After both sets were revealed yesterday, today I get to bring you my review of the two Clone Wars-themed additions to the LEGO® Star Wars Helmet Collection range. This year makes the 20th anniversary of the Clone Wars sub-brand of the wider Star Wars universe. Before the complaints begin, the 20th anniversary is being celebrated from the introduction of the animated Star Wars: Clone Wars series by Cartoon Network Studios and Genndy Tartakovsky. The 20th Anniversary is celebrating all things Clone Wars and not the introduction of a particular character or the prequel films. Although both characters have appeared in various Star Wars stories, it’s fair to say that the Clones are largely connected to the animated Star Wars adventures. The Helmet Collection was introduced in 2020 and features characters such as Darth Vader, Boba Fett, The Mandalorian and Luke Skywalker’s X-Wing helmet. Although each set is inspired by vastly different sources, they all follow a similar design style. Making the sets great display pieces.
The latest additions to the line-up include fan favourite clones CT-7567 aka Captain Rex and CC-2224 Commander Cody. Although they are characters who wear a similar style of armour, the sets both offer something unique. Here’s a look at both of the new sets.
75349: Captain Rex Helmet
Despite not being a live-action series, The Clone Wars has vastly expanded the Star Wars universe. It first aired on Cartoon Network but returning for new episodes on Disney+. It helped fans to learn more about the fabled war first mentioned in A New Hope as well as introducing many new characters. With the creation of the grand army of the republic, some of the clones played key roles in helping the Jedi fight the Droid Army. One such character was Captain Rex. He first appeared in the feature-length animated The Clone Wars movie, which combined the first few episodes of the animated series.
Product Details
Show respect for a great 501st Legion Clone Commander with this collectible, brick-built LEGO® Star Wars™ Captain Rex Helmet (75349) model for adults. Practice mindfulness as you capture every detail of the helmet, as seen in Star Wars: The Clone Wars. Add the buildable stand with a nameplate to complete an attention-grabbing display piece for your home or workplace.
- Set Name: Captain Rex
- Set Number: 75349
- Pieces: 854
- RRP: £59.99/$69.99/69.99€
- Number of Bags: Bags x 5
- Stickers: Sheet x 1
- Instructions: Booklet x 1
- Availability: LEGO Stores, LEGO Online & General Retail from March 1st
Captain Rex’s lid is built a little differently from most of the other Star Wars helmet sets. You begin by making a start on the core of the helmet. This uses a surprising wealth of elements to create such a small part of the set. That’s one of the nice things about the helmet builds. They might be quite small they take some buildings. With the core completed, it’s then added to the familiar-looking plinth. With these two sections connected, much of the detail which turns them into Rex’s helmet is added. These are built in different sections which clad the core. As the Clone helmets are quite rounded in design, in order to replicate it with LEGO elements quite a few small elements are used. This does require a lot of layering, which can be a little fiddly in places. I really like how the blue trim around the visor area has been achieved. That extends to the unique decal added to the front of the helmet.
As great as the Helmet Collection continues to be, so does the annoying use of stickers. The most noticeable of the stickers are those used for the ‘clanker’ tally on the dome of the helmet. There are also stickers to represent the vents on the rounded breather lip running around the base of the helmet. I’m sure there are reasons for the use of stickers but I still don’t like seeing them in these high-end sets. Especially when there is a very noticeable difference in colour between the sticker and the element it’s applied to.
Captain Rex: UKIrelandUSCanadaGermanyDenmarkAustraliaNew Zealand
75350: Clone Commander Cody Helmet
Commander Cody made his debut in the third prequel film, Revenge of the Sith. He was one of the first Clones to be given a nickname and was also one of the first to gain unique armour. As a character who has appeared in both ‘live-action’ and animated projects, his appearance has been tweaked a little, including changing armour-type. This LEGO Helmet Collection version of Cody’s lid is inspired by his Phase 1 armour.
Product Details
Pay homage to a loyal soldier with this collectible LEGO® Star Wars™ Clone Commander Cody Helmet (75350) build-and-display model for adults. Enjoy the mindful, satisfying process of recreating the distinctive contours of the helmet worn by this iconic character in Star Wars: The Clone Wars. A brick-built stand with a nameplate completes an eye-catching centrepiece.
- Set Name: Commander Cody
- Set Number: 75350
- Pieces: 766
- RRP: £59.99/$69.99/69.99€
- Number of Bags: Bags x 5
- Stickers: Sheet x 1
- Instructions: Booklet x 1
- Availability: LEGO Stores, LEGO Online & General Retail from March 1st
Similar to Rex’s helmet, Cody’s build begins with the innards of the helmet. This is a little less complex compared to some of the other sets. Once added to the black display stand, the core is used to build up the various details of the helmet. The shape of the Clone’s original helmets is quite simple compared to some of the later styles that include the original Stormtrooper. It is less curved than most but still features a few unique details. Especially as Cody’s has been modified with the orange visor and other orange trim. These have been nicely incorporated into the build.
Although it’s a simpler design of a helmet, it still requires a few interesting connection methods to achieve the slightest of detail. For example, the side sections of the helmet sit at a very slight angle, so these are clipped on in such a way to achieve it. Cody’s helmet also uses a few stickers but they are minimal and less noticeable. Due to where the stickers are applied, it’s understandable why they are stickers.
Commander Cody: UKIrelandUSCanadaGermanyDenmarkAustraliaNew Zealand
Overall
The introduction of the Helmet Collection has provided a cheaper and far easier range of sets for fans to enjoy. Although far smaller than a UCS set, they still provide a fairly in-depth build experience. So don’t be fooled that their size results in a simple build. One thing I like is how many elements are used to attain the most minor of detail and that is definitely shown in both of these new sets. Rex is slightly more detailed compared to Cody, due to the nature of the helmet style. But I think I like Cody’s helmet a little more. I know that there will be those who question why a certain phase of helmets has been chosen. But those chosen work for both of the characters, more so with Cody.
These sets were provided by the LEGO Group for purposes of review. The thoughts within this review are that of BricksFanz and do not reflect those of the LEGO Group or Disney. Providing a set for free does not guarantee a favourable opinion of the set.
