Review: 75339 Death Star Trash Compactor
Posted by CapnRex101,
Countless interesting Star Wars scenes provide potential inspiration for the Diorama Collection and the heroes' dramatic escape from the trash compactor certainly seems appropriate for this diorama format, which emphasises marvellous accuracy and detail.
Furthermore, this famous scene has previously been restricted to appearances in 10188 Death Star and 75159 Death Star. 75339 Death Star Trash Compactor therefore appears appealing, particularly given the impressive selection of new minifigures. This cost is problematic though, which has become unfortunately common.
Summary
75339 Death Star Trash Compactor Diorama, 802 pieces.
£79.99 / $89.99 / €89.99 | 10.0p/11.2c/11.2c per piece.
Buy at LEGO.com »
The expensive price substantially detracts from what is otherwise an impressive model.
- Great accuracy and detail
- Smooth compacting function
- Appealing selection of minifigures
- Extremely expensive
- Unfinished on the reverse
The set was provided for review by LEGO. All opinions expressed are those of the author.
Minifigures
Luke Skywalker and Han Solo wear Stormtrooper disguises here, which have appeared only three times before, in 10188 Death Star, 75159 Death Star and CELEB2017 Detention Block Rescue. Their double-sided heads remain unchanged from previously appearances and Han Solo's distinctive hair element returns. Luke's hair is now dark tan though, perhaps because it has become wet in the trash compactor.
However, more interesting is the revised Stormtrooper armour. These ubiquitous designs were previously updated for 75055 Imperial Star Destroyer, eight years ago, so introducing another version seems reasonable, although I am not convinced that was necessary. The new torsos display authentic shadows and detail across the belt, while the black hips have been replaced with white and the legs have been altered too.
As always, becoming accustomed to changes on such common minifigures takes time, but I think these adjustments are effective. I hope the revised Stormtroopers will appear in a Battle Pack or other inexpensive sets relatively soon, making them more accessible for army building. Luke and Han both include blaster rifles, as normal.
Unlike their allies, Princess Leia and Chewbacca remain unchanged. Leia's famous hairstyle looks perfect and I love her double-sided head, that captures the character's feisty personality. The torso looks splendid too, although I was hoping the dress component introduced in 75244 Tantive IV would return. These undecorated legs look very bland, by comparison.
Chewbacca's dark brown hair looks excellent, including realistic texture and medium nougat highlights to provide some contrast. The face is particularly faithful to the onscreen character, recreating Chewie's teeth and beady eyes. This minifigure also sports a printed metallic silver bandoleer, but lacks his traditional bowcaster, again reflecting this scene from the film.
R2-D2 appears more frequently than almost any other Star Wars character, but experiences infrequent changes. The introduction of printing on the reverse therefore appears simple, but represents an important update and looks brilliant. The decoration across the front has been altered as well, albeit subtly. For example, the octagonal vent now features more dark blue.
The alterations on C-3PO are more conspicuous, including decoration on the arms and feet, along with new metallic gold printing on the torso. These shiny highlights are superb and the cables have become more intricate too. The designs on both feet are also welcome, but I am frustrated by the gap on C-3PO's silver leg, which could easily have been rectified with dual-moulding.
5002948 C-3PO was released during 2015 and included printed arms, which was significant because that minifigure depicted the character with his red arm from The Force Awakens. An equivalent standard of detail is present here and corresponds with the onscreen character, as seams between panels and the energy transducers on Threepio's shoulders look great.
The Completed Model
Diorama Collection sets share similar features, including a black border around the base and consistent scale. 75339 Death Star Trash Compactor accordingly occupies almost exactly the same footprint as 75329 Death Star Trench Run, but feels much more substantial because the scene is enclosed on three sides. Their heights are fairly consistent though, benefiting display.
Printed quotations from each scene also ensure continuity across the range, appearing beside the LEGO Star Wars branding. The trash compactor scene is unusual as relatively few classic lines are spoken inside the compactor, but Han Solo's humorous assessment of their situation conveys his persona. Even so, I would have chosen Leia's more memorable "into the garbage chute, flyboy", which obviously describes the scene.
The drab colour scheme is not necessarily ideal for display, but definitely reflects the onscreen location and captures lovely detail. This integration of reddish brown, dark bluish grey and dark tan gives the impression of wear and the mangled junk inside contrasts against its surroundings, being predominantly light bluish grey.
Despite appearing completely chaotic, the different items are actually constructed and fixed to the walls or floor, unlike this location in 10188 Death Star and 75159 Death Star, where items were loosely scattered inside. The illusion of twisted metal and total randomness seems very successful though. The trans-red eye of the mysterious dianoga appears less effective, in my opinion.
As the walls slide inwards, everything attached to the walls moves together. The result looks surprisingly realistic, although my favourite feature is actually the flexible hose that links both walls. This naturally bends as the walls move, recreating the gradual mangling of metal which takes place during the movie! Again, this substantially improves the illusion.
Gaps in the base accommodate simple tabs outside the walls, allowing them to slide inwards. Another version of this scene, prioritising play, would probably have provided a mechanism to control the walls in unison, but the simple mechanism gives an opportunity for additional detail. Also, this arrangement functions very smoothly and feels satisfying.
That satisfaction becomes more apparent as the rubbish ingeniously interlocks when the walls closed to their fullest extent, as shown below. Additionally, the instruction manual shows where the minifigures can be placed to avoid interfering with this function, corresponding with their film positions. Luke is almost disappearing in the middle, while Chewbacca stands nearest the door and Han and Leia clamber onto the compacting trash.
75329 Death Star Trench Run and 75330 Dagobah Jedi Training focus detail nearly exclusively across the front, unlike this model. The moving walls include texture on the outside and the rear provides room for R2-D2 and C-3PO, representing their integral, but remote, role in rescuing the heroes by deactivating every trash compactor on the detention level.
The model is therefore extended slightly, breaking the otherwise consistent depths across the Diorama Collection. The printed 2x2 inverted tile looks brilliant though, presenting an accurate Astromech droid interface socket. Of course, this detail would normally be hidden behind Artoo, so the tile is instead awkwardly situated and the wall lacks sufficient texture. These minifigures and the interface are fun, but perhaps superfluous.
Overall
As expected, 75339 Death Star Trash Compactor presents this famous scene with incredible accuracy and looks fantastic on display, despite its muted colours. In fact, the varying colours between these dioramas are attractive and this model surpasses the others in minifigures and functionality. The motion of the walls and positioning of the items inside are clever.
Unfortunately, the expensive price of £79.99, $89.99 or €89.99 eclipses those many qualities. Between the number of pieces and the physical size, the set seems much too expensive. The minifigures are doubtless responsible, which feels quite frustrating because C-3PO and R2-D2 could probably have been omitted. The cost is equally frustrating because the set is otherwise excellent.
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65 comments on this article
I want this. Unlike others I think the price is no unreasonable for what’s here, but I admit it’s still hard to justify, and yet I do want it anyway.
I honestly doubt the mini figures are what’s jacking up the price of this set. I think it’s more because LEGO wants these to be seen as premium products for display. In fact, I’m going to go as far to say there should be more printing on the mini figures where possible for this price point.
Still, while the scenes in these dioramas are well done, I alway felt like they’re a terrible value. For that price you could get one or two other Star Wars sets, or maybe even just save up for a different kind of Star Wars display piece.
Fantastic sets that I definitely want to add to my collection - it will just depend on the discount I can get and even then they will be very expensive sets.
@Blondie_Wan said:
"I want this. Unlike others I think the price is no unreasonable for what’s here, but I admit it’s still hard to justify, and yet I do want it anyway."
Guys, we’re being taken advantage of.
"One thing's for sure. Our wallets all gonna be a lot thinner!".
Ridiculous.
R2-D2's dome appears slightly askew again... not as bad as the other set with Yoda's hut, but one side is still higher than the other.
Looking at the last pic, Yoda's hut still looks the best, compared to the others. Maybe it's just me and my love for the scene, tho. The trash compactor is cool, especially the minifig collection that is included. I wonder how much it would cost to bricklink it... (excluding R2 and 3PO).
Also, I would remove both from the back and build another small display stand for them, because they deserve it!
It's a great scene.. and I can almost hear the dialogue in my head. But the price, like the review says, eclipses the qualities of the set. A shame because personally speaking these are the sets I've been looking for LEGO to produce since.. always.
The cost of manufacturing the minifigures is absolutely not the decisive factor, but their presence is, relative to the other Diorama Collection sets. Large quantities of minifigures always increase the value of sets, although this set definitely remains too expensive, even with six minifigures.
However, I would not characterise that as LEGO 'exploiting' minifigure collectors, otherwise they would likely have included an exclusive Luke Skywalker minifigure in 75329 Death Star Trench Run.
expensive, expensive and expensive
These look great on display, and I think that’s the market LEGO is targeting with these sets. Diehard fans will of course like them, but so will people who don’t have a ton of Star Wars sets and like these smaller size display sets. I think they’ll be found on display in a lot of offices. Including mine.
I thought for sure that there would be gears inside the base that connected the walls for a single closing motion. Unfortunate.
Thanks for the review!
I find the diorama series a weird mish-mash. With three sets there’s no consistency of scale, size or type of scene. They’re not even all from the same movie or one from say each OT film. Basically they look awful displayed together, nothing except a black base tying them together. The May the Forth dioramas did this much better.
Too expensive. Too many small pieces. The set is ugly. Lego put a base on a set they already had a base. I feel this set exists to abuse the 18+ label and extract as much money as possible from gullible adults.
There are thousands of Lego sets. This is one of them"
@MeganL said:
"These look great on display, and I think that’s the market LEGO is targeting with these sets. Diehard fans will of course like them, but so will people who don’t have a ton of Star Wars sets and like these smaller size display sets. I think they’ll be found on display in a lot of offices. Including mine."
The elitism in this reply is breathtaking. Since diehard fans will "of course" like them if you don't like them, ergo, you aren't a diehard fan.
I am not obligated to like overpriced dreck.
they just added a bunch of extra greebling and a fancy display base (so it's NOT a toy, it's a premium collectable!) and then doubled the price.
I'm shocked! Shocked, I say, to find that price gouging Star Wars sets is happening in this establishment.
2022 LEGO word of the year : Overpriced.
Vote with wallets.
I finally feel like my love of Star Wars does not justify the premium that I’m prepared to pay for Star Wars branded LEGO sets.
This past few years I must admit I’ve had far more fun in picking my sets for purchase based on apparent value for money and the amount of effort that seems to have gone into the design and quality of the sets.
If the trend continues, I imagine in a few years time I’ll have one heck of a Chinese Festival themed diorama on my hands!
I’m shocked the walls don’t open and close in unison. I feel like that would be absolutely mandatory for such a set. Sure, this is “display” and not “play” but adults are still engaged and delighted by clever mechanisms. Hearing this isn’t the case is very disappointing.
Price is what it is. I figured SW fans would be accustomed to this kind of inflation by now.
If anything I do applaud these dioramas for being something different. These are doubtlessly preferable to getting yet another X-wing with a marginal amount of more detail with some needless but ZOMG XCLAWSIVE!!1 minifigs tossed in to try to entice minifig-addicted Star Wars fans.
Ok so this set has that, too. This franchise, I swear!
The biggest positive around this set (and series) is that it’s excessive price may encourage increasingly more Lego fans to build their own MOCs instead, unleashing creativity.
I’m already trying to MOC my own version of this scene, with a better mechanism than this set, and am having loads of fun!
This one definitely makes Yoda's hut look like a better deal, and that's still a bad deal.
I don't really want these over priced sets but if the figures were more exclusive than I think people might get more interested. R2 needs an entire head redesign, possible his 3rd leg and C3PO a completely silver leg. The other figures are good but maybe could have dirty them up a lil
Capn, I respectfully disagree with your comment on the use of the quote on this diorama and also Death Star Trench Run. Thank you for your reviews on these diorama sets and for your honesty. Unfortunately for this set, the price overshadows it entirely.
It's the same price as the Ninjago Ultra Combo Mech 71765 but with 300 less pieces, and significantly less functionality. I'm gonna stick to buying non licensed stuff for a bit, Star Wars is getting a bit unreasonable when Ninjago, Monkie Kid, Speed Champions, and Creator offer way more value.
Over the past few years, I’ve been an avid SW LEGO collector. When these dioramas came out, I was kind of happy (I’m not all that much into display sets, so I did have some reservations) but when I saw the prices, I just thought “you know what, I don’t think I care anymore”. For the past weeks, I’ve reviewed all of my priorities and I’ve actually started to sell sets from my SW collection over on BL. I’m only selling sealed box now but I might start selling sets I built soon enough.
The weird thing is that I did not do all of this because I was mad at LEGO for the outrageous prices of these sets (which they are) but just because this confirmed where I was in my life.
Skip... if you want to buy any of these sets just get Dagobah Jedi Training. It not only has the most iconic quote out of all of them, but it's also the biggest. To avoid LEGO's ridiculous price strategy and marketing bs only get the set at 30% off and don't buy it from LEGO.com where it will stay at a premium.
R2 and 3PO will appear in their new versions in other sets, maybe even this year.
I stand by the fact that the stormtrooper armor changes are completely unnecessary - at least the new clone trooper legs now have printing on the toes and have the full knee pads. With this, they just made the torso minimally different, and the black belt part is gone, now the white stripe looks empty without printing, and the knee pads are still cut off. Prepare for that to be "fixed" with the next stormtrooper printing update coming to stores near you in 2026
@Watsonite said:
""One thing's for sure. Our wallets all gonna be a lot thinner!".
Ridiculous."
I literally lol-ed at this one!
@guachi said:
" @MeganL said:
"These look great on display, and I think that’s the market LEGO is targeting with these sets. Diehard fans will of course like them, but so will people who don’t have a ton of Star Wars sets and like these smaller size display sets. I think they’ll be found on display in a lot of offices. Including mine."
The elitism in this reply is breathtaking. Since diehard fans will "of course" like them if you don't like them, ergo, you aren't a diehard fan.
I am not obligated to like overpriced dreck."
Thank you for pointing out my comment was badly worded. I meant to convey that these sets may appeal to those who don’t have many other Star Wars sets, myself included.
I assumed other Star Wars fans might like them as well (you know what they say when you assume….). I was wrong. I meant no aspersions as to the characterizations of someone’s fandom.
My apologies.
I like these sets, and will get them in due course (hopefully on sale).
@MeganL said:
"These look great on display, and I think that’s the market LEGO is targeting with these sets. Diehard fans will of course like them, but so will people who don’t have a ton of Star Wars sets and like these smaller size display sets. I think they’ll be found on display in a lot of offices. Including mine."
Agreed. I do not own any Star Wars set, but I am definitely interested in these diorama sets. So if LEGO intended to attract a new pool of customers to the Star Wars line, then in my case they have succeeded. It is very likely that I will get the trench run and Dagobah sets, but I will skip the trash compactor set. The latter does not have the same visual appeal to me as the other two sets. Perhaps my opinion will change if have seen the set in person.
Hmm, yeah, but just no. Dagobah has the potential to become one of my favorite sets, partially based on my love for that scene, but this and the Trench Run are, sorry, but overpriced and ugly. The Trench Run is... bearable, but take the minifigs out of this one and its just a bunch of grey and brown bricks thrown together. Not to mention the price.
Nope. Those prices are ridiculous.
This is all a matter of opinion of course but the Jurassic Park diorama 76956-1 is 10 times more appealing than any of these Star Wars ones (including Vader's meditation chamber from last year). Obviously I don't own any of them but just from the pictures: It's significantly larger than the SW ones, it's very complete and the elements in the diorama are arranged in an exciting way, it looks good from most angles, it captures an iconic scene that's never had a LEGO set before, minifigures are new and not tiny updates to very common ones, the price is kind of reasonable (especially compared to this thing), the added thickness of the base is put to good use, and the T.rex and car can be taken out of it and used on their own.
I don’t think this set is the worst deal out there but it’s substantially worse than 75329 and especially 75330. As someone who has played LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga for the past week since I got it, I have a soft spot for this set since we started the Episode IV campaign first and my brother also replayed this level today. I feel like the set could’ve used a Dianoga after fighting a boss battle against it in the game but the compacting feature looks enjoyable, I wanted the Death Star as a toddler mostly for that reason.
My most wanted scene from original trilogy and they double the price for what's it worth. I'm not into Star Wars anymore so unless it's 50% off I won't be getting this one.
Sure wish I could filter out all the comments complaining about the price.
When word of this set came out it was on my must buy list. When the pictures were revealed it fell off the list. Way overpriced for what you get. I may eventually get the Dagobah set but the bulk of my $$ is going to Harry Potter. Having a lot but not all of the original SW sets I find it hard to justify spending on most of the newer sets despite the improvements in some of the designs over the years. The only set I regret not buying is the Ewok Village. And I keep talking myself out of the Cantina.
I'll probably skip this as I am looking over at my still sealed 10188 Death Star, which I always thought was a tad expensive for a display piece. As it happens, it doesn't seem so extravagant now.
The price is outrageous.
I feel this set didn't really need to exist. Too expensive, back looks bad, new stormtrooper design is unnecessary, and the dianoga just looks so bad I thought it was another piece of trash
I don't have any version of the Death Star, but I do already have a version of Yoda's Hut. This diorama allows me to get a lot of desirable minifigures without duplicating anything I already have, which is a big point in its favor. In addition, I'm really impressed by how well the compressing action works and how crowded the final scene looks! Yes, it's expensive--but for me it's the pick of the three sets, and I'm willing to pay the price.
@devilhead said:
"Sure wish I could filter out all the comments complaining about the price."
Here’s one that’s not: I think the greebling looks fantastic and the way that the junk interlocks is very clever!
I’m only a casual SW fan, but agree with MeganL, and these appeal to me more than the average SW set due to capturing those iconic scenes in an easy to display model.
This is 90.00. The Jurassic Park diorama is 100.
Can someone throw the Star Wars set at me…make sure I’m not dreaming? Thanks… ;)
@MeganL What a cool-headed response. Kudos to you for not feeding the internet escalation machine.
So at the start of the pandemic I decided I needed to get the Death Star set to give me something to do. After about 6 months I managed to land one on eBay for $275. At this point for me, getting this set would simply be superfluous. That said, to anyone looking to get this set, obviously the Death Star would cost you a whole lot more, but you also get a whole lot more with it. It just seems like if I had a choice between the 3 dioramas or the Death Star, it would be a no-brainer to go with the Death Star so long as you are willing to be patient and wait for a deal.
Well i like the diorama very much. Don’t know if i’ll buy it (there is just too many good sets outthere), but i really like the way the compactor works and that it isn’t very visible how it works
I don’t appreciate the new stormtrooper design. SW0585 is the best…..forever!
Give it time, and relax. :]
It will come to you in time at the price you want and deserve. Trust in the Force.
@Murdoch17 said:
"R2-D2's dome appears slightly askew again... not as bad as the other set with Yoda's hut, but one side is still higher than the other."
I have collected dozens of the bucket droids and maybe 2 of them are dead straight. Some of the them laughably bad so I guess they just accept they get printed wonky in the factory. It is a bit embarrassing when Lego price sets as a "premium" product.
@CapnRex101 said:
However, I would not characterise that as LEGO 'exploiting' minifigure collectors, otherwise they would likely have included an exclusive Luke Skywalker minifigure in 75329 Death Star Trench Run.]]
They do this stuff often enough with all the UCS exclusive armprinted figures in spite of the UCS Set not being in minifig scale. Or even worse, Mace and Clone Commander in the UCS Gunship of which one gets a straight re-release in a 15€ set and the other gets a better variant with armprinting months later.
really all I want is that droid interface tile, hopefully it will be available on pick a brick...
What bums me out most about the price of this set - and arguably, all the dioramas - is that these might not sell as well as TLG would like, thus reducing the chance of extending the series. This format is the perfect way to represent so many incredible scenes throughout the franchise that wouldn't normally fit into the product plan.
@gonesnakee said:
"I'm personally done with LEGO's Price Gouging and haven't bought any new sets since prior COVID.
No more SW licensed sets for Me (Bye Bye Disney) , I've gone so far as to sell off almost My entire collection of Licensed SW LEGO sets and Minifigures too.
I like these diorama sets but absolutely refuse to be gouged for them.
This set will end up being $115 to $120 CDN Prior Tax!!!
Nuff Said"
I haven't bought a single Star Wars Lego set since Disney released TROS -- but let's be honest, Lego has made it easy with their price gouging!
I believe LEGO customer service might be able to send some inverted 2x2 and 1x3 tiles for free to help with the unfinished build. Should be no problem considering TLG's last year's profit margin. "Do or do not, there is no try."
@R0Sch said:
"I believe LEGO customer service might be able to send some inverted 2x2 and 1x3 tiles for free to help with the unfinished build. Should be no problem considering TLG's last year's profit margin. "Do or do not, there is no try.""
LOL. Good call on the inverted tiles, though! I always forget that those exist. They would really make a HUGE difference (although it would make this set even more of an investment…).
I love these diorama sets and believe that all four of them will look great together on my shelves, but the price to footprint to display value of this one is laughable. The price really feels a bit predatory.
I'll get this one in time, but I will definitely be hesitant to pay the full price for it. Unfortunately, I haven't seen Vader's meditation chamber go on discount anywhere—so I wonder if LEGO doesn't want these going for below their MSRP.
There are even 4x8 inverted tiles now. Those side walls might need some pimping too.
I mean, it looks good. It looks like a decent set overall. I agree having the black base display aspect and how it affects price is a bit ridiculous. But other than some exclusive figures, the set should be pretty easy to build in the aftermarket (outside of the printed tile I suppose).
But if I let my wallet speak for me, I can be relieved I don't need to pick these up. Had it been a few years ago, I likely would have just bought them. But now thanks to money being a bit tighter, I get to be more selective and TLG gets less of my money.
pre-ordered this one, but bummed that the walls aren't linked to close together. oh well, guess that will be a fun project once it arrives
@empire0 said:
"It's the same price as the Ninjago Ultra Combo Mech 71765 but with 300 less pieces, and significantly less functionality. I'm gonna stick to buying non licensed stuff for a bit, Star Wars is getting a bit unreasonable when Ninjago, Monkie Kid, Speed Champions, and Creator offer way more value."
We can agree that the recent Speed Champions sets are awesome and represent good value! They are also licensed, though.
Shouldn't the dianoga be . . . anything other than grey? Probably a shade of nougat would be best.
I don’t know. I mean, I do get people saying it’s expensive for its size and all, and yet the specs on paper don’t seem really out of line. 802 pieces for $89.99? That’s about 11.22 cents per piece - maybe not the 10-cent “ideal”, but hardly the highest PPP going, either in the SW theme or outside it, and it’s a solid build. One might quibble over a couple missed opportunities, like gearing the doors, but overall the set doesn’t scream of lots of penny-pinching and corner-cutting.
What is the total mass of the parts here? How much does the set weigh - how does the total volume of material compare to sets at similar price points?
@Bagelwolf said:
"What bums me out most about the price of this set - and arguably, all the dioramas - is that these might not sell as well as TLG would like, thus reducing the chance of extending the series. This format is the perfect way to represent so many incredible scenes throughout the franchise that wouldn't normally fit into the product plan."
I think they could easily revert to simpler dioramas like we’ve gotten as the GWP on May the 4th. In fact, I like the once a year nature of those sets, you don’t feel obligated to buy 5 sets each year.
This is a really cool set. I'm not complaining because I wasn't likely to get it anyway, but - they really could have picked a better line. That "One thing's for sure" line is so corny.
My son and I will do what we do with most other sets we want.
We'll buy 3 or so of each and build 1 each.
We'll hold the others for 4-5 years and then sell them. They will pay for themselves,
and we'll make a nice profit.