Death Star Gunners (75034) Lego Star Wars Minifgure Review

First seen all the way back in the Summer of 1976 in Star Wars,  the Death Star Gunner finds its way into minifigure form in the Winter Wave of 2014 in the 75034 Death Star Troopers set.

The gunners are seen in a few scenes in Star Wars and make a brief re-appearance on the Second Death Star in Return Of The Jedi.  They are seen 'operating' the Death Star superlaser when Alderaan gets zapped.    When they are not flicking switches and pumping their arm in a gesture that you don't need a protocol droid to interpret ("pull the big lever that fires the big gun"), they are also firing the Turbolaser batteries (That would be GREEN turbolasers, Lego!) at X-Wings and Y-Wings during the Battle Of Yavin.  

So whether you are "commencing primary ignition" or trying to shoot down Porkins, these little minifigures are going to be nice to have.  And with two in a box alongside two new Imperial Guards you are not really going to mind parting with £11.99.

The stand out feature for me is the Helmet.  A unique piece, made for purpose and a good representation of what we see in the films.  It is black in appearance with a curved form to front and rear.  At the front of the helmet in the centre is an Imperial Insignia in silver grey.  On the right hand side of the helmet is a pronounced area which looks like a communication device with a few coloured buttons and features.  A comunication device can also be seen on the left hand side of the head piece so  I'm not sure what this area is supposed to be, what use it has, so any enlightened readers please comment below.

In this Battle Pack, we have two head pieces (for two figures).  The facial details are very similar on both - single print to the front - heavy set black eyebrows, round black eyes with white pupils, brown facial lines, the principal difference being the set of the mouth.  On the left hand side of the face is a rather nice communication device.  A feature we also see (although is printed differently) on Anakin Skywalker in set 75038:  Jedi Interceptor which is part of the 2014 Winter Wave.  Given how frequently we seem to be seeing the Phase 1 Clone Trooper Face from 2013 in the 2014 Winter Wave, it would be nice to see subtle facial expressions/differences in this manner on the Clones, even if we have to stick with the same base features (they are clones after all!).

The torso is simple, printed on both sides and predominantly black with silver grey lines picking out the features of the tunic.  The lower part of the torso includes a silver belt before continuing with the silver grey lines delimiting form and features down onto the hips and front of legs.  The arms and hands are black.  What can I say, the printing is simple compared to some of the other elaborately printed torso's that are released in this wave, but it does the job.

The figures are equipped with the new 2014 blasters, so I guess when Luke starts to 'Trust his feelings' in the film and takes out the turbolaser (The one that fires GREEN turbolasers Lego!) they can at least resort to firing little red studs at Red Squadron.

In summary, for me it's all about the helmet:  great job Lego!  Another figure to go with your 10188 Death Star Set.

Did Lego get it right?  We are always interested in your thoughts on the Lego Minifigures we review, please add your comments below and give the minifigure a rating on a scale of 1-10:

Kashyyyk Clone Trooper (75035) Lego Star Wars Minifigure Review

Under the command of Clone Commander Gree and Jedi General Luminara Unduli the Clone Troopers of the 41st Elite Corps (and some of the 501st Legion) are seen supporting the Wookiees in the Battle Of Kashyyyk in Episode III:  Revenge Of The Sith.

The Kashyyyk Clone Trooper forms the other half of 75035 Kashyyyk Trooper Battle Pack alongside the fantastic minifigure of the 41st Elite Corps Scout Trooper.

This minifigure is unique to this set and like the 41st Elite Corps Scout Trooper has the same distinctive camouflage colouring to the front of the helmet, torso, legs and rear of the torso.

The helmet is a standard Phase 2 Clone Armour helmet in form, with camouflage printing to the front, top and side, it transitions to a full yellowish-green colour to the rear.  The printing to the front is impressive.  The T shaped visor is distinctly blue-green in colour with black and grey lines to emphasise the form of the helmet.  In the following photo I show a comparison to the 501st Phase 2 Clone Trooper from 2013.

The head piece is the same single print as the 2013 Phase 1 Armour Clone Trooper, which is also used on the 41st Elite Corps Scout Trooper.

The Torso is based on the print that we saw in the 2013 Phase 1 Clone Trooper with details described by black and grey lines.  I have commented before on how handsome a torso print I think it is.  I was a little surprised to see this again, but it takes on a different appearance when depicted in camouflage yellowish-green mottling.

On the rear of the Torso the print is evolved somewhat with the depiction of a back pack in black and grey. The Torso has dark tan arms and black hands.

The legs are a yellowish-green colour with camouflage printing to the front on a dark tan base.

The legs are printed to the front in a similar manner to the 75037 BARC Trooper released in the same Winter 2014 wave.  This does not include any unit insignia but has the same upper leg armour plating and knee plating described by grey and black lines.  The legs are plain dark tan to the rear.

The figures are of course equipped with the new 2014 blaster:  not accurate to the film, but great for playability.

A very satisfying minifigure in an accessible and affordable set.  Good job Lego.

Did Lego get it right?  We are always interested in your thoughts on the Lego Minifigures we review, please add your comments below and give the minifigure a rating on a scale of 1-10:

Imperial Guard / Royal Guard (75034) Lego Star Wars Minifgure Review

“Guards Leave Us”  Emperor Palpatine welcomes Luke Skywalker to the Death Star.

Now I always called these characters the Imperial Guards.  This is probably a result of being a child of the original Kenner days back in the 1980’s.  Imperial Guards, Royal Guards, whatever you call them, they are the Emperor’s personal bodyguard.  With distinctive crimson uniform and cape they make their first appearance in the Star Wars Universe in Return Of The Jedi in 1983.  

For recent fans of Lego Star Wars like myself, the Royal Guard have only been available in the expensive 10188 Death Star set which was first released in 2008.  This 2008 variant is the 2^nd that Lego released, the first and second variants are only distinguishable by the colour of the hands: firstly red then black.

The royal guard minifigures have appeared in the following sets:

• 7166 Imperial Shuttle (2001) – 1^st Variant;
• 7264 Imperial Inspection (2005) - 1^st Variant;
• 6211 Imperial Star Destroyer (2006) - 1^st Variant.

The new 2014 redesign (3rd Variant) is only available in the 75034 Death Star Troopers Battle Pack.

Owners of the first or second variant will find the same helmet and same print torso piece as in previous variants.  

The cape is now in two colours – darker red on the inside, in contrast to the bright crimson red on the outside.

The Torso differs in that the arms and hands are now a dark red colour.  The front torso printing is as we have seen before: dark red lines describing creasing to the robes.  There is no rear printing on the torso which is no big deal: it is going to be covered by one of the nice new two-tone capes.

The head piece is a standard black minifigure head – again no big deal – are you really going to pose this minifigure without the cool helmet piece?

The minifigures are now equipped with force pikes, which were used primarily as a ceremonial weapon.  Interestingly they do not use a black lightsaber hilt in their construction which is probably a good move by Lego – they are not lightsabers after all!  I wondered if they were a little short.  I seem to remember my original Kenner action figure had a full body length staff/pike, but having re-watched ROTJ at the weekend, I think Lego have got it right.

In summary not a huge difference to previous variants but arguable more accurate to the film appearances.

If you have the original variants, let’s face it £11.99 for two of these and two of the nice new Death Star Gunners is hardly going to stop you picking up this neat little battle pack.

If you are looking to remake the two scenes in the film where they appear you are going to need two for the confrontation in the Emperor's throne room.  For the inspection on the Death Star hangar deck, we see six guards walk down and arrange themselves around the landing ramp when the Emperor arrives on the Death Star.  Three purchases of this battle pack seems more accessible than buying 3 of the 10188 Death Star sets. But who knows we might see another Death Star in the upcoming Episode 7 making the ownership of three Death Stars slightly more justifiable?

Did Lego get it right?  We are always interested in your thoughts on the Lego Minifigures we review, please add your comments below and give the minifigure a rating on a scale of 1-10:

BARC Trooper (75037) Lego Star Wars Review

If you thought the Battle of Kashyyyk was brief in Episode III:  Revenge Of The Sith, then if you blinked in the wrong place you would have missed the reference to Saleucami.  But why would you blink?  How could you blink?  For all their midi-chlorian induced foresight and wisdom the Jedi are taking a pummeling.  Chancellor Palpatine issues Order 66 and the average Star Wars fan’s mouth hangs open whilst the principle Jedi Generals are taken down on the various battlefields.  On Saleucami, Jedi General Stass Allie is leading a BARC speeder patrol when Commander Neyo receives Order 66 via comlink.  He and his wingman then drop back and open fire on Allie’s speeder bike which then crashes killing the Jedi General.

Interestingly, it is only in the summer wave of Lego sets in 2013 that we see Stass Allie in minifigure form for the first time so getting a BARC trooper in the insignia of the 91^st Reconnaissance Corps is timely, but is also the only minifigure highlight of the 75037:  Battle On Saleucami set released in the winter wave of 2014.

At the time of writing this is the first BARC Trooper we see in minifigure form and is unique to this set.  Although, we certainly have not been deprived of BARC speeders in recent years.

It is a handsome minifigure comprised of four pieces, and a pretty accurate rendition of what we see in the film.

The head piece is the most unremarkable, and is quickly becoming a regular fixture in Lego Star Wars sets released in 2013 and 2014.  A single sided print that we first saw in the 2013 Clone Trooper in Phase 1 armour, we also see it on the 41stElite Corps Scout Trooper and Kashyyyk Clone Trooper in the 75035 KashyyykTroopers Battle Pack.

Don’t be put off, we get a really nice helmet to cover this unmemorable face.  The eye is immediately drawn to the insignia of the 91^st: a small red circle with a white sword pointing upside down (not dissimilar to the logo belonging to the national postal service of Australia).  This is seen on the left hand sided of the helmet (as you look at it).  An insignia that is also seen in the centre of the torso and just below the hips on the upper leg on the left hand side.  The helmet has the same form as a Phase 2 clone trooper helmet – a comparison picture to a 501^st Clone Trooper from 2013 can be seen below.  Whilst the form is the same, the print has many differences:  visor shape differs to the usual T shape of a standard clone trooper; grey markings below the visor give a more streamlined aerodynamic feel to the helmet.

Drop to the Torso and we have a beautiful print to the front and rear.  The torso has a white base colour, with white arm on the left hand side and dark red on the right (again as you look at the minifigure).  A different colour on each arm is an interesting touch, not quite movie accurate (more of a dark red shoulder plate) but I’m not being picky.  The hands/gloves are black.  The torso print itself we have largely seen before, on the Clone Trooper in Phase 1 armour found in a number of sets from the summer wave of 2013.  See photos below for comparison purposes.  I have commented before on how much I like this print.  It has been re-used here with further printing outlining a light grey strap and shoulder buckle to the front and rear with additional pouches/details attached to the waistline on the rear.  As mentioned above, we get another 91^st insignia in the centre of the torso on the front.

The legs have black hips with white legs.  A print can be seen on the front.  A simple print, but after all that busy detail on the Torso a simple design is welcomed.  Armour plates on the upper leg  are delineated with grey lines that transition into black lines with greater emphasis around the knees.  The red and white insignia of the 91^st is seen on the upper leg on the left hand side.

To recreate any of the scenes from the film in a meaningful way, you are going to need two for the patrol scene, and a few more to represent the corpse strewn swamp where Allie crash lands.  In a battle pack retailing at a price of £14.99, no big deal, but I would have taken a few droids out of the set and replaced with a second BARC Trooper any day of the week.

Did Lego get it right?  We are always interested in your thoughts on the Lego Minifigures we review, please add your comments below and give the minifigure a rating on a scale of 1-10: