[Review] 2014 AT-AT 75054

[AFOLguy1970]

This looks like a nice set. I have feeling this will be popular this year along with the snowspeeder, especially when we get toward the holidays.

So I have to ask, does anyone who has this/is planning on getting this hoping for at least one good snowfall so you can actually put this thing out in the snow? I live in Fort Worth, TX, so a good snowfall would be lucky, but if it happens, that would make a nice photo shoot.

[Chills]

I live in the Chicago area. Chances are we'll get some snow this winter. That's a good idea to put the set along with my other Hoth sets out in the backyard for a photoshoot.

[rollermonkey]

Anybody else tempted to try this at the end of step 4?

All Terrain Armoured Turtle?

Edited August 7, 2014 by rollermonkey

[CT-3030]

Nice, now we need a snowspeeder review.

[Lancethecat]

Nice review! This set looks great, and the price isn't too hard to swallow either. But the figures are another case of LEGO trying to improve on perfection in this wave. The skirts look weird and the Imperial Officer has way too much detail on his face.

[Jdurg]

I do agree that the "skirts" look odd, and perhaps wonder if it would have been better if they were hard plastic moldings that were placed between the legs and the torso. Since you can't sit the minifigs down with the "skirt" on anyway, it wouldn't be a problem.

I was just happy that the AT-AT was re-released this year. As I came out of my dark ages three or four months back, I had missed out on a LOT of sets. Thankfully, due to some great financial planning when I was laid-off from my previous job a couple years back, and a massive reduction in frivolous spending, I was able to get quite a lot of sets fairly rapidly. Heh. I'm now pretty much out of room to be putting sets I've bought, and I guess that's a good thing as it's keeping me from coughing up the $600 or so to get the Super Star Destroyer that I REALLY want to buy. Haha.

Anyway, with regards to the 2014 AT-AT, I again think that TLG did a really good job of capturing the look of the machine. Yes, the interior of the AT-AT is barren and doesn't have anything going on like previous versions did, but that's pretty much the case with all sets these days. Something that is somewhat disappointing with modern Lego sets. While the accuracy and detail of the main features are light years better, the inclusion of little side "things" that aren't the main set are missing. (Things like Yoda's hut on Dagobah with the X-Wing, a stand to house the B-Wing on, and other little nick-knacks to compliment the sets).

While the interior of the AT-AT is barren, is that really a huge deal? Many of us AFOLs display the set with the side panels closed anyway, so an empty interior doesn't mean much. For me, I have my AT-AT displayed with one of the extra "ropes" from the Death Star (10188) set attached to the bottom and Luke Skywalker hanging on to it. It's a neat little addition to the set. I've also got the Snowspeeder with the winch rope attached to the legs while the head of the AT-AT is pointing towards the Hoth Echo Base set I have.

[rollermonkey]

Nice, now we need a snowspeeder review.

I'm going to do one for Reviewers' Academy after Final Exams tomorrow.

Chem161 and Calculus III

Wish me luck.

[Flieger]

Anyway, with regards to the 2014 AT-AT, I again think that TLG did a really good job of capturing the look of the machine. Yes, the interior of the AT-AT is barren and doesn't have anything going on like previous versions did, but that's pretty much the case with all sets these days.

[...]

While the interior of the AT-AT is barren, is that really a huge deal? Many of us AFOLs display the set with the side panels closed anyway, so an empty interior doesn't mean much.

I have to disagree on these points. Taking a look at what was done with the new AT-AP inside, there could have been so much more inside of the AT-AT. Even the AT-TE with a relatively spartan troop compartment in the rear at least had such a troop compartment that can be recognized as such. With all the space in the AT-AT at least some features could be in. Even an empty room would be better than seeing all the technic struts.

It looks like you can easily add a troop compartment yourself, though. I wonder what could be done.

As for having it closed anyway... with that set, you have to have it closed.

No seriously, part of the charm Lego has is the playability. I don't want a scale model, I want a set I can toy around with from time to time. And if I were a kid I would like a play-set that can make good use of the minifigs. Take the AT-TE again: you can see the gunner and the driver "at work". On a lesser extend this is true for the AT-AP with its nice hatches to have a look into the cockpit. But if I put the AT-AT driver and the commander in the vehicle, you cannot see them. The minifigs are wasted. And that is the real shame for they are brilliant! I know it is an almost impossible task making them visible inside the set due to the scale, but that is why the troop compartment is so important to me - it is the only space you can "realistically" open up to see the interior.

Don't misunderstand me, I think the set is nice and were I an OT collector I would buy it. (For some strange reason I am a PT collector, although I like the OT films a lot better...).

Edited August 14, 2014 by Flieger

[Ki-Adi-Mundi]

Thank you for this insightful review!

I already own 8129 and initially intended to not buy this one. After reading your review and glancing at the nice pictures, i reconsidered and got one for several reasons. While i am not the greatest of friends to the redesign of the new snowies (although i suppose the white skirts look better on them than anticipated), i think that the new AT-AT itself is a very good reiteration. I like the bigger cockpit for two minifigs and also the durable and poseable construction. It looks a bit more massive than the old one and also does not fall over that easily. Last but not least - it never is a mistake to have more than one AT-AT for any serious imperial strike force.

Again - thanks for your effort - and i would love to see this review indexed.

Edited: typos

Edited September 5, 2014 by Ki-Adi-Mundi

[Retro]

I was lucky enough to get this set for Christmas, and in the flesh it is really excellent. I had thought that the proportions looked odd in the box art, it looked like the AT-AT was wearing clogs or flares. But in person it's fine. The shape looks great. The model is a dense, dark, technical thing and the figures are excellent, especially the sand blue type colours for General Veers and the Pilot. Two thumbs up.