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 star wars magazine: issue 27

LEGO Star Wars Magazine Issue 27

The LEGO Star Wars Magazine Issue 27 is already available and the awesome gift is Rey's Speeder!

Finally! the LEGO Star Wars Magazine has finally caught up with The Force Awakens (but then there's Rogue One and the upcoming The Last Jedi, no pressure)! And what's the best way to represent the new trilogy in this monthly magazine than with Rey herself (though she's just a tiny black round plate).

Rey's Speeder

Building the model is a lot of fun. The build starts with the hood on an upright position then eventually rotating to gradually reveal the final look. The design is really smart considering the scale, with every detail depicting something, like Rey's salvage bag and her hauls. It just fell a bit flat when placed on a surface. I have to place it on two transparent clear round tiles to make it appear like it's hovering.

Rey's Speeder microbuild reminded me a lot of Luke's Landspeeder (see it in this post), and it's really easy to see why. Both shared the same color schemes, and even the same elements. (Duh, they're both speeders in desert planets!).

First Order Snowspeeder

For next month's issue, which comes out on 11 October, make way for the First Order Snowspeeder. Yahoo! More The Force Awakens love!

P. S. I think the Original LEGO Star Wars Minifigure stamp pictured above is a mistake, unless they do include a minifigure. We'll see next month!

scarif stormtrooper [40176] review

Scarif Stormtrooper [40176]

More Rogue One minifigures!

One of the freebies in the LEGO Force Friday II offers is the Scarif Stormtrooper [40176] polybag. It's free with any LEGO Star Wars purchase over £25. It's the second from the (hopefully long) series of interlocking Star Wars display sets. The first one is the rebel droid R3-M2 (which I previously made a review post). At first I thought the series was limited to droids, but we obviously now know that's not the case. The good thing about this is it opened a lot more possibilities!

Shoretrooper

For the minifigure per se, it appears that the one included in this [40176] polybag is a Shoretrooper Squad Leader, as identified by his sand blue stripe along the top of the chest plate and onto the shoulder guards. Another visual cue is the kama attached to the belt. This is in comparison to the Regular Shoretrooper (all sand-colored armor) in the Battle on Scarif [75171] set, and the Shoretrooper Captain (mostly sand blue-colored chest plate and left shoulder guard) in the TIE Striker [75154] set.

Unmasked

The minifig head is the standard Stormtrooper head with black eyebrows, cheek lines, chin dimple, and a grimace expression. The Scarif Stormtrooper is equipped with a blaster rifle built by attaching a prismatic binoculars to a ribbed spacegun.

Backdrop & Stand

The backdrop and stand is almost identical to the one from the R3-M2 [40268] polybag, with the exceptions of gray connector pegs and a Scarif scenery. Of course, there's the sticker label announcing what kind of Stormtrooper he is. It's just a bugger that his rank was left out.

Scarif Stormtrooper

Overall, I am very happy with the Scarif Stormtrooper [40176] polybag, and, as I said before, the possible direction this line may go. (Can you give me my LEGO Lothcat now?).

force friday II millennium falcon posters

Millennium Falcon VS The First Order

Awesome LEGO Millennium Falcon posters!

Included in the Force Friday II and Millennium Falcon [75192] launch promotions was the free VIP posters. For LEGO VIP purchase of any Star Wars set, a Millennium Falcon mini poster was given away, and there's a different one each day! Why limit to VIP? Because it serves as an invitation for the early VIP access to purchase the biggest LEGO set ever! At the back of the poster is the date 14.9.2017 and the website VIP.LEGO.COM.

The first poster is a brick version of the chase in Jakku in The Force Awakens, wherein Rey and Finn were trying to evade the First Order. The epic scene was set against a sunset, making it very vivid and colorful.

The Millennium Falcon [75192] has a feature of switching the model from the latest trilogy to the original one. So, it only makes sense to make a poster depicting the old gang of rebels. For the second poster, the chosen scene was from The Empire Strikes Back, wherein Han Solo, Princess Leia, Chewbacca, and C-3PO desperately tried to escape the Imperial forces by navigating through the Hoth asteroid field.

Millennium Falcon VS The Galactic Empire

The third poster is just a few frames away from the second one, wherein our heroes were almost eaten alive by an exogorth, or commonly known as a space slug. The scene shows the Millennium Falcon on the verge of escaping through the galactic monster's orifice.

Millennium Falcon VS The Space Slug

These free posters were printed in high quality on thick card boards. Very fitting for LEGO's newest and biggest flagship set. I just wish the artist was credited in order to associate these fantastic pieces of art to a name and a face.

first order heavy assault walker [30497] review

First Order Heavy Assault Walker [30497]

A fearsome new walker!

As part of the LEGO Force Friday II promotions, the First Order Heavy Assault Walker [30497] polybag was given away with any LEGO Star Wars purchase over £60. It is a mini build of the larger set [75189] with the same name. Not much is known yet on the new First Order weapon but early reports warns against it heavier artillery, featuring a megacaliber six cannon mounted to its back. It is officially named as the All Terrain MegaCaliber Six or AT-M6 for short. I'm sure we'll know more once the film is released.

The mini First Order Heavy Assault Walker looks very similar to the massive set. The scale translation was rather impressive. Building it is a lot of fun, and the utilization of different Technic parts gave the mini build more appeal with multiple articulation points.

First Order Heavy Assault Walker

The First Order Heavy Assault Walker [30497] is the first among the promotional polybags for The Last Jedi, and with it, things are looking very promising. I can't wait too see what's in store next. And of course I can't wait to see the AT-M6 and everything else on the big screen!

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?

U-wing fighter [30496] review

U-Wing Fighter [30496]

Rebel alert! It's the U-Wing Fighter [30496] polybag!

I finally got my hands on the U-Wing Fighter [30496] minibuild! If you have read one of my previous posts earlier this year, you can deduce that my best mates and I have gotten together after a long, long time. They bought this polybag for me from their recent LEGOLAND Windsor visit. Super thank you kuys and ate (big brother and big sister)!

Now that I've thought about it, I haven't seen this polybag elsewhere here in the UK. It sounds like the Empire did some shady business.

Back to the minibuild, it's needless to say that I've enjoyed building the U-Wing in this scale (or maybe I'm just really Rogue One biased). It looks like a shrunk version of the big set [75155] (which I did a gallery on)! Every piece corresponds to every part. From the thrust engines to the cockpit. I can't help but see Bistan gunning by the door.

U-Wing

My only complaint is that the wings are not foldable. But at this scale, that's perfectly understandable.

Hopefully I'll find more time soon to enjoy my other Rogue One sets. And I wish LEGO will release more Rogue One sets, haha!

LEGO star wars magazine: issue 26

LEGO Star Wars Magazine Issue 26

The LEGO Star Wars Magazine Issue 26 is finally out, and it's a bumper issue! Free Imperial Snowtrooper minifigure plus a bonus gift!

Minifigures are a bit of a rarity when it comes to the LEGO Star Wars Magazine. That's why this month's issue is special with the Imperial Snowtrooper minifigure giveaway.

The free gift is limited edition (in terms of distribution) but not necessarily exclusive (or sort of, depending on one's perspective). It is similar to the one released from the Snowspeeder [75049], AT-AT [75054], Assault on Hoth [75098], Hoth Attack [75138], and Star Wars Advent Calendar [75146] sets without the white kama and/or the white lamp holder piece (between the neck bracket and backpack). But nevertheless, a free minifigure is a free minifigure (not to mention this is great for army building)!

Before moving on from the Imperial Snowtrooper, let me just mention a page that has literally made me laughed out loud. In this issue, there is an activity encouraging kids to color in the Snowtrooper, inviting them to let their imaginations run wild and make colorful outfits! Isn't it hilarious?

Imperial Snowtrooper

As mentioned above, this issue is a bumper issue, meaning previous free gifts were re-gifted re-released. For the others, they got the AAT or Luke's Landspeeder. As for me, I got the Probe Droid! All of which were featured in my first LEGO Star Wars Magazine post.

Probe Droid

For next month, it's time to awaken the force with Rey's Speeder! Don't you just love the reddish brown color on LEGO Star Wars sets? The new issue comes out on 6 September.

Rey's Speeder

LEGO star wars magazine: issue 25

LEGO Star Wars Magazine Issue 25

Better late than never. Issue 25 of the LEGO Star Wars Magazine has been out for some time now, and the amazing gift is none other than a Sandcrawler minibuild!

The free LEGO set for July is a miniature version of the Jawas' huge mobile fortress. The meter-tall humanoid species use the Sandcrawler both for their transport and shelter. The build is quite simple but efficient enough to be distinguishable. And of course, it's always fun to make smaller variations of iconic Star Wars models. It's such a shame that a Jawa minifigure is not included. I guess that's just too much to ask. Well, there's always future issues!

Sandcrawler

Next issue comes out with a LEGO minifigure. It may not be a Jawa, but it's equally cool! Free Imperial Snowtrooper minifigure next month! Issue 26 will be released on 9 August.

Imperial Snowtrooper

happy (i am your) father's day!

I Am Your Father

Happy (I Am Your) Father's Day!

To all our personal superheroes (or super villains, whichever applies), the half of the reason of our existence, be it by blood or by something else entirely, thank you very much! Happy Father's Day!

LEGO star wars in black and white

LEGO Star Wars in Black and White

Or alternatively my favorite shots in dramatic monochrome.

How did this little side project come about? I was just looking for a new wallpaper to match my black and white phone then voilà!...

It is only quite recently that I was able to obtain larger sets. That's why it is also only quite recently that I decided to do scenic shots, and I fell in love with it!

For Finn in the Millennium Falcon [75105], I was originally aiming to do a shot in the gun well but I can't seem to make it work. So, I settled with him in the cockpit instead. At least the upper quad laser cannon is visible behind him.

Finn Manning the Falcon

Krennic's Imperial Shuttle [75156] is definitely one of my favorite LEGO Star Wars sets. It definitely is a must to have the suave director's photo taken inside his wicked spacecraft. For Krennic, it's all about style! I mean wearing white in a black on black ship? Exactly on point!

Director Krennic's Imperial Shuttle

Bistan! Ever since I saw the Space Monkey in Star Wars Celebration Europe 2016, I grew fond of him (only to be disappointed later to learn that he doesn't have much screen time!). I'm sure a lot of Rebel U-Wing Fighter [75155] owners has recreated Bistan in his most epic scene.

Door Gunning Bistan

And this has got to be my favorite shot of all time! I super love the Darth Vader Transformation [75183] set and I'm glad my pictures, especially the one below, were able to show that. The upgraded and more detailed helmet has definitely help capture the essence of the iconic scene.

Darth Vader's Transformation

I'm so excited with this artistic (at least in my opinion) side project. This is definitely an upgrade from my usual profile shots. Hopefully, I can add more to these lovely pictures in the future. I have a lot of ideas in my head. I just wish I can execute them beautifully and justly. In the meantime, may the force be with you!

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!