Review : LEGO Star Wars 75308 R2-D2

Today we are interested in the LEGO Star Wars set 75308 R2-D2 (2314 - 199.99 €), a box which finally takes over the set 10225 R2-D2  (2127 - 199.99 €) marketed between 2012 and 2014.

There is no suspense, the new version of the astromech droid does better than the previous one and it takes advantage of new parts available in recent years to round off the angles, in particular those of the dome which retains some visible tenons but on which the effect staircase is a little less present.

While the outward appearance of the 31cm high by 20cm wide droid does not seem to have changed much from model to model, the techniques used to achieve this result are completely different. On the 2021 version, the internal structure now consists of a frame based on Technic elements framed by two Frames 11x15 on which one comes to plaster subsets. The 2012 version was content with a stacked brick tube inside which we slipped the rack mechanism that allowed the central leg to be deployed.
The foot descent mechanism here is based on a system that releases the rod made up of Technic beams when the droid's body is tilted back with a stopper that prevents the foot from rising. It is enough to put the droid upright to allow the manual ascent of the foot and secure it in the upper position by pushing.

The button on the back of the robot which made it possible to deploy the central foot in 2012 is therefore absent from this new version and it is enough here to lift the droid and tilt it slightly to obtain the same result. Either way, these are features that you don't play around with for long, most of those who will be displaying R2-D2 on their shelves will no doubt do so in a reclined position with the third leg extended.

No casters under the construction, the designers had indicated that their presence could have complicated things when it comes to displaying the droid on the edge of a shelf. I hear this argument, but I still believe that an effort could have been made on this point for this new version, with why not the possibility of retracting the wheels in the feet.

Regarding the assembly, the challenge is particularly raised only the time to build the internal mechanism of the droid. The somewhat hazardous outlook of the instruction booklet does not make the task any easier and it will be necessary to be very vigilant. An intermediate testing phase of the mechanism is recommended before moving on to dressing the robot, just to check that everything is working. It will once again be necessary to rely on two simple rubber bands to take advantage of the functionality, it's a bit of a shame knowing that LEGO does not even provide replacement units.

The tools available on the front are extracted by pushing on the two protuberances present in the back of the droid. The Technic beams on which we push via the rods which protrude in the back open the flaps of the housings of the two telescopic clamps. It will then be necessary to close everything manually after playing with these instruments.

The rest of the construction is shipped quickly and then there is only the dome for which it will also be necessary to show a little vigilance in interpreting the different views proposed in the booklet. It is this part of the model that benefits the most from the improvements made by the designer. If you stack a few bricks well for the bottom of the element, the shape of the dome quickly becomes more believable with some smooth and rounded surfaces and the few tenons that remain visible are by ricochet a little embedded in the surface.

The integrated periscope is removable and it can remain in the high position by turning the thing on itself. The 360 ​​° rotating dome would perhaps have benefited from being composed of metallic elements on the surface, just to polish the appearance of the droid. LEGO did not hesitate for the model of Hubble, R2-D2 would have really benefited from some reflections on the dome. There is no dedicated mechanism for raising or lowering the periscope, just grab it from the top and pull.

Fans who love details referring to the films of the saga should appreciate the integration in the dome of a space to store Luke Skywalker's saber. The saber cannot be ejected as in the scene of theEpisode VI (Return of the Jedi) during the clash on Jabba's barge, but it's a nice nod. I imagined the possibility of ejecting the accessory via, for example, the presence of a spring at the bottom of the housing, but it is not. You have to remove a piece of the dome to access the location where you store the sword.

The droid's body also gains in roundness with angles softened by the use of adapted elements. The staircase effect very present on the 2012 model is here attenuated and the model comes out much more successful with the added bonus of an acoustic interface and a ventilation system in the form much more faithful to the droid seen on the screen. The lower body of the robot is once again a little short, it lacks the inverted skirt that surrounds the third retractable foot but we will do with it.

R2-D2 is here accompanied by a small display on which we stick the sticker of the presentation plate and we install the supplied figurine. LEGO misses an opportunity to offer us a more successful version of the usual minifigure with a pad printing on the back, it's a shame.

The sticker provided, the only one in the set, distils to the word almost the same facts than the one from the 2012 set, only the background illustration changes. Lucasfilm celebrates its fiftieth anniversary this year and for the occasion, LEGO is adding a pretty pad-printed piece of the logo of the company founded in 1971 by George Lucas.

Knowing that the 2012 set is currently reselling new for around € 300 on the secondary market, there is no valid reason to hesitate when choosing between the two models. The 2021 version of the astromech droid benefits from many developments in assembly techniques and it incorporates elements that did not exist 9 years ago and which help improve the finish and functionality of the product. This reissue retains what was successful at the time and improves what could be achieved with, in the end, a product with a much better aesthetic.

Note: The set presented here, provided by LEGO, is as usual involved. Deadline fixed at 5th May 2021 next at 23pm. 

Update : The winner was drawn and was notified by email, his nickname is indicated below. Without a response from him to my request for contact details within 5 days, a new winner will be drawn.