darth vader transformation [75183] review

Darth Vader Transformation [75183]

The Summer 2017 LEGO sets are now available everywhere, including the LEGO Stores! And on top of my list is the Darth Vader Transformation [75183]!

It's a no brainer that this particular set is a must have for any LEGO Star Wars fans. I have missed the 2005 version of the Darth Vader Transformation [7251], so I definitely have to have the update (even if I have the old one, I'm sure I'll still get the new one, haha). It currently retails at UK £19.99 / US $24.99. I got mine £6 less in the recent Smyths Toy Store event (thank you very much!). For a set in that price range, I think it really has a great value for money. The minifigures alone are a great deal. The Emperor Palpatine and Darth Vader minifigures are usually included in bigger and more expensive sets. With the release of this set, they become easily more accessible.

The Emperor Palpatine minifigure comes with a black hood and a spongy cape. The wrinkled minifig head is dual sided showing an evil smile in one side and a bared teeth pattern in the other.

The Emperor

Sheev Palpatine

There are actually three droids in the set, but because of too much excitement, I was only able to do solo shots of the DD-13 Cybernetic Surgical Droid. This brick droid looks wickedly cool at this scale. It's just not as sturdy and articulate as the other similarly designed droids for the torso is brick built rather than specially molded. I'll mention the other droids in a bit.

DD-13

Cybernetic Surgical Droid

Also included is a severely wounded Anakin Skywalker. To give the illusion of dismemberment, the color dark grey was used in the supposedly missing limbs. The scarred minifig head is a new one. Instead of the usual white, it now comes in flesh. Both the Anakin Skywalker and Darth Vader minifigures share the above mentioned head. But the question is, do they literally share it?

Anakin Skywalker

The answer is NO. LEGO is generous enough to give us two minifig heads. Besides, if there is only one, the transformation gimmick won't go smoothly. More on this later.

Transition

The Darth Vader minifigure comes with his complete armor, with a spongy cape and a relatively new helmet. I think this is only the fourth set wherein the updated helmet is included. It may appear a bit larger but it is more film accurate, with a detailed sculpt and a separate collar piece.

Darth Vader

Sith Lord

The set per se is a recreation of the iconic scene in Episode III: Revenge of the Sith, wherein Anakin Skywalker is being revived and rebuilt into Darth Vader. It takes place in the Emperor Palpatine Surgical Reconstruction Center, with Medical Droids attending to the process. Besides the DD-13 Cybernetic Surgical Droid, two more droids are included in this set, an FX-6 Medical Assistant Droid (pictured left), and an unnamed droid which I can only deduce to be a Recording Droid (pictured right). I'll do my best to verify that claim.

Emperor Palpatine Surgical Reconstruction Center

SuRecon Center Top View

Medical Droids in Action

Rebuilding Process

In this scene, The Emperor ordered the Medical Droids to keep Anakin awake during the procedure to remind him of the pain and become stronger. Coincidentally, Hayden Christensen, the actor who played Anakin Skywalker, has another movie called Awake wherein his character experiences intraoperative awareness while undergoing surgery. Meaning, he becomes fully alert but paralyzed, and is enduring the whole process.

Awake

In terms of play experience, one can have endless fun with this set. This detailed set features a table for Anakin Skywalker that lowers and flips to reveal Darth Vader (that's why two minifig heads are really necessary!). The iconic helmet can also be sleekly slid into position. Levers were also strategically placed in the sides so one can pretend to use the Force and send the droids and rack flying!

Cybernetic Enhancement

Armor Up

The Helmet

Building the set is a lot of fun. You can say it has an average level of difficulty with all the Technic parts and contraptions. But take note, my obsessive-compulsive traits were satisfied in the building process for everything is symmetrical! That explains all the top view shots, haha.

Darth Vader Transformation

Overall, I can say that the Darth Vader Transformation [75183] set is very much worth it. It is a must have for all LEGO Star Wars fans!

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...