Good Soldiers buy Clone Helmets
by Lukas Mack
LEGO treated Clone Wars fans in March with not only one but two iconic character helmets from the much-beloved series. Earlier I had the opportunity to take a look at Captain Rex and this time we’re back with Commander Cody set 75350. At the same LEGO RRP of $99.99 (or maybe a deal at Amazon $75 at the time of this post going live!) but with about 90 pieces less at 766, how does Cody stack up to his junior officer?
These helmets follow a familiar build pattern starting with a cube shape, adding the black stand that is uniform across the range before forming the sides. There’s a rhythm here I’m actually becoming increasingly appreciative of: Something to occupy an afternoon but not overstay its welcome. In contrast to the Rex Helmet, this is one of the more sturdy constructions of the series and there are precious few compromises made owing to shape and scale. I can complain about the 9 stickers –every adult collector can – but the build is solid in both structure and form. The commander would approve.
Speaking of form, Cody’s helmet here is the ‘Phase 1’ design seen earlier in The Clone Wars. There are fewer curves, more angles and with the distinctive bright orange visor, fin and antenna, the helmet really is bold and striking perched on its black plinth. The face is also more accurate when compared to Rex, owing largely to those less complex shapes. The mouth isn’t exactly perfect but thankfully extends a few studs wider, further emphasising the already sharp contrast of that black on white. Some surprising attention was paid to the back of the helmet too with the depth and variation in the grey pattern some of the smoothest work on the entire model. If I had to nitpick though, and I do since it’s my job, the chin has some slightly awkward gaps and should be indented from below just a tad. I also find the 1×2 tow ball piece attaching the antenna in light bluish grey to be a little distracting in that colour: be orange like the rest already.
Shoulder-to-shoulder (so to speak) with the Rex, these two make as great a pairing in helmet form as they do on-screen. The Commander Cody set may have slightly fewer pieces but that makes little difference in the end product. Rather, Cody’s helmet is the more solid and accurate of the two. Whether Cody is your favourite character and this is your first helmet set or you’re a seasoned and discerning collector of the plastic brick, I cannot see either being disappointed. LEGO continues to maintain the pride of the Grand Army of the Republic, now here’s hoping fans don’t have to wait an eternity for the next Clone Wars Helmet. Is it too early to ask for a Bad Batch helmet? Just putting that out there LEGO.
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Words by Lukas Mack
Photos by Lukas Mack
Editors Note:
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This set was provided free of charge by The LEGO Group. Opinions expressed in the review are those of the reviewer
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