AT-TE (#75019)

Every Christmas, I half expect the Lego company to send us a thank you card. Between the 5 sets I received, four for my son, and four for my daughter, I think we paid for someone's salary at the Lego store. It makes for a fun Christmas day, some families build puzzles on the table but we build Lego. The only drawback is the "Lego fingers" side effect (chances are good that you know what I'm talking about). I'm sure that just means I need to do this more often to build up my tolerance.

This year's big set was the AT-TE, Lego's third version (4482 in 2003, 7675 in 2008 were the two prior versions).

Here's the front view with the figures (the gunner on top was from 2009's clone trooper battle pack).

The set uncludes 5 minifigs: two Geonosian battle droids, Mace Windu, Coleman Trebor (a Jedi equivalent to Star Trek's "red shirt"), and the clone pilot. Ep. II Mace vs. the Clone Wars Mace really isn't a huge difference (this one has printed legs). Coleman is a nice addition, and I'm glad they put him in a bigger set rather than with the Spider Droid or Tank Droid sets.

Here's the side view...

Here's the pilot with the pull-out compartment.

The turret flips up for access to the flick-fire missile storage. I'm thinking about taking this out in favor of being able to house a couple more clone troopers.

The carry handle is a bit more sturdy than 7675, as this one is designed for fingers where the last one was designed to be carried by the dropship.

Rear view. Everything you dreamed it would be, and more.

I really like how the back folds up nicely when you open the hatch. There's also a convenient ladder which can tuck away underneath when not in use. You know how important it is to make it easy for the minifigs to climb in and out.

I used a few extra clones from my reserves to fill in the back (two troopers and one ARF from the 2011 battle pack). It really seems a little counter-productive to roll into battle with only one clone. You can't see it from this angle, but there's a small container in the back for holding the thermal detonators.

Here's 75019 on the left with 7675 on the right for comparison. I didn't realize until they were together how much smaller 75019 is.

Here's the top view, which really shows the difference in size.

Which one do I prefer? That's a tough question. I do like the smaller design of 75019, but you can't beat showing up to the battle with 7 troops like you can with 7675. If you already have 7675, you're probably not in a hurry to get this one as there isn't a whole lot of real difference between them. Don't get me wrong, it's worth the price tag. It's a very fun build with lots of play value when you're done. Over-all, I'd give it a good 8/10. The missing two points could've been made up with another clone trooper and maybe more room inside for troops. 

Jedi Defender Class Cruiser (#75025)

I picked this up in Nashville while we were down there. Between my VIP points and the difference in price between US and Canada, I saved about $45 on it. The Lego Store got their shipment in early, so I was able to get this 3 days before the scheduled Aug 1 release date. You have to know it was torture not being able to build it until we got back.

This is the third set from the Star Wars: Old Republic online game. I haven't let myself actually play the game yet because I would never stop. I did watch all the game trailers though and they look really good. I got so excited about this one that I actually bought the Old Republic battle pack in anticipation. I never did get the Striker-class starfighter because I thought it was cheesy (still do, actually). However, I may have to go on Bricklink to get the Satele Shan and Republic trooper minifigs, because they'd go really well with this one.

Anyhow, the set comes with four figures (from L-R): Jedi Consular, Jedi Knight, Sith Warrior, and Sith Trooper. I'm guessing the Jedi are generic because they're taken from the game instead of specific characters from a movie.

Top view of the ship. I like the hammerhead look, just seems cool to me.

Side view (but you probably figured that out on your own). The guns on the front rotate and double as flick-fire missiles.

The rear hatch opens for holocron storage. I'm guessing by the red color that it's a Sith holocron.

Another side view. Not sure what I was focusing on here, but I'm sure it made sense at the time...

The engine module comes out, probably for service and repairs.

A nice little handle slides up to carry the ship if you don't want to hold it from the bottom.

This little module pops out too, but I'm not sure what it does. Maybe it makes sense to those who have played the game. Maybe the designers just decided to mess with us a bit...

There's another holocron storage at the front of the ship. That comes in handy when you find yourself with two holocrons.

The top sections flip up for access to the seating. One drawback in the design is the lack of storage space for the lightsabers. Our Jedi knight can hold onto his, but the consular doesn't have anywhere for her double-bladed saber unless you want it rolling around inside the cockpit during flight.

An escape pod on each side. According to the plans, the Sith are supposed to ride here, but I swapped in the Republic troopers from the battlepack, which makes more sense to me...

The underside. The landing gear can fold to some degree, but they're never really out of the way or tucked in.

Here's the Defender next to the Sith Fury Interceptor. This seems to be more evenly matched than the Striker starfighter.

So, there it is. It took me about 2 hours 15min to build (including all the times I dropped small pieces onto the hotel room carpet and had to look for them). Some models have very obvious builds, but it was really fun to see how this one came together. There seems to be a lot of unused space along the center of the ship, and if I can find a way to use it, I could fit in a few more troopers.

Unlike the Fury, this isn't a ship you'll be flying aggressively. Hardly anything on top is "nailed down"... the front holocron storage, that little piece behind it, and the tops to the escape pods are just held in place by gravity. I guess they figure if you're using the handle, you're not exactly doing barrel rolls with the ship.

This one keeps finding it's way back to my desk somehow, no matter how many times I put it back on the shelf. I'm going to need a little more self-control if I'm going to get any work done before the novelty wears off.

Corporate Alliance Tank Droid (#75015)

The new Summer 2013 sets are out, bringing another version of the Corporate Alliance Tank Droid. While most memorable from the Episode III battles on Kashyyyk, it did make a couple of brief appearances on Geonosis in Episode II.

The set comes with three minifigs: a dark brown battle droid, clone trooper, and Jango Fett. I guess Lego figured they could cut back on one minifig (compared to 7748) by throwing in an updated Jango. This is only the second set to ever feature him (the first being Jango's Slave I).

The original Jango minifig has been selling for upwards of $50 on sites like eBay and Bricklink. If you think a little plastic figure is worth that much, have at it. I'm not here to judge. Personally, I like this version much better... printed legs, better chest design, updated face, separate helmet and jet pack...

Here are the two versions side-by-side for comparison. There really isn't anything that jumps out and says, "Wow! This new feature is totally worth the upgrade!" I like the rods they added to the rear and the subtle changes to the "feet" on each side.

Front view... 75015 is slightly taller. Ooooh.... Ahhhhh....  I don't know if I can't count to 60, or I lack the fine motor skills required, but I had to add one more track segment to get it to connect. Fortunately they include a couple of extras.

Another side view with a better angle of the updates. There are two side guns and a flick fire missile where on the last one there were only two guns and one of them doubled as a flick fire. I know what you're thinking... "That alone is worth the sticker price!" Well, you're preaching to the choir.

Anyhow, this is a nice little army builder set. I'm a big fan of the new Jango Fett minifig (still could've thrown in another clone trooper). If your CIS troops are outnumbered, this will help restore a little balance.

Z-95 Headhunter (#75004)

I was thinking of building my own Headhunter after I saw it on Clone Wars, but I'm glad I didn't. This one is better than what I would've put together. There's nothing really "that's amazing!" about the build, but there were a few nice touches thrown in.

The set comes with a 501st pilot and trooper, and Pong Krell. The new pilot helmet design is great and the 501 trooper is cool too. So far, he only comes in this set and the AT-RT, so it's going to be a bit difficult to build up a whole 501st legion (goes for an average of $10 USD on Bricklink). If you watched the story arc, then you know it doesn't end well for our friend Krell.

A nice comfy cockpit for the pilot and a storage compartment in the back. Do yourself a favor and replace one of the flat tiles with a standard plate to keep the pilot secure in the cockpit.

View from the rear, some nice touches with the greebling on the back...

...the front...

...profile shot...

...the underside, just for kicks. Conspicuously absent is the Technic missile launcher. I was going to build it in, take photos, then take it out again, but I didn't want to have to pull everything apart. I just used a 4x10 plate to cover up the hole and moved on.

The landing gear work fairly well, just be careful putting the ship down. Since the landing gear are attached with Technic pins, they swivel fairly easily.

The weapons sled in the back actually stays secure even though it isn't attached to anything. There's only one blaster, so the trooper and pilot have to share.

This is a great set, surprisingly sturdy for how basic the build was. It has awesome "swoosh factor", if I had shelf space, I'd get another one just for fun. Here's hoping they bring out more Clone Wars fighters.

Battle of Hoth (#75014)

Lego has released another Hoth set exclusive to Toys R Us. You get two snowtroopers (with faces), two Rebel troopers, a tauntaun, Imperial probe droid, pilot Luke, and the new Commander Rieekan.

Comes with everything you see here, batteries not included, some assembly required...

This could be your third tauntaun, depending on whether or not you were lucky enough to pick up the other sets (7749 & 7879 are the other two). The large blaster is pretty cool, swivels up and down as well as side to side.

This is the best version of the dish blaster so far, even if it is a flick-fire missile. Unfortunately, unless you want to fire straight ahead, there's nowhere for our little rebel friend to stand. Commander Rieekan has a nice little workstation there. Personally, I would've preferred something a little more sheltered, but I'm not about to tell him how to fight his battles.

If you've picked up any of the Hoth sets, there's a good chance you already have several of these white speeder bikes kicking around. The blaster cannon has been around a couple of times too. They may be repetitive, but you need something to give the Imperials a fighting chance.

And the new probe droid. Watch out, it may have a self-destruct built in. Our little probe droid has come a long way since the Hoth Rebel Base version (#7666).

Here's the fifth version of the snowspeeder. We'll play "spot the difference" later.

Side view...

Pilot Luke with an alternate expression...

Inside the cockpit...

I've said it before and I'll say it again. Do yourself a favor and replace the 2x2 flat tiles (shown on top) with a 1x2 plate and a flat 1x2 tile. This keeps your minifigs from getting thrown around in the cockpit.

So, here's the line-up of the different versions. I never had the first version (#7130), so you'll have to look that one up on your own. Very subtle differences between these versions, including the alternating orange and grey color schemes. The guns on 4500 aren't the original ones, at some point I swapped them out to match the others.

The harpoon guns on the back continue to evolve, I think this one has the most movie-accurate version of the group.

So, without trying to impart my bias on anyone else, let me say that I think this could've been done a bit differently. The probe droid, and possibly even the tauntaun, should've been part of the Wampa Cave set. It would've increased the price a bit, but still would've been worth it. Everything else, except the snowspeeder, could've been a set similar to 7749. For a $65 CDN set, I would like to have seen a bit more. And I really feel these Hoth sets should be modularized so they link up somehow.

Don't get me wrong, there's a lot of play value with this set, especially with the ground fortifications. I'm not complaining, just offering up some suggestions of how I would've handled things if I were in charge.

Now, when do we get the Ion Cannon and the Shield Generator sets??

Millennium Falcon (#7965)

Thanks to a Christmas gift card, I was able to buy the updated Millennium Falcon through the Best Buy website. Who knew they sold Lego?? Anyhow... I wasn't sure about this one because I already had the previous version and couldn't justify paying full price for a few little changes. But, it was a whole different story when I got free shipping and the gift card paid for over half the cost.

Here are the two versions together. 4504 is the 2nd edition, and 7965 is #3. You'll have to check out my review for 4504 because I've "made a few modifications myself" and updated a few features. #3 is slightly larger (and more stable) than the old one.

Here's everyone posing for photos. The set comes with Obi-Wan, Leia, Han, Chewbacca, Luke, and Darth Vader (who, to my knowledge has never been on the Falcon). This one is apparently the Episode IV Falcon where #4504 was Episode V.

Leia and Luke both have alternate expressions. Leia brings her angry face while Luke has his blast shield for lightsaber training.

There's a smuggling compartment on this version, perfect for spice or anything else you want to keep away from Imperial entanglements. Not sure why Leia got the short straw, but she's gets to hide out for a while. The one drawback is that it's hard to get the figure back out of the compartment, at least for me. Maybe it's just my big fingers... Chewie is sitting at the holochess table. I really like the interior on this one more than 4504. This one is more open and allows for better playability. Taking out the escape pod (which was never in the movie anyway) was a very good move.

Luke can practice with the training remote now. There are clips on the center console for his and Obi-wan's lightsabers. Unfortunately, there isn't any storage for the three blasters and Chewie's crossbow, which seems like a bit of an oversight. It's not like they don't have the room, I may have to put in a few clips for that. The hyperdrive engine isn't labeled on this version like it was on 4504, but I think we can all figure out where it is.

The gun chairs now seat two for the top and bottom turrets. It slides in very nicely and is held in place so it doesn't rattle around...

...then the turret goes back on over top. The sensor dish is done very nicely on this one too.

The underside... Not much to look at, but she's got it where it counts. The frame is much stronger than 4504 was, even though it doesn't look pretty. Flick-fire missiles on either side, the landing gear aren't as fragile, and it's nice to have the turret on the bottom too.

Front view...

Rear view...

And finally, Darth insisted on a family photo with the kids.

 So, like I said before, there's no way I would've bought this one after already having 4504 if I had to pay full price, no matter how much it has been improved. However, if I didn't have an earlier version I would've been all over this one a long time ago. It looks great on the shelf and, more importantly, it's wicked fun to play with.