Jose Fernandez (Lego-Man-at-arms) created a series of space racers each with a distinct style and pilot. The presentation and the cartoon drawings of the pilot bring together each model in the theme. Check out more in his Flickr set.
Monthly Archives: August 2013
21103 Back to the Future DeLorean [Video Review]
To complement our previous DeLorean review by Andrew, I’m bringing you a video review of 21103 Back to the Future DeLorean. The set was released in August 2013 and retails at $34.99, with 401 pieces and 2 minifigs.
Here is my summary of the highlights of the set, which are elaborated in the review video below.
Pros:
- 2 new and popular minifigs
- Nicer than usual packaging and bound instruction book
- Includes extra parts for different versions of the DeLorean
Cons:
- No new/rare parts used in the DeLorean besides the printed tiles
- DeLorean hood design is not optimal
- Car seats only 1 minifig
Overall, I would recommend this set more to fans of the movie and collectors than to builders. Even though the set has an above average price to parts ratio, buying this set for parts won’t add much to the diversity of your collection due to the lack of rare and new parts from this set. If you’re into collecting, then this set is a must-buy due to its novelty and popularity.
LEGO Sword Coast uses 100,000 bricks and has survived treacherous roads, angry women and drunken sword fights!
Recently Ivan Angeli (Angeli ¥), from Belgrade’s LUG Beokocka, Serbia, posted a large fantasy layout loosely based on Sword Coast from Baldur’s Gate. The layout is highly detailed and uses an unusual combination of colors and juxtaposition of elements. We got together with Ivan to talk about his unique creation and the adventure he had in the making of it. Join us for another journey inside the mind of a builder!
TBB: This is quite a large, detailed MOC (My Own Creation). How long have you been working on it?
Angeli: The MOC was built during four months of intense building. The good thing is that building is a lot of fun for me, also one of the rare things that make me completely calm and serene; so I was not finding time for mocing, I was finding time for everything else. But every moment of those four months were pure fun, except when I needed 20 minutes of disassembling so I had enough room to open the window!
Deer Me!
I am aware that this is not the first deer-like creation that I have blogged here. For some reason, I still couldn’t resist this build by audioglobe (brikkle). It’s not just that the puns are deer to my heart, I truly believe this model is worth fawning over. The head and horns really capture the look of the animal, and the joints and spindly hooves cap it off nicely.
You have to love the curves
This futuristic car, the brain-child of Vince Toulouse (vince_toulouse) has a lot of nice shapes and curves going on. It exudes a sense of menace and speed. It feels like it could blow you off the road and blow your mind at the same time.
By the way, this car has to be good. While I was working on the post, I got two messages from readers making sure I had seen it…
A globe in two colors
This nifty globe, by lisqr, quite striking. Naturally I keep thinking of Blacktron when I gaze upon it. Even though it isn’t inspired by our favorite galactic criminals (actual inspiration comes from our second favorite criminal of the space waves, Tyler Clites) it is a pretty cool piece of work. I’d put this on my desk.
“Oh where is my hairbrush?”
Sometimes the most mundane and common-place items make for the best LEGO builds. I love this hairbrush by Carl Merriam (carlmerriam). It isn’t full of crazy techniques or weird part uses but it looks exactly like its real-life counterpart.
A Pirate’s Paradise
Mark and Steven Erickson (AKA Mark of Falworth and Brother Steven) have concocted a lovely little pirate lair. The rock work is crisp and I especially like the different trees and foliage. Definitely a nice bit of work on the part of the brothers. I am wondering what is hiding behind the big boulder in the middle. Inquiring minds must know!
LEGO Macaw takes flight in a burst of iridescent plumage
Sean and Steph Mayo (AKA Siercon and Coral) have gained lots of altitude with their latest creation. The Macaw itself is incredible but the studio setting they have created highlights it very nicely. I also really love the signature in the bottom left corner of the “painting” and you have to admit that the Pick-a-Brick cup full of water is nice touch. My only questions is whether or not the cup is filled with official LEGO water…
Hokey religions and ancient weapons are no match for this tiny LEGO blaster
Flickrite Obedient Machine recently posted this adorable little version of Han Solo’s blaster (technically the DL-44 heavy blaster pistol), chock full of interesting parts use. The brown carrot as the handle is especially nice.
Prometheus and the wrath of the gods
Prometheus, having stolen fire from the gods, was doomed to a terrible fate of being pecked by eagles for eternity. That’s a bummer for Prometheus, but it just so happens to make a really cool looking vignette, as demonstrated by Mihai Marius Mihu.
LEGO Star Wars 10236 Ewok Village [Review]
The highly anticipated new LEGO Star Wars set, 10236 Ewok Village, was just released in mid-August. It costs $249.99 for 1,990 parts and is the first Star Wars mega set that’s not a spacecraft. It is currently available in Lego stores and Lego Shop at Home for VIP members (free to sign up).
Here is my summary of the highlights of the set, which are elaborated in the review video below. For those interested in the parts content, you can check out the parts review video here.
Pros:
- Lots of foliage and earth tones such as dark brown parts. This is a great set for landscape builders
- Plenty of play features add play value on top of looks
- The 3 main trees are also modular and can be easily switched around.
- 16 minifigs — exclusives include Princess Leia, Luke, Han Solo, Wicket, Ewok warrior, and Teebo.
Cons:
- A bit on the pricey side. $200 would be an ideal price.
- Tube railings are difficult to bend into shape.
- Instructions hard to read when distinguishing brown from dark brown
If you can afford this set, then there’s no other major reason not to get it. This is a very unique set that’s as good for play as it is for display. The abundant earth tones and the foliage make it suitable for landscape builders, and not many sets have this high ratio of landscape parts. It is unlikely that the price will drop soon, and you’ll be lucky to see it at 10% off in 2013, so I recommend buying it now and start enjoying this wonderful build.