Category Archives: LEGO

You’d probably expect a lot of the posts on a LEGO website like The Brothers Brick to be about LEGO, and you’d be right. If you’re browsing this page, you might want to consider narrowing what you’re looking for by checking out categories like “Space” and “Castle.” We’re sure there’s something here that’ll fascinate and amaze you.

The brick that loved me

The Q-Branch of MI6 in the James Bond series has a real fondness for outfitting flashy cars with even flashier upgrades. One of the flashiest has been captured here by László Torma in their outstanding LEGO model of the famous Lotus Espirit featured in The Spy Who Loved Me. 007 drives his souped-up sports car off the end of a dock and transforms it into a slick two-seater submarine. László has captured the clean lines of both versions of the Espirit. The slim black stripe across the side of the car is created by using a variety of brackets built on their sides. I want to give a special shout-out to the 2×4 bow above the rear wheel; this part has been around for a while, but I’m not sure I’ve ever seen it used this smoothly! I’m also sure László was happy by the release in 2003 of the 1×6 slope which used to make the clean lines of the car’s hood. All this fantastic comes together to capture the classic silhouette the Bond’s Espirit in the 8-wide form factor of a Speed Champions style model. Maybe one day we’ll get a Jaws minifigure to go with it!

Lotus Esprit S1 - James Bond - Instructions 12

Intensify the forward firepower! (And the detail level, too)

The official LEGO Star Wars Executor Super Star Destroyer is a great set. But if it’s missing anything, it’s perhaps a fully operational moon-sized superweapon to crash into after its shields fail and some crazy A-wing plows through its command bridge. This fiery diorama by Codyaner fixes that oversight with aplomb. The build captures one of Return of the Jedi‘s most thrilling moments as the mighty Imperial flagship collides with the Death Star’s surface, complete with backlit orange and red flames and a dazzling array of greebles (you know, the little doodads that give the surface its texture) to represent towers, power stations, and whatever else the Empire likes to stick on the surface of their surprisingly fragile planet-killing toys.

LEGO Executor Star Destroyer Crash MOC

I can’t remember a better camera build than this Memento tribute

You won’t believe his lies your eyes when you see the details that go into this Polaroid SLR 690 from master of life-size LEGO props (and tbb alumn) Nick Jenson. This version of the iconic instant camera is a collapsable point-and-shoot model from the ’90s made famous in Christopher Nolan’s breakout film Memento. Nick is a stickler for accuracy as with all of his impressive 1:1 scaled models. The seed part that makes Nick’s model so accurate without stickers is the Polaroid tile from the film packet on the recent LEGO Ideas’ Polaroid set. Even the nylon strap is sourced from a LEGO-branded bag. To make this a proper tribute to Momento, the camera is paired with appropriately lo-fi photographs to match those in the film. Here the photos are real Polaroids, but the subjects are brick-built facimiles of Teddy and the Discount Inn from the film. At least I think they are… I can’t remember that far back. Thankfully I don’t need a tattoo to remind me when I see an amazing LEGO build like this one.

LEGO Memento (2000)

LEGO Star Wars 40686 Trade Federation Troop Carrier – GWP [REVIEW]

This year marks the 25th anniversary of Star Wars: The Phantom Menace, and there have already been a few LEGO sets announced, like the Podracer diorama and the Droideka. But one of the most iconic characters introduced in that movie, aside from Darth Maul, is the B1 Battle droid. Providing comedic scenes of dialog and utter destruction at the hands of Jedi Qui-gon Jin and Obi-Wan Kenobi, and young Anakin. The latest Gift with Purchase from the LEGO Star Wars theme is a redesign of the battle droid carrier that helped deliver battle droids in the battle of Naboo, in case you don’t already have too many of these clumsy cannon fodder. LEGO Star Wars 40686 Trade Federation Troop Carrier will be available from May 1st through May 5th for a minimum purchase of  US $160 | CAN $TBD | UK £145 from the Star Wars theme.

The LEGO Group provided The Brothers Brick with an early copy of this set for review. Providing TBB with products for review guarantees neither coverage nor positive reviews.

Read on for our full review

LEGO Star Wars 75382 TIE Interceptor: the Ultimate Collector Series returns to its roots [Review]

2024 marks an auspicious year for LEGO Star Wars, as it hits its quarter-century. The theme has evolved and changed a lot over the years, but one mainstay has been the Ultimate Collector Series, which launched just a year after the Star Wars theme’s debut. 7191 X-Wing Fighter and 7181 TIE Interceptor were the first sets to be released under this banner in the year 2000. While the former has seen two re-releases, one of which is on shelves at the moment, the latter has not been re-visited at this larger, detailed scale – until now. With 1,931 pieces, it will retail for US $229.99 | CAN $299.99 | UK £199.99 (non-Insiders can get it from May 4th). Has it been worth the wait? Read on to find out!

The LEGO Group sent The Brothers Brick an early copy of this set for review. Providing TBB with products for review guarantees neither coverage nor positive reviews.

Continue reading →

This little LEGO snowspeeder is more like Rogue 0.2 than Rogue 2

LEGO has invested heavily in Chibi versions of famous Star Wars ships with their Microfighters line. But not satisfied with the current offerings, Batuu Bricks offers their take on the T-47 Snowspeeder from Empire Strikes Back. The proportions are downright adorable, and all the tiled panels provide the perfect shape. But the real star of the show is that cockpit canopy. With an abundance of bars, clips, and two hockey sticks, Batuu provides enough space for a pair of Rebels at the controls. I’m sure they’re ready to take on the whole Empire by themselves!

T-47 Snowspeeder

LEGO unveils Ultimate Collector Series TIE Interceptor and more alongside May 4th plans [News]

With LEGO Star Wars celebrating its 25th anniversary this year, May the 4th was always likely to be a big day for the theme. Today, LEGO has announced their plans for Star Wars Day, including a livestream event, a host of new sets, and some collectible memorabilia. The headline announcement is 75382 TIE Interceptor, which will be the next entry in the Ultimate Collector Series. With 1.931 pieces, it will retail for US $229.99 | CAN $299.99 | UK £199.99, and will be available from May 4th, with LEGO Insiders getting early access from May 1st.

Also arriving from the 1st of May are three Gifts with Purchase, availability of which will be through to May 5th or until stocks last. The main attraction here is 40686 Trade Federation Troop Carrier, which has a spend threshold of US $160 | CAN $TBD | UK £145 or more. The celebrations continue with a livestream event on May 4th, a 25-second film festival, and a coffee-table book entitled ‘The Force of Creativity’, pre-orders for which open on May 1st. More information on all that, as well as set photos, can be found below the jump.

Click here to read more information and see more pictures of the new Star Wars sets!

This Warhammer-inspired LEGO diorama is fast in friendship and in enmity

What do LEGO dwarves have to be resentful of? Well, elves got their own fondly remembered line, orcs featured prominently as Castle foes for a spell, and dragons appear in multiple themes and get their own zodiac calendar year. Oh, the indignity! We can’t know what animus brings motivates the dwarven king in Illia Zubashev‘s grand diorama, but chance are it involves gold, elves, or grudges. Probably all three.  Illia calls this creation The Hall of Grudges of Karak Izûm, a sacred site for dwarves of the Warhammer ilk. It’s a truly grand scene where a lone minifig king and the holy Book of Grudges are dwarfed by a hulking statue and a towering wall of brick and stone, showing the immense scale of the underground dwarven empire. Illia employs a solid mix of profile bricks, offset tiles, and SNOT work (studs not on top) in the impressive wall and floor. The chonky statue of dark grey and gold makes impressive use of 2×3 rock tiles for a chiseled beard. But perhaps the most striking element of the  scene is the diamond window of jutting trans light blue crystals.

The Hall of Grudges of Karak Izûm. Night

The evenly lit scene represents the hall at night. Even more striking is the daylight version, where light shining through the crystal window transforms the underground scene.

The Hall of Grudges of Karak Izûm. Day

A spherical Star Wars battleship in a vacuum

Say what you will about the prequels, the opening scenes of the Phantom Menace are extremely compelling. The red Jedi cruiser approaches a Lucrehulk battleship – depicted for us here in LEGO by Jonah – for some tense negotiations. Jonah has made use of a number of classic techniques to capture the smooth curved lines of the ship in the notably square medium of LEGO. The center part of the ship is made using the Lowell Sphere, and the wider curve of the arms is made using hinge plates. Jonah has also added plenty of trans-light-blue accents to increase the visual interest of this build! Unfortunately this LEGO model will probably be short lived, as I can see a certain prophesied child in military hardware approaching bring this battleship to an unfortunate end!

Droid Control Ship

A LEGO journey through childhood

Once again, builder Maxx Davidson has treated us to some delightful eye candy, skillfully incorporating not only LEGO bricks, but also other assorted elements that might require a deep dive into the internet to confirm their authenticity as “LEGO-branded.” Titled ‘Assorted Childhood Toys,’ the undiscerning eye would be hard-pressed to identify these as toys built out of other toys. However, the builder has expertly used LEGO to transport the beholder to a place of reminiscence.

Assorted childhood toys

Check out more pics of each of the toys below

A glimpse of the traveler’s journey through Middle Earth

From the LEGO builder Caleb Huet, we have a diorama titled ‘The Traveler.’ It’s a safe assumption that this scene intends to transport our imagination to somewhere in Middle Earth. Inspired by Jordi Escamilla’s ‘Waterfall,’ the builder has transformed inspiration from 2D art into the third dimension. Intricately crafted rockwork, lifelike tree builds, and mesmerizing water effects cover the piece, with each element of this diorama standing as a testament to the builder’s creativity and skill. Together, they create a scene that leaves us marveling at the potential of simple plastic elements to evoke such depth and beauty.

The Traveler

Have a closer look at the carriage centered over the bridge, and note the build techniques utilized in the bridge itself. Partially-connected bricks form the underside arch spanning between abutments in a great bit of brick ingenuity. The world of LEGO creations has been enriched by the vast and captivating content of The Lord of the Rings, so be sure check out some of the other LotR creations featured on TBB.

Teaser

Finding oneself in LEGO liminality

There’s something a bit off in this LEGO setting devised by Pan Noda. The intentionally-grainy shot of this brick-built mall food court definitely gives a Backrooms vibe. In a space typically characterized by the bustle of shoppers, the smell of fast food, and the occasional offer of a free sample, the stillness that occurs after hours sure can send a shiver down your spine. It’s hard not to wonder what could be hiding behind a pillar or counter. In fact, maybe it’s best to just get out of here… if I still can.

Midnight Food Court

And if you’re up for more spatial and architectural wonders by Pan Noda, be sure to check out the TBB archives.