The LEGO® Star Wars universe has a surprising affinity for the festive period. Along with several years’ worth of LEGO Star Wars Advent Calendars, in 2020, Disney+ aired an animated special dubbed the LEGO Star Wars Holiday Special. This used Life Day as a backdrop for festive celebrations in a galaxy far, far away. The special was accompanied by the first retail Christmas Star Wars set, featuring a festively decorated section of the Millennium Falcon. Now, five years on, we are treated to another Christmas-themed Star Wars build in the form of a Gingerbread variant of an Imperial All Terrain Assault Transporter. Here’s a closer look at the upcoming Gingerbread AT-AT.
Product Details
Set Name: Gingerbread AT-AT Walker | Set Number: 40806 | Pieces: 1125 | Theme: Seasonal
Number of Bags: Bags x 5 | Instructions: Paper booklet + Builder App | Stickers: N/A | Characters: Gingerbread Darth Vader
RRP: £54.99/59.99€/$59.99/99.99AUD/79.99CAD
Availability: LEGO Stores & LEGO Online from October 1st
There have been numerous LEGO sets inspired by the Christmas period, but those based on licensed properties are rare. They also garner a lot more interest, especially when related to Star Wars. The AT-AT walkers have been recreated in LEGO many times before now, but beyond the obvious sweet treat makeover, none have been this small. It’s not exactly microscale; however, it works reasonably well at its current size. It has all the things you associate with an AT-AT, including movable legs and an interior. But instead of being treated with a garrison of Imperial troops, the interior is home to a festive nook, where Gingerbread Vader can warm himself by a fire and take time to feel his presents.
In place of the masses of grey armour, the AT-AT is clad in medium nougat pieces which perfectly ape the freshly baked surface of Gingerbread. Gingerbread Houses are an obvious source of inspiration for the AT-AT’s festive makeover, so it’s trimmed with various white elements as if glued together with icing. I especially like the use of white cake topper pieces on each of the AT-AT’s feet. In place of the usual greebling detail are colourful 1×1 round tiles and a string of ‘lights’. The AT-AT’s weaponry is a little less deadly than usual but certainly more delicious. Laser cannons are replaced with candy canes.
Probably one of the set’s biggest draws is the unique version of Darth Vader. The Dark Lord of the Sith isn’t really linked to an AT-AT beyond both being part of the Imperial ranks. But he is a far more interesting character to include than some random Imperial Trooper. In place of Vader’s usual black suit is a medium nougat-coloured one, including the helmet and mouthpiece. The head is also nougat-coloured but plain with no facial features. In this colour, the helmet feels a little ‘unfinished’ despite the black version being the same. The detailing on Vader’s suit looks like piped icing. The cape is also unique, continuing with the Gingerbread theme.
It’s a fun set, and who would have thought a Gingerbread version of an Imperial vehicle would work so well? The Vader minifigure is also a unique bonus, but overall, it does feel like another overpriced Star Wars set. For the price tag, you’d expect at least another minifigure. An Imperial Snowtrooper Snowman would be a good choice, with minimal effort needed to make the standard minifigure more festive. The LEGO Star Wars Gingerbread AT-AT will be available from October 1st, exclusively through LEGO retail channels.
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The LEGO Group provided this set to BricksFanz for this review. However, the thoughts expressed in this review are those 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.
