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darth vader transformation [75183] review

Darth Vader Transformation [75183]
Darth Vader Transformation [75183]

The Summer 2017 LEGO sets are now available everywhere, including the LEGO Stores! And on top of my list is the Darth Vader Transformation [75183]!

It's a no brainer that this particular set is a must have for any LEGO Star Wars fans. I have missed the 2005 version of the Darth Vader Transformation [7251], so I definitely have to have the update (even if I have the old one, I'm sure I'll still get the new one, haha). It currently retails at UK £19.99 / US $24.99. I got mine £6 less in the recent Smyths Toy Store event (thank you very much!). For a set in that price range, I think it really has a great value for money. The minifigures alone are a great deal. The Emperor Palpatine and Darth Vader minifigures are usually included in bigger and more expensive sets. With the release of this set, they become easily more accessible.

The Emperor Palpatine minifigure comes with a black hood and a spongy cape. The wrinkled minifig head is dual sided showing an evil smile in one side and a bared teeth pattern in the other.


The Emperor
The Emperor

Sheev Palpatine
Sheev Palpatine

There are actually three droids in the set, but because of too much excitement, I was only able to do solo shots of the DD-13 Cybernetic Surgical Droid. This brick droid looks wickedly cool at this scale. It's just not as sturdy and articulate as the other similarly designed droids for the torso is brick built rather than specially molded. I'll mention the other droids in a bit.

DD-13
DD-13

Cybernetic Surgical Droid
Cybernetic Surgical Droid

Also included is a severely wounded Anakin Skywalker. To give the illusion of dismemberment, the color dark grey was used in the supposedly missing limbs. The scarred minifig head is a new one. Instead of the usual white, it now comes in flesh. Both the Anakin Skywalker and Darth Vader minifigures share the above mentioned head. But the question is, do they literally share it?

Anakin Skywalker
Anakin Skywalker

The answer is NO. LEGO is generous enough to give us two minifig heads. Besides, if there is only one, the transformation gimmick won't go smoothly. More on this later.

Transition
Transition

The Darth Vader minifigure comes with his complete armor, with a spongy cape and a relatively new helmet. I think this is only the fourth set wherein the updated helmet is included. It may appear a bit larger but it is more film accurate, with a detailed sculpt and a separate collar piece.

Darth Vader
Darth Vader

Sith Lord
Sith Lord

The set per se is a recreation of the iconic scene in Episode III: Revenge of the Sith, wherein Anakin Skywalker is being revived and rebuilt into Darth Vader. It takes place in the Emperor Palpatine Surgical Reconstruction Center, with Medical Droids attending to the process. Besides the DD-13 Cybernetic Surgical Droid, two more droids are included in this set, an FX-6 Medical Assistant Droid (pictured left), and an unnamed droid which I can only deduce to be a Recording Droid (pictured right). I'll do my best to verify that claim.

Emperor Palpatine Surgical Reconstruction Center
Emperor Palpatine Surgical Reconstruction Center

SuRecon Center Top View
SuRecon Center Top View

Medical Droids in Action
Medical Droids in Action

Rebuilding Process
Rebuilding Process

In this scene, The Emperor ordered the Medical Droids to keep Anakin awake during the procedure to remind him of the pain and become stronger. Coincidentally, Hayden Christensen, the actor who played Anakin Skywalker, has another movie called Awake wherein his character experiences intraoperative awareness while undergoing surgery. Meaning, he becomes fully alert but paralyzed, and is enduring the whole process.

Awake
Awake

In terms of play experience, one can have endless fun with this set. This detailed set features a table for Anakin Skywalker that lowers and flips to reveal Darth Vader (that's why two minifig heads are really necessary!). The iconic helmet can also be sleekly slid into position. Levers were also strategically placed in the sides so one can pretend to use the Force and send the droids and rack flying!

Cybernetic Enhancement
Cybernetic Enhancement

Armor Up
Armor Up

The Helmet
The Helmet

Building the set is a lot of fun. You can say it has an average level of difficulty with all the Technic parts and contraptions. But take note, my obsessive-compulsive traits were satisfied in the building process for everything is symmetrical! That explains all the top view shots, haha.

Darth Vader Transformation
Darth Vader Transformation

Overall, I can say that the Darth Vader Transformation [75183] set is very much worth it. It is a must have for all LEGO Star Wars fans!
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