Review: 75183 Darth Vader Transformation
Posted by CapnRex101,
It could be suggested that the entire Star Wars saga is focused around the scene during which Darth Vader is encased in his famous armoured suit. 75183 Darth Vader Transformation is only the second set based on this vital moment and twelve years have passed since the first was released so I welcome its return.
However, the presence of Darth Vader and Emperor Palpatine will probably be the most appealing aspect of this set for the majority of potential buyers. Both characters are enormously popular and neither has appeared in such an inexpensive set, priced at £19.99 or $24.99, for over a decade. This is therefore a perfect opportunity to add them to your collection if you have not already and I am hoping that the rest of the set will be similarly impressive.
Minifigures
A new Darth Vader minifigure was introduced in 2015 and this is only its third appearance. The helmet is rather large but looks brilliant, with accurate shaping and a satisfying method of removal which leaves the collar behind, much like in the films. Anakin's scarred head is found underneath and a standard flesh colour is used as his skin has not yet been bleached due to a lack of sunlight, thereby contrasting with the white head which has been used in several previous sets. The new head is shared by the wounded Anakin Skywalker minifigure shown in images below.
Vader wears a black cape made from a soft material while the torso and legs are printed with his respiratory system control panel, a detailed belt and some fabric robes. Unfortunately, the back of the torso is left blank but this is covered by the cape so does not bother me too much. The minifigure is equipped with a red lightsaber which is welcome, although I am obliged to acknowledge that Darth Vader did not actually construct his Sith lightsaber until some time after the events depicted in this set.
The box refers to this minifigure as Anakin Skywalker, presumably to avoid confusion surrounding Darth Vader's Sith status before he is encased in the famous armoured suit. Regardless, this is the third minifigure representing the character following his defeat on Mustafar and is by far the best released so far, with plenty of detail showing torn robes and badly scarred skin. Both sides of the head are dominated by injuries and the front includes an expression which seems to recreate the flash of apprehension visible as the mask is lowered into place during the film.
Graphic designers have struggled to portray Darth Vader's lost limbs on previous renditions of the character but the quandary is solved here by the use of pearl silver legs. These feature tattered robes towards the top but the lower halves are left without printing to recreate the cybernetic legs fitted during the operation. His hands are also robotic so are represented in dark bluish grey while the remainder of the left arm is cast in an appropriate flesh tone. However, the colour on the torso is not an exact match due to the insufficient depth of the printing. This issue has blighted minifigures for several years now but I remain hopeful that it will soon be resolved.
Emperor Palpatine stands watch as Darth Vader is bound in armour during the film so is also included in this set. This precise version of the Emperor has only been seen once before in 75159 Death Star, although that found in 75093 Death Star Final Duel is very similar. The Sith Lord wears a hood and a pliable cape which matches the detailed black robes printed on the front of the torso as well as the legs.
The Emperor's wrinkled skin is tan in colour and his eyes are a bright yellow which looks great. One side of the head is printed with a sly smile while the other features bared teeth and both are ideally suited to Palpatine's villainous personality. He is armed with a red-bladed lightsaber which includes an unusual pearl gold hilt, just as the weapon did in 9256 Palpatine's Arrest from 2012.
Several droids are involved in Darth Vader's horrifying transformation, one of which is the DD-13 Medical Assistant Droid. These specialise in the installation of cybernetic limbs and stand on three legs, an attribute replicated on this minifigure. However, the legs are not evenly spaced as they should be and their articulation is limited, although I cannot imagine how this could be resolved at such a small scale. The arms are capable of greater motion which is pleasing and I like the pearl dark grey 1x1 round plate on top of the head, especially since it has not appeared in this colour before.
The Completed Model
The medical centre is octagonal in shape, not unlike 75137 Carbon-Freezing Chamber from last year. This is not entirely faithful to the film where the room is circular but it is certainly a reasonable approximation, with lit floor panels represented by white wedge plates and the operation table in the centre. The floor beneath the table is left open which is slightly bothersome, although this leaves room for the operation table to move and rotate so you can recreate Darth Vader's transformation.
A small stand is situated beside the operation table and this includes clips for the two lightsabers as well as a tiny medical droid which floats on a trans-clear aerial. Several of these little droids supervise the operation and they resemble the ID9 seekers deployed in Star Wars Rebels, although those seen in Revenge of the Sith have not been identified by name. The transparent stand is mounted on a hinge so the droid can be rotated to face in any direction and its height is also adjustable.
An FX-6 Surgical Assistant Droid stands on the other side of the chamber, administering a blood transfusion and stabilising organ damage during the procedure carried out upon Darth Vader. The shape of the body is excellent and I like the six articulated arms which are equipped with a range of pearl silver tools. Cannisters of red and yellow liquids also hang beside the droid and this entire assembly can be rotated while the rest of the figure remains stationary. A trans-neon orange disc represents the glowing data bank and this looks absolutely marvellous. In fact, the FX-6 might be favourite aspect of the set!
The primary functions in the set are based around the moment of Darth Vader's installation in his unique life support suit. You can rotate the operating table to switch between the wounded minifigure and Vader's more immediately recognisable form by turning a black dial. This feature is very similar to that found in 75137 Carbon-Freezing Chamber and also recalls 7251 Darth Vader's Transformation from 2005, although that one was operated manually rather than using a remote mechanism.
Turning the knob reveals the suited Darth Vader minifigure on the other side of the table. However, the transformation is not yet complete as the Sith Lord's helmet must be fitted separately. This is performed using a dedicated applicator crane and the mask is held between two rubber elements, just as it is in 8096 Emperor Palpatine's Shuttle. The helmet slots into place perfectly and the crane can then be retracted, thus completing Darth Vader's intimidating attire in readiness for inspection by the Emperor.
The operating table shifts to a vertical position by pushing the dial inwards and lines up nicely with the platform. Ideally the rest of the octagonal flooring would be set at the same height, although this would require many more pieces and there is still enough space for Palpatine to stand alongside his new apprentice. The alternative minifigure remains well hidden from most angles as the table is fairly wide, replicating the design from the film very effectively. Textured bricks add some extra detail and I like the dishes on the sides which represent pivots even though the assembly actually rotates around a fulcrum at the base.
Simple Technic mechanisms allow you to knock over the FX-6 droid and the lightsaber stand, recreating Darth Vader's destructive rage upon learning of Padmé's death. This is a fun feature but would be even better if the two levers were connected so that both structures fell together. Nevertheless, I always appreciate the efficient use of space to include additional functions, particularly in relatively small sets such as this one.
Overall
Darth Vader and Emperor Palpatine are two of the most popular characters in the entire Star Wars saga so seeing them together in a set costing £19.99 or $24.99 is very satisfying. I am sure this will be the decisive factor for many potential buyers as these figures have more frequently appeared in larger sets so have not been accessible to everybody in the past. However, the appeal of 75183 Darth Vader Transformation is not limited to these minifigures as the medical centre is quite nicely detailed and includes an impressive range of droids, my favourite of which is the FX-6 assistant with its rotating manipulator arms.
Furthermore, the play features are excellent, particularly those focused upon the actual transformation. I would have liked the operating table to rest horizontally rather than at an angle and the helmet applicator looks rather skeletal but it all works perfectly, allowing Darth Vader to step straight off the table and into the service of the Empire. I highly recommend the set to anyone who does not own these minifigures and it is worthy of consideration even if they already form part of your collection, although there are lots of other Star Wars sets competing for attention in this impressive summer wave!
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44 comments on this article
Vader is my favourite character in fiction , this is a must buy for me (UCS Vader Castle please Lego)
Of the other summer sets, the Bounty Hunter set is another must buy.
I am not a fan of the buildable figures, but am eagerly awaiting the reviews of the Scout Trooper and Speeder Bike.
Beyond that the Republic Fighter Tank and Jedi Starfighter with Hyperdrive are maybes, though the later what have to be on sale.
Wow, seems like a really awesome set. To be honest I'm not really a set-buyer anymore, since several years (just the minifigs), but for this one I'm willing to create some more space in my room and make an exception to buy it.
Love that battle-damaged Anakin figure.
Thanks for the great review!
Sweet! Thanks for the great review! I'm definitely picking this one up!
Easiest and cheapest way to get the new Vader and Palpatine minifig. Great review!
Only set I'm looking forward to this summer, thanks for the review! Makes me want it more!!
Good... good... this looks like a solid set - at this price point I cannot see many possible changes for the medical center. The minifigs are great, too, so I'll grab this as soon as it hits shelves. I can imagine it will sell out pretty quick.
Wow, this is the darkest scene in the entire Star Wars saga and I doubted a new version of Darth Vader Transformation would ever be released again. I was wrong, and despite the edgy-ness, I just... love this set.
I find my lack of Vader... Disturbing. That's why I'll get this. I'm currently obsessed with getting all the OT main characters, but it's annoying how many I'm missing, including Vader and the emperor. £20 for both is great! I wasn't planning on buying this, but hearing the price changes my mind. Fantastic review, and top-notch photography, as always.
I'll get it if I can afford it. I don't have Darth Sidious, so this would be a helpful addition to my collection. Great review, by the way.
Nooooooooooooooo!!
(sorry, someone had to do it)
Built this over the weekend - I can't count how many times I've transformed Vader already! Need to get a dark 2-1B tot complete the droids now.
This scene should also get a bit more limelight over the next few weeks as it features heavily in 1 of Marvels new Darth Vader series, where I believe we'll see the immediate aftermath of the scenes from ROTS.
Wow this set is awesome! Great review.
I have versions of both those characters from way back in the old Star Wars 1 minifig pack; it's fascinating to see how far their designs have come in the intervening 17 years. I'm not a buyer anymore; but still, thanks for the interesting review ^^
...wow. I've just made myself feel really old now.
Thanks for the review and pics. I have the old 2005 Darth Vader Transformation set. This is a great update--from the table mechanism, the medic droid, to the minifigs. I'm dying to have the newer Vader with the helmet. This set is a win!
@ra226 surely you mean DO NOT WANT
Very excited to be able to get a Darth Sidious minifigure.
Does anyone else think his face is too yellow?
Wait, is this the third time we se darth vader in that new mask... is he not included in 4 sets? Anyway this was a nice review cap.
Great, I'm sure my son will love to play with this set (and me too :) ), I like the detailed printing on the Anakin figure. Thanks for the information about the designers struggle with the legs etc, always interesting to read these...
Emperor Palpatine was also lately available in the cheap Dark Side book, and even a unique version of him. At 35€ I find the set a bit on the expensive side, but with 30% off I might get it, just for the Vader minifig, which is also still missing in this new form from my collection (Final Duel didn't do it for me).
Great review, though! I agree on the medical droid being really cool.
The versions of Vader and the Emperor I have are from the Final Duel set from like 2002 or something. The Emperor has a yellow face! Somehow I have avoided updating these minifigs so I think this is the set to do it. Can't wait!
Even though I own the Death Star Ultimate Duel from 2015 (although still sealed in bags) which has Vader and the Emperor, I feel tempted of getting this set. The moving table is simple but works so well. Also, they really nailed burnt Anakin. I've always wondered how they would make a figure of someone who has half legs and half an arm. Then they presented us with burnt Anakin with mechanical members attached which INDEED appears in the movie. Congrats to the designer.
I have the book Emperor so that would just be a cloak upgrade but I have been looking out for a decent Vader with removable mask which meant this set was first on the list to buy. That it has some good extras & playability is a huge bonus.
Now if only they'd do a decent Leia in a set like this
^An interrogation cell set at a similar scale to this would be nice. It could include Leia, Darth Vader, a Death Star Trooper, and maybe even Tarkin.
Kind of an odd thing to make a set out of, but as someone who has been an AFOL for over 5 years and has yet to own a Darth Vader figure (as he never appeared in smaller/cheaper sets in that whole time) I'm certainly excited about getting this for that reason alone.
If only this didn't remind me that Padme... *sigh*... "lost the will to live" : /
Oh well, cute (if a set depicting a terrible surgical procedure to make a child-murderer into a Sith can be called cute...) set!
^I'd highly suggest you look up the 'How Padme really died" theory. ;-)
That transformation function must have been what Anakin meant when he said he would try spinning.
It's a good trick.
Thanks to Robot Chicken, I cannot help but call that one droid Dr. Ball.
Damn you, Robot Chicken!
Nice set, but far too expensive. A 50% (!) markup versus the US pricing is simply ridiculous and unacceptable. (Even if one factors in the US VAT - which varies significantly, but even including local surtaxes never exceeds 14%).
So thanks, but no thanks, unless it happens to be heavily discounted.
ItzA great set for only £20
Regarding "Graphic designers have struggled to portray Darth Vader's lost limbs on previous renditions of the character but the quandary is solved here by the use of pearl silver legs.", I assume transparent Lego's could have been used like in the Silent Mary set.
http://img.bricklink.com/ItemImage/MN/0/poc041.png
Bought this already from my local Smyths store in the UK about a week ago. Its a great set for £20. Love the brick built med droids. Probably my favourite bits of the set. Definitely a must buy for any Darth Vader fans. Looks great in my display with the rest of my Star Wars sets.
Ooh this brings back memories of my very first Star Wars set, 7521, which is in a pretty bad state right now.
But I can't believe they remade the "Emperor Palpatine Surgical Reconstruction Centre" hahahhaha. Now for some Lego Woodoo hide :P
While this is a decent set, the only real reason I have for wanting to get it is because of the Redlettermedia video "The top ten things YOU didn't know about Darth Vader's suit!". It's got some great minifigures too, but I just acquired them, so an easy pass for me. Thanks for another solid reivew Capn, keep em coming :D
@jaisonline I was thinking the same thing, perhaps even his hands could be trans clear since they were loped off too,
Best set of the year so far, especially for the price.
@Brick_Knight - The Darth Vader minifigure in 75150 Vader's TIE Advanced vs. A-wing Starfighter wears the same helmet but is based on Star Wars Rebels. The printing on the torso and legs is accordingly different to that found in Original Trilogy sets.
Yea, thats explains it.
@coson
Yes yes YES! I would SO buy that! But maybe Luke in his stormie disguise just for that "aren't you a little short?" Scene as opposed to the death Star trooper. And what about an interrogator droid?
Great review got to have a set but as usual theres a problem on legos website. Cant search for the set number and its not listed under starwars :(
Will have to try again later
Dual-molded clear legs would have been perfect - although the silver is acceptable.
I just returned from the LEGO Store in Cologne. There the price for this set is 29.99 €.
Yeah, finally a proper John McClane minifig! :P
Absolutely have to get this. Such a major moment in Star Wars, love the Anakin mini fig, stoked to see the play features work well. Great review thanks!
7251 was the first Star Wars set I ever owned, as well as one of the first sets I remember at all. I'll probably pick this up for nostalgia's sake.