Given how LEGO Star Wars products are so vastly over-priced, this was a rare purchase for myself as I normally resist giving in to the 'large box - nice pictures' syndrome when you're actually in a LEGO store. I can be forgiven this time however, as I've recently rekindled my love for the original films and wanted a product to satisfy some cravings before the Blu-rays are released!
With an RRP of Twenty Five pounds, this is without a doubt one of the worser value Star Wars sets. With only 163 bricks and a model that measures little more than 17x8cm, you can do yourself a favour and get this product from Amazon as they have severely undercut most other retailers. My only guess for the high RRP is because of the inclusion of 5 minifigures that, arguably, add up to one of the main reasons you'd by this set. Its widely known that minifigures bump up the prices of sets these days (hence why the City products include so few), but because this product is based on a scene of the film which includes all the relevant characters, it was a great choice on LEGO's part to include them all.
The product is a vast improvement over the 1999 counterpart. Detail is fantastic throughout and the build was highly enjoyable because of this. I love the use of tubes in the front and how they were placed into the base, while the back section of the model - with the large engine in the centre - also reveals some storage space. The space is fairly small and sadly doesn't allow the lightsabers to fit in... So unless you want Luke and Obi Wan decapitating each other by accident, keep those 'sabers in-between the seating area!
On the bottom of the Landspeeder you have a variety of concave flat-pieces that allows the product to 'glide' over carpets or smooth surfaces. This is a very nice touch that gives a realistic and fun attribute to how the vehicle should move.
The mini-build is a tiny black and white droid that, if i'm correct, whizzed around in the air during the film, and it has a transparent stand to sit on which gives it a somewhat good illusion of floating in the air. Personally I don't think its the best addition since its not blindingly obvious what the build actually is, but its very small so no harm being included either.
Our Stormtrooper has some great detailing with an over-the-shoulder cape that represents his ranking, a blaster gun and a contraption for his backpack. It never ceases to amaze me how much detail can be put into those helmets!
I gladly recommend the product based purely on its authenticity and relevance to the original film itself. Its a well built, solid product that will please older fans for its detail and younger fans for its easy 'grasp' and lack of parts that are likely to fall off. As mentioned earlier, the only drawback is a lack of dedicated space for the lightsabers, so just improvise and use the cockpit/seating area.