Hot Toys Poe Dameron Review

I love the Oscar Isaac head sculpt on this Poe Dameron. The serious expression, stubble and sculpted hair look fantastic, and I’m glad the flight suit has some dirt on it instead of looking brand new. Poe should look like he’s been out flying an X-wing, not like someone just handed him a clean uniform.

Hot Toys got a lot right here, but the shoulders sit too low and make the arms look longer than they should. I also wish there were more gloved hands in the box. Those things bother me, but the likeness and that orange pilot suit still make me want him beside Rey and Finn in my display case.

That Head Sculpt Looks Like Poe

The brow gives him a serious look without making the expression too extreme. The nose, mouth and stubble all work together, and I can see Oscar Isaac’s likeness from the front and the sides. I especially like the head turned slightly, with his eyes looking toward whatever has caught his attention.

The paint app does a really good job with the skin and facial hair. There are little details around the hairline and eyelashes, but the face still looks natural instead of being covered in heavy shading. I’d be happy displaying him without the helmet just to show off this head sculpt.

The sculpted hair is a separate piece, and Hot Toys did a good job hiding the join along the part in his hair. You remove it to get to the moving eyes or fit the alternate hairpiece for the helmet. I like that I can make those changes without having an obvious seam across the back of his head in the display.

I’m Having a Hard Time Choosing Between the Helmet and the Head Sculpt

The helmet looks freaking awesome. The red paint app has scratches and wear through it, and the darker paint around the details makes it look used. There are little marks and symbols all over it, and the yellow visor looks great against the orange suit.

You fit the lower-profile hairpiece before putting the helmet on, and the magnets help hold it in place. I’m glad Hot Toys did it that way instead of making the helmet big enough to fit over all of his regular hair. It sits properly on his head without looking oversized.

The visor slides up inside the helmet, so you can show more of the face or bring it down for the full pilot look. I’d probably start with it down, but I’d take my time moving it because the little track and microphone look delicate. I don’t want to damage the helmet while changing something that should be a simple display option.

The Flight Suit Needed This Weathering

I really like the dirt and faded-looking patches on the orange fabric. It isn’t so heavy that the suit looks ruined, but it’s enough to make Poe look like he’s actually been wearing it. The white vest has some grime as well, with little wrinkles and a worn Resistance logo.

The straps are fabric, the belt is padded and the pockets have some shape to them instead of sitting completely flat. There’s ribbing down the sleeves and a brown layer visible underneath. It’s the combination of all those little things that makes this outfit look convincing to me.

I also like the weathering on the buckles and boots. The boots have leather texture, wrinkles and dirt worked into the tread, so the used look doesn’t stop at the hem of the flight suit. That’s the kind of paint app I want on a Star Wars figure.

The chest box is nicely detailed, but I don’t love how it attaches. It hooks onto a small tab on the outfit, and the vest can get in its way. I’d get the figure into the pose I want first, then fit the box and arrange the hoses, rather than keep knocking it loose while moving the arms.

Hot Toys Needed to Bring His Shoulders Up

The shoulders are my biggest complaint with the body. They sit low enough that his arms look too long when they’re hanging straight down, and there isn’t the up-and-down shoulder movement I’d want to bring them into a better position. The suit and vest don’t completely hide it.

I’d have one arm bent, perhaps holding the helmet, instead of leaving both hands down by his thighs. That gives Poe something natural to do and makes the low shoulders less obvious. I still wish the body looked right without having to choose a pose around the problem.

The outfit lets the arms move fairly freely, and the elbows and knees bend past 90 degrees. There’s more padding around the torso than I’d expect under a baggy flight suit, though, so don’t expect a huge forward bend. The high boots also limit how much you can pivot the feet.

The Loose Gloves Are Such a Cool Extra

The separate gloves are one of my favorite accessories in the box. They’re sculpted flat, with wrinkles and some lighter weathering, so Poe can hold them or have them tucked into a display. I love little extras like this because they give me something to do with a figure besides pointing a blaster at someone.

They aren’t wearable gloves, so don’t try to put a hand inside them. Hot Toys includes separate gloved hands for that, but only one relaxed pair. I don’t understand why there isn’t a gloved trigger hand or even a pointing hand when this is his pilot outfit.

You do get bare trigger hands and another gripping hand, along with the relaxed options. I’d have preferred more natural-looking bare hands, but I’d probably use the gloves for my everyday display anyway. A few more gloved gestures would have made that choice much easier.

Poe’s blaster looks really good, with that gold finish, darker paint in the sculpted details and some silver wear around the edges. It fits in the sculpted holster if I want him holding the helmet or gloves instead. I’m glad the gun has some wear to match the rest of the outfit.

The included base has the usual Star Wars nameplate and a support between the legs. The weathering looks fine, but I’d have liked something more specific to Poe, such as part of a Resistance hangar. If you’re comparing pilots and other characters for the same shelf, I’ve covered more in Hot Toys Reviews.

I’d Put Poe With Rey and Finn

For a museum pose, I’d keep the helmet off, turn his head slightly and have him holding the loose gloves or helmet. That shows the likeness and gives him a bit of character without needing to do much with the body. I’d check that the chest box and hoses are sitting where they should before putting him in the case.

For an action pose, the helmet would go on and I’d use one of the bare trigger hands with the blaster. It’s annoying that the matching gloved option isn’t there, but I’d rather use the correct gripping hand than try to balance the gun in an open palm.

I’d also watch the chin when tilting the head forward, because it can come close to the chest box. Take your time and make sure the painted face isn’t pressing into a hard edge. The head sculpt is one of the best parts of this release, and I want to keep it looking that way.

Poe’s Likeness Makes This One Worth Having

I’m really happy with the head sculpt, helmet and weathered flight suit. The loose gloves are a great little addition, and together those parts give me the Poe display I want beside Rey and Finn.

The low shoulders, limited gloved hands and awkward chest-box attachment keep it from being as good as it could have been. I’d still make room for him in a Force Awakens collection, and I give this Poe Dameron an 8.8 out of 10.