LEGO star wars magazine: issue 24

LEGO Star Wars Magazine Issue 24

The LEGO Star Wars Magazine Issue 24 is already out and this month's free gift is the awesome A-Wing Starfighter!

The latest issue of our favorite magazine from a brick galaxy far, far away is filled with the usual comics, pull-out posters, fact files, puzzles, and more, encompassing all eras and even beyond (ehem, Freemakers, ehem). Speaking of comics, the one where the Skywalker twins used a Gungan Sub to save Lando and Chewie in Naboo painfully reminded me that I missed the LEGO version of the underwater vehicle! And not to mention the Queen Amidala minifigure! Say what you want but I super love The Phantom Menace!

Back to the magazine, the free LEGO set in this issue is an A-Wing minibuild. The A-Wing is a wedge-shaped starfighter widely used by the rebels for a long period of time, from the early rebellion against the Galactic Empire, to the Resistance against the First Order.

A-Wing

The mini A-Wing is a cute and fun model to build. With regards to resemblance to the film version, it's quite passable, but a casual fan may not be able to identify it straightaway. I like the green and yellow color scheme of the model, matching the one in the Vader’s TIE Advanced vs. A-Wing Starfighter [75150] set. The free toy is a nod to Star Wars Rebels after all. By the way, the transparent stand is not included.

Next month's cool toy is the Sandcrawler! It was not written but I highly doubt that the Jawas minifigures will be included. The new issue comes out 5 July.

Sandcrawler

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!

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!

the milano [30449] review

The Milano [30449]

Obviously.

The Milano is a Ravager M-Ship Class spacecraft used by the Guardians of the Galaxy for their interplanetary travel. It only made perfect sense to use it as the promotional LEGO set for the recently shown second installment of the film series (I love it, by the way, but I love the first more). The Milano [30449] polybag was given away (and sold) in various store events but I got mine from my local LEGO Store (UK) using this month's calendar voucher.

Building this brick spacecraft is very entertaining. I was able to build it under five minutes, so it's really, really easy. I was surprised with the numerous Technic pieces included, especially with the two steering arm piece with three ball joints, which gave The Milano's wings a lot of character.

The Milano

The resemblance of the final build with the film spaceship beyond the color scheme is just so-so, but since it's a minibuild, it's forgivable. For its scale, The Milano still is a good spacecraft. If not for its very bright colors, it will fit perfectly with the other flying vessels minibuild from a galaxy far, far away.

Front View

By the way, the clear stand is not included in the polybag. I just used it for photography purposes only. It would be real cool if flying or hovering sets will come with stands like this one or something similar.

Oh, and I decided to include the top view of the ship for I find it as a hilarious cross between Optimus Prime and Jar Jar Binks.

Top View

Overall, The Milano [30449] polybag is a sweet, sweet set loaded with fun and excitement. And did I mention it's free?

jack sparrow's boat [30131] review

Jack Sparrow's Boat [30131]

Yo ho, yo ho, a pirate's life for me! Guess what's my latest brick loot? It's Captain Jack Sparrow's Boat [30131]!

I know this little set is an oldie, but it's definitely a goodie! This is what you get from binge-watching the first four Pirates of the Caribbean films (and not to mention anticipating the fifth). The new Silent Mary [71042] ship, retailing at £179.99, is definitely out of my budget, so I have to settle with something much, much less. It is unfortunate that Salazar's Revenge (or Dead Men Tell No Tales, depending on where you are) has no other LEGO sets besides the ghost ship and the BrickHeadz captains [41593-4]. But maybe, just maybe, a surprise polybag will suddenly pop out! The good ol' captain and his boat will do, for now.

It's amazing that this polybag is already six years old as of writing! And thanks a lot to a decent eBay seller, I was able to buy it very close to a current LEGO polybag's retail price.

The set comes with a tricorne wearing Jack Sparrow minifigure, armed with a cutlass. The head is dual printed giving the legendary pirate smiling and scared expressions. I believe the minifigure perfectly captured the film series' protagonist. It easily became one of my favorite minifigures.

Jack Sparrow

Parlay?

The boat minibuild is pretty straightforward, serving its purpose well. And it comes complete with a simple white sail and a bottle of rum! The Jack Sparrow minifigure can be seated in the boat, and there's no more space for anybody or anything else.

Boat

Savvy?

Overall, this little set is a lot of fun! The Jack Sparrow minifigure is a great addition to any LEGO Disney or pirates collection. Too bad the polybag and the other Pirates of the Caribbean sets are not readily available. I'm six years too late!