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 plenty of Lego Star Wars AT-ATs over the years, all coming in various shapes and sizes. We’ve had micro-scale ones, motorized ones, giant Ultimate Collector’s Series ones and just about everything in between.
After all, this is more than just an AT-AT; it’s an entire diorama bringing a moment from the Star Wars movies to life. It captures an AT-AT in motion as a tiny Snowspeeder attempts to thwart it by entangling its beastly legs in rope. The sense of motion captured by Lego, which I’ll delve into further in this review, is just one of the reasons I love this set so much.
Given its budget-friendly price and the fact that it looks so wonderful, I’m pretty sure this is a model destined for a place 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 straightforward
- Legs feel repetitive
- Experienced youngsters could tackle this without hassle
The Lego AT-AT is a designed-for-adults 18+ set, but there’s nothing too taxing here that should stop an experienced youngster tackling it. It’s mostly a fun build, one that will likely take around 90 minutes to two hours to complete. While there are some neat techniques used here, it can also get a little repetitive at times.
You’ll start by building the central structure of the AT-AT, and from here you’ll work on adding its legs and head. The head is a standout part of the build for us, making excellent use of parts. It looks great when finished; despite its size in comparison to larger and more expensive Lego AT-ATs of the past, it carries all the details needed, and it’s instantly recognizable.
Building the legs is where the Lego AT-AT gets a little repetitive. Three of these are identical, so it’s up to you if you tackle them one by one or attempt to build three at once. The fourth leg is dealt with separately simply because it’s bent, but it’s not so dissimilar from the three that came before it. It gets a little tedious, but the size of the set means it won’t take too long to complete.
Lego Star Wars AT-AT review: Design
- One leg is bent to give the impression of movement
- Speeder is held by a translucent rod, which looks like a tow cable
- The head is attached by a rod, too, which allows for a little 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 movement in the head. It is built separate from the main body, then attached via a rod, which is a clever idea and ultimately makes it feel more sturdy than it would as one singular unit. Having a slight bit of movement adds to the feeling of momentum the set tries to capture, and it works to great effect.
Next is the base of the set. While it’s clearly designed to sit alongside other mid-sized Lego Star Wars sets like the Acclamator-Class Assault Ship and the Executor Super Star Destroyer, its base isn’t quite uniform with these. It’s to be expected, given how different an AT-AT is from a flying ship, but it’s something worth bearing in mind if you’re wanting to display this as part of a series. It still sports a printed display piece, however, and I think it looks stunning whether it’s alone or part of a set.
It really is hard to criticize much of the design of the AT-AT, honestly. The Lego designers have done a stellar job in shrinking a behemoth Star Wars icon into a small package. It may pale in comparison to the now-retired UCS AT-AT, but given the price difference of the two, I know which I’d rather have on my shelves. This one doesn’t command an entire desktop to display, either.
One of our favorite things is the way it so easily captures the sense of motion. With the AT-AT’s legs positioned as if it’s trying to take a step, it’s very easy to picture it slowly but forcefully moving along a battlefield, all while a snowspeeder fights to stop it. Held by a translucent rod, it really does look as if the snowspeeder is flying independently from the AT-AT. A very neat effect indeed.
Should you buy the Lego Star Wars AT-AT?
Yes! I have no doubt at all that you should buy the Lego AT-AT. If you’ve never bought a Lego version of the AT-AT before, this one is an excellent version to add to your collection. And even if you have, this one is different enough to merit a purchase regardless. It looks great, it’s an accurate representation, it’s a pleasant 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. With a similar price and size, this very neatly designed ship looks great on any desktop surface, and I think it’s one of the best Star Wars sets of recent years.
If you want something with a bit more…character, what about the festive-themed Gingerbread AT-AT? I reckon both sets would look great side-by-side — and actually, despite being made up of more than 150 extra pieces, the Gingerbread AT-AT is $5 cheaper. Figure that one out.
