Yearly Archives: 2019

This tiny temple towers above the sea

As Andreas Lenander’s Temple of Qa’te demonstrates, you don’t need a ton of LEGO bricks to create a big world. Despite it’s tiny size, Andreas’ diorama has a lot of activity, from the sailing ship and waves in the sea to the temple mounted high atop a cliff. There is some clever microscale parts usage here, including white claws for the ship’s sales and plant stems with 3 leaves representing palm trees. The greenery and architectural style of the temple give off a Mediterranean/Middle Eastern vibe, making it the perfect destination for tourists escaping the winter chills.

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LEGO Star Wars 75257 Millennium Falcon from The Rise of Skywalker [Review]

The ninth and final film in the Skywalker Saga is due in movie theaters in about a month and a half, and we continue to look at the first wave of LEGO Star Wars sets released in advance of the film. So far, we’ve looked at 75248 Resistance A-wing Starfighter, and today we’re reviewing the largest set in the first wave, 75257 Millennium Falcon. The set includes 1,353 pieces with five minifigs and two droids, and is available now (US $159.99 | CA $179.99 | UK £149.99).

Not counting the monumental UCS Falcon released in 2017, this is the third Millennium Falcon released since Han & Chewie’s Falcon The Force Awakens (2015) and Lando’s Kessel Run Falcon for Solo (2018). Other than minifigs, let’s find out what’s new about this latest iteration.

Read our hands-on review of LEGO Star Wars 75257 Millennium Falcon from The Rise of Skywalker

Retro Transformer goodness

I remember when the first wave of Transformers reached the US; these toys were an instant must-have for everyone I knew. (And woe betide anyone who got to Toys-R-Us a few minutes late and had to settle for the not-quite-as-cool “Go-Bots” toys.) Alex Jones (aka Orion Pax) has been transporting us to those good times with a selection of Generation 1 Transformers, and he’s back with another round of stellar creations. Each model is a combination of clever building techniques and detailing, with a bonus of great retro presentation.

This is not the first time we’ve seen an amazing LEGO version of Bumblebee from Alex. (Has it really been ten years?) This upgraded 2019 version makes use of a lot of parts that weren’t around in 2009. Bumblebee’s vehicle mode is clearly based on LEGO set 10252 Volkswagen Beetle. There are a few design tweaks, but the beetle’s shaping is instantly recognizable. The yellow recolor alone would be impressive enough, but the fact that it transforms as well? That’s just nutty levels of awesome.

Alex didn’t stop there, though. There’s a giant selection of transforming goodness!
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LEGO to donate one million LEGO sets through Build to Give campaign this holiday season [News]

LEGO has announced the return of the Build to Give campaign where the company donates one LEGO set per each holiday ornament built at an in-store display or posted online and tagged with #BuildToGive. Last year, LEGO donated 500,000 sets to children in hospitals, foster and child-care homes, and under-served communities as a result of the campaign.

This year, LEGO wants to double those numbers and will donate up to one million LEGO sets to children in need. The campaign runs from November 4 to December 8, including various in-store events and building challenges. The donated sets will be distributed by LEGO’s charity partners listed at LEGO.com/BuildToGive.

We have a Hulkbuster!

If you saw our review of the LEGO Marvel Hulkbuster: Ultron Edition set last year, you might recall there was some disappointment with the figure’s appearance. John Car has come smashing though with a more faithful looking rendition of the Hulkbuster. While it uses some of the parts and stickers from the original set, the proportions feel bigger, beefier and Hulkier.

See more of this hulking Hulkbuster

Build James Bond’s Lotus Esprit from The Spy Who Loved Me [Instructions]

Looking back at the action scenes from the 1977 James Bond film The Spy Who Loved Me make them seem downright cheesy today. Having said that, the reason why the Lotus Esprit is still remembered and loved is just how realistic the way the car submerged and reappeared on the sandy beach. Simple designs are sometimes the key to making things rememberable. Hachiroku24’s take on this vehicle not only looks great from the sides, but also has great detailing on the rear using simple 1×1 plates for its rear tail lights.

Click for full instructions to build your own

TBB Weekly Brick Report: LEGO news roundup for November 3, 2019 [News]

In addition to the amazing LEGO models created by builders all over the world, The Brothers Brick brings you the best of LEGO news and reviews. This is our weekly Brick Report for the first week of November 2019.

The LEGO Batman actor has signed on to host and executive produce the “LEGO Masters” competition reality series. Read on to find out when and where the show will air.

TBB NEWS & REVIEWS: LEGO launched a new product line of wooden toys called Originals, and we have you covered from the news to our hands on review.

LEGO reveals giant wooden minifigure as part of new collectible Originals product line – LEGO is celebrating its roots in a big way by launching a giant wooden minifigure you can customize to your heart’s desire.
LEGO Originals: Gallery opening and interview with Sine Klitgaard Møller, LEGO Design Director – Check out our on-site coverage of the LEGO Originals launch and an interview with the design director behind the new large-scale wooden minifigure.
Review of LEGO Originals 853967 Wooden Minifigure – Watch out for splinters! Read our review to see if this wooden toy is right for you.

MORE TBB NEWS: We also got a look at some new Speed Champion sets along with pre-Black Friday sales already beginning.

Lamborghini unveils the new 8-stud wide LEGO Speed Champions Huracán Super Trofeo EVO and Urus ST-X – 8-stud wide cars are the new design language for the Speed Champion series. Lamborghini shares two new super-cars that will be available in January 2020.
LEGO Ideas 21320 Dinosaur Fossils now available – This toothsome new LEGO set is now available, and comes with 910 pieces that make up three prehistoric skeletons.
Target kicks off pre-Black Friday deals with free $10 gift card on select LEGO purchases – The holidays are around the corner. and Target kicking off the LEGO festivities.
Amazon US LEGO Offer: Save $10 when you spend $50 – Not to be outdone by Target, Amazon.com in the US is offering $10 off over and above items that are already discounted.
Instructions to build a creepy spider – Corvus Auriac shares instructions to make a creepy spider just in time for Halloween.

OTHER NEWS: There were quite a few other interesting LEGO news articles from around the web this week. Here are the best of the rest:

Click to read even more LEGO news of the week

Amazon US LEGO Offer: Save $10 when you spend $50 [News]

Amazon US is having an offer right now where you can save $10 for spending $50 on LEGO. This is over and above sales and deals on items that may already have been discounted, so you may get a great deal if the list has items that you’re looking for. If you’re looking for baseplates to build that huge diorama or train tracks to extend your city, this may save you a pretty penny.

Click here for the full list of items that this promotion is valid for.

Here’s a highlight of some of the items that may catch your eye from various themes, including Super Heroes, Disney, LEGO Architecture, LEGO City and The LEGO Movie 2.

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Watch out for splinters – hands on with LEGO Originals 853967 Wooden Minifigure [Review]

A surprise announcement, a pop-up LEGO art gallery launch in London, and the start of a new line of LEGO products — 853967 Wooden Minifigure has had quite the introduction to the world. We’re not sure we’d call this a “set” as such, although it does feature a handful of regular LEGO bricks as well as the titular 20cm tall oak figurine. LEGO themselves describe the figurine as a “blank canvas” for personalisation and creative decoration. Whatever you want to call it, the wooden figure is available from Nov. 3, 2019, for VIP members, and Nov. 8 for everyone. It can be purchased from the LEGO Shop online for US $119.99 | CAN 154.99 | UK £109.99.

(EDIT: The wooden figure is also available from LEGO in bundles including a discount of up to $30 US when combined with various other LEGO products, including one 1,500-piece Classic set.)

Read our hands-on review of LEGO 853967 Wooden Minifigure

A new twist in motorcycle technology

One of my favorite builders, Sheo, is back again, this time giving us a custom motorcycle a unique twist. The futuristic Infinity bypasses the usual wheels, and even forgoes sci-fi hover technology. Instead, a Möbius strip winds its way through the body, providing a drive train that, by definition, just doesn’t quit. This infinite drive is backed with infinite power from the on-board fusion cell, letting this bike go, in the words of the builder, “where no one has gone before!” (We may have seen a similar quote somewhere else before.)

From a LEGO perspective, the larger scale to this build gives us some really nice detailing. The “Fusion” logo on the central body is brick-built, making good use of tiles and cheese slopes. The handlebars have some interesting part usage like minifigure sports helmets and rubber tires on the end of the grips. The headlight covering made of 6 x 6 x 2 windscreens provides a very aerodynamic shape to the front, matching the rest of the sleek styling.

I’m only happy when it rains

Photo-realism is very hard to achieve when you also include LEGO minifigures as the protagonists. Sure, LEGO enthusiasts are comfortable with the not-quite-human proportions, but there’s still that feeling that you’re looking at, well, toys. Not so with the work of Lego_nuts. This builder is also a photographer who knows how to transform a well built set into a stunning composition that feels like a frame from any on-screen Marvel movie. In Raining Battle, Iron Man and War Machine face off against a horde of alien nasties, amid the backdrop of a drenched New York alleyway. Rain and water are everywhere, diffusing the light and giving an air of menace to the scene as a whole.

The alley’s LEGO details include trash cans and waste bins, a newspaper box, and plenty of railings and fire escape ladders. But the vertical span of the buildings is what gives this image such a sense of depth. It feels like our heroes are at the bottom of a very deep hole. I’m sure they’ll win, though.

We recently featured another beautiful LEGO photo from this artist, featuring the entirely different fantasy world of Harry Potter.

Mech made of minifigures

Minifgure accessories are an often underused section of the LEGO parts palette. While many builders may think up creative ways to integrate these parts outside of the use they were designed for, many of us lack the quantity needed to carry out our ideas. Markus Rollbühler manages to pull it off with ease though with his latest mech Black Widow.

Obvious standouts are Count Dooku’s lightsabers and the skeleton pattern armour, and both elements help give the legs an organic shape, while the armour’s print is perfect for an arachnoid style mech. I’m personally quite excited to see the relatively new neck bracket with 4 handles used to help shape the body of the mech. When that piece was revealed, I expected to see it in more creations and I’m hoping this is the start of a trend. Non-minfigure parts are expertly used here as well, such as the main section being flawlessly shaped with a Zamor Sphere holder forming a natural spine. Finally, my favourite bit of texture is created using a Technic connector on the legs – not only is the piece functional, but it looks good too!