When Star Wars was first released in 1977, it not only changed cinema forever it was a film filled with iconic moments. Even though it would be many years later before I experienced a galaxy far, far away, one particular moment stood out for me. In the closing moment of A New Hope, the Empire’s Death Star has been destroyed and the Rebel forces gather on Yavin IV to celebrate their victory. As John Williams’ rousting score swells, our heroes enter the temple base’s grand hall, where they are presented with medals, well all apart from Chewbacca. I just really love the moment, so much so, back in my Star Wars costuming days, I created a Massassi Temple Guard costume. Now the hidden Rebel Base has been transformed into a LEGO® Star Wars set, which features an impressive line-up of characters. Ahead of the set’s release, here’s a closer look at the Yavin 4 Rebel Base set.
Product Details
Set Name: Yavin 4 Rebel Base | Set Number: 75365 | Pieces: 1066 | Theme: LEGO Star Wars
RRP: £149.99/$169.99/169.99€ | Number of Bags: Bags x 11 | Instructions: Paper booklet + Builder App | Stickers: Sheet x 1 | Minifigures: Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia, Han Solo, Chewbacca, C-3PO, General Dodonna, Jon Vander, Garven Dreis, Rebel Fleet Trooper and Rebel Crew plus R2-D2 and R2-BHD
Availability: LEGO Stores, LEGO Online & General Retail from August 1st
We first visit Yavin IV during the events of the very first Star Wars film. It’s home to a hidden Rebel Base which is soon located by the Empire. As the Imperial Fleet closed in, Yavin IV became a hive of activity as the Rebel Alliance prepared for their counterattack. Yavin IV is one of many moons orbiting Yavin and is covered in a dense jungle, with numerous ancient structures repurposed to house the Rebel forces. Those structures appear to be inspired by Mayan culture and are also the focus of this new LEGO Star Wars set. The build is spread across multiple instruction booklets, offering the ability for the set to be built by multiple people at the same time.
As Yavin IV acts as a base for the Rebel Alliance, much of their Starfighter fleet is housed within the temples. The set only features one but thankfully it’s a Y-wing and not yet another version of an X-wing. It’s been a while since an original trilogy-era Y-wing has featured in a set. The one featured in this set has been scaled down but it doesn’t lack detail. The compact nature of the ship does mean its minifigure pilot needs to recline in the cockpit and the Astromech Droid does protrude a little but I appreciate it can be inserted into the ship.
The temple structure has been greatly minimised but it still manages to include areas featured during key moments from the film. The temple is built in four different sections which are then combined to create the temple. To capture the unique angles of the temple, there are a few unusual building methods used, mostly found in the central tower section. This part of the structure is quite minimal in terms of detail, The top section is used to recreate the hall in which the medal ceremony takes place. It’s a much, much smaller area but you can just about recreate the closing scene of A New Hope, even if it’s quite a squeeze. Below is a large open section, which represents the opening of a hanger bay.
The rest of the Rebel base has a little more detail to it. Similar to the central sections, the side panels have two levels. The lower sections expand the hanger bay area but aren’t overly detailed apart from a couple of weapon racks and a wall panel featuring the Rebel Alliance insignia. The upper levels of both of the side sections double as the briefing room and the command room. The term ‘room’ is used very loosely as they are merely platforms but they do try to include elements from key moments seen during the film. So one side includes the vector graphic-style screen used by General Dodonna to detail the assault on the Death Star. On the opposite platform is the command ‘room’ complete with the radar display charting the approaching Death Star movement into firing range and possible destruction of Yavin IV.
The set includes a few smaller builds to add some extra details. These include a personnel transporter, which is used to ferry people around the base. This is a great recreation of what we see during the film and I like it can also seat several characters thanks to the use of jumper plates. The other buildable sections become part of the temple but are built separately. This includes one of the tall watch tower pods used to keep watch over the base and scan incoming ships. It’s built as if it was mounted on a tree and the pod can even be raised or lowered. This and a slightly random grassy plate can be connected to either side of the main temple structure.
The minifigures featured in various LEGO Star Wars sets are the biggest draw for fans and this set hits the mark in that regard. It includes an impressive 12 characters including some new faces, updated designs and a few returning favourites. General Dodonna is a fairly important character, leading the briefing on the Death Star attack. Amazing, he’s only appeared in one other LEGO set and this version is the same as the one to be released in 2021. He has gained a baton to assist with pointing. There are two unnamed Rebel personnel featured in the set, one is a Rebel Trooper, who is placed within the lookout tower. It’s the same basic design as previous Rebel Troopers but drops the flash of skin on the torso but does include a spear and scanner gun. The other is a Rebel Technician who is kitted out in brick-yellow overalls. Although it features the same helmet as the Rebel Trooper, the tech ditches the black visor. The tech pairs nicely with the personnel transporter.
As Yavin IV acts as a base for much of the Rebel Fleet’s starfighters, it’s not surprising the set would feature some of them. There are two Rebel Pilots who are both kitted out in the orange flight suit, the detail on this is excellent, in particular how the design on the torso flows flawlessly onto the legs. As well as having the same torso and legs, both pilots have the same heads as well. They are unique thanks to their helmets and these are cool. Red Leader Garven Dreis features a yellow helmet, I think he’s my favourite minifigure featured in the set. Jon Vander is the leader of the Gold Squadron and the pilot of the Y-wing, he has a white pilot helmet, decorated with olive green detail. A pilot needs a trusty Droid and Vander is partnered with Astromech Droid R2-BHD. This is the same design as Artoo but is created from grey pieces. Unfortunately, it lacks any print detail on the back, still, it’s a cool-looking Droid.
Princess Leia has been featured in many outfits and this version of the character is sort of a mash-up of previous versions. During the model ceremony, Leia is wearing her ‘celebration’ outfit, which was previously featured in a set from 2012. A similar torso is used here, but it’s paired with the more recent skirt element. She also borrows a hairpiece created for Padmé in one of the 20th Anniversary sets. Artoo and Threepio are the same versions as those found in the Trash Compactor diorama, so Artoo does have print detail on the rear. C-3PO is OK, especially thanks to the print on the arms, it’s just a shame it lacks the dual-moulded leg.
Finally, the set also features, Luke, Han and Chewie. Han and Chewbacca continue the designs used in the most run recent sets. Han’s torso has been updated with a better design for his vest and unfortunately, the tan shirt he wears is a little washed out due to being printed on a darker surface. He also the addition of a medal. This uses the medal element introduced alongside the 2012 Team GB minifigures. It’s the perfect element to represent the Medal of Yavin and looks way better than it being printed on the torso. Luke also sports a medal that perfectly pairs with the very 70s-inspired outfit he wears during the closing moments of A New Hope. Luke wearing his yellow jacket was previously featured in a Visual Dictionary from DK Books so it’s great to finally have an updated version.
Overall
The Yavin IV base isn’t an easy location to recreate in a LEGO set. Every moment the Aztec-style temple is shown during Star Wars A New Hope and later in Rogue One, it’s portrayed as a vast space, both inside and out. The set does a fairly good job of gelling together key moments that take place in the base. The Y-wing is a nice addition, especially as it’s been a while since we’ve had a classic-style Y-wing and although this isn’t as detailed as some past versions, it’s still a great version. For many, the appeal of the set will be the minifigures and rightly so, as it’s an impressive line-up. I like that it includes some random characters as well as the big guns such as Luke, Leia, Han and co. Ships and vehicles have become the focus of many LEGO Star Wars sets, but it’s nice to see locations such as Yavin. I do think the set would have benefited from being part of the Master Builder Series, a higher piece count could have offered a much better take on the Rebel base. Still, as it is, the set offers a decent playset and an impressive line-up of characters, albeit with a rather high price point. Yavin 4 Rebal Base will be available from August 1st.
Shop Now: UKIrelandUSCanadaGermanyDenmarkAustraliaNew Zealand
This set was provided to BricksFanz.com by the LEGO Group for review purposes. The thoughts within this review are those of BricksFanz.com and do not reflect those of the LEGO Group or Disney. Providing the set for free does not guarantee a favourable opinion of the set.
