Review: 40623 Battle of Endor Heroes
Posted by CapnRex101,
BrickHeadz have portrayed Star Wars characters since 2017, although various favourites from the saga have never been represented. 40623 Battle of Endor Heroes therefore looks good, providing unique BrickHeadz designs for R2-D2 and Lando Calrissian!
Wicket also joins the roster, while these versions of Luke and Leia differ considerably from the previous models. Those figures were relatively unremarkable, so hopefully these are superior.
Summary
40623 Battle of Endor Heroes, 549 pieces.
£39.99 / $39.99 / €39.99 | 7.3p/7.3c/7.3c per piece.
Buy at LEGO.com »
Although these five BrickHeadz are good, none could be considered exceptional
- Broad selection of characters
- Accurate and detailed costumes
- R2-D2 looks odd in BrickHeadz form
The set was provided for review by LEGO. All opinions expressed are those of the author.
The Completed Model
Luke Skywalker's famous attire from the climax of Return of the Jedi translates quite effectively to BrickHeadz form, despite lacking the complex textures common among the most impressive figures. I like the dark brown belt and light bluish grey buckle, that comprises two 1x1 half circle tiles, so looks reasonably accurate to the film.
Beyond the standard eyes, the only printed element is a 2x2 tile, recreating the folded flap which appears onscreen. This is an essential addition because Luke's garb would otherwise be almost uniformly black. Additionally, dark tan works nicely for Luke's hair, while this combination of tiles, slopes and wedge plates provides ample texture. The length seems ideal too.
Unfortunately, there is a noticeable colour difference between the 2x2 curved slopes and the left-side 1x2 curved wedge slope on the back of the head. This is particularly odd because the mirrored element looks fine. Otherwise though, the figure is well-executed, but not outstanding within the BrickHeadz range.
Admittedly, Luke Skywalker was unlikely to be outstanding because there was little opportunity for unusual features. R2-D2 represents the polar opposite, as the beloved Astromech droid has really stretched the BrickHeadz format! Most significantly, the character's traditionally rounded body and head are extremely angular, with a 2x2 dish on top providing the only curvature.
The model does look odd, although its proportions are excellent and some compromises were needed to adapt Artoo for a BrickHeadz design. The printed pieces on the front and around the droid's head are very successful, especially since the dome is predominantly metallic silver. I am pleased with the dark blue parts as well, but another printed tile on the reverse would have been helpful.
Lando Calrissian makes his BrickHeadz debut here as well, featuring his Rebel Alliance general garb. I would have preferred the character's Baron Administrator attire from The Empire Strikes Back, but this costume is distinctive. The mixture of blue shades with nougat appears accurate, alongside a dark brown tile, representing Lando's shoulder holster.
The 1x2 tile lines up beside a printed 1x3 brick, including the holster strap and a metallic silver rank badge. Another decorated component represents a moustache, while Calrissian's hair is assembled from a variety of slopes and curved slopes. I like the 1x1 bows across the front in particular, distinguishing Lando's hairstyle from other BrickHeadz.
Similar pieces are placed on the back, with curved slopes providing an appealing shape around both sides. A variety of curved slopes, wedge plates and tiles comprise Lando Calrissian's ever-resplendent cape, which is smoother than the capes worn by several other BrickHeadz figures, so corresponds with the onscreen character.
Befitting his small stature, Wicket W. Warrick follows the established 3x3 template for smaller BrickHeadz figures, rather than the standard 4x4 dimensions. The dark orange hood contrasts nicely against the dark tan fur on Wicket's face, with two ears poking out on top. Moreover, I like the occasional studs across the hood, introducing some texture.
Another decorated 1x3 brick appears on the young Ewok's torso, featuring an additional patch of dark tan fur. The back of the figure is less detailed, although the realistic shape of the hood continues and I like the clips, which form Wicket's arms. A brick-built spear is held in his right hand and looks good, but I think the tip is too sharp for roughly-hewn Ewok weapons.
The fifth of these BrickHeadz figures is my favourite. Princess Leia looks splendid in her sand green and dark green camouflage from the Forest Moon, with parts alternating between those colours wherever possible. The printed belt works well too, again integrated beside a 1x2 tile to form a holster, akin to Lando's design.
I like the asymmetry of Leia's poncho, while her helmet captures accurate detail too. The dark green band and dark tan sections are superb, with black flaps partly covering her hair on each side. Additionally, Leia carries a printed cookie to give to Wicket, overcoming his initial concern upon discovering this unknown person in the woods!
Dark green and sand green elements continue across the back, again making up a camouflage pattern. The three-piece hood is recognisable and this figure also includes sand green trousers to match the character's film attire, unlike the recent minifigure in 75353 Endor Speeder Chase. Between these five figures, I definitely consider Leia the most visually interesting.
Overall
The success of BrickHeadz is often reliant upon their inspiration, as characters with outlandish costumes and hairstyles are usually better. 40623 Battle of Endor Heroes lacks this advantage, although these designs are executed quite well. All five are faithful to their respective onscreen counterparts, with Leia and Wicket standing out as my two favourites.
R2-D2 is perhaps the least convincing, although that relates more to the nature of BrickHeadz models than its actual design. Similar to EVE from 40619 EVE & WALL•E, the character really requires some curvature, which BrickHeadz inherently lack. For the price of £39.99, $39.99 or €39.99, I think seasoned BrickHeadz collectors will be satisfied with this set, but none of these models stand out as essential.
92 likes
28 comments on this article
No Han? Come on.
Thats the kind of brick built R2 that the new UCS X-Wing needed, although not that model exactly lol.
idk what you mean, artoo (as always) looks adorable :)
Lando and Wicket are great. These are very good. Artoo is idiotic looking.
R2-D2 looks awful but the rest are well realised.
Luke's hair doesn't work at all for me, unfortunately. His hair should flow smoothly from left to right, across his forehead and over his right ear, but it's oddly broken up before it transitions to the side. The curved slopes on top appear too tall as well and make it look parted on the wrong side. I'm not sure what reference material they were looking at...
All of the others (except maybe R2) look fantastic.
Hoping to get a Han and Chewie 2 pack soon, since I missed out on the first versions
@toothctrlv I agree
R2 looks like they comically hit their head on a wall or crushed by an anvil
To me, it seems weird to call R2-D2 badly designed, as though the BrickHeadz/Funko-Pop characters don't already look like all the personality was sucked out of their faces. :P
@EtudeTheBadger said:
"No Han? Come on."
Wouldn’t be diverse enough with Han…or something idk
Artoo is still the main reason I want this set. The others are nice (Leia's cookie is a particularly cute touch), but I likely won't be getting this set. Now, if they'd done an Artoo and Threepio two-pack, that'd be a day one purchase. "I would have preferred the character's Baron Administrator attire from The Empire Strikes Back, but this costume is distinctive." This seems an odd thing to say, considering the set's name. He didn't wear that outfit on Endor, although I do agree that a Brickheadz Lando in that outfit would be nice. Maybe in a two-pack with Lobot?
I actually think R2 is the best out of all of them. Followed by the Ewok. Couldn’t care less about the other 3. Luke’s silver belt buckle is too low. Almost looks like something else.
@EtudeTheBadger said:
"No Han? Come on."
They already did him in carbonite for brickheadz, only that was a SDCC exclusive I think, unfourtunately.
If only this set had a Brickheadz Jabba. That would really complete the pack!
I recently MOCed the Ghost crew from Rebels into Brickheadz form (pre- bad Ezra haircut), and used this design of Artoo to create Brickheadz C1-10P (Chopper), and I'd say he turned out really well!
As a BrickHeadz fan I actually love R2-D2, but I can see how it wouldn't be everyone's cup of tea.
@brickwich said:
"As a BrickHeadz fan I actually love R2-D2, but I can see how it wouldn't be everyone's cup of tea."
Agreed.
@ozbrickcreator said:
"If only this set had a Brickheadz Jabba. That would really complete the pack!"
He was neither a hero nor on Endor. although your comment does have me really wondering what a Brickheadz Jabba would look like.
I think Wicket would have been massively improved by using 1x1 bows (as seen on Lando’s fringe) to represent ears.
Pretty cute otherwise tho.
@ozbrickcreator said:
" @EtudeTheBadger said:
"No Han? Come on."
They already did him in carbonite for brickheadz, only that was a SDCC exclusive I think, unfourtunately."
See 41608.
R2's dome needs to be a 3x3 dish instead of a 2x2, perhaps?
I guess we'll see when I receive mine and mod it... if I can find any 3x3 silvery dish pieces in my collection.
Otherwise, these look pretty good. the Solo Han brickheadz could also be added with some moding of his jacket to a camo poncho.
Honestly, R2 is the only one tempting me. A 2 pack would likely have compelling, though I get why brickheads are tending towards larger collections at this point.
Warrick looks more rounded than R2
R2-D2 looks fun! Glad to see they stuck to the blocky look.
Wicket should 100% had a little 1x1 corner tile nose - like my MOC - it almost looks like he’s missing it!
*Godfather voice on*
"Look how they massacred my droid!"
Yeah, I guess R2 is the weakest, but I still like the look of him. We always have 41486 to remind us how inaccurate and awful Brickheadz could get.
I think they look great. I enjoyed building all 4 of them. Only thing I would have fixed on R2 would be to replace that clear brick he floats on with something that looks like his drop down leg and a back printing.
Lando is my favorite of the bunch, with Wicket and Leia tied for second place.