Set specifications
Price: $64.99/£59.99
Model Number: 75440
Number of pieces: 525
Dimensions: 6.5 x 7.5 x 4.5 inches / 17 x 19 x 11 cm
Recommended age: 18+
There have been many Lego Star Wars AT-ATs over the years, all coming in different shapes and sizes. We’ve had micro scale, motorized, giant Ultimate Collector’s Series and just about everything in between.
After all, this is more than just an AT-AT; it’s an entire diorama that brings a moment from the Star Wars movies to life. It captures a moving AT-AT while a tiny Snowspeeder tries to stop it by wrapping its animal legs in rope. The sense of motion captured by Lego, which I’ll go into in more detail in this review, is just one of the reasons I love this set so much.
Given the budget-friendly price and the fact that it looks so amazing, I’m pretty sure this is a model destined for a spot on our best Lego Star Wars sets list. Whether you want it as a standalone piece or to add to a growing Lego Star Wars collection, I don’t think you’ll be disappointed.
Lego Star Wars AT-AT Review: Build
- Mostly fun and okay
- The legs feel repetitive
- Experienced youngsters could cope with this without any problems
The Lego AT-AT is a set designed for adults over 18, but there’s nothing too demanding here that should stop an experienced youngster from tackling it. It’s mostly a fun build, one that will probably take around 90 minutes to two hours to complete. While there are some neat techniques used here, it can also get a bit repetitive at times.
You’ll start by building the central structure of the AT-AT, and from here you’ll work on adding the legs and head. The head is a prominent part of the build for us and makes excellent use of parts. It looks great when it’s done; despite its size compared to the larger and more expensive Lego AT-ATs of yesteryear, it has all the details needed and is instantly recognisable.
Building the legs is where the Lego AT-AT gets a little repetitive. Three of these are identical, so it’s up to you whether you tackle them one by one or try to build three at once. The fourth leg is treated separately simply because it is bent, but it is not so different from the three that came before it. It gets a little tedious, but the size of the set means it doesn’t take too long to complete.
Lego Star Wars AT-AT Review: Design
- One leg is bent to give the impression of movement
- The speeder is held by a translucent rod, which looks like a tow cable
- The head is also attached with a rod, which allows for some movement
There are a few things to note about the design of the Lego AT-AT. First, the structure of the AT-AT itself allows for some head movement. It’s built separately from the main body, then attached via a rod, which is a clever idea and ultimately makes it feel more solid than it would as a single unit. Having some movement adds to the sense of momentum the set is trying to capture, and it works to great effect.
Next is the bottom of the set. Although clearly designed to sit alongside other mid-sized Lego Star Wars sets such as the Acclamator-Class Assault Ship and Executor Super Star Destroyer, the base is not entirely uniform with these. That’s to be expected, given how different an AT-AT is from a flying ship, but it’s something worth keeping in mind if you want to display this as part of a series. However, it still has a printed showpiece and I think it looks amazing whether on its own or part of a set.
It’s really hard to criticize much of the AT-AT’s design, honestly. The Lego designers have done a fantastic job of shrinking a huge Star Wars icon into a small package. It may pale in comparison to the now-retired UCS AT-AT, but given the price difference between the two, I know which one I’d rather have on my shelves. This one does not command an entire desktop to display either.
One of our favorite things is the way it so easily captures the sense of movement. With the AT-AT’s legs positioned as if it’s trying to take a step, it’s very easy to imagine it slowly but powerfully moving along a battlefield, all while a snowspeeder fights to stop it. Held by a translucent rod, it really does look like the snow speeder is flying independently of the AT-AT. A very nice effect indeed.
Should you buy the Lego Star Wars AT-AT?
Yes! I have absolutely no doubt that you should buy the Lego AT-AT. If you’ve never bought a Lego version of the AT-AT before, this is an excellent version to add to your collection. And even if you have, this one is different enough to merit a purchase anyway. It looks great, it’s an accurate representation, it’s a nice build and it doesn’t cost the earth: what more could you ask for?
Other sets to consider
Given that I think the Lego Star Wars AT-AT would look great alongside some of Lego’s recent mid-sized Star Wars ships, a worthy alternative is the Acclamator-Class Assault Ship. At a similar price and size, this very nicely designed ship looks great on any desktop surface, and I think it’s one of the best Star Wars sets in recent years.
If you want something with a little more…characterhow about the festive Gingerbread AT-AT? I think both sets would look great side by side – and in fact, despite having more than 150 extra parts, the Gingerbread AT-AT is $5 cheaper. Find it out.
