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Set name: Geonosian Cannon
Set Number: 9491
Pieces:
Figures: 4
Price: £20 (GBP), $20 (USD)
Theme: Star Wars: The Clone Wars
Here in the UK, the main SW winter wave is currently available at Argos stores, since Boxing Day. Yesterday, I impulsively bought this set and the new Clone Wars battle pack, two sets that compliment each other pretty well. The Geonosian Cannon is an alien turret that gets five seconds of an appearance in Attack of the Clones, and appears briefly again in The Clone Wars season 2 in the episode Landing at Point Rain. TLG have a habit of making vehicles/machinery that are "blink and you miss", and it is noteworthy that this set is actually a remake of 2003's 4478 Geonosian Fighter set, which included this turret. No worries there though, as this is a big leap of an improvement over that version. I don't have that set, so I can't compare them together I'm afraid. Enough chatter, onto the review.
The Box:
The new SW box covers have this new headline with Darth Maul's screaming face on it, presumably promoting the 3D release of The Phantom Menace. I'm not a fan of this new design, it looks like Maul is breaking his neck and screaming for an ambulance. The minifigures tab looks cleaner than previous versions, and obviously capitalising on them to sell to the market. They all have a NEW! tag assigned to them. In fairness, the only figures never done in any form are Commander Gree and the zombie. As for the rest, the cannon appears to have fired a missile into the air and missed the targets, while the zombie is charging his laser at Barriss. The zombies didn't use guns in the episode, and I don't see how something that is dead and without a functioning brain can even pick up a gun. And then there are some random red blaster bolts in the background. No SW set box is complete without those, apparently.
The back just shows the function of the cannon, which can go up and down and fire two flick fires. I like the different perspective images of the set in the bottom right corner, this seems to be new in the SW foray. There is not a single advertisement for other sets, which is an improvement, I prefer to see more imagery of the set I'm holding. Instead of ads, there is a two-panel strip which has Gree shooting a Geonosian and the bugs suddenly retreat, leaving their weapons behind. I think they've been listening to Iron Maiden's Run to the Hills too much.
The Instruction Booklet:
It's what see on the box. Nothing else to say on the cover.
In the corner of each page, we are 'treated' to the apparition of Darth Maul and his snapped neck. I prefer the Darth Vader picture we used to get.
Here is a random page. The steps are too simple, as most of the pages just require you to add one piece. Good for children I guess, but as an adult, it gets tedious to continually flick the page just to add one small piece.
When you finished, you are greeted with an inventory and this page. Its a repeat of the image on the box's back, and again gives more attention to the minifigures. I guess TLG know what sells and what doesn't....
Turn the page and you get a nice little comic. It shows Barriss Offee deflecting a massive laser beam back to the Geonosians. I would have thought that a lightsaber isn't large enough to do such a thing, but whatever, TLG have to make sure the good guys win everytime...
This is the first page, showing you how to Build Barriss and Gree. Notice how the black pieces are given a white outline to make them easier to identify. Good shout.
The Geonosians are given a separate page. Its quite a fiddly process to fold the wings, but works wonderfully once you've assembled the figures.
The Minifigures:
Each of these figs are simply must-haves, CW fan or not. Only Barriss Offee is the one who wouldn't fit in a standard SW diorama because of her exposed eyes, but the rest are absolutely fine. I'll start with the stars of the set, the Geonosians.
Their wings are made of transparent acetate with printed wings. You literally pop them out of this sheet and fold them as instructed.
Their heads are packaged in seperate bags, they must be made in China. This piece was released last year in the Geonosian Starfighter. The one on the right belongs to the zombie, so its in a stone grey colour with new printing.
The completed zombie. This is simply awesome. Even the wings are ripped, giving that undead feel. The eyes are chalky white and empty, as a zombie would be. How a zombie can use a gun perplexes me, but I'm glad it was included anyway. Speaking of the gun, it is brick-built using the Collectable minifig space gun as the base. Since the Geonosian are totally alienated from the rest of the galaxy (initially anyway), it makes sense for them to have unique weaponry of their own freakish design. However, the gun should be brown as it is in the movies and series. It's not entirely accurate, but I'm satisfied anyway. Much better than giving him a standard blaster or a megaphone.
Back view. The back printing is exquisite. The wings really give off that insect vibe.
The Geonosian Warrior is basically the Geonosian from last year's Geonosian Starfighter set with wings. I don't mind this at all, all the Geonosians looked identical anyway. It's good to have more of them, and I hope they release more Geonosis sets (they probably won't though, at least until the release of 3D AOTC). Another must-have minfig.
He has back printing too, with immaculate unripped wings. These Geonosian minifigs are far superior to the 2003 versions. TLG have really outdone themselves in regards to minifigs.
Barriss Offee has been released in a set before, the 2010 Swamp Speeder. That version didn't have the CW eyes. This variant does, however. Well, I've been used to it since 2008, so I don't really care. This figure is great nonetheless. The dark blue hood is a new colour for the piece, so some will be clamouring for that. She has a short blue cape, which is accurate to her CW incarnation. I wouldn't say she was a 'must-have' figure, but she is if you're a sucker for Jedi or don't have the first one. At least you can swap her head with the original if it bugs you that much. She has no back printing, but it's not required for her anyway.
Commander Gree. He is lush. He's a 'must-have'. Gives some colour to a uniformed force of clone troops. He didn't come with the commander gear, but doesn't wear it in the show anyway. He nicely compliments Captain Rex, Commander Cody, Commander Fox and Commander Wolffe. He has the plain clone face underneath, not worth showing.
He has back printing, which includes his bandolier and green highlights. Lego certainly aren't skimping out on the fine details.
Here are the figs together. A great overhaul overall, no repeats, they're all new. It's relieving to see no Anakins or Obi-Wans here.
The Build:
When you open the box, this all falls out. There are two labelled bags and the wings. No sticker sheet, much to my relief. No printed pieces either though, but I guess they aren't needed for this simple turret anyway.
The contents of bag one. It's just the figs and the 'nucleus' of the cannon.
This is the result of bag one. Minimal time, minimal effort. Onto the next one.
The contents of bag two. Lots of dark and nought brown pieces, MOCers will like that. And some big disc pieces too.
Here is the first leg of the cannon. Simple design, but works.
In no time, you've built the other leg and attached them to the base.
The barrel was a built that consisted of lots of pushing through axles and finger numbing. But the result is worth it, as you've finished the set. I really like it, it is reminiscent of a Shade turret from Halo.
Side view. The controls are basic, they could have added more detail to the control panel.
Back view. Again, it looks a bit plain. You push those black pieces to fire the missiles, the only play feature in the set.
Front view. The missiles detract from the colour scheme, but it doesn't bother me, they can pass off as glowing machinery bits in the cannon.
Here are the leftovers. Meh.
The Set:
There's only one real play feature, and it's the flick fires. Oh boy, I'm thrilled
They don't even go far, although the other missile do go out of camera shot. I just ignore flick fires now, or if they're too intrusive, I remove them.
You can put the Geonosian at the controls. Pew pew!
The cannon goes up and down. This is the farthest it will go up. It can be used as an anti-air battery.
The set is really more for role-playing, which is better than overloading it with pointless features and a million missiles. Lets do a realistic version of the comic shown earlier.
First Separatist victory in years! Finally!
The zombie stumbles upon some fresh meat...
Omnomnom.
The dead walk among the living! And their giant bugs with laser guns! It's like a 50s horror movie!
Poor Gree never saw it coming...
Final Thoughts:
So, is this worth £20? The set is very small for that price point, but I guess you have to consider factors such as new minifig costs and Lucas tax, so all in all, I think it is worth that price, no more. The figures are outstanding, and there are equal numbers to each side. New Geonosians, there are people who have been waiting years for more of these guys. The cannon is aesthetically pleasing, but a bit plain. It's good as a parts pack for brown colours. I'm not an army builder myself, but I'm sure that those who do will be buying these in their hundreds for a Geonosian army. Or swarm, I should say.
Build: 6/10 - simple, yet not challenging and nothing exciting.
Parts: 10/10 - excellent for anyone needing brown parts.
Figures: 10/10 - Despite Barriss's eyes, I'm extremely satisfied
Price: 8/10 - feels small for what you get, but not OTT
Playability: 5/10 - flick fires are crap.
Overall: 39/50 (80%)
I would recommend this set to any CW or AOTC fans, it's just have a must-have set. Even better if you catch it on sale.
Battle lines have been drawn, who will emerge victorious? It won't be the Separatists, they never win anything.
I'd prefer a long blue cape, but I guess a short one is fine. 
Nice review!
