Review: EWOK ATTACK
From Jalassociatecomics
EWOK ATTACK #7139 (2002)
Quite a unique and now rather rare gem of a Lego set; this set is the only way to obtain Ewok minifigures. It also features three other “Battle of Endor” components, the most outstanding of which is the Ewok Glider which even comes with a display stand. I, for one, am proud to own it but regretful for dismantling it.
As I mentioned earlier, the “minifig reason” to get this are the two ewoks Paploo (with the tan torso) and chief Wicket in brown, both with the short, unbending legs utilized to portray Yoda and young Boba Fett, amongst others. The other two minifigs are special as well, a scout trooper and a stormtrooper. The Scout Trooper uses a visored minifig head instead of the usual solid black. This is a sufficient number of minifigs, but I was wishing that an Endor-costumed Leia or a rebel soldier would be thrown in as well.
There are three main components here: the Ewok catapult, a scout trooper speeder bike and the afore-mentioned glider. I’ll cover them in this order, so here we go.
The catapult comes with two 2 by 2 “drum” pieces for ammunition. Sorry to disappoint, but there’s not fancy elastic release or whatever as seen in the film, so you simply push down on the other end to launch. It serves its purpose anyway and, well, doesn’t look too shoddy either. It’s an easy build and quite easy to put together too.
Most fans who were with the line from the beginning probably remember that old “Speeder Bikes” set from 1999. This set, Ewok Attack, may well be Lego’s first effort at doing redesigns of not-so-perfect sets. In fact, my opinion is that they did a mighty good job and this speeder bike ranks in as one of my favourite little Lego models. Simpler but altogether more sure of itself in design and structure, this model is actually very movie accurate. The most notable improvement is the sloping pieces at the front of. I was a bit puzzled when I saw the half-pyramid triangular piece on the earlier rendition. This design was so successful that it was reused – exactly the same design, though with different colouration – for the 2003 AT-TE and AT-AT sets.
The glider is the most complicated bit of this Lego set. Intricately detailed, the presence of quite a number of technic pieces makes it pretty impressive. To release the 1 by 1 cylindrical ammo, though, you simply tilt the model backwards. It can only hold one at a time, but that’s understandable. The translucent wings printed with fancy designs are unique to the set. I also like the display stand that you assemble out of transparent parts. The craft is allowed to turn and swivel upon the stand, thanks to a ball-and-socket technic joint.
“Ewok Attack” is a great set to get if you’re a huge Episode VI fan as I am, and also works as a wonderful beginner set. If you are a hardcore UCS builder this might be way too easy a set to build, but it’s fine by me.
RATING: 3.5/5 STARS
Disclaimer: All photographs retrieved off the internet, use not for profit.
