Turning the saber over, we find more design characteristics (belt loop near the blade, two silver control studs) that tell the hard-core Star Wars fan this could only be Darth Vader's lightsaber. Such attention to detail and faithfulness to the originals are what we've come to expect from Lucasfilm licensees.
Although it was too quick to photograph, turning the saber on activates the red lights in the blade in stages from bottom to top, giving the same ignition and effect as in the movies.
Naturally, turning the saber off causes the lights to extinguish in sequence from top to bottom as well.
The sound chip inside the handle plays the familiar humming effects from the movies when the blade is activated. Waving the lightsaber also yields those other well-known sound effects.
And although the instruction and safety pamphlet advises against it, lightly striking a sturdy object with the blade makes the handle give off that famous "clashing" sound you hear when two lightsabers meet in combat.
Photo by CNET Networks/John Lee
