I'll be honest; when I first completed building this latest version of everyone's favourite astromech droid, I was a little underwhelmed. It's small - a lot smaller than I was expecting, even after checking all the specifications and measurements before purchasing. But once on display, it's really grown on me as a highly-detailed and visually-pleasing build.

The build process itself is really satisfying - R2 feels strong and sturdy, and at no point did it become too repetitive or tedious. There's some clever colour-coding whilst building the internal structure, which means it's not too complicated for younger builders either. The smaller scale compared to the previous UCS sets means the body is smooth and rounded, and from a distance you don't even notice the studs on R2's head, again given the impression of a totally rounded finish. I'd go as far to say that, at a glance, it doesn't even register as a LEGO build at first - a compliment in this case to the finish and level of detail.

Although there are a few small "playability" features such as the removable periscope and utility tools, the addition of an information plaque means this R2-D2 is primarily for display. The R2 minifigure included is as detailed as ever, and the bonus Darth Malak minifigure is a fun addition, especially for "Old Republic" fans.

I was lucky enough to pick up this R2 at a discount; if I'd paid the £89.99 RRP I would probably have felt even more underwhelmed at first, even though, at over 1,000 pieces, the RRP price isn't unreasonable. However, at the price-point I got, I'm very happy with this set. It scales perfectly with the newer 75398 C-3PO set, and I'm looking forward to getting these 2 iconic droids side-by-side.

I've tried many of the Lego light companies and Light my Bricks is the best I've found. I've used many of their 1.0 kits on my Lego models and they always amaze and impress me so I was a little skeptical when they came out with the 2.0. Well I got this kit to try it out and I can truly say this is revolutionary in the way to do Lego lighting.

The new flat metal ribbon wires are just so much easier to use than the old braided ones and be cause they are so impossibly thin they fit between everything. They are a lot more sturdy and I think a lot less likely to short out. Gone are the days of bunching the braided wires between blocks leaving a gap that then destabilizes your lego structures. They just plug and play and I no longer need a magnifying glass to plug them in or worry about direction and polarity. And the instructions are just so clear and easy to use. The 3D, single page, single step instructions make it absolutely clear what needs to be done.

Well done light my bricks and would highly recommend to the expert and novice lego lighter alike!! Can't wait to see more kits created for more sets!! I would even consider relighting some of my finished models with this new system.

This is a great model of R2-D2. If you are a fan of this little astromech, then this is the droid you've been looking for.

However, I am a fan of Knights of the Old Republic, and I woud have passed this set up if not for the EXCLUSIVE figure of Darth Malak. And I don't know how I feel about this.

On the one hand, Lego played me. They know they can release a popular character like R2-D2 and it will sell more than a theme appropriate pairing like T3-M4, the real hero of KotoR II. It feels like they are taking advantage of a fan like me and playing both sides of the coin instead of making a set that I actually want to own and build (more expanded universe stuff!)

On the other...I suppose I could look at this as a bonus. Hey, we get a figurine of Darth Malak! How cool is that! I would never have expected LEGO to make something from KotoR but here we are and I love it. And yes, that's why I wanted to own this set.

So to Lego...you know us pathetic millenials are buying toys pretending they are for our kids. Just make some more expanded universe stuff and have us gobble it up. Let's see more KotoR stuff, Jedi Knight, Shadows of the Empire, etc. And also...thank you for making Darth Malak. Even though I had to buy another R2-D2 to get him. But it is a really good R2-D2 so...thanks for that too. :)

Great project, separated into twelve sections to build and assemble. Instructions make it reasonably easy to assemble if you follow it closely. You may find yourself with a small assortment of pieces left at the end of your build, and this is perfectly normal!

When taking the items out of the packaging, take care to look for the sheet of stickers. Easily misplaced!!

Great to see the whole thing coming together as you build out. Head swivels. Legs also move, and the removable tripod legs allows for stability in display. Shame that Lego haven't made the tools a foldable piece, but fitting them is easy enough

And such a great display piece!