It’s no secret that I love the Original Star Wars Trilogy. To this day I hold The Empire Strikes Back as the greatest movie ever made. I know I’m not alone in my love of the Original Trilogy. From the perennial hero in Luke Skywalker, to the everyman in Han Solo, to the supremely confident leader in Princess Leia. However, one thing has always irked me when it comes to how many fans view the cast of the OT. For many, they speak of “the big three”. By that, they mean Luke, Han and Leia. However, there’s always a glaring omission in that sentiment. There is no “big three”. There was, and always has been, “the big four”. Chewbacca is just as important to the story as Luke, Han or Leia.
He’s not Han’s pet. He’s not a servant like the droids. He’s Han’s co-pilot, his best friend, and our first wider introduction to an alien species within the Star Wars Galaxy. Chewie has always been given the short end of the stick when it comes to character rankings. So, I was thrilled to see that LEGO® had given the Wookie his due with the LEGO® Star Wars™ Chewbacca™ (75371) buildable model.
design & build
The LEGO® Star Wars™ Chewbacca™ set (75371) comes with 2,319 pieces, including a minifigure of Chewbacca. Upon opening the box, you’re greeted with the standard numbered bags containing the pieces needed. Immediately you can tell this set is going to be massive. Like the Darth Vader or Mandalorian Helmets, this is a set that is intended for older builders (ages 18+). However, as with those builds, the instruction booklet is clearly laid out. Younger builders are more than welcome to give this a shot, they just may need some assistance at certain points of the build.
The design of the set is impressive. It’s way taller than I expected it to be. It stands over 18 inches tall, which is fitting for a display piece such as this. Chewbacca’s fur is faithfully recreated using a combination of brown and dark brown LEGO pieces. The contrast of browns give a soft but rugged appearance, which is perfect for our favorite Wookie. One of my favorite parts of the build is the bandolier. It’s a small part, but the accuracy speaks volumes. I also enjoy the look and feel of the Bowcaster. Overall, the set captures the essence of Chewbacca, making it a must-have for your collection.
features
Once assembled, the LEGO Star Wars Chewbacca is primarily a display piece. Once he’s on the platform, he can go into a display case either by himself or as part of a larger collection. He also works well as a display piece out in the open. Given his size, he definitely grabs the attention in the room. The set also comes with a placard with some in-universe details on Chewie. While the finished model itself does little in the way of interactivity, the included Chewbacca minifigure comes with its own working Bowcaster. You can either keep the minifigure with the placard, or you can add it to another LEGO® Star Wars™ set.
let the wookie win
Chewbacca has been historically overlooked by fans of the franchise as a “major player” in the grand scheme of things. I’d put him among Luke, Han and Leia as a member of “the big four”. Honoring this loyal friend, the LEGO® Star Wars™ Chewbacca™ set (75371) is a must-have for fans of the franchise. With its accurate design, enjoyable building experience, and large stature, it’s sure to delight builders of all ages. After you finish the model, you can look at it and quote Jabba the Hutt “At last, we have the mighty Chewbacca”. It’s well worth the price, and if you’re on the fence about it, I suggest a new strategy: let the Wookie win.
