Review: 75094 Imperial Shuttle Tydirium

[JackJonespaw]

- A Review -

Has anyone ever started a review with a picture of a mountain? The rules are a bit hazy now; I haven't been around since...well, August 25, 2012 was my last review here. You can do the math for that one. So why the mountains? Because that's where I have been for the past three years - exploring the world of the high-up, gazing upon the entire earth. It's definitely a viable excuse, albeit not exactly an honest one...point is, I've finally grabbed a gigantic set, and I'm here to review it for you, so you don't have to spend 100 big ones on it - I already did it for you! You're welcome, you're welcome. A donation box will be passed around soon, don't be afraid to put as much as you want in there - I think I deserve it.

What The Kids Call It: Imperial Shuttle Tydirium

Identification Number: 75094

Theme: Definitely Bionicle

Year: 2015

Minifigs: 4 + Han Solo, who has surpassed minifig form in every way and become a deity in a brazen plastic form

Pieces: 937

Price: £79.99 / $99.99

More Useless Facts About It

Let's start, hey ho! The Imperial Shuttle is a staple in the Star Wars series, I guess. It was in Episode VI a few times, and it's been released by Lego a couple of times - the classic 2001 one, which I didn't even realize was a set; the 2005 one, which had a bunch of cool minifigs, kind of like an early-era battle pack; the UCS one, which to this day, has resulted in 42 deaths by falling and crushing people in the head; two mediocre mini ones, which I can't even create a comment about; and, of course, the brilliant mini one from 2004...ah, how I love it. Here's a hint - you'll be seeing one of these again. You can put your bets in now as to which one it is. Go ahead, I'll wait.

No, I really won't wait. I've got a review to do, after all. Long story short, I had gift cards, I went to Disney World, I took advantage of the situation, and I walked out of the shop with this set. Was it the one I always wanted? Not really. Was there any particular advantage I had that caused me to buy it? Nope. Did I buy it for the hell of it? Absolutely. And, since I bought so much, they gave me a free polybag set with an astronaut! And, now...I realized I threw it out with the Lego bag. Whoops.

I've got seventy-something photos here, so we're two down, let me throw another one out at you:

This is the box. You can see that, but it might warrant me saying it. The top has a beheaded stormtrooper gazing into your soul, with some cracked edges and that rebel insignia painted on the right side. The box art itself has the Tydirium flying amidst explosions, shooting plastic at enemies out of sight. Remember that part in the movie? Me neither. I guess Lego doesn't need to be accurate - they just need your money. We also have our five minifigs on the bottom right - look at 'em all. The four humans have an orange fiery graphic behind them, yet Chewbacca is glowing blue. What does that imply? Does it really matter? Probably not even remotely.

Ah, the sides of the box. It really hammers in the fact that this is a Lego set, nay...a Lego Star Wars set! We also get our glowing minifigs again. My theory is that Chewbacca somehow has Elvish metal in him...and orcs are nearby. Not much else to say about the sides - they make the box a box, so they're somewhat important. Let's give sides of boxes props. They do their job well.

And this is our pal, the back of the box. A whole lot of graphics here, one of the whole gang, and others below it, mainly featuring Han. The Endor Rebel Troopers get a bit overshadowed, but that's what they get for not having names.

Chewbacca looks so dead-eyed in this photo. It's just...why? Why do I keep making fun of Chewbacca?! Why does his new design look so stupid?

Here's the open box. Yes, it still smells like fresh Lego box, in case anyone out there was wondering. This is the only bag picture you're going to get. Sorry about that, but at least now you have a new perspective with which to view them in.

The instruction booklet is quite an impressive fella. He's about 160 pages thick, and perfect for hitting your dog if he urinates on the carpet, even though you've told him not to, repeatedly! Bad dog! Our friend the beheaded stormtrooper returns, in case you were feeling safe from his gaze since you opened the box.

There's a fun little graphic of Mr. Fig here opening a box full of what he's made of. Don't think about that too much, or it'll be a human opening numbered bags of livers and digestive tracts. I'm pretty sure there was an episode of Hannibal about that.

Behind Mr. Lecter the bag-opener, we get a layout of all our minifigs for 2015. It's quite nice to not see any of those horrid Clone Wars figures present here. I would rather tangle with Stormtrooper head again than seeing those eyes.

Now, usually a review would be like this - box, booklet, minifigs, build, features, etc. But guess what I'm not doing that! I'm doing it chronologically, baby, and that means that we've got minifigs interspersed with the building steps! Hooray! Welcome to the new age!

Right out of the bag, we meet up with Nameless Endor Rebel Trooper #1 and his best friend/lover, Nameless Endor Rebel Trooper #2. Don't worry if I don't know their names, by this time there are already three Star Wars books about them. In terms of design, these guys blow the last guy right out of his happy position as the most stylish Endor trooper. The tan and olive coloring mixes quite well together, and it definitely fits the scene well. Just too bad they don't have names.

Backprinting is the norm for minifigs nowadays. Not much else to say, just a nice design overall. No one cares about these guys, honestly. We want the cool people! Like Han!

Now, this Imperial Shuttle is quite white. Blindingly so. I took it outside once and three people ran into random objects that were clearly in its way. It reflects the Sun all too well. So, I'm switching up the background. Exciting and modern times, these are, I know. Try to contain yourself until the end of the tour.

If you wanted to begin building the ship, well, you've still got to wait and build this yellow box. It hold two thermal detonators. I'm not truly sure if this is safe, but who am I to judge. If I brought grenades into my car I'd just put them in the cup-holders.

Ah, right next to the box full of actual bombs, let's just throw a nice gun. There probably aren't any safety warnings about that. The little gun stand holds a backpack. Hell, there are probably thermal detonators in that, too. The Rebels seem to be a bit lax with their weapon placement.

Finally! We can start building the Shuttle! Get ready, because it's a long path before it will look remotely like a big white ship. For now, it's just a technic mess. It will all come together and we will all gasp in happiness and then move right along with life.

Here we have places for three of our minifigs to sit. Let's just assume Chewbacca doesn't get a chair. And Han can stand. He doesn't need a seat. In case you were wondering, no, it still doesn't look like the Shuttle.

Oh? Hm, that was a quick Bag 1. Here is the beginning of Bag 2. I still have no idea what we're supposed to be building, I'm just quietly putting things where I'm told.

Okay, okay, here it looks about 5% like a Shuttle. Not a great ratio, but it's definitely the closest we've gotten.

And we connect the two Bag builds, and it still looks somewhat-nothing like the Shuttle. Progress?

Bag 3 gives us some nice gray pieces, and a tiny bit of white. We build some guns and add more bricks. It's very elaborate. I'm sure the wings will be just as elaborate.

At last, we build something familiar! That's right, we get the engine lights in there. The hyperdrive, I think it's called? The white thing with the trans-blue pieces also works as an adequate description.

And Bag 3 ends here - with a structure for a nice little ceiling.

Three full bags later from our Rebel friends, we finally get our fourth - Leia, ex-Princess. Does she still count as a Princess if her entire monarchy was blown up? Those rules seem to be a bit iffy. Anyway, Leia is rocking some great details, as well as generic Lego woman face #1 - the smirk.

Ah, and here's generic Lego woman face #2 - the scowl. It's not that far off to suppose that 90% of Lego women have these two faces.

And Leia covers up her nice detailed torso piece with a simple camo robe. Lego, just give us a plain torso next time. You've broken my heart!

Leia also comes with a cookie laced with cyanide to fend off Ewoks. That's actually canon, trust me, don't look it up. The cookies had cyanide in them. It's not on the wiki, George Lucas told me personally.

Welp, I'm getting tired of writing this; I need a break. You probably need a break, too, that's why Geico has been so kind as to make this minute long commercial for you to watch!

https://www.youtube....h?v=pvcj9xptNOQ

What's that? You've never heard of a review with a commercial break? Well, I've never heard of people questioning a review like this. It's unacceptable, and I don't like it! Get out!

Those of you with manners, thanks for staying! Bag 4 opens up to some exciting stuff. But first we have to finish up the boring old structure.

And baboom! Bag 4 throws us 4,058.1 white pieces to build this gigantic fin with. Turn the fin on it's side, and you've got a free dinner plate for tonight! Just don't have soup.

In Bag 5, we get to build this little no-peek flap. This way, the Empire can't look in on the Rebels as they work! And, as a bonus, it keeps the Rebels from being sucked out into the endless void of space. Double convenient, eh?

And we build the other no-peek flap! I suppose that was in the budget, but damned if we're not cutting it close here. We're almost out of white pieces!

Here is the, uh, right wing. I think it's the right wing. Even if you put it on the wrong side, it'll look mostly normal. Like when you put shoes on the wrong feet - people will notice, but not that many.

Here's the same image, reversed left wing. I totally took the time to build and model this wing. There was definitely no easier way I could convey the fact that it's the same thing as the other wing, just backwards.

What if Ned Stark were an Imperial Shuttle?

That's not funny, I apologize.

Han Solo and some other thing are our minifigs for Bag 6, wrapping up our minifig collection for this set. It's a sad feeling, but then you see Han, and you cheer up. And you see Chewie, and you get even more depressed than you were.

As for the detailing, it's very nice. A new Han torso is always welcome

Nice back printing on Han, too. His alt-face is perfect for the situation when he finds out his wife is cheating on him, but he kind of suspected it anyway. Incredibly useful in Lego form, I know. Get those MOCs ready!

Ah, Eddard's head the cockpit! Remember how in Return of the Jedi, all of the main characters fit in the cockpit? Yea sorry, not this time. You only get two seats.

Attach the cockpit to the body, and you get one Imperial Shuttle, to go! Look how impressive this cropped image is at conveying the magnificence of the ship as a whole!

Extra pieces. There are some. Insert false enthusiasm.

Ah, there is the Imperial Shuttle. Look at its wingspan and its landing gear. Truly an impressive model. I even took an outdoors shot to show that it looks good in any situation.

Here's an indoor shot just for comparison.

Once again, here are our minifigs. You know who they are, even if not, go scroll up and read. I'm too lazy to rewrite their names.

So let's begin our comparison shots! I hinted that I'd bring out one of the older Imperial Shuttle models, and prepare to not be disappointed!

That's right the 2004 mini Imperial Shuttle! Calm down, you'll get your turn to bask in the glory of it! Here's the obligatory 3/4 shot of the both of them. As you'll notice, the 2004 version is smaller.

The side shot really shows that the 2004 model is superior. The wings boast a clever more amount more detail than the 2015 model could even attempt to create.

A rear shot. If you didn't scream "trans-blue", then you're either in public, or you were looking at something else.

Let's get a closer look at them trans-blue tiles. It's simply the best part of the ship, no contest.

There are also these tiny-aѕѕ guns on the back of the ship. I don't know what their purpose is, other than to do slight damage to any ships behind it.

Let's move on to features! Why? Because I won't graduate if I don't show everything the ship has to offer!

We'll begin with the wingspan. As I've said at least five times by now, the wingspan is large. But did you know that the wings also fold up to reduce wingspan? Yes? That's one of the main features of the ship and is featured in the movie multiple times? Oh.

Well I took a picture of it anyways.

Here you can see the flap in action. It raises up and down, or down and up!

The cockpit also opens up and down. This is literally my only gripe with the set - the cockpit hatch is too heavy to actually stay open on it's own, so you have to hold it up. I didn't just accidentally leave my hand in the picture.

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The landing gear, like all landing gear should, comes down to land, and goes up to fly. Of course, it doesn't do this automatically. You have to move it with your hand.

Also included are flick-fire missiles! Unlike the flick fires of the 2008 era, these actually do hurt if you shoot someone in the eye. All you do is press the little lever, and out shoots a trans-green rod.

I even made a video!

Uh, I don't know what to put here, but here's a behind the scenes image. Now time for that poll full of random numbers that mean nothing, like 37/100!

You know what, I'm doing a different grading scale.

Did I like the Imperial Shuttle set that took me five hours to build?

Yes, I did. It only took me four hours, though.

Would I recommend this ship to people to buy and build?

Again, yes. It's a pretty penny cost-wise, but it has some good minifigures and it a solid, solid build.

Which is your favorite minifig?

Han, obviously. Chewbacca, on the other hand, looks like a fur-covered pile of poodoo.

I want to send you money! Can I?

Absolutely! Please PM me as soon as humanly possible!

Final Score: 37/100 Go buy it. Or don't if you don't have the money in your Lego budget. I mean, what other set can you get for $99.99/£79.99? The Ferrari F40? Hmm, wait, actually, I like that set a bit better....

[GuyDudeMan27]

I love this review! It's hilarious to read, and it shows off the shuttle perfectly. I really wanna get this set at some point. You should make more of these reviews. They're perfect

[Lobot]

Thanks JackJonespaw for such a unique review!

This is one of the few sets in the current wave that I'm tempted to buy, but I've already got the UCS version so I'm still in two minds. Although I'm not generally a fan of Endor-related sets, due to those adorable little ewoks, I'm really quite impressed by this. I'll probably buy one if I can find it at a decent discount at some point.

[mediumsnowman]

Very nice review, very fun to read! This set would definitely be worth a buy, if I didn't already spend it all on that beastly thing called a Helicarrier...

[Dosenbrot]

This review alone makes me want to buy the shuttle right now, brilliantly written, love your humour!

[duboismerci]

Greats pictures and very funny!

I definitively will be picking this set up ASAP. That seagull shot was just so majestic and now I can't wait to get it! (the shuttle)

Awesome review

ps: I did watch the commercial.

[Hobbythom]

Awesome review: 2,7/potato, would read again.

[Frostyfeet]

How does it Compare to the ucs shuttle?

[JackJonespaw]

Thanks for all your kind words about my humor! Glad I could be entertaining!

How does it Compare to the ucs shuttle?

Uh, it's smaller and has less bricks. I honestly don't know, since I don't have the UCS Shuttle, but whereas the UCS is more of a model, this set is more of a playset.

[Koenta]

How does it Compare to the ucs shuttle?

Here's a small comparison some guy made.

Cheers

Edited August 11, 2015 by Koenta

[markw]

The orange glow around the figures means a new minfig, blue glow are ones that are already available. You're welcome!

Also I believe the bearded chap to be Nik Sant, if that makes you love him more.

Edited August 11, 2015 by markw

[lightningtiger]

Awesome review......I needed a good laugh ! LOL

Actually I like set and I'll show it to my son to see if he wants it for Christmas or not.

[Blacktron]

Great review! Thanks, JackJonespaw.

I think the imperial Shuttle is a great new lego model. But what I still don't get about it: Why is the basic color of this toy white? It's clearly light grey in the movie. I don't get it. I would have loved to read something about this in your review. I think I'll wait for the next version. Hopefully this will be grey.

[Lego Conductor]

That Ned Stark comment was priceless. This is got to be the best review I've read on this Forum!

[Aethersprite]

I already have this set, but this entertaining review made reading it worth my while. I lost it at the 'outdoor' shot!

Edited August 12, 2015 by Lockon Stratos

[Frostyfeet]

Here's a small comparison some guy made.

Cheers

Thanks, interesting video. Apart from the horrible let music.

[Tariq j]

Excellent Review, very funny and entertaining.

[CM4Sci]

Lost it at the flipped wing image! Awesome review, love your humor! I wanna see more!!

[Corydoras]

I have mixed feelings about this set.

It's definitely a vast improvement over the previous "minifig" version, the overall shape is correct, the model does the ship justice. However, it's full of messy parts and unnecessary details that really spoil the aesthetics. All the randomly scattered plates, wedges and tiles are like an insult to the smoothness of the original. In my opinion, the worst thing are the side wings - they don't look half bad when folded out, but the undersides exposed when in landing mode are simply terrible. They should be built the same way as the top fin, with bricks and liftarms.

[Lord Tyrus]

Great review! Very unique... DO MOAR!!!

[ManInATopHat]

And on the seventh day, God did not rest... For he was too busy creating this review.

[Odemit]

I didn't care for this ship much in the movie. But now I need the set to remember how good the review was!

[Schneeds]

The seagull took this review to a whole new level.

[LEGO Train 12 Volts]

Thanks for this great review and for the extra bonus pictures!

This set looks totally cool!

[Lordofdragonss]

Please make more reviews. I need them in my life.