Here's something I've thought about since a while back when I first mentioned the idea of a "collector's line" of more expensive, but super posoeable figures and then the basic $5 figure line.
My concept was that the basic figures could still sell in pre-posed fashion if there were to be a SA version of the figure.
For instance, Han Solo in ANH. You give that SA version (preferably with all the accessories he'd need), and then at the same time in the basic line a figure like Death Star Escape Han sneaks in...
I for one am happy to see pre-posed ANH Han's now that they've made the VOTC Han ANH... So long as they're really well sculpted, detailed, and accessories should make them more appealing.
So I think there is a market for arguably lesser figures now. There is no market for the CT Han though, short of the carded collectors. To me VOTC Han should be the recarded figure then. Whether Hasbro says "no!" or not. They can kiss off.
As far as whether they CAN be better than what they are?
-SA Clone... Easily could use feet holes of course, but also, who would argue with ball/socket hips like the VOTC Luke figure? I doubt I would, especially if it's well hidden (Luke's seems ok from what Paul showed us).
-VOTC Han... Same could be said of Han, with the ball/socket hip, but also I think the holster's unsightly. It's the figure's biggest drawback to me. The way it "hovers" from the legstrap on his thigh. Very odd. I actually think a molded on holster (maybe not the belt, just the holster) would be better, but that's me... Or connecting it to the thigh and using a much more flexible plastic than the stuff they used?
Removable Stormie belt wouldn't have hurt either. He's pretty shy on accessories really.
-VOTC Ben Kenobi... Well, what COULDN'T be improved?
First, the arm articulation's attrocious. Angle joints suck to me... 21st Century Toys was the innovator of this articulation style, and they subsequently QUIT doing it. Why Hasbro would pick up the proverbial "other man's trash" and run with it, I don't know. Ball/socket elbows on Jedi are doable (Screen Scene Mace Windu for instance), and Obi should've had the same.
The fact his legs have ZERO articulation beyond the basic hips, I think it's safe to say he could use ball/socket knees, ankles, and the hip splits articulation like Luke wouldn't hurt either. He was kinda "extreme" posed when fighting Vader after all.
I think his soft-goods skirt is sorta cool, but it's not accurate. Had it had the layered effect with the ties and straps that hung down, I think it'd be 10x better.
His outer cloak is a nice pattern, but poor fabric. Easily they could've used the SAME material they used on Total Control Mace Windu, and that cloak would've looked awesome. Why they opted not to, one will never know. It's the perfect fabric for this scale.
No saber hilt or way to clip it on his belt? Also a let-down to me. Obi spents most of his time that way, so that's disappointing to me.
-VOTC Leia... I kind of like her as she is, but she too is missing ball/socket knee articulation as she just sports hinges. I can see how doing her ankles would be tough, but part of me thinks it is possible still.
Beyond that thugh, I like Leia's arm articulation well enough, and the only real flaws she has are no feet holes and no sporting blaster.
I like her headsculpt, though I see others say she's still not close to Fisher. I think she is.
Anyway, that's my take on the SA/VOTC figures I have thus far... Nothing's perfect, and everything's fixable, but Han's damn close, and so's the Clone. I think even Leia's pretty great. Only Obi disappoints me.
I also notice a lot of general gripes about the new ball/scket heads. Honestly, I think it's just cheaper for Hasbro.
They've taken their construction of figures down a notch... Before they used a more expensive plastic on figure torsos (more rigid) that required 2 torso halves to be fused together. They've changed that now to a single-piece torso made out of the same pliable plastics used throughout the modern line on heads/limbs. The old-style ball/socket joints appear to have gone the way of the do-do (though "Dutch" had one, so who knows).
I think they do this now though because it limits construction on the figure while maintaining the greatest range of motion. Arguably better than figures like the CT Stormtrooper.
I agree it turns out odd sometimes, but I think it's good on VOTC Han and Leia. Ozzel though... Definitely odd looking. That's the sculptor's fault though, not the articulation style.
Look at Antilles... He looks great I think.