Is there any film character more recognizable than Darth Vader? Even those who have never seen a Star Wars movie in their life know who Darth Vader is! He’s the quintessential villain that fans love to hate!
LEGO has done a lot over the decades to celebrate Darth Vader and all of his dark-sided glory. But the LEGO Darth Vader Helmet set takes the cake.
With this set, you get a chance to build a three-dimensional bust of the dark antagonist. This isn’t a simple Minifigure or boxy build. It features a spherical shape and tons of fine details to bring the character to life.
A display piece by nature, this is a set that you’ll want to show off. The finished build is designed to fit nicely on a shelf or desk. Add it to your LEGO collection or use it to decorate a Star Wars-themed room.
There’s no denying that this set looks cool. But is it worth the buy? In this review, we’re going to find out!
About the LEGO Darth Vader Helmet set
Specs:
Set Number: 75227
327 pieces
Finished build measurements: Roughly 5.5 inches tall
Ages 14 and up
The LEGO Darth Vader bust is a limited-edition set. It’s not going to be available forever, so it’s a must-have for any LEGO collector.
The set is a part of the LEGO Star Wars 20-year celebration. LEGO made its very first Star Wars-themed set in 1999. That first set started a worldwide phenomenon that continues today! As of 2020, LEGO has released around 700 different sets modeled after the franchise. That includes about 1,000 Minifigures. On top of that, LEGO Star Wars has a presence in video games, television, and a slew of other media.
Needless to say, the partnership between LEGO and Star Wars is one that’s worth celebrating. What better way to do that than by building a bust of the franchise’s most iconic antagonist?
Packaging and First Impressions
The packaging for this set is nothing revolutionary. It’s not as premium as some of LEGO’s other limited-edition products. But, that doesn’t mean it’s ugly by any means. The packaging is quite attractive and worthy of putting on display.
It’s a simple flat square box; much like other large sets. However, the front is adorned with plenty of details to indicate that this set is special. A band of silver on the side presents the Star Wars celebration logo. Meanwhile, a large image of the finished build is on full display in the center. The bust is against a Death Star backdrop, which is a nice touch!
On the back, you’ll see a side profile of the bust as well as some additional images for reference.
Inside is pretty standard fare. Clear plastic bags house all of the included pieces. They are separated and numbered based on the elements you’ll be building. This makes things a bit easier during the assembly process.
As always, the set also comes with an instruction manual. The manual is as well-made as you would expect. LEGO does a fine job of providing detailed step-by-step guides. Follow the steps and you should have no problem putting this bust together.
Brick Pieces
To create the signature helmet profile, LEGO included several unique pieces. This build is spherical, which also requires some standout foundation pieces.
The inside of the bust uses side-studded bricks. While nothing new to the world of LEGO, they are a rarity. These bricks were first introduced in the LEGO BrickHeadz collection. As you might have guessed, the bricks feature studs on the side, which allows you to create some interesting shapes that are not normally possible with standard bricks.
The side-studded bricks are what make the rounded shape of the helmet possible! They’re a great brick to add to your collection, too. Once you’re done with the helmet, you can use those bricks to come up with some innovative builds!
In addition to the side-studded bricks, there are several smooth plated pieces. These pieces make up the shiny surface of the helmet. This includes the signature taper of the.
You’re also getting several distinct elements to create those finer details. For example, grate-like pieces are used to finish up the mouthpiece. Meanwhile, chains and studs help to accent the neckline of the bust.
The Building Process
Building the Darth Vader bust is not particularly difficult. It’s a straightforward process as long as you follow the instructions. If you have some experience building complex sets, it should be no problem for you!
That said, there are some interesting elements that you have to complete.
The most complex portion is the center. The center of the helmet and bust act as the foundation for the rest of the build. Without it, none of the spherical or rounded sections would be possible.
The center column uses side-studded bricks. Take your time here! It’s easy to get confused due to the oddly positioned studs. Double-check your work and make sure that everything is tight. You need a strong foundation to support the exterior finishing pieces. If the foundation bricks don’t provide enough structure, the outer pieces could easily throw the build off-balance. This is especially true with the flared neckpieces of the helmet.
Luckily, this set doesn’t include too many gravity-defying elements. The most troublesome part is the aforementioned neck piece. But as long as you have a good foundation, it shouldn’t be too much of an issue.
Final Thoughts
All in all, the LEGO Darth Vader Helmet bust set is a fantastic choice for collectors, film buffs, and brick-building enthusiasts. The set truly runs the gamut in terms of appeal. The complexity of the build is perfect for hardcore brick-builders. Meanwhile, the finished product is worthy of any Star Wars memorabilia collection.
This set is certainly a showpiece. When you’re done putting the pieces together, it’ll serve as a wonderful piece of decor. Whether you’re a fan of the films or you’re simply looking for a unique challenge, this set has you covered! Pick it up yourself and see what you think. Remember: This is a limited-edition set. So if you want to create your own replica of this iconic villain, now is your only chance to do so!