Review: LEGO Star Wars 75221 Imperial Landing Craft

On the way to a detour through the LEGO Star Wars range with a set that has gone a little unnoticed since it was put on the shelves: the reference 75221 Imperial Landing Craft (636 pieces - 99.99 €) which features a ship whose screen presence in the Star Wars saga is to say the least ... furtive.

If you have one of the remastered versions of theEpisode IV and as you look closely, we can see this Imperial Landing Craft for a few seconds in the background of the scene during which a Sandtrooper freshly landed on Tatooine looks through his binoculars ...
Those who have followed the Star Wars Rebels animated series have also been able to spot a similar shuttle on several occasions.

This 2018 version of the Imperial Landing Craft is actually the second interpretation of the thing in the lineup System after that of the set 7659 Imperial Landing Craft marketed in 2007. Since we cannot really speak here of an iconic element of the saga, a set every ten years should suffice.

To start on a positive note, I find the overall appearance of the shuttle to be quite convincing. In profile, this is quite correct. There it is.

For the rest, we can not say that the set is the result of all the know-how of an inspired designer. It's rude, you can feel the lazy shortcuts taken in certain places to limit the number of parts or to simplify the reproduction of certain elements and the result suffers. The positive side is that the whole is very solid and relatively easy to handle.

The side cabins are made up of large moving parts that promote playability but do not really do justice to the concept of building toy touted by LEGO. The whole is also assembled in about thirty minutes, the most laborious being the assembly of the central fin which consists of a stack of parts held by a Technic axis and a few pins.

Very annoying detail: the stickers to stick on the six side panels are printed on a really white background. The pieces on which they take place are not white, it is off-white and the result is really disappointing.

Regarding the playability of the set, it's very correct. You can place the Sandtroopers in the side cabins, the pilot in his cockpit, and disembark the troops via the small mobile gangway integrated into the heart of the shuttle. The latter slides to be able to be used on both sides of the ship, it's ingenious. The rear fins are articulated to be able to put them in different positions (landing, phases of flight).

The rear of the shuttle is almost successful with its blue reactors, the covering unfortunately protrudes from the cabin on both sides. It's a bit sloppy and it shows. There is also a lot of empty space between different elements of the cabin, the worst being the opening visible on both sides of the shuttle when placed in front. Cannons or not, I would have preferred two stickers and perfect adjustments in this area.

On the minifig side, nothing very exciting. Obi-Wan Kenobi is identical (and it makes sense) to the version seen in the set 75052 Mos Eisley Winery released in 2014, R2-D2 is a chestnut tree from the LEGO Star Wars range and both Sandtroopers are identical (except for the shoulder pads) to the one delivered in the set 75205 Mos Eisley Winery (2018)

The shuttle pilot has all his diplomas and he is also in command of Krennic's spaceship in the Microfighters set 75163 Krennic's Imperial Shuttle (2017). We feel the lack of will to innovate in this box ...

Too bad, by removing Obi-Wan and R2-D2 and adding two Sandtroopers, a Dewback and a pair of binoculars, we got a set with a little more interesting potential for Tatooine fans.

I note that LEGO still does not seem to make progress on the quality of certain pad prints: we find the usual printing defect on the junction between the rounded area and the lower legs.

Ink is running out and Obi-Wan's outfit pays the price. Same problem with the difference in color between the pad-printed colors on a dark or light background. Instead of telling us that the minifig is 40 years old this year, LEGO should instead spend its energy to finally find technical solutions to these problems that spoil the appearance of the minifigs concerned.

If you are DIYing a diorama based on official sets whose action takes place on Tatooine, this set can possibly bring you some interesting elements, but at a high price. Otherwise, go your way and find something else to do with your € 100.

Note: The set shown here is put into play as usual. To participate in the raffle, simply post a comment on this article before October 3 at 23:59 p.m.. You have every right to disagree with me, this is not eliminatory.

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.