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| 20th Anniversary Star Wars Sets (75243, 75258, 75259, 75261 & 75262) |
5x sets were re-issues of previous sets:
- 75262 Imperial Dropship w/ Han Solo re-issue
- 75261 Clone Scout Walker w/ Darth Vader re-issue
- 75259 Snowspeeder w/ Lando re-issue
- 75258 Podracer w/ Luke re-issue
- 75243 Slave 1 w/ Leia re-issue
I finally caved after X-mas and bought the fifth and largest Slave 1 (7524) set to complete my collection. *shakes his head* #LEGOaddiction.
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| All 6 re-issue minifigs (including polybag/GWP Obi-Wan) |
As part of the promotion, each set contained a replica minifigure that looked exactly like the first release. I've modified the display stand to show the re-issue (older) minifg on the left and a newer version on the right for juxtaposition.
There are many great reviews on internet already. *However* I wanted to discuss here how far LEGO minifigures have advanced. (Seems somewhat timely after my post on creator of the minifigure: Jens Nygaard Knudsen's passing recently.) When I stepped back to see the contrast, it is pretty amazing what LEGO has done!
(FYI - I updated Leia pics. I bought Death Star Escape set and found that a better comparison.)
Let's go...
#1 - Princess Leia
The largest set, an updated Slave 1 (75243) included original Princess Leia. She was part of what could only be described as "primitive" Millennium Falcon set (https://brickset.com/sets/7190-1/Millennium-Falcon) in second wave of "Classics" Star Wars sets. The best part of 2000 set minifigs was the hairpiece, the minifig still had very basic printing, yellow skin-colour and pretty basic facial printing. TBH the red lips look ridiculous compared to today's LEGO minifigures.
The newer Princess Leia is from Death Star Escape (https://brickset.com/sets/75229-1/Death-Star-Escape). LEGO used a more accurate colour and a more accurate mould, slightly imrpoving the hair-piece. Her face has a much more detailed expression including eyelashes and pupils. The torso printing makes the robe look almost 3D.
Interesting point is that her outfit is supposed to be a full length dress! Yet even in the update, they gave her generic white minifigure legs. I've put together a prototype below.
#2 - Luke Skywalker
The Pod-Racer set (75258) included X-wing/Snow-Speeder pilot version of Luke from first wave in 1999 (https://brickset.com/sets/7140-1/X-wing-Fighter, https://brickset.com/sets/7130-1/Snowspeeder). Actually the same minifig was also release 2x more times (https://brickset.com/sets/7142-1/X-wing-Fighter, https://brickset.com/sets/4483-1/AT-AT) but #7142 seemed like re-release under a different set #. In the X-wing set, Biggs and Luke only differed from a mustache and in the Snowspeeder set, Dak and Luke only differed from printing on the helmet. However the minifig did have dual-moulded/coloured legs which was/is somewhat more rare.
The newer Luke in (yet another) Snowspeeder 20th Anniversary Set (75259) has amazing level of detail in the pilot suit. His facial printing is some of the best I've seen with yellow visor overlay. While they didn't have a physical tube like 1st Order Tie Pilot in 2015 (https://brickset.com/sets/75101-1/First-Order-Special-Forces-TIE-Fighter), he still had printing that ran from torso down to the leg over 3x different parts. Overall an excellent minifig and great addition for any collection.
I'm a little surprised these used pilot Luke. I always think that Tatooine Luke is much more iconic.
#3 - Lando Calrissian
The Snowspeeder set (75259) included Cloud-City version of Lando from original Cloud City set in 2003 (https://brickset.com/sets/10123-1/Cloud-City). Once again this set looks almost "primative" but one NIB set is listing for almost $2000 on BrickLink!!! (https://www.bricklink.com/v2/catalog/catalogitem.page?S=10123-1#T=P)
My apologies, as I never purchased the *extremely* expensive ~3000x piece Betrayal At Cloud City set (https://brickset.com/sets/75222-1/Betrayal-at-Cloud-City). I couldn't convince myself to do it. I do have the updated hair-piece which as been used for dark-skinned minifigs like Agent Nick Fury (https://brickset.com/sets/30453-1/Captain-Marvel-and-Nick-Fury) and MCU Falcon (https://brickset.com/sets/76104-1/The-Hulkbuster-Smash-Up).
Instead I compared him with Desert Skiff version from 2012 (https://brickset.com/sets/9496-1/Desert-Skiff). I find the mustache a lot more accurate and facial expression just reminds me so much of Billy Dee William's portrayal of him in ESB and ROTJ (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lando_Calrissian).
#4 - Darth Vader/Anakin Skywalker
I have to say Darth Vader figures have been some of my favourite minifigs. The Scout Walker set (75261) included the original Darth Vader minifig, again from original Cloud City set in 2003 (https://brickset.com/sets/10123-1/Cloud-City). Even the original Darth Vader minifig was amazing!!! The helmet still had so much detail and overall the minifig with cape looked so accurate. The minifig head was a little primitive in its printing, but it was done in a way that masked the limitations. It was not minifig yellow and contained a lot of detail (relative to other minifig heads).
I didn't know how they would top the original Darth Vader minifig, but in 2015 they did it with a 2-part helmet as part of the Death Start Final Duel (https://brickset.com/sets/75093-1/Death-Star-Final-Duel). True enough, going back to ROTJ in fact the bottom part of the helmet is indeed separate! The skin tone of the frail Anakin Skywalker is more accurate and even if the minifig had a slight grimace, it still conveyed a sad look. Possibly my favorite LEGO minifigure and I have over 2000 of them. I freak every time I think I can't locate him.
#5 - Han Solo
The Imperial Dropship set (75262) included the original Han Solo and in a dark alley, someone could have probably confused him with Emmet from LEGO Movie (https://thelegomovie.fandom.com/wiki/Emmet_Brickowski). They gave Han brown eye-brows and his (slight) smuggler grin, but overall it wasn't very progressive.
The newer version of Han Solo from Slave 1 set (75243) is pretty much the same as one from the much more expensive Betrayal At Cloud City set (https://brickset.com/sets/75222-1/Betrayal-at-Cloud-City). The hair-piece is highly accurate. The smile, the wrinkles, the detailed printing on legs and torso, all top-notch. I can almost hear Harrison Ford's voice making snide remarks. Printing on the legs is even on the connecting crotch piece, which is still pretty rare (it's in none other minifigures shown here).
(BONUS) #6 - Obi-wan Kenobi
For those lucky enough, either directly from LEGO.com website or from a LEGO retail store GWP (Gift with Purchase in AFOL speak) an Obi-Wan polybag (https://brickset.com/sets/30624-1/Obi-Wan-Kenobi-Collectable-Minifigure). This original Obi-wan was available in (again) a horribly "primitive" Landspeeder set (https://brickset.com/sets/7110-1/Landspeeder), part of the 10x set original Star Wars wave in 1999. Don't ask me why there are at least 4x version of the Landspeeder, more if you include Mos Eisley sets. Ironically, I feel the Obi-Wan minifigure was actually the 2nd best, after Dark Vader and people didn't get an opportunity to acquire him via mass-production set.
For comparison, I am using my 2018 Obi-wan from the Imperial Landing Craft (https://brickset.com/sets/75221-1/Imperial-Landing-Craft), which is really a Sentinel Class Imperial Shuttle (https://starwars.fandom.com/wiki/Sentinel-class_landing_craft). Beautifully detailed facial printing that portrayed the sad eyes of Sir Alec Guinness from the original trilogy, knowing his eventual fate with Darth Vader in a lightsaber duel. There isn't a physical robe/cape, but the printing tries to best replicate this with ink.
In Conclusion...
Overall, when I look back at 20+ years of LEGO-engineering with Star Wars licensed sets, it's remarkable how many improvements have been made in LEGO minifigure production. Star Wars gave way to so many radical changes, such as changing the skin-tone of licenses sets and spawned so many non-building set related items like video games and shows. It just doesn't feel like Star Wars Day/May The Fourth (https://www.starwars.com/star-wars-day) without a LEGO sale! I'm excited to see what the next 20 years brings... roll the final scene in Star Wars: A New Hope!
https://youtu.be/tizZyM15VL8?t=90
(FYI - I updated Leia pics. I bought Death Star Escape set and found that a better comparison.)
Let's go...
#1 - Princess Leia
- Original: 7190 Millennium Falcon (2000)
- Style: Princess of Alderaan (Political Gown)
- Update: 75229 Death Star Escape (2019)
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| 75243 Slave 1 - Leia minifig |
The largest set, an updated Slave 1 (75243) included original Princess Leia. She was part of what could only be described as "primitive" Millennium Falcon set (https://brickset.com/sets/7190-1/Millennium-Falcon) in second wave of "Classics" Star Wars sets. The best part of 2000 set minifigs was the hairpiece, the minifig still had very basic printing, yellow skin-colour and pretty basic facial printing. TBH the red lips look ridiculous compared to today's LEGO minifigures.
The newer Princess Leia is from Death Star Escape (https://brickset.com/sets/75229-1/Death-Star-Escape). LEGO used a more accurate colour and a more accurate mould, slightly imrpoving the hair-piece. Her face has a much more detailed expression including eyelashes and pupils. The torso printing makes the robe look almost 3D.
Interesting point is that her outfit is supposed to be a full length dress! Yet even in the update, they gave her generic white minifigure legs. I've put together a prototype below.
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| Prototype Princess Leia |
#2 - Luke Skywalker
- Original:7140 X-wing (1999)
- Style: X-Wing/Snowspeeder Pilot (Rebel orange jump-suit)
- Update: 75259 Snowspeeder - 20th Anniversary (2019)
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| 75258 Podracer - Luke minifig |
The Pod-Racer set (75258) included X-wing/Snow-Speeder pilot version of Luke from first wave in 1999 (https://brickset.com/sets/7140-1/X-wing-Fighter, https://brickset.com/sets/7130-1/Snowspeeder). Actually the same minifig was also release 2x more times (https://brickset.com/sets/7142-1/X-wing-Fighter, https://brickset.com/sets/4483-1/AT-AT) but #7142 seemed like re-release under a different set #. In the X-wing set, Biggs and Luke only differed from a mustache and in the Snowspeeder set, Dak and Luke only differed from printing on the helmet. However the minifig did have dual-moulded/coloured legs which was/is somewhat more rare.
The newer Luke in (yet another) Snowspeeder 20th Anniversary Set (75259) has amazing level of detail in the pilot suit. His facial printing is some of the best I've seen with yellow visor overlay. While they didn't have a physical tube like 1st Order Tie Pilot in 2015 (https://brickset.com/sets/75101-1/First-Order-Special-Forces-TIE-Fighter), he still had printing that ran from torso down to the leg over 3x different parts. Overall an excellent minifig and great addition for any collection.
I'm a little surprised these used pilot Luke. I always think that Tatooine Luke is much more iconic.
#3 - Lando Calrissian
- Original:10123 Cloud City (2003)
- Style: Baron-Administrator outfit
- *Update: 9496 Desert Skiff (2012)
The Snowspeeder set (75259) included Cloud-City version of Lando from original Cloud City set in 2003 (https://brickset.com/sets/10123-1/Cloud-City). Once again this set looks almost "primative" but one NIB set is listing for almost $2000 on BrickLink!!! (https://www.bricklink.com/v2/catalog/catalogitem.page?S=10123-1#T=P)
My apologies, as I never purchased the *extremely* expensive ~3000x piece Betrayal At Cloud City set (https://brickset.com/sets/75222-1/Betrayal-at-Cloud-City). I couldn't convince myself to do it. I do have the updated hair-piece which as been used for dark-skinned minifigs like Agent Nick Fury (https://brickset.com/sets/30453-1/Captain-Marvel-and-Nick-Fury) and MCU Falcon (https://brickset.com/sets/76104-1/The-Hulkbuster-Smash-Up).
Instead I compared him with Desert Skiff version from 2012 (https://brickset.com/sets/9496-1/Desert-Skiff). I find the mustache a lot more accurate and facial expression just reminds me so much of Billy Dee William's portrayal of him in ESB and ROTJ (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lando_Calrissian).
#4 - Darth Vader/Anakin Skywalker
- Original:10123 Cloud City (2003)
- Style: Lord Vader Armour (SN E-3778Q-1)
- Update: 75093 Death Start Final Duel (2015)
I didn't know how they would top the original Darth Vader minifig, but in 2015 they did it with a 2-part helmet as part of the Death Start Final Duel (https://brickset.com/sets/75093-1/Death-Star-Final-Duel). True enough, going back to ROTJ in fact the bottom part of the helmet is indeed separate! The skin tone of the frail Anakin Skywalker is more accurate and even if the minifig had a slight grimace, it still conveyed a sad look. Possibly my favorite LEGO minifigure and I have over 2000 of them. I freak every time I think I can't locate him.
#5 - Han Solo
- Original:10123 Cloud City (2003)
- Style: Smuggler Outfit
- Update: 75243 Slave 1 - 20th Anniversary (2019)
The Imperial Dropship set (75262) included the original Han Solo and in a dark alley, someone could have probably confused him with Emmet from LEGO Movie (https://thelegomovie.fandom.com/wiki/Emmet_Brickowski). They gave Han brown eye-brows and his (slight) smuggler grin, but overall it wasn't very progressive.
The newer version of Han Solo from Slave 1 set (75243) is pretty much the same as one from the much more expensive Betrayal At Cloud City set (https://brickset.com/sets/75222-1/Betrayal-at-Cloud-City). The hair-piece is highly accurate. The smile, the wrinkles, the detailed printing on legs and torso, all top-notch. I can almost hear Harrison Ford's voice making snide remarks. Printing on the legs is even on the connecting crotch piece, which is still pretty rare (it's in none other minifigures shown here).
(BONUS) #6 - Obi-wan Kenobi
- Original:7110 Landspeeder (1999)
- Style: Smuggler Outfit (Old-Ben Tatooine robe)
- Update: 75243 Slave 1 - 20th Anniversary (2019)
For comparison, I am using my 2018 Obi-wan from the Imperial Landing Craft (https://brickset.com/sets/75221-1/Imperial-Landing-Craft), which is really a Sentinel Class Imperial Shuttle (https://starwars.fandom.com/wiki/Sentinel-class_landing_craft). Beautifully detailed facial printing that portrayed the sad eyes of Sir Alec Guinness from the original trilogy, knowing his eventual fate with Darth Vader in a lightsaber duel. There isn't a physical robe/cape, but the printing tries to best replicate this with ink.
In Conclusion...
Overall, when I look back at 20+ years of LEGO-engineering with Star Wars licensed sets, it's remarkable how many improvements have been made in LEGO minifigure production. Star Wars gave way to so many radical changes, such as changing the skin-tone of licenses sets and spawned so many non-building set related items like video games and shows. It just doesn't feel like Star Wars Day/May The Fourth (https://www.starwars.com/star-wars-day) without a LEGO sale! I'm excited to see what the next 20 years brings... roll the final scene in Star Wars: A New Hope!
https://youtu.be/tizZyM15VL8?t=90
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