Here is another of the many cool 2012 LEGO Star Wars sets, particularly notable because of the minifigs. This is a $19.99 set, #9490 Droid Escape.
Here is what you get in the box:
Nothing too special in terms of parts. For many LEGO Star Wars sets, you end up with tons of gray bricks:
I am not a fan of large molded pieces like these:
The set, once built. I am not applying the stickers or adding the fabric pauldrons to the Sandtroopers. I’m not really a fan of either.
Here is the new C-3PO with printing on his eyes, and new torso printing. I’ve always been a bit apprehensive of colors that show marbling like you see in his legs here – something about it doesn’t say “LEGO” to me. It just doesn’t seem as solid or finished:
The back of C-3PO. (I’m not bother to review R2D2, which is the same version we have received in MANY sets)
Comparing him to an earlier version. I never liked the molded heads that didn’t have printing, they looked “dead.” The new version brings him to life (as much as you CAN bring a droid to life), and the torso printing adds a nice level of detail:
The new sandtroopers offer a wonderful level of detail. Their torso’s have the newer stormtrooper chest design. LEGO brought back leg printing here, and obviously added icing on the cake by adding the sand and dirt to the head, torso and legs. Really spectacular minifig, and a bonus that you get two of them:
The back of the sandtrooper:
With backpack on:
The printed face that we are also seeing on stormtroopers and other minifigs. I’m wondering if the Empire has a rule about shaving -the entire army of stormtroopers has stubble:
Here is the escape pod from the front, making use of several large parts:
The back was a nice build, with the many elements that made up the thrusters. More enjoyable to build than I would have expected:
The interior. For a simple build, they did a lot to ensure it was sturdy:
A tight fit for R2D2 and C-3PO:
In all, a nice set. At $7 more than a battle pack, I always question how the justify the price. 30% more pieces, plus some very large amounts of plastic on several of them is what does it I suppose. Looking forward to building an army of sandtroopers!