1996 Hallmark Keepsake Ornaments

And what to my wondering eyes should appear ? A miniature sleigh drawn by eight tiny shuttlecraft and an X-Wing Fighter...

• 1996 Hallmark Keepsake Ornaments
• Star Trek & Star Wars collections
• $14.95 - $45.00
• Available in stores now

ast month Hallmark unveiled its first-ever Star Wars Keepsake Ornament in the form of the Millennium Falcon, followed by this month's release of the 1996 Star Trek collection including Mr. Spock, Commander Riker and the U.S.S. Voyager. The Star Trek line also includes a die-cast metal miniature set of the Enterprise NCC-1701 and shuttlecraft Galileo in honor of the 30th anniversary of the original Star Trek. Finally, next month Hallmark will release a miniature three-ornament set from the Star Wars universe, which includes an X-Wing Fighter, a TIE Fighter and an Imperial Walker.

All ornaments are suitable for hanging on the tree except the metal Enterprise, which might be too much for pine branches, although its companion shuttlecraft shouldn't be a problem. However, the set comes with a battery-operated display stand, which can play a recording of the opening monologue from Star Trek and includes hangers for both ships. The Falcon, Voyager, and the two figures are lightweight, matte-painted plastic, and, additionally, the two ships light up through a plug-in to a miniature light string.

Riker and Spock have no working lights or sound but are enlivened through settings associated with their duties on their respective Enterprises. Mr. Spock is at his bridge science station console, his head up and body turned as if he is about to address his crewmates. Riker is in an action pose, crouched against a backdrop of rocks with a phaser, ready to fire.

Realism, especially on such a small scale, really makes or breaks these ornaments, and Voyager easily takes its place alongside previous winners like the Klingon Bird of Prey and the Romulan Warbird. Realism also carries the Millennium Falcon, which is rendered in crisply molded detail; this underdog ship makes a splendid inaugural ornament for the Star Wars series. (The miniature Star Wars ornaments were not available for review at this time.)

Hallmark falters significantly, however, with the die-cast metal Enterprise. Seen in exterior shots in the original series, the ship's hull appeared almost seamless. Disappointingly, Hallmark lines the vessel with deep, ungainly grooves, and the sensor dish is an over-shiny, metallic yellow. The whole effect is clumsy and garish. The shuttlecraft Galileo is far better executed: understated, and no distracting, unnecessary detail.

A split decision goes to the figurines of Riker and Spock. Riker's upper body looks oversized for his lower half, the facial resemblance to actor Jonathan Frakes is washed-out and vanilla, and, well, he looks silly crouched against the backdrop of rocks. Spock, to the contrary, is surprisingly pleasing. The unreal tone used for the skin works for the Vulcan, and his pose nostalgically recalls his duties on the bridge. Very Spock. Additionally, the actual bridge of the original series had a plastically cartoonish look which is not compromised at all by the plastically cartoonish look of Hallmark's Star Trek ornament figure series -- a good fit.

I am especially fond of the shuttlecraft Galileo. Very fun looking, probably because it amusingly resembles a slightly oversized Monopoly playing piece. The Galileo landing on Baltic Avenue would look very smart indeed. -- Tamara

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