Note: There are spoilers within this review - proceed with caution!

Today I (Spell) was bestowed a great honor when asked to cover the 2002 New York Toy Fair, which was held on Sunday, February 10. I was privy to behold the never before seen Star Wars Episode 2 toy line. It is my pleasure to now give you a glimpse of the exhibit, with the help of fellow TF.N staff member, Carter, whose pictures bring images that words cannot fully describe.

Awe kept my mouth open as I walked wide eyed underneath the newly designed Star Wars Episode 2 banner, which greeted visitors at the entrance to the exhibit. What a greeting! What else could possibly await me inside? Well, my question was immediately answered. A rancor size toy box filled with brand new Anakin Skywalkers and Jango Fetts as well as classic, but brand new versions of OT characters and ships. I will try to bring you as accurate a picture of my experience as possible.

A series of original artwork and illuminated stills from AOTC graced the walls of the exhibition room. An artist?s rendition of a Jedi Star Fighter with Slave 1 hot in hot pursuit, sweeping through an asteroid belt, caught my eye, and as quickly as I was taken by this piece, my attention was immediately grabbed by a still from the film that I haven?t seen yet. Obi-Wan Kenobi fighting an airborne Jango Fett! Pretty cool, huh?

Displayed on platforms was more artwork, in the form of sculptures, the Star Wars - Unleashed line of sculptures. Today we were able to have a look at Anakin from AOTC (kicking some Battle Droid butt), Darth Vader, and Darth Maul. These sculptures truly captured the intensity of these characters. Close by were the more widely distributed 12 inch posable figures. The models included Anakin Skywalker, Obi Wan Kenobi, Clone Trooper, Super Battle Droid and Count Dooku. It is worth mentioning how the Count Dooku figure incredibly captured the features and likeness of Christopher Lee. A new technology has been developed for action figures where the faces of the actors are digitally scanned to make a 3D image used as the mold for the figures. We were able to get a better look at the quality and detail of these figures since a number of them were on display out of their boxes, a novelty few collectors can relish in.

I caught a long glimpse of the Jango Fett 12 inch in full armor, and behind him in its box, a prototype of Jango sans armor. I have to say the prototype of Jango Fett looks incredibly like the T-1000 from Terminator, which I?m sure will be changed to fit the likeness of the actor playing Jango, before the release date.

Next on the plate were the various but gorgeous ships of AOTC. The Republic Gunship, which is used to transport troops of clones, was of great interest to many spectators. It was revealed that the Clone Troopers are ranked, and a particular rank is determined by different colored arm plates, and unique chest and helmet detailing. A very interesting detail that I noticed was the insignia on the Republic Gunship as well as on the Jedi Star Fighter. It bears a close resemblance to the future Imperial insignia, if, indeed, it?s not the same. Also, a small note, the gunship does have some battle damage

on it, so we can only speculate why.

Okay, onto Slave 1, which is pretty much the same mold that Hasbro has been using for the past 20 years. It now has more detailing and a sliding front panel, which reveals rocket firing missiles. Also, a handle was added to the back of the ship, to give more control when flying, leaving one hand free to grip another of the new AOTC ships, the Jedi Star Fighter. This nicely designed ship converts from "Flight to Fight" mode, or in other words, to attack mode. Various parts detach to reveal shooting mechanisms.

Bet you never thought you?d see pastel in a Star Wars line of toys, did ya? Well, guess what? Hasbro has now cornered the market on making pastel cool. Zam Wessel and Anakin?s speeders are donned in light yellow and green. Maybe Hasbro is trying to increase female star wars toy sales. This could be a spoiler, but there is a crash action feature on Zam Wessel?s speeder, hmmmm, speculation anyone?

Something I was surprised to see was a new Micromachines line. They have come out with a newly developed "Action Fleet", consisting of battle damaged OT ships; the X-Wing Fighter, Millennium Falcon, and Darth Vader?s Tie Fighter. It?s nice to see that Micromachines is still pounding these babies out.

One of the many highlights of the exhibit was the new line of handheld guns, including Jango Fett?s sleek silver, Buck Roger-type blaster, and a Battle Droid?s blaster. Jango Fett?s blaster set, which is a utility belt in essence, is, in reality, a very cool dart launcher with 2 blasters and a double holster to house them. These will be great for those pesky intergalactic office wars. Another version of Jango?s blaster is one with light and sound features, for those of us who can?t do our own sound effects!

Next to the blaster display were the lightsabers, displaying an array of colors such as red, green, blue and purple. Definitely the very coolest and likely to become the most popular, is Count Dooku?s curved handled saber, the ergonomic design will do away with that annoying ailment, Jedi wrist. Man, I wish they had these things when I was a kid!

A series of interactive keychains, all of which come with sound effects, will also be released, including the ships from Episode II, Anakin?s lightsaber, as well as bounty hunters Zam Wessel and Jango Fett?s blasters.

Fans of classic board games, watch out! New electronic Star Wars Battleship is here! "You sank my Star Destroyer! Well, maybe not sank...". Also reminiscent of the classics, there was the Star Wars edition of the game of Life, now called Life: A Jedi?s Path, Stratego, and other various role playing games.

Goodbye cell phones, hello Clone Trooper and Jango Fett Walkie Talkies. You know, I wonder what Clone Troopers would say to each other, other than "Wow! You sound just like me on this thing!".

Now, the piez de resistance, the carded action figures and deluxe figures. The beauty and detail of these sculpts are truly amazing. The technology has come a long way in three years. Most of the new Jedi Knight figures come with something called "Force Action". Get this, they have magnetic hands and sabers, which are attracted to each other! This allows the Jedi to "use the Force" to grab their sabers. Cool huh? The new set of creatures that are fought in the battle arena on Geonosis are formidable looking and should give our heroes a run for their credits. I dare not give anything away, so take a look at one of the creatures here. An interesting figure that caught my eye was the Tusken Raider female and child, which are characters that appear to be involved in a major plot point in the new film. A very Middle Eastern looking character, I think.

Here?s something that I thought was snazzy. Remember the old Star Wars figures, where Luke had the retractable lightsaber (it retracted into his forearm)? Well, like father like son. One of the new Anakin figures now has the same feature.

Here?s a little heads up. The AOTC action figures line will be released on April 23, but 4 preview figures will be released sometime next month. I couldn?t get an exact release date :-(

The deluxe figures come with an astounding new feature. Each one comes with a magnetic platform, which can be attached to other deluxe figures. These platforms are attached to a launcher, which you can append the figure to. feet, and when the launcher shoots the figure in the air, it does a flip, and lands on the other end of the platform! What will they think of next?

Start ?em young!! Playskool has a new line of cute Star Wars meets Muppet Babies meets Pokemon figures. My wife squealed when she saw these pics!!

And now, my personal favorite, the interactive R2-D2. At about 18 inches tall, Artoo responds to 40 voice commands. He also has a retractable arm which can hold a can of soda (this is what sold me) or even the morning paper. Now if they could just get Artoo to open up the fridge to get me that can of soda - I?d be in heaven! Oh well, maybe with the next version. It retails for about $100.

Whew! Well, that?s about it! I bet you can?t wait now, can ya? In closing I have to say, if this line of toys represents just 1% of the action and beauty that takes place in Episode 2, then we are all in for one heck of a film experience.

To see TFN's Toy Fair Photos: Part 1, Part 2