Lego Star Wars Set Review 2010: 8096 Emperor Palpatine's Shuttle

The latest Star Wars Lego set recreates a vehicle seen only briefly in the final dramatic moments of Star Wars Episode Three Revenge Of The Sith. Emperor Palpatine's Shuttle flew in over the lava wastes of Mustafar and rescued a badly injured ex-Jedi who was once known as Anakin Skywalker. Soon after being brought on board the shuttle Anakin, now known as Darth Vader was fitted with his iconic black helmet and suit to sustain his body and keep it alive, despite horrific injuries.

Lego set 8096, comes with 592 pieces and features the shuttle as well as four figures. Along with a hard to find Emperor Palpatine minifig the set also features a wounded Darth Vader (no doubt exclusive to this set), a clone pilot to fly the shuttle and a medical droid to tend to Vader until he arrives at the Emperor's temple in Coruscant.

The shuttle vehicle obviously constitutes the main part of this set. The cockpit opens and the clone pilot can be seated inside. Inside the main area of the ship there is room for other figures to sit as well as a medical area where Vader is given medical attention. Actually the set shifts the creation of the mechanical Vader from Palpatine's temple to the shuttle itself and includes a play mechanism to attach his helmet and then lift Vader up from horizontal, as depicted in the "Lord Vader...Rise" scene in the film.

The shuttle does look a little awkward, the interior is quite shallow much like last year's Republic Attack Shuttle. Having said that, the model does match the one in the film well and is obviously a precursor to the beautiful Imperial Shuttle that graced the saga's Original Trilogy. While it will not appeal to casual fans of the Star Wars saga, dedicated Lego Star Wars fans will be drawn to the new figures and the high piece count of the set.

By: Inger Fountain

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Inger loves stories and loves to write. As a librarian in a previous life she also has an insatiable thirst for general knowledge. You can visit her latest website which takes a look at the best Kids Lighting options for a child's bedroom. You can find the site at www.kidslighting.org.