LEGO Star Wars 75356 Executor Super Star Destroyer review

LEGO Star Wars 75356 Executor Super Star Destroyer packs a punch at any size, but the middling scale and budget are the cherries on top.

You might worry that a smaller-scale Super Star Destroyer would lose some of the fear factor that these enormous killing machines carry in the Star Wars films, but 75356 Executor Super Star Destroyer, released in honour of Return of the Jedi’s 40th anniversary, holds up the legacy well. Captured in a moment of terrifying Imperial flight, as signified by the orange studs that reflect the engine fires, it’s an impressively-detailed display-focused set at any size, but especially welcome at this budget.

Here’s a closer look at LEGO Star Wars 75356 Executor Super Star Destroyer, from tapered point to sturdy base.

— LEGO Star Wars 75356 Executor Super Star Destroyer set details —

Theme: LEGO Star Wars Set name: 75356 Executor Super Star Destroyer Release: May 1, 2023

Price: £59.99 / $69.99 / €69.99 Pieces: 630 Minifigures: 0

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— Where to buy LEGO Star Wars 75356 Executor Super Star Destroyer

LEGO Star Wars 75356 Executor Super Star Destroyer is available to buy now from LEGO.com and in LEGO stores, as well as from selected third-party retailers.

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— LEGO Star Wars 75356 Executor Super Star Destroyer build —

As with virtually any LEGO Star Wars ship, 75356 Executor Super Star Destroyer’s actual build is nothing to write home about. If anything, the indistinguishable use of colours in the instruction booklet means that it’s a head-scratching experience at times, spending more time wondering whether you need a light grey, dark grey, or black piece for the next step – and this virtually entirely-grey build has a lot of those colours included. We won’t even mention the ambiguous metallic studs.

Ultimately, however, the final effect is an impressive one. Many of LEGO Star Wars’ most impressive ships, such as 75252 Imperial Star Destroyer or 75192 Millennium Falcon, are enormous, relying on sheer size to pack in as many details as possible. 75356 Executor Super Star Destroyer, by contrast, packs a lot into its relatively small 630 pieces and the overall model is all the better for it.

The enormous size of the cinematic Executor is still captured through the miniature Star Destroyers that ‘fly’ in tandem, attached by transparent rods. Not only does this add extra drama to the display, as if 75356 is leading an Imperial fleet to battle, but it also puts the set into perspective within the Star Wars universe. The Empire famously will just not stop with their destroyers of every size, with every new Imperial era ushering in a new general who wants to one-up those who came before him.

The smaller ships affirm that 75256 Executor Super Star Destroyer is a miniature replica of one of the largest Imperial warships ever seen in Star Wars, led by none other than Darth Vader himself. Released to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Return of the Jedi, it also comes with its own printed element, complete with a graphic of Vader’s head, cementing this set as a homage not just to the ship but to Darth Vader’s legacy as a Sith Lord.

If we had to nitpick, the mid-scale size does mean that the finish on the build is not quite as smooth as you might hope. Looking at the Executor head-on reveals gaps where the brick-built sides don’t quite meet, revealing slightly messy peeks at the inner workings beneath. Similarly, the top of the model has various open studs that don’t quite capture the smooth metal hull that the Star Destroyers are known for.

Nonetheless, those small flaws are a welcome payoff for this midi-scale size of Star Wars ship – one that is much easier to display than many brick-built ships that come before it. 75356 Executor Super Star Destroyer could well be a sign of a new midi-scale collectible range coming to replace the decelerating range of LEGO Star Wars helmets. After all, there are only so many helmets the LEGO Group can recreate, but there are still many more ships that could be captured in both a midi-scale and midi-price range.

— LEGO Star Wars 75356 Executor Super Star Destroyer price —

At £59.99 / $69.99 / €69.99, 75356 Executor Super Star Destroyer is on the lower end of the sliding scale that is the LEGO Star Wars range – although that scale is perhaps weighted far in one end by the number of enormous UCS sets. While there are plenty of adult-focused LEGO Star Wars sets out there, it’s heartening to see one aimed at adults who don’t have enormous amounts of both money and space to play with.

Indeed, the majority of truly display-focused LEGO Star Wars sets tend to push that £100 mark, so keeping this one well below it is a welcome addition. Indeed, it’s just slightly more than 75361 Spider Tank (at £46.99) but packs in a lot more detail and looks a lot more attractive on display.

— LEGO Star Wars 75356 Executor Super Star Destroyer pictures —

— LEGO Star Wars 75356 Executor Super Star Destroyer pros and cons —

For any Star Wars fan that’s always wanted a mighty collection of brick-built ships but can’t quite find the space or the budget for the enormous UCS sets and their ilk, 75356 Executor Super Star Destroyer is an excellent choice. While the smaller size might mean some of the detail is less, there’s still plenty to enjoy – and what is there is arguably made all the more satisfying through its diminutive size.

From the 1×2 element-sized command deck to the mismatched LEGO elements that represent the exposed engines and pipes of these enormous weapons, the midi-scale size doesn’t let down the build in any of the ways that count. Looking forward, we can only hope that more iconic Star Wars ships get the same level of care and attention at this scale (and budget).

75356 Executor Super Star Destroyer pros	75356 Executor Super Star Destroyer cons
Compact size makes it easy to display	Some exposed studs take away from overall effect
Collectible Return of the Jedi plaque
Impressive detail for its size

This set was provided for review by the LEGO Group.

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— Alternatives to LEGO Star Wars 75356 Executor Super Star Destroyer —

Looking back at some of the May 1 LEGO Star Wars releases for Star Wars Day, 75356 Executor Super Star Destroyer is easily one of the best. Comparing it to either of the dioramas, 75353 Endor Speeder Chase Diorama and 75352 Emperor’s Throne Room Diorama, it packs more of a punch as a display model. Where the dioramas were criticised for being too static and almost cutting off some of the more important parts of the scenes they depict, 75356 Executor Super Star Destroyer is imposing even in its smaller scale, capturing the might and drama of the cinematic ship perfectly.

Another ship-focused set released at the same time was 75348 Mandalorian Fang Fighter vs. TIE Interceptor, which is essentially two sets in one. While 75356 is slightly cheaper, which can account for the price difference, it also goes to show just how good the value is in getting such a well-finished Star Wars icon for its relatively low price tag.

— LEGO Star Wars 75356 Executor Super Star Destroyer FAQs —