BB-8 [75187] review

BB-8-ception

BB-8!

I mentioned before that I fell in love with BB-8 [75187] set ever since I saw it in the previews, and I'm sure I'll fall deeper once I've built it. True enough, I did.

Before we go to the adorable droid, can we talk about the box first?

BB-8 [75187]

The packaging for The Last Jedi looks very sophisticated and futuristic with its white and red color scheme. It literally goes with anything. Then the LEGO logo in red made everything perfect, complementing the whole look of the box.

As if the brick built BB-8 is not adorable enough, the set comes with a minifigure as well. I remember two years ago, with the release of The Force Awakens, it's quite difficult to obtain this famous astromech droid in brick form. Now, it's in almost every LEGO Star Wars set (but that's not a problem. One can never have enough brick droids). The chase minifigure status has now been passed to its emo version, BB-H8 BB-9E, which is so far only included in Kylo Ren's TIE Fighter [75179] and in the First Order Star Destroyer [75190].

BB-8 Minifigure

In terms of building experience, I had tons of fun in making my own BB-8. For me, it has an average level of difficulty, though it's my very first time building a LEGO sphere. At first, I was having difficulties following the instructions but after a while, I was able to get use to it for they are pretty repetitive. Building small white on white bricks can be a bit of an eye sore, but that's nothing compared to what they do to your fingers. All in all, the BB-8 [75187] set has a total of 1106 pieces.

Brick Built BB-8

The final build has surprisingly a lot of tricks in store. Utilizing different Technic parts, you can turn one wheel at the side to rotate the detailed head. Another wheel can be moved to open the access hatch and extend the welding torch, giving you his famous thumbs-up pose. Unfortunately, the BB-8 model does not roll, but that's okay. It still gives a sufficient amount of play experience.

Welding Torch Up

This faithfully reproduced model also comes with a display stand and a decorative fact plaque, making it a great display piece in any room. Without the stand, the final build measures over 25 cm high and 15 cm wide. With the display stand, it measures over 26 cm long.

Display Stand & Decorative Fact Plaque

In terms of value for money, I think the BB-8 [75187] set is very much worth it (or maybe I'm just biased). It retails at UK £84.99, around 7.7p per piece.

Final BB-8 Display

Overall, the BB-8 [75187] set is a must have for any Star Wars fan, as evidenced by its current out of stock or backorder status. And my fearless forecast is that it has the same potential as the classic R2-D2 [10225] set. I just hope LEGO will release a BB-H8 BB-9E in the same format very, very soon!

LEGO force friday II experience

Force Friday II
(Photo grabbed from: LEGO Store Promotional Material)

Force Friday II is here and LEGO has a lot of force-filled goodies for brick fans from a galaxy far, far away...

For some reason, LEGO UK waited until the last minute to announce their Force Friday II (weekend) offers, but it's so worth the wait. Unfortunately, I was working (and not to mention exhausted) the past few days so a timely announcement post is not feasible. My sincerest apologies. Let me just give you an account of my wife and I's Force Friday II experience.

To continue celebrating 40 Years of Star Wars, and to further hype The Last Jedi (merchandise), 1 September has been marked as Force Friday II. Since the day wasn't declared a public holiday, the event was extended the whole weekend. And of course LEGO is a big part of this celebration, releasing new (huge) sets based on the upcoming film, with lots of offers and freebies to boast.

There are a few Star Wars sets on sale, mostly from the Rogue One collection, which are, by the way, retiring soon! VIP members will also receive triple points on LEGO Star Wars sets. Then for the freebies, there's a free First Order Heavy Assault Walker [30497] with any LEGO Star Wars purchase over £60, and a free Scarif Stormtrooper [40176] minifigure with any LEGO Star Wars purchase over £25! For more details, check out their official website.

Force Friday II Offers
(Photo grabbed from: LEGO Store Sept-Oct 2017 Newsletter)

But wait, there's more! Everything is just about to get massive with the official announcement of the biggest LEGO set ever, the Ultimate Collector's Series Millennium Falcon [75192]! Well, it only has a piece count of 7,541 (and a RRP of £649.99)! It's just a bit unfortunate that my local LEGO Store in Watford had some technical difficulties and was unable to display the model during the Force Friday II weekend (they're still the best, though). But the good news is, LEGO, being generous as ever, is giving its fans a chance to take home the iconic new set via its Launch Guide.

Launch Guide
(Photo grabbed from: LEGO Store Promotional Material)

At the back of the Launch Guide is a Galactic Pop Quiz, wherein there are five multiple choice questions. You can answer these questions by applying the green stud stickers on the space provided for. Please don't look for the green stud stickers in the sheet pictured above, they were already used before I got the chance to take a picture of it. After answering it (correctly), show it to a LEGO Store Associate to receive your Peel Card.

Scratch Peel Card
(Photo grabbed from: LEGO Store Promotional Material)

Unfortunately, our Peel Card said we didn't win but there is a consolation prize, an R2-D2 [30611] polybag (which I previously did a review)! I almost forgot, for LEGO VIP purchase of any Star Wars set, you'll receive a Millennium Falcon mini poster (a different one each day!). Sorry, I forgot to take pictures of these posters, I'll just make a separate post on this.

Are you wondering what my haul is this Force Friday II? It's the BB-8 [75187] set! I fell in love with this set ever since I saw it in the previews, and I'm sure I'll fall deeper once I've built it. 'Can't wait!

BB-8 [75187]

I think it's now safe to say that the LEGO Force Friday II is a huge hit among LEGO Star Wars fans, with a lot of new (and even old) sets being sold out in-store and being on back order online.

How about you? What's your Force Friday II story?

P. S. With the untitled Han Solo film being released on May 2018, I wonder if we'll be having Force Friday next year. I'm sure promotions will be big on May the 4th. Will there be anything left to celebrate come fall?

millennium falcon [75105] review

Millennium Falcon [75105]

It's the ship that made the Kessel Run in less than twelve parsecs...

Or at least according to Han Solo. Everyone's favorite intergalactic smuggler has boasted this claim about the iconic Millennium Falcon ever since A New Hope, and he even repeated this in The Force Awakens. It's a rather ambiguous statement because parsec is a unit of distance and not time. Different justifications have been provided such as the Kessel Run being referred as more than just a route but also a race. Or maybe Old Ben is correct in saying that this is nothing but an obvious misinformation. Hopefully, the definitive explanation will be presented in next year's untitled Han Solo Star Wars Story movie. Or maybe it will remain a mystery, enshrouded in the great captain's infamy.

Regardless of the truth, there's no denying that the Millennium Falcon is an epic spacecraft. It is a modified Corellian YT-1300f light freighter. When I was younger, I was really surprised when I realized that the Falcon is a cargo ship. I don't know why but I have the impression that it is a sort of a mobile command station or a fighter vehicle. But when I finally grasped the concept of what a smuggler is and what he does, everything made sense.

A LEGO version of the Millennium Falcon has been on my wishlist for the longest time. For years, I have settled on the microfighter version [75030] and on the LEGO Star Wars Magazine free gift [911607]. I missed the first few models of the Falcon and I have no current plans on hunting them down because I know it will be very very expensive! So, I just patiently waited for an unrefusable deal on the latest proper model [75105] (and I also prayed hard for its delayed retirement). Alas! Thank God for the 40th anniversary of Star Wars for the 40% off last May the 4th Be With You promotions in UK LEGO Stores! (And because I was at work, thank you very much to my loving wife for popping by our local store first thing that morning just to get me one).

The set includes six minifigures with assorted weapons: a Kanjiklub Gang Member (which is actually named Crokind Shand), Tasu Leech, Han Solo, Chewbacca, Finn, Rey, and BB-8!

Kanjiklub Gang Member

Crokind Shand

Kanjiklub Gang Leader

Tasu Leech

Han Solo

Shot First

Chewbacca

Best Wookie

Finn

FN-2187

Rey

Triple Bun

BB-8

The Millennium Falcon [75105] measures over 14cm high, 47cm long, and 32cm wide! The exterior features streamlined and detailed design. The ship has a detachable cockpit with space for two minifigures. It also has rotating top and bottom laser turrets with hatch and space for a minifigure. Other features include dual spring-loaded shooters, sensor dish, ramp, entrance hatch, opening hull plates, etc.

Millennium Falcon Exterior

Millennium Falcon Interior

The interior of the Falcon includes a more detailed hyperdrive, a Dejarik (holochess board), a secret compartment, extra boxes and cables, and much, much more!

Playing Dejarik

Engineering Station

Secret Compartment

Repair Duties

Cockpit

Building the model, for me, is a bit challenging. Because of the minute details, I have to have all the needed pieces first before using them to ensure that I'm not missing anything. Also, the random diagonal brick placements annoy my obsessive-compulsive traits. Other than that, it's a very enjoyable and relaxing build. I didn't bother to time myself but rather allow myself to savor each and every step. The feeling is almost zen-like as if I'm attending to my miniature rock garden.

Play experience is endless for the Millennium Falcon [75105]. It's more than just a spacecraft model but also an action playset. One can recreate numerous fantastic scenes from the films with its detailed interior. Or better yet, make his or her own adventure!

Rebels Versus Kanjiklub

Obviously, I super love the Millennium Falcon [75105]! It's one of my, if not most, favorite LEGO sets ever!