BrickCon 2017 in Seattle is only three weeks away! The largest fan-organized convention for builders begins Thursday, Oct. 5 (for a full day!) and runs until Sunday, Oct. 8. The public is invited to come see everything on Saturday, Oct. 7 from 10am to 4pm and Sunday, Oct. 8 from 10am to 3pm, at the Seattle Center Exhibition Hall.
Read all the reminders and logistics about BrickCon 2017
Just like the release of the LEGO Star Wars sets from The Force Awakens in September ahead of the movie’s release in December, LEGO has released their sets from The Last Jedi several months in advance. We’ll be digging into the sets over the coming weeks, starting today with 75187 BB-8.
LEGO BB-8 includes 1,106 pieces and retails for $99.99 in the US (with different prices elsewhere).
The “Piece of Peace” LEGO exhibition is traveling show that recreates UNESCO (The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) World Heritage Sites with LEGO bricks. The exhibition originated in Japan and today consists of 43 reconstructed World Heritage sites representing landmarks in 34 countries. Singapore is the fourth country to host the exhibition, after Japan 14 years ago and Hong Kong and Taiwan back in 2014.
The exhibit originated in Japan in 2003, and TBB covered the Japanese Piece of Peace exhibit back in 2006. In 2017, the show opened in Singapore. To commemorate ASEAN’s 50th anniversary, 8 local builders contributed to 7 new replicas of World Heritage Sites in ASEAN (the Association of Southeast Asian Nations) member countries.
Click to see photos of the exhibition and an interview with the builders
In addition to the best LEGO models created by builders all over the world, The Brothers Brick also brings you the best of LEGO news and reviews. This is our weekly Brick Report for the second week of September 2017.
TBB NEWS: The Ninjago Movie will soon be here, so we have some set reviews as well as interviews and instructions to get you through until next week. Make sure to check out our building contest too!
OTHER LEGO NEWS: This week had a few other interesting LEGO-related news articles. Here are the best of the rest.
The LEGO Ninjago Movie hits theaters in a few weeks, on September 22, and we’re continuing our reviews of the LEGO sets released to support the movie. The movie tie-in line includes a number of mecha, with 70615 Fire Mech coming in at 944 pieces and 6 minifigs at $69.99.
Read the full review of 70615 Fire Mech after the jump
According to their most recent press release, the LEGO Group’s revenue for the first half of 2017 is 5 percent down compared with the same period in 2016. Other key figures like operating profit as well as net profit are down too — 6 and 3 percent respectively. The board of management blames increased costs associated with investments in production capacity and organisational capabilities for causing mixed performance across various market regions. For instance, revenue has declined in the United States and in parts of Europe. On a brighter note, in growing markets such as China, revenue grew by double digits.
Commenting on the financial report, LEGO Group Chairman Jørgen Vig Knudstorp claimed that the company has already taken steps to change the situation for the better. The Group aims to bring the LEGO building experience to more children all over the world, and for this purpose the management is looking forward to resetting the company and revising and restructuring various internal processes.
Pressing the reset button includes some decisive moves which pursue a goal of simplifying the company’s elaborate global structure built during the past five years. “This means we will build a smaller and less complex organisation than we have today” said Knudstorp. As a result, the LEGO Group believes it would need to cut its total global workforce by around eight percent. This would impact about 1,400 positions. Currently the LEGO Group employs about 18,200 people.
One of the key goals of resetting the business is the development of innovative new toys. Knudstorp explains “We will find more opportunities to engage with kids and parents, including innovative ways to blend physical building and digital experiences, such as our successful LEGO Life social platform and LEGO Boost building and coding set”.
The full press release can be found on the LEGO Newsroom page.
Ninjago is never complete without at least one dragon, and new The LEGO Ninjago Movie line is no exception. Today we’re face to face with 70612 Green Ninja Mech Dragon, available now for $49.99. The dragon has 544 pieces and comes with four minifigures.
In addition to the best LEGO models created by builders all over the world, The Brothers Brick also brings you the best of LEGO news and reviews. This is our weekly Brick Report for the first week of September 2017.
TBB STAR WARS NEWS: A galaxy far, far away dominated the news this week, with the reveal of the long awaited (though not unexpected) UCS Millennium Falcon.
OTHER TBB NEWS: We have two videos for you of a new LEGO mockumentary and a showcase of this year’s addition to the Winter Village, plus instructions to build a beautiful bird.
OTHER LEGO NEWS: This week had quite a few other interesting LEGO-related news articles. Here are the best of the rest.
The last 24 hours have been chock full of LEGO Star Wars news, with the announcement of the new UCS Millennium Falcon and our own Millennium Falcon contest kicking off. However, that was just the prelude to Force Friday, where to celebrate the energy field that binds the galaxy together, LEGO is slashing prices across nearly the full LEGO Star Wars lineup, along with a sprinkling of other themes. Plus, LEGO is giving double VIP points during the sale and some other freebies for Star Wars purchases.
Lots of set prices are cut by 20 percent, which for some hard-to-find sets is a pretty great deal. A few dip even lower, such as the Stormtrooper Watch at 75 percent off, making it just $6.24. And even if you’ve already got some of these older sets, Star Wars: The Last Jedi LEGO sets are available beginning today, and qualify for all of the promotions.
The sale prices should be available from the LEGO Shop Online beginning at midnight Sept. 1, or shortly thereafter as LEGO’s servers update to reflect the sale. Although the sale should be active wherever the LEGO Shop Online sells, we believe this price list is only valid in the USA. Other regions should see similar price drops, though the selection may vary.
Orders over $50 will get a free Scarif Trooper with a stand and placard. This is the second in a wave of new Star Wars characters with linkable stands, following R3-M2 earlier this year.
In addition, any and all Star Wars purchases will also get one of three limited edition LEGO Star Wars posters.
So just to recap: you’ll get 20% (or more) off older sets, a first go at The Last Jedi sets, a free exclusive minifigure, free exclusive poster, and double VIP points.
Click to see the full list of Force Friday sales
To celebrate the unveiling of LEGO’s monumental new 75192 UCS Millennium Falcon, the Brothers Brick is holding a building contest! Presenting the TBB LEGO Millennium Falcon Contest.
What can I win?
Four winners will each receive a super rare limited edition Escape the Space Slug set. One of those winners will also be declared the grand prize winner and receive a 75105 Star Wars Millennium Falcon (…note this is the existing Falcon set, not the new UCS set).
How do I compete?
Build a custom LEGO creation featuring the Millennium Falcon!
There are no restrictions on scale, style or content — but the more imaginative and creative the better. Maybe you’ll dream up a custom themed version of the Falcon (…a Meowlennium Falkitten piloted by cats, perhaps?). Or portray the Falcon fleeing sand worms over the surface of Arrakis. Literally anything goes, so long the build includes something recognizable as a Falcon (in whole or part).
What are the rules?
The contest begins today and runs until October 1st, when LEGO’s new UCS set goes on general release. Once you have built your entry, post a single photo of it to the contest Flickr group. Only one entry is accepted per person. All entries must be new builds, that have not been previously posted online. They must also be physical models — no digital renderings will be accepted. However, use of custom accessories and stickers is permitted. Entries must be submitted by October 1st to be considered for judging.
Best of luck — now stop gawking over that new UCS set and start building!
The full range of LEGO sets for Star Wars: The Last Jedi will be available in stores and from the LEGO Shop Online beginning tomorrow, Sept. 1. We got a brief glimpse of the line back in July when a few retailers mistakenly published the images early, but now LEGO and Lucasfilm have officially taken the wraps off the theme. Today, LEGO also revealed their biggest set ever, the new Ultimate Collector Series Millennium Falcon.
Own your very own LEGO® BB-8! Turn the wheel to spin the head and turn another to open the hatch and see the welding torch pop out, just like it did in the movie! You can also sit BB-8 on the stand so you can show your friendly droid to all your friends when they come to visit!
Blare Media has finally revealed the full trailer for it’s brick-themed mocumentary Brick MADNESS. The film pits an underdog “Brix” builder against an arrogant long-time champion in a battle to build his way to not only fame, but redemption. The PG-13 rated film premieres on September 8th.
Click here to learn more about the film