Review: 75329 Death Star Trench Run
Posted by CapnRex101,
The inventive Diorama Collection provides an opportunity to explore varying scales, therefore featuring certain subjects unsuitable for normal sets. They include the celebrated Battle of Yavin and specifically Luke Skywalker's assault on the Death Star's thermal exhaust port.
75329 Death Star Trench Run includes amazing detail from the original sequence, employing some interesting building techniques to create texture. The accompanying vehicles resemble those available in Advent Calendars, but I was pleasantly surprised by their complexity. However, the cost remains an unfortunate concern.
Summary
75329 Death Star Trench Run Diorama, 665 pieces.
£59.99 / $69.99 / €69.99 | 9.0p/10.5c/10.5c per piece.
Buy at LEGO.com »
While fairly expensive, 75329 Death Star Trench Run provides fantastic display value.
- Extraordinary textured detail
- Numerous accurate features
- Clever construction methods
- Awkward TIE Fighter proportions
- Relatively expensive
The set was provided for review by LEGO. All opinions expressed are those of the author.
The Completed Model
Unless we consider 75235 X-wing Starfighter Trench Run sufficient, the Death Star's famous polar trench has remained unrepresented in LEGO, until now. This model focuses exclusively upon display and certainly satisfies that requirement, looking absolutely superb. The inevitable colour scheme of light and dark bluish grey is effective, also benefiting from the black border.
Comparisons have been drawn between this model and the promotional 40407 Death Star II Battle, which is understandable given their similar subjects. However, the dramatic difference between them is obvious, as 75329 Death Star Trench Run vastly improves upon the textured surface of its predecessor. Of course, that was absolutely required, given the price.
Printed quotations are fixed to each Diorama Collection model, ensuring pleasing consistency between designs. I was somewhat surprised at this selection because Darth Vader's line is not usually considered among the most memorable examples from this scene. However, assessing recognition for Original Trilogy dialogue is difficult, as nearly everything is relatively well-known!
Intricate texture is vital when developing nearly monochromatic models and the designer has captured marvellous detail here. The complex network of pipes, sensor arrays and equivalent surface features looks spectacular, rivalling the mechanical detail found anywhere else across LEGO's product portfolio, in my opinion.
Furthermore, several features are recognisable from the film. These include the round shield projection tower, which is constructed using a 3x3x2 engine component with a steering wheel attached inside! The surrounding pipes are impressive and I like the power conduit at the base of the prominent turbolaser tower, in particular.
The onscreen trench comprises numerous tiles, which are repeated in different combinations to create a seemingly endless network of structures across the Death Star's surface. However, the model avoids repetition. That was undoubtedly the right decision because the diorama recreates only a small fraction of the trench. Repetition could begin if you decided to extend this structure.
The turbolaser tower battery lacks the texture of its environment and accordingly stands out, despite sharing the same colour. The tapered shape seems relatively accurate and the turret can rotate, providing the only functionality in this entire set. Moreover, you can raise and lower the turbolaser barrels, as though targeting Luke's passing X-wing starfighter.
Technic axles connect the vertical side of the trench to the base. The back is undecorated, as expected, but this flat surface is perfect for displaying the model on a narrow shelf. While their widths vary, the depth of each Diorama Collection set is consistent, so they look great together on display.
Luke Skywalker's X-wing starfighter is mounted on a trans-clear pillar, banking to avoid Darth Vader's incoming laser fire. The vessel measures just 7cm in length, which is similar to earlier Advent Calendar designs, but the detail and proportions of this iteration are superior. The new decorated 1x1 round tile representing R2-D2 is an attractive addition, while the laser cannons and glowing engines also look splendid.
Darth Vader and his wingmates fly smaller craft, between the TIE Advanced x1 and the normal TIE/ln starfighter. Nevertheless, these models display ample detail, including the angular solar arrays associated with the TIE Advanced. The accompanying TIE Fighters definitely resemble Advent Calendar designs and look relatively wide, although this is necessary to accommodate trans-bright green laser blasts.
Overall
Imperial vehicles and technology possesses a distinctive aesthetic, focusing exclusively upon function. The texture across the Death Star is among the most important examples and 75329 Death Star Trench Run beautifully recreates this design. As expected, the mechanical detail on the surface looks outstanding and I think the vehicles are also surprisingly effective.
However, the price of £54.99, $59.99 or €59.99 provoked criticism when this set was revealed, for obvious reasons. This model is quite small and features numerous tiny pieces. I do not find the present price outrageous, but it is certainly too expensive. Even so, the quality of the Death Star Trench Run is exceptional.
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44 comments on this article
Make it twice as wide to spread the ships out and make it look more cinematic. Then we'll talk!
You can definitely tell which online reviewers get free stuff from Lego and which pay their own way.
“Unless we consider 75235 X-wing Starfighter Trench Run sufficient, the Death Star's famous polar trench has remained unrepresented in LEGO, until now.”
“Polar” or “equatorial”? :)
Thanks for the great review though!
I really like this little model except for the all-black TIE wings.
I think the value here comes from being a parts pack, but I have a feeling 95% of these parts are inexpensively available on BrickLink. It's beautiful, but yeesh: $60 is a big ask!
@saltytbone said:
"You can definitely tell which online reviewers get free stuff from Lego and which pay their own way. "
No need to worry, I have yet to publish my review of 75339 Death Star Trash Compactor and that price is closer to outrageous, in my opinion.
I do think 75329 Death Star Trench Run is too expensive, but not that it costs double what it should, as I have seen others suggest. Value is partly subjective though, like everything else.
What do you think would be a fair price for this set?
@Bricklestick said:
"“Unless we consider 75235 X-wing Starfighter Trench Run sufficient, the Death Star's famous polar trench has remained unrepresented in LEGO, until now.”
“Polar” or “equatorial”? :)
Thanks for the great review though!"
Polar. Several trenches emanate from the Death Star's north pole, including that containing the secondary thermal exhaust port attacked by the Rebels.
Another new Star Wars set, another outrageous asking price
This is by far my favourite of the three and certainly makes up for the disappointment of the other Trench Run being for May 4th.
Price wise, I don’t think it’s too bad. Lack of minifigs should have brought the cost down to £50 maybe but it is, in my opinion, of similar display value to the helmets, which are around the same price, with no minifigs.
I’m quite look forward to displaying this, although I won’t get the others which are bad value for money.
Is it a LEGO exclusive?
Honestly, once this drops 20% as usually happens with many sets, I'll definitely pick this up. Probably the price I'd be most willing to pay asking for (admittedly because I already own 75208). Like this sort of microscale stuff, though I'd like the TIE's to be slightly larger, difficult as that may be. Seems the most justified in this format.
Thanks for the nice review! This set definitely goes on my wish list!
Concerning the price: it is not a cheap set, but to me it seems reasonable when I compare the trench run set to skyline sets in the Architecture theme. I also paid 60 euros for the Singapore skyline 21057. The latter set has more pieces, but I understand that for Star Wars sets license fees are inevitable.
@saltytbone said:
"You can definitely tell which online reviewers get free stuff from Lego and which pay their own way. "
That’s some heady prognosticating, what are these telltale signs Gandalf?
I can make predictions, I ever mention that? I’ll bet you’re wearing something green today.
@aes1982 said:
"Thanks for the nice review! This set definitely goes on my wish list!
Concerning the price: it is not a cheap set, but to me it seems reasonable when I compare the trench run set to skyline sets in the Architecture theme. I also paid 60 euros for the Singapore skyline 21057. The latter set has more pieces, but I understand that for Star Wars sets license fees are inevitable."
Came to say the same thing, these sets seem to be priced very similarly to the Skylines sets. Trash Compactor feels a little high, and I suspect this is because it has more larger pieces, and the minifigures.
Least favourite of the three. I would not get it for half the price.
Add in a midi-size Millenium Falcon coming in to save the day and it would be perfect.
@Mechalex said:
"Regarding the quote, surely "Stay on target" would have been more apt? Perhaps it had to be from a character whose ship is depicted in the scene."
I associate the "Stay on target" quote with Y-wings and there's no Y-wing in the scene, so that wouldn't work for me.
@Slobrojoe said:
"This is by far my favourite of the three "
It’s my least favourite. Funny how that works.
I think they all look nice, and i think it’s a great idea to give us scenes from the movies in sets like these. Also the old trilogy is becoming very vintage by now, so they chose their buyers well (by giving us more MOCstyled sets instead of playsets for kids). Old people (like me) will buy
I actually thought this felt a reasonable price, but it’s interesting how the ‘value’ is considered form set to set.
I had a look at the recent Vespa and DeLorean sets.
Both are near enough the same price per piece as this set, and MORE than the Dagobah set, but not noticed either set being noted for it’s price.
The Trash Compactor though does seem overly expensive, compared to all of them. I guess the minifigures account for that?
@iwybs said:
" @Mechalex said:
"Regarding the quote, surely "Stay on target" would have been more apt? Perhaps it had to be from a character whose ship is depicted in the scene."
I associate the "Stay on target" quote with Y-wings and there's no Y-wing in the scene, so that wouldn't work for me."
How about "Use the force, Luke!" ...which is just about THE most iconic quote from Star Wars AND it took place during this scene!
I'm curious though, does the quote plate come in other languages in non-English speaking countries? Are they required to put both French and English in Canada?
@PDelahanty said:
" @iwybs said:
" @Mechalex said:
"Regarding the quote, surely "Stay on target" would have been more apt? Perhaps it had to be from a character whose ship is depicted in the scene."
I associate the "Stay on target" quote with Y-wings and there's no Y-wing in the scene, so that wouldn't work for me."
How about "Use the force, Luke!" ...which is just about THE most iconic quote from Star Wars AND it took place during this scene!
I'm curious though, does the quote plate come in other languages in non-English speaking countries? Are they required to put both French and English in Canada?"
It only comes in English. I'm not super well versed in Quebec language laws (despite being a Quebec French speaker myself) but I think they are required to have French on the box and in the instructions. It's also the case with videogames: boxes and instructions need to have French, but there is no requirement to translate the game (although more and more studios do it).
I would say that in this case, I would have liked French. I grew up with the French version of the original trilogy at a time I did not speak English. And for most Québécois like me, the French version became somewhat famous (especially since they changed the names of so many characters: Dark Vador; Ian Solo; Z-6PO (for C3-PO); D2-R2; etc.). The quote would read: "la force est puissante en lui".
Nice little diorama that does exactly what a diorama should - captures the essence of the scene in a small footprint. I like it. I won't *buy* it, but I might use it as inspiration for a MOC version with a Zaxxon perspective!
As for the price ... welcome to Architecture Sky(walker)lines! Very similar in terms of the cost and in both the number and type of parts. So yes, it's overpriced - as are Architecture sets - but that shouldn't be a surprise. Once the discounts kick in it'll be a decent seller.
@eiffel006 said:
" @PDelahanty said:
" @iwybs said:
" @Mechalex said:
"Regarding the quote, surely "Stay on target" would have been more apt? Perhaps it had to be from a character whose ship is depicted in the scene."
I associate the "Stay on target" quote with Y-wings and there's no Y-wing in the scene, so that wouldn't work for me."
How about "Use the force, Luke!" ...which is just about THE most iconic quote from Star Wars AND it took place during this scene!
I'm curious though, does the quote plate come in other languages in non-English speaking countries? Are they required to put both French and English in Canada?"
It only comes in English. I'm not super well versed in Quebec language laws (despite being a Quebec French speaker myself) but I think they are required to have French on the box and in the instructions. It's also the case with videogames: boxes and instructions need to have French, but there is no requirement to translate the game (although more and more studios do it).
I would say that in this case, I would have liked French. I grew up with the French version of the original trilogy at a time I did not speak English. And for most Québécois like me, the French version became somewhat famous (especially since they changed the names of so many characters: Dark Vador; Ian Solo; Z-6PO (for C3-PO); D2-R2; etc.). The quote would read: "la force est puissante en lui". "
I’d quite like the quote in Dutch but once you open that door the sticker sheet will be immense! Lol
@PDelahanty said:
" @iwybs said:
" @Mechalex said:
"Regarding the quote, surely "Stay on target" would have been more apt? Perhaps it had to be from a character whose ship is depicted in the scene."
I associate the "Stay on target" quote with Y-wings and there's no Y-wing in the scene, so that wouldn't work for me."
How about "Use the force, Luke!" ...which is just about THE most iconic quote from Star Wars AND it took place during this scene!
I'm curious though, does the quote plate come in other languages in non-English speaking countries? Are they required to put both French and English in Canada?"
I figured some people would mention "Use the Force, Luke" but I think the Vader quote makes more sense since this diorama shows his and his wingmen's TIEs chasing and firing on Luke. If the scene included Luke firing on the exhaust port, then I think Kenobi's quote would've fit.
The Schwarz is strong with this one!
I already liked it at first, and this review only made me like it even more. I do think it is too expensive, but still at a level that a good discount can fix. And considering discounts of 25% or more are not uncommon nowadays, there's still hope....
So much grey on grey makes it hard for me to see the detail. Of course that's to be expected from the trench, but I'm hoping it looks better in person.
Solid review, though!
@Brainslugged said:
"Make it twice as wide to spread the ships out and make it look more cinematic. Then we'll talk!"
so LEGO wants us to buy two? hehe :D
“Unless we consider 75235 X-wing Starfighter Trench Run sufficient, the Death Star's famous polar trench has remained unrepresented in LEGO, until now.”
@CapnRex101:
I mean, there’s also 75246, maybe 75034, which hint at the trench run from the interior view, but it is kinda sad that we got 40407 before this.
@Bricklestick:
Ask Piers Anthony how the East and West Poles work sometime.
@eiffel006:
I never learned French (and if I had, it would have been with a German accent), and I only have a rough idea of how to pronounce that, but what I’m coming up with sounds vaguely insulting.
@captainpie:
So what do they call Dutch in the Dutch translation?
This is definitely my favorite of the three. The price isn't terrible for this. Of course I'd always want it cheaper, but I don't think it really matters in this situation. People keep mentioning once it goes on sale...umm where do you find sales? I rarely ever see any sales at the typical stores (Target, Wal-mart)...But sure, on a sale, it is a must buy. Without a sale, I will highly consider it. I may also see if I have enough pieces to just build it myself or at least extend it if I did buy it.
As for the review, thanks. I'm glad I was able to see a bit more than just the box art. Shows some nice little details here and there.
"Inventive Diorama Collection". I did not realize "inventive" was a synonym for "overpriced"
@eiffel006: "Ian Solo?" I'm reminded of this:
https://brickset.com/sets/SWDVDBD-1/LEGO-Star-Wars-The-Padawan-Menace
(For those who haven't seen it, the H on young Han's name badge gets turned sideways so it looks like an I, so everyone calls him Ian for most of it.)
idc if it's $60. I have a fleet of polybags I'm itching to display. I'm getting 2 or 3.
Despite what the majority seems to think, Yoda's hut is not that much "better priced" than this. The hut has its parts count obscenely inflated (and construction made frustrating) by use of 1x1 tiles for the water. Unlike the hut, this set uses it's parts reasonably. If the hut used bigger tiles for the water, the price per piece would be around the same as this trench run.
@Norikins:
Well, sure, if you start throwing away whole bags of parts, you can even make bulk brick buckets look like a terrible deal. Just, if you’re going to do that, let me get you a mailing address so I can make sure all of those parts get properly rehomed. Also, you’ll need to throw out a lot more than 200pcs to make Dagobah look expensive, since that would only put it square on $0.10/pc.
Great set, great review, massive price.
Don't think the price is bad at all.
Great looking display! Printed elements, 665 pieces for $60-, not bad at all.
Would've been very nice to have 4 figs...Luke, R2, Vader and TIE fighter pilot, but still a great looking model to have.
It looks absolutely gorgeous. Lego did a brilliant job and I would love to have it, but I personally think the 60€ is just too much.
It needs to be at max €50 for me to seriously consider it.
In answer to the good Captain. I think this set feels more of a bad deal than the other dioramas because there are no cool new (or any) minifigs. I think it should be $50 at most, and that's the most I plan to pay for it.
Every time I think I need the new drip, I make myself inventory my increasing pile of unbuilt sets, and I hear a famous voice counsel, "patience, young one." :)
@Slobrojoe said:
"This is by far my favourite of the three and certainly makes up for the disappointment of the other Trench Run being for May 4th.
Price wise, I don’t think it’s too bad. Lack of minifigs should have brought the cost down to £50 maybe but it is, in my opinion, of similar display value to the helmets, which are around the same price, with no minifigs.
I’m quite look forward to displaying this, although I won’t get the others which are bad value for money.
Is it a LEGO exclusive?"
No, its not Lego exclusive......other retailers who will be selling that I've seen:
ARGOS
ZAVVI
SMYTHS
So I would defo wait, there will be some deals at some point!! :)
@ShilohCyan said:
"idc if it's $60. I have a fleet of polybags I'm itching to display. I'm getting 2 or 3. "
That's a tantalizing idea. I can visualize Slave I or Razor Crest from the recent advent calendar. Or, just keep it traditional and bring in 4488, "Yee haw, you're all clear kid!"
@CapnRex101 said:
" @saltytbone said:
"You can definitely tell which online reviewers get free stuff from Lego and which pay their own way. "
No need to worry, I have yet to publish my review of 75339 Death Star Trash Compactor and that price is closer to outrageous, in my opinion.
I do think 75329 Death Star Trench Run is too expensive, but not that it costs double what it should, as I have seen others suggest. Value is partly subjective though, like everything else.
What do you think would be a fair price for this set?
@Bricklestick said:
"“Unless we consider 75235 X-wing Starfighter Trench Run sufficient, the Death Star's famous polar trench has remained unrepresented in LEGO, until now.”
“Polar” or “equatorial”? :)
Thanks for the great review though!"
Polar. Several trenches emanate from the Death Star's north pole, including that containing the secondary thermal exhaust port attacked by the Rebels."
Everyone should know by now: you don't test @CapnRex101's SW knowledge without being absolutely sure there's a typo.
A fair price would be £45 IMO.
@fulcrumbop said:
"Add in a midi-size Millenium Falcon coming in to save the day and it would be perfect."
Agreed! And then you could have my favorite quote, “You’re all clear, kid, now let’s blow this thing and go home.”
This is an epic dust catcher with all those greeblies at a high price.
@maffyd said:
" @CapnRex101 said:
" @saltytbone said:
"You can definitely tell which online reviewers get free stuff from Lego and which pay their own way. "
No need to worry, I have yet to publish my review of 75339 Death Star Trash Compactor and that price is closer to outrageous, in my opinion.
I do think 75329 Death Star Trench Run is too expensive, but not that it costs double what it should, as I have seen others suggest. Value is partly subjective though, like everything else.
What do you think would be a fair price for this set?
@Bricklestick said:
"“Unless we consider 75235 X-wing Starfighter Trench Run sufficient, the Death Star's famous polar trench has remained unrepresented in LEGO, until now.”
“Polar” or “equatorial”? :)
Thanks for the great review though!"
Polar. Several trenches emanate from the Death Star's north pole, including that containing the secondary thermal exhaust port attacked by the Rebels."
Everyone should know by now: you don't test @CapnRex101's SW knowledge without being absolutely sure there's a typo.
A fair price would be £45 IMO."
This video is a great thing on the issue about the different exhaust ports on the Death Star: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-CNEbzgYMXs
@saltytbone said:
"You can definitely tell which online reviewers get free stuff from Lego and which pay their own way. "
feels like you're hinting at something here ;)
@Torrent_Studios:
Sure. The ones who get free sets tend to review a more complete range of sets. The ones who don’t tend to only review the sets they want.