fun for your kids.

Purchased for Christmas. HUGE TOY!! Size is incredible. Nice detal. Good sound. A few points.1. I think it is HORRIBLE how Amazon fluctuates price and does not protect customers who just purchased it a week earlier !!2. Hasbro could do a much better job on the landing gear and cockpit cover. I had to glue the gear on. Stupid for a toy that costs this much.Nice for an adult or a collector, but for young children who want to play with it, it's a bit flimsy.

On first glance of this item, the initial impression it gave me was a combination of "OH WOW!" and "What did I just get myself into..." Not seeing this item on a store shelf before, I was a little taken back by just how big it was...though I guess it makes sense since (unlike previous editions of the Falcon) this is not simply a vehicle, but a "playset/stage" as well. I have to say, they hit the mark with this one. The Falcon gets delivered in a rather massive box very well packaged in "crate" material (heck of a lot cleaner then the normal styrofoam)and in a few "easy-to-assemble" pieces. I would say the hardest part of your set up before smuggling cargo across the galaxy would be putting on the decals. Most of them are pretty easy, but there are a few in hard to reach places. The battery compartment is very easy to get to and unlike most of the "hulking boxes" underneath most electronic toys, is very well hidden on the top of the Falcon. Plenty of sounds and phrases from the movie join several LED's to recreate scenes from the Trilogy. Excellent detailing and design provide several areas of the Falcon to explore and interact with with corridors connecting them all. Only thing I would've like to have seen was the 4-man cockpit cooridor connecting with the main areas. Fully rotating & firing gun turret and "hydraulic" lowering entrance ramp as well as the moveable "lightsaber" training remote are nice new additions.I've heard alot of people complaining that the Falcon's landing gear are fragile and have a hard time staying on, and its kind of true. Make no mistake, this is a very well designed and fun vehicle, but it appears as though it was more geared to "older" kids. With the number of small and potentially fragile moving parts & pieces combined with the overall weight of the Falcon (it's pretty heavy), it is not a toy I would really give to a toddler. That being said, the landing gear are easily removed and can "fall off" if you get to playing with it too rough, but if you're just using the Falcon as a playset, you dont have to worry about it too much. All in all, a fantastic and fun toy...all the things you wished for with the first edition Falcon of the 70's now realized with modern technology & detail. Perfect for the 25-39 year old fans who anxiously await the day when they'll be driving the Falcon to work in the morning.