R2-D2 [30611] review

R2-D2 [30611]

The exclusive R2-D2 [30611] set is the best free polybag ever!

In celebration of 40 years of Star Wars, LEGO is giving away a buildable R2-D2 [30611] set for every specific purchase. For me, this is the sweetest May the 4th Be With You promotion to date!

In the UK LEGO Stores, you can take this droid home with any LEGO Star Wars purchase of £60 or more, from 29 April to 6 May, or while stocks last. For more details, click here.

And in the Philippine LEGO Certified Stores, you can get this limited edition gift for a minimum single receipt purchase of P3500 on any LEGO item from 4 to 31 May. Then the redemption period is from 15 May to 31 July. For more details, check out their official Facebook post.

R2-D2

As I mentioned above, I consider this the best May the 4th free LEGO. Don't get me wrong, I love all those minifigures, but I have to admit they didn't put a huge smile on my face when I was building them. I was literally smiling the whole time I was constructing my very own R2 unit! It's really amazing to see the ingenuity of the design, considering there were only 70 pieces! The simplicity of the build is also a big win, for the final output is not only sturdy but also looks flawless.

To be honest, I'm quite surprised with the printed pieces. I thought since this is a free gift, only part of the dome was printed. But no, it is surprisingly detailed! I also thought that a sticker was used for the front tile, but it was printed as well (Yehey! I really don't like stickers on my bricks).

It's also worth mentioning that the dome piece can be rotated! How cool is that? And most importantly, R2's third appendage is included!

I wish more droids will be released in the future at this scale. I so love love this buildable R2-D2 figure. This is definitely the droid you're looking for!

UK LEGO store may the 4th be with you 2017 promotions

Snowspeeder [75144]
(Photo grabbed from: LEGO Store Flyer)

May the 4th 2017 is almost among us, and the UK LEGO Store has some galactic offers for LEGO Star Wars fans!

Starting off with the Ultimate Collector's Series Snowspeeder [75144], it will be officially launched on 4 May 2017 to the general public. But VIPs can access it early from 29 April to 3 May. The brick interpretation of the T-47 Snowspeeder features opening airbrakes, rotating rear gun, and an opening cockpit. It comes with a Rebel Snowspeeder Pilot and a Rebel Snowspeeder Gunner minifigures. A display stand and fact plaque are also included. This classic recreation retails at UK £169.99 / US $199.99.

There will also be a couple of discounts during the promotional period (29 April to 6 May). All LEGO Star Wars sets (excluding Snowspeeder) will be on 10% off. Then each day from the above mentioned dates, one specific LEGO Star Wars set will be discounted for one day by 40%! Of course only while stocks last, and individual order limits apply per set.

And for the free stuff, take home an exclusive R2-D2 set with any LEGO Star Wars purchase of £60 or more! This is also available from 29 April to 6 May, or while stocks last.

Isn't this a perfect way to celebrate 40 years of Star Wars? Head on to your nearest LEGO store or to LEGO.com.

R2-D2
(Photo grabbed from: LEGO Store Flyer)

UPDATE: Here's a list of the 40% off LEGO Star Wars sets and their specific dates:

29 April – Resistance X-Wing Fighter [75149]

30 April – Scarif Stormtrooper [75523]

1 May – AT-ST Walker [75153]

2 May – Rebel Trooper Battle Pack [75164]

3 May – Luke’s Landspeeder [75173]

4 May – Millennium Falcon [75105]

5 May – K-2SO [75120]

6 May – Battle on Scarif [75171]

LEGOLAND windsor: star wars miniland

Death Star

That's no moon...

That's what Obi-Wan Kenobi said upon approaching the Death Star. But when I saw the reproduction in LEGO Star Wars Miniland Model Display at LEGOLAND Windsor, I was lost for words! Together with my tita's (aunt's) family, I visited the resort last June, and their latest addition is the recreation of Darth Vader’s ultimate super weapon. It's one of the most impressive and biggest models ever created for the resort, using about 500,000 bricks. Measuring 2.4 meters wide and 3 meters high, and weighing 860 kilograms, the Death Star is the centerpiece for an amazing scene depicting the famous Battle of Yavin in A New Hope. The interactive display also features sound and light effects. By pressing the appropriate buttons, Alliance ships will come swooping to destroy the mobile space station.

Upon entering the LEGO Star Wars Miniland Model Display, Darth Vader in all his brickly glory extends his lightsaber to welcome the visitors. Our favorite droids R2-D2 and C-3PO follow shortly. It seems they are also part of the welcoming committee.

Darth Vader

R2-D2

C-3PO

Since it opened in 2012, The LEGO Star Wars Miniland Model Display features iconic scenes from the six live-action Star Wars movies, displaying 1,500 separate models, in 1:20 scale, made from 1.5 million bricks. Yearly, new models are being added (like this year's gigantic Death Star). Hopefully, next year, awesome scenes from The Force Awakens, Rogue One, and even from Star Wars Rebels will be added.

The year is almost over but the LEGO fun still continues. There are still a few days remaining to visit LEGOLAND Windsor. Head on to www.legoland.co.uk for more details.

Below are some of my favorite snaps from my recent trip. These pictures don't do justice for how amazing these models are. Seeing them in person is highly recommended. Oh, I can't wait to visit the resort again.

Naboo

Naboo Starfighter

Theed Royal Palace

Battle of Naboo

Geonosis Execution Arena

Battle of Geonosis: Republic Gunships

Battle of Geonosis: Hailfire Droids

Battle of Kashyyyk

Mustafar

Millennium Falcon at Tatooine

Tatooine

Mos Eisley Cantina

Battle of Hoth

Ewok Village

Battle of Endor

Shuttle Tydirium

Mini Yoda

Mini R2-D2

Mini Darth Maul

Mini Anakin Skyalker & Mini Darth Vader

Mini Han Solo & Mini Chewbacca

Mini Luke Skywalker & Mini Princess Leia

Y-Wing Starfighter

X-Wing Starfighter

 Millennium Falcon

Battle of Yavin

rediscovering LEGO

Naboo Starfighter [75092]

With the awakening of the force late last year comes the reawakening of the inner kid in me. 

I have always loved Star Wars. It was my lolo (grandfather) who introduced me to the galaxy far, far away. He would always tell me tales about the empire and the rebels. When VHS copies of the original trilogy were sent from abroad, I would play them repeatedly. Imagine my twelve-year-old self's delight (and confusion - why is the fourth film Episode I?) when the first prequel was released. I think that was the moment I truly fell in love with Star Wars. The Phantom Menace instantly became my favorite Star Wars film. Later on in life, I was shocked to learn that a lot were disappointed by it to the point that they pretended it doesn't exist! But not me. I was fascinated with everything, from the new versions of lightsabers (double-sided!) to the shiny spacecrafts (N-1!). That's why when my wife and I visited the first (and only) LEGO Certified Store in the Philippines, I can't take my eyes of the Naboo Starfighter set. The release of The Force Awakens has not only revived the Star Wars fanboy in me, but also the LEGO builder. LEGO was one of my favorite toys when I was a kid, but after set 75092, I realized that it still is. And little did I know that that was the start of building a lot of amazing things! And what's more amazing is that I was able to include my wife in my rediscovered vice hobby (ask your partners to join you before they beat you, hehe).

The building experience was really enjoyable. My wife and I were amazed with all the new pieces! The instructions were challenging enough yet easy to understand. Playability is also great with the Naboo Starfighter. With this set, we were able to recreate some of my favorite scenes in Episode I.

Naboo Starfighter [75092] Minifigures: (Clockwise) Anakin Skywalker, Obi-Wan Kenobi, R2-D2, Naboo Pilot, Battle Droids, & Destroyer Droid

As pictured above, the set comes with a number of characters, three proper minifigures, and six droids, namely Anakin Skywalker, Obi-Wan Kenobi, R2-D2, Naboo Pilot, three Battle Droids, and two Destroyer Droids. I really can't decide if the little Anakin is more adorable or R2-D2?

I don't think this set is quite popular among LEGO Star Wars fans. There's still a lot of sets in shops, and the price has dropped significantly from its recommended retail price, at least here in the UK (yes, we've recently migrated). If only I could tell the world how cool this set is. Oh wait, I think I just did...