Review: 40591 Death Star II
Posted by CapnRex101,
Given the superb reaction to 40531 Lars Family Homestead Kitchen in 2022, I expected another minifigure-scale vignette would be designed for May the Fourth this year. Instead, the 289-piece 40591 Death Star II recreates the mighty battle station at microscale.
This iteration of the second Death Star appears reasonably detailed, although building spheres always presents a challenge, particularly at this scale. Even so, the model appears interesting.
Summary
40591 Death Star II, 289 pieces.
Buy at LEGO.com »
Considering the scale, 40591 Death Star II looks surprisingly appealing on display
- Clever building techniques
- Reasonable shaping
- Unexpected details
- Superlaser looks odd
The set was provided for review by LEGO. All opinions expressed are those of the author.
The Completed Model
40591 Death Star II provides only our second version of the full Death Star II, succeeding 10143 Death Star II. The clear contrast between completed sections of the battle station and those still under construction suits this scale, partly disguising gaps between hull panels. Furthermore, the station measures almost 15cm in height, so feels quite substantial.
The model stands on a black base, which looks nice, but could be considered disproportionately large. Nevertheless, I like how the circular base reflects the shape of the Death Star II, while the attached anniversary brick slots in well. This piece marks forty years since the release of Return of the Jedi in 1983, with some metallic silver highlights.
Of course, the Death Star II remains the focus and I am satisfied with the rounded shape, given the scale. 2x4 wedge plates fit together around the outside, connected to the segmented central structure using clips. The onscreen battle station is obviously closer to spherical, but I think the incomplete sections create the impression of curvature.
The Emperor memorably divulges the operational status of the second Death Star soon after the Rebel fleet arrives. The superlaser dish therefore fires a trans-bright green laser, although some opaque green and lime green elements are needed here. The plant stem recreates the tributary lasers effectively, but I wish this was available in lime green, matching the rest of the laser more closely.
Since this version of the Death Star II is octagonal, the model is inevitably designed around 2x2 parabolic rings. Several are stacked within the core, supporting the hull armour using clips. The core also hides an unexpected detail from the film, as a blue Technic gear represents the Death Star II's cavernous main reactor.
Another detail is found behind one of the upper panels. The panel opens to reveal the Emperor's throne room, populated by Luke Skywalker, Darth Vader and the Emperor himself! Similar to the bounty hunters in 75356 Executor Super Star Destroyer, each character comprises a pair of 1x1 round plates, although Darth Vader was pearl dark grey in his flagship, rather than black.
The unfinished section of the Death Star II is brilliantly detailed, considering the scale. I like how dark and light bluish grey elements are combined to form distinct deck lines, alongside an array of clips and 1x1 round plates with bars, providing texture. Ideally, these incomplete areas would continue further around the battle station, below the equator, but simplifying the structure makes sense at this scale.
Overall
I was disappointed when rumours of 40591 Death Star II began to circulate, as I was impressed with 40531 Lars Family Homestead Kitchen in 2022, so was hoping for another minifigure-scale vignette. However, this model looks marvellous. The incomplete sections are highly detailed and I love the hidden features inside.
As expected, the spherical shape is far from perfect, although some compromises are inevitable at this scale. The only obvious area for improvement is the superlaser beam, as the green plant stem is very noticeable. Nevertheless, I am pleased with this model and the spend threshold of £130, $150 or €150 is not excessive either.
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28 comments on this article
Me: can we get Death Star II 10143 ?
My Mom: we have Death Star II at home.
Death Star II at home: 40591
Now just waiting another 40 minutes for the new UCS X-Wing to be available in the New Zealand LEGO store (they have put us in Australian Eastern Time so have to wait till 2am NZ time for it to become available) and then can get this GWP. Tick, tock…
And order confirmed. Looking forward to getting this in a few day’s time. Good luck to everyone else with their May the 4th purchases
We've got to clean up the skies and recycle
We've got to stop the overpopulation
But most important of all
We got to build a DETH STARR
@Ridgeheart said:
"We've got to clean up the skies and recycle
We've got to stop the overpopulation
But most important of all
We got to build a DETH STARR"
Who the heck in DETH STARR? Sounds like a bad impersonator of Ringo Starr, if you ask me...
The Technic gear serving as the centra reactor core is a very cute and inspired choice. I love hidden details inside sets.
Well, when a laser that's supposed to be light (I think?) translucent green and is instead of comprised of green, lime, and light translucent green odds are it's going to look weird.
I much prefer this to 40531 Lars' Family Homestead from last year. And together with all the Advent mini builds, can put together quite an RotJ final battle.
@DoonsterBuildsLego said:
"I much prefer this to 40531 Lars' Family Homestead from last year. And together with all the Advent mini builds, can put together quite an RotJ final battle."
I'm the opposite--the Lars kitchen put me over the edge and convinced me to buy the Skywalker Saga just to get the Blue Milk Luke figure to go with this. (And then I had to eBay Uncle Owen's parts. Still haven't found his head for a reasonable price.)
I’m not focused on minifig collecting, so it doesn’t bother me that the gift with purchase is not one. This looks like a decent value.
This does make me realize how unique 10143 is as a set. It looks like a slog to build, but those who own it can chime in on that. I’d be curious what they could do using modern techniques if they decided to remake it.
This set will look so cool on my desk, I hope it’s available here in Istanbul.
@Murdoch17 said:
" @Ridgeheart said:
"We've got to clean up the skies and recycle
We've got to stop the overpopulation
But most important of all
We got to build a DETH STARR"
Who the heck in DETH STARR? Sounds like a bad impersonator of Ringo Starr, if you ask me..."
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gfKBUcsh6FY
Tenacious D must have had quite a difficult time cleaning up that song, considering the original lyrics.
[Intro: Emperor Palpatine & Darth Vader]
It's not the east or the west side (No it's not)
It's not the north or the south side (No it's not)
It's the Dark Side (You are correct)
Keep frontin' The Empire
To all you Vader haters out there
We'll blow your planet up!
[Verse 1: Emperor Palpatine & Darth Vader]
What is thy bidding, my master?
It's a disaster! Skywalker, we're after
But if he could be turned to the Dark Side...
Yes! He'd be a powerful ally
Another dark Jedi
He will join us or die
We got Death Star (Death Star)
We got Death Star (Death Star)
We got Death Star (Death Star)
We got Death Star (Death Star)
We got Death Star (Death Star)
We got Death Star (Death Star)
We got Death Star (Death Star)
We got Death Star (Death Star)
And you know that we got it (Death Star)
And you know that we got it (Death Star)
And you know that we got it (Death Star)
@ResIpsaLoquitur said:
[[[Intro: Emperor Palpatine & Darth Vader]
It's not the east or the west side (No it's not)
It's not the north or the south side (No it's not)
It's the Dark Side (You are correct)
Keep frontin' The Empire
To all you Vader haters out there
We'll blow your planet up!
[Verse 1: Emperor Palpatine & Darth Vader]
What is thy bidding, my master?
It's a disaster! Skywalker, we're after
But if he could be turned to the Dark Side...
Yes! He'd be a powerful ally
Another dark Jedi
He will join us or die
We got Death Star (Death Star)
We got Death Star (Death Star)
We got Death Star (Death Star)
We got Death Star (Death Star)
We got Death Star (Death Star)
We got Death Star (Death Star)
We got Death Star (Death Star)
We got Death Star (Death Star)
And you know that we got it (Death Star)
And you know that we got it (Death Star)
And you know that we got it (Death Star)]]
Wow... Somebody besides me remembers this rap
For the laser, given the use of trans-bright-green, I would have preferred if the two opaque colors were produced in bright-green instead. Lime is a better match for trans-neon-green, but looks too light here. The base needs to be wide enough to keep the topheavy design from tipping over too easily, and tall enough to leave room to fit the 40th plaque without obcuring part of the Death Star itself. I think it's a very minimalist design that's as small as could reasonably be expected.
I think it looks great. Even if the whole laser beam was in the same colour, I think I'd leave it off. It is too thick at this scale. Nice model at a decent price threshold.
@Jesse_S_T said:
"Me: can we get Death Star II 10143 ?
My Mom: we have Death Star II at home.
Death Star II at home: 40591"
It's not as great as you might think. In fact, compared to what Lego is able to produce now, it would resemble an amateur's model. Give it a year or two and there will be new re-make, much better, more detailed and for better price than 10143.
@bdc101 @ResIpsaLoquitur
Speaking of things that could use a good remake, that video (which I believe already had an updated version) could stand to be redone with improved visuals and remixed audio. I quote that to my kids often.
Meh! I might just build my own out of my spare parts. Just need to steal the plans.
Whilst I like the hidden touch of the Reactor Core, I think the hidden Throne Room is silly. Why? Because the Throne Room isn't INSIDE the Death Star II. Its in a pod-like structure, on the top of a tower (containing its dedicated turbo-lifts and the shaft that Vader throws Palpatine down), some distance above the surface of the space station (you see it in ROTJ).
@Ridgeheart said:
"We've got to clean up the skies and recycle
We've got to stop the overpopulation
But most important of all
We got to build a DETH STARR"
How?
I hired a nerd!
I freakin' paid a nerd
It is absurd
But I paid him to build it
Because I don't know how to build that ship!
Their song translates to 40591 surprisingly well
@GrosPanda1979:
Both of the DS playsets also put it in the upper curvature of the main hull, for the same reason. Making the Death Star big enough to incorporate that tower where you could actually depict a scene inside would be insanely huge.
@Murdoch17 said:
" @Ridgeheart said:
"We've got to clean up the skies and recycle
We've got to stop the overpopulation
But most important of all
We got to build a DETH STARR"
Who the heck in DETH STARR? Sounds like a bad impersonator of Ringo Starr, if you ask me..."
I prefer Lone Starr...
And may the Schwartz be with you!
@ResIpsaLoquitur said:
"...
Keep frontin' The Empire
...
"
It's "Get in front of me, Empire". Doot doot.
@Amik said:
" @Jesse_S_T said:
"Me: can we get Death Star II 10143 ?
My Mom: we have Death Star II at home.
Death Star II at home: 40591"
It's not as great as you might think. In fact, compared to what Lego is able to produce now, it would resemble an amateur's model. Give it a year or two and there will be new re-make, much better, more detailed and for better price than 10143."
Yea, it’s from 2005. Comparing it to any UCS today would make it look bad, but for the time it was a groundbreaking set. It was only $260 and was massive, it was also frequently discounted. In its final year, they were selling them for $200. For a 2005 UCS, it was a great effort. The build was super repetitive and devoid of surface details, but if Lego remade one today it would either be like 40591 or cost $700-$1000.
@Jesse_S_T said:
" @Amik said:
" @Jesse_S_T said:
"Me: can we get Death Star II 10143 ?
My Mom: we have Death Star II at home.
Death Star II at home: 40591"
It's not as great as you might think. In fact, compared to what Lego is able to produce now, it would resemble an amateur's model. Give it a year or two and there will be new re-make, much better, more detailed and for better price than 10143."
Yea, it’s from 2005. Comparing it to any UCS today would make it look bad, but for the time it was a groundbreaking set. It was only $260 and was massive, it was also frequently discounted. In its final year, they were selling them for $200. For a 2005 UCS, it was a great effort. The build was super repetitive and devoid of surface details, but if Lego remade one today it would either be like 40591 or cost $700-$1000."
I know, I bought it on ebay for $300 few years later. But I would never buy it today as it's totally not worth it since Lego will release it sooner or later and it will be 10x better. Yes, I think this remake will be the first set to cost $1,000. I also sold 10179 and 10030 for that specific reason. Can't believe people are dumb enough to spend thousands to get old, amateur looking sets when they can get much better ones for less. They simply don't have that value, no matter how much they try to convince you of "investment" value.
@Amik said:
"They simply don't have that value, no matter how much they try to convince you of "investment" value. "
They're collector pieces, people buy them for the same reason they buy rare action figures and trading cards.
I got this set as a thank-you gift today for displaying at a Star Wars lego expo. I haven't got a chance to build it, and at the moment my top priority is fixing the UCS Chopper that broke on the car trip home.
I got it today, outer box and content totally destroyed as usual. I have noticed that LEGO has started to use outer boxes of very poor quality, at least in Europe.
The 3 last orders has arrived damaged and I have been sending it back for replacement.
I really really wonder how a company that make billions can't send their stuff in sturdy boxes...