Today we take a quick tour of the content of the LEGO Star Wars Diorama Collection set 75329 Death Star Trench Run, a box of 665 pieces which will be available at the public price of €59.99 from April 26, 2022. This derivative product is the least expensive of the three new references in the LEGO Star Wars Diorama Collection launched this year, whose public prices reach up to €89.99. No minifigs in this box, we build here a reproduction in the format microscale surface pursuit of the Death Star with Luke Skywalker's X-wing, Darth Vader's TIE Advanced and two TIE Fighters.

To remain visually accessible, the diorama does not really reproduce the entire trench on the surface of the Death Star seen on the screen and we are satisfied with two nicely textured planes on which we fix the different ships which are at the work in this scene from Episode IV (To New Hope). The work of "greebling", the technique of creating surface details using various and varied elements, is perfectly executed and it almost feels like it. You also have to see the good side of things and despite the somewhat abstract side of the assembly, you will have the right to make a mistake, no one will notice your negligence.It may lack a little contrast on arrival on the gray surfaces but the lighting of the exhibition room will take care of compensating to create relief.

Gossips will only see a paid promotional product here, barely more opulent than when LEGO offers mini-dioramas during certain events around the Star Wars license. The assembly of this 22 cm long by 15 cm wide and 10 cm high diorama is also quickly dispatched and it is difficult to imagine the presence of more than 600 parts in this construction. They are however there, they are mostly small elements used to texture the surface of the Death Star. The set is relatively fragile on arrival, the four vessels are only maintained by a simple tenon and you will have to be careful when moving.

The TIE fighters provided in this box are really token renditions of barely the level of what you get every year in the LEGO Star Wars Advent calendars, but Luke's X-wing on the other hand looks particularly neat to me. No stickers in this box, the three TIE canopies already seen in the set 75315 Imperial Light Cruiser marketed since 2021 are therefore stamped just like the R2-D2 micro-dome visible on the back of the X-wing, a part that we will certainly see again in future polybags or Advent calendars.

There is no functionality or moving parts in this diorama, although you can place the different ships as you see fit provided you find an available stud elsewhere than in the locations provided. No surprise on the back of the construction, it would have been interesting to place a minfig of Darth Vader or Luke in pilot's outfit to fuel the conversations. We will do without.

La Tile pad-printed with a line of dialogue that becomes the gimmick of this new collection of derivative products displays here a sentence pronounced by Darth Vader during the pursuit in the trench of the Death Star: "...The Force is strong with this one...". I'm much less adamant than the quote displayed on the front of the set. 75339 Death Star Trash Compactor regarding the need to localize the text into other languages, the phrase posted here has become popular enough to stand on its own, no one refers to it by saying "...it's like he's protected by the Force..."as in the French version of the film.

This product is perhaps not the sexiest of the three sets proposed to launch this new collection of dioramas for adult fans, but the scene is in my opinion generally rather well interpreted with a very acceptable level of finish. The format microscale deprives this product of staged minifigs but that's not so bad because it's also the least expensive of the three advertised references.

If you take two and place them face to face, you get a real trench and an extra X-wing for the late Biggs Darklighter. If you place them back to back, you get nice bookends, perhaps a little light, to frame your collection of comics or beautiful books on the Star Wars universe.

This set is the cheapest of the three but it is not a product that I consider affordable. 60 € for that is much too expensive in absolute terms even if we all know here that fans of the Star Wars license will be more vindictive of the increase in the price of a liter of diesel by a few cents than about of a few grams of plastic sold at exorbitant prices. Everyone has their own priorities.

Note: The set presented here, provided by LEGO, is as usual involved. Deadline fixed at April 9th next at 23:59 p.m. Just post a comment under the article to participate.

Update : The winner was drawn and notified by email, his nickname is indicated below.

Today we are quickly interested in the content of the LEGO Star Wars Diorama Collection set 75339 Death Star Trash Compactor, a box of 802 pieces which will be available at the public price of €89.99 from April 26, 2022. With this new collection of mini-dioramas, LEGO is frankly targeting adult fans who do not have the space or the desire to fill their living room with imposing vessels or other devices from the Star Wars universe but who still wish to display their passion for the saga via a few discreet decorative elements. It was already the possibility offered by the helmets marketed since 2021 and these new stagings will bring a little diversity on the shelves of the fans.

To launch this new collection, LEGO has therefore selected three "cult" scenes from the saga. The selection was not very difficult: in the Star Wars universe everything is more or less cult for many fans and the product in question here refers to the scene of Episode IV (To New Hope) in which Luke Skywalker, Han Solo, Leia, and Chewbacca become stuck in the 3263827 trash compactor. The place is inhabited by a dianoga, a creature that attacks Luke Skywalker before C3-PO and R2-D2 prevent everyone from ending up in an imperial pancake.

The construction with its base and its three ends of walls is very quickly assembled. The scene is presented on a support designed to give it cachet and allow it to end its career honorably on a shelf. The back wall with its magnetic closing door (in the film) is fixed. The two sections of side walls are mobile and can be manually brought closer to the center of the diorama to simulate the start-up of the compactor. No complex mechanism or gears with a wheel at the end, you push with your fingers.

A very satisfying little detail: the construction of these two side panels seems messy at first glance, but we see that on arrival everything fits together perfectly, provided you have carefully placed the different minifigs in the intended locations beforehand. We can therefore have fun five minutes to put the grinder into action by pushing on the walls and the integrated functionality has at least the merit of offering two possibilities of exposure.

The dianoga certainly deserved better than the frankly symbolic representation proposed here. The critter plays a significant role in this scene, but unfortunately it only has one red eye that protrudes from the center of the diorama. In their time, the sets 10188 Death Star (2008) et 75159 Death Star (2016) which depicted the waste compactor in one of the compartments of the Death Star at least made the effort to offer us an assembly of a few parts to correctly embody the creature and there was no doubt a way to make a little better on an exhibition product entirely to the glory of this scene of a few minutes.

C-3PO and R2-D2 are installed behind the diorama facing the console which allows them in the film to disable "all mechanical grinders that are level 5". On the screen, the two droids are obviously not just behind the wall of the room in question, but their integration into the construction went through this shortcut and it is well executed. One could almost regret the lack of finish on the back of the diorama but the presence of the two droids is more of a wink than anything else.

LEGO has chosen to illustrate each of the products in its Diorama Collection by using a line of dialogue pad-printed on a Tile placed on the front. We are therefore entitled here to the sentence pronounced by Han Solo: "...One thing's for sure, we're all gonna be a lot thinner!...". This line of dialogue in English is not necessarily remembered by French-speaking fans who will best remember the phrase "...there is one thing for sure, it's that we're all going to lose a lot of weight..." and LEGO would have been well advised to propose the Tile in different languages, to give meaning to its presence in non-English-speaking markets. We'll do with the original version.

No stickers in this box, the three patterned elements are stamped. To populate this mini diorama, we get six figurines: Luke Skywalker, Han Solo, Leia, Chewbacca, C-3PO and R2-D2. The most observant will have noticed that these figurines combine new elements and parts already seen in other sets in the past: C-3PO keeps his head available since 2012 with his eyes more or less well centered depending on the boxes and he enjoys a brand new torso and pair of legs. The pad printing is very successful and LEGO finally makes the effort to properly dress this droid whose arms and feet usually remained neutral.

R2-D2 reuses the dome seen in several boxes since 2020 but it benefits from pad printing on both sides of the white cylinder. The minifigure now lives up to what you would expect from a manufacturer like LEGO and R2-D2 finally has a truly accomplished representation.

The Princess Leia figurine uses the torso available since 2016, the head which dates from 2019 and which is also used for Captain Marvel and the hairstyle which dates from 2011. Chewbacca remains equal to itself, it is the figurine of 2014 which is provided here.

Luke Skywalker and Han Solo inaugurate a new version of the Stormtroopers armor on which Luke receives the head dating from 2015 which has also been used by Gunther from Central Perk and Han Solo the head marketed since 2014. I prefer this version of the armor to the one seen in the set 75159 Death Star (2016) then in the mini-set exclusive to the Star Wars Celebration convention in 2017, the reference Detention Block Rescue, the shadow effects and the mixture of gray and black proposed here seem really relevant to me.

We will also talk about the other two dioramas from the new collection launched by LEGO, but I must admit that I am particularly convinced by this one. The scene concerned is correctly interpreted, the integrated functionality is anecdotal but it makes it possible to propose two variants of exposure and the endowment in figurines is consequent with two droids finally treated as it should be. The presence of C-3PO and R2-D2 on the back of the diorama will surprise your friends who come to visit you and the whole thing will fuel a few conversations during a dinner. We can in passing be offended by the price charged by LEGO for this box or wait wisely for Amazon to get on the file.

Note: The set presented here, provided by LEGO, is as usual involved. Deadline fixed at April 8th next at 23:59 p.m. Just post a comment (something to say what) under the article to participate.

Update : The winner was drawn and notified by email, his nickname is indicated below.

Today we take a quick look at the two products that will be available from March 25, 2022 on the official online store and in LEGO Stores: the references 40527 Easter Chicks et 30583 Easter bunny. To be offered the small box of 318 pieces in "limited edition", valued by LEGO at 12.99 €, with the two chicks and the large decorated egg, it will be necessary to pay at least 65 € without restriction of range. The polybag of 75 pieces with the rabbit and its little egg will be a little more "accessible", it will be enough to spend 40 € without restriction of range, which is not a feat when you know the prices charged by LEGO.

These two products on the Easter theme seem rather successful to me, they deal well with the subject with simple but easily identifiable little animals. The large egg that accompanies the two chicks is nicely executed with the added bonus of being able to customize some of the exterior decoration via the inventory of parts provided. The object can also be opened to slide the two chicks into a half shell. The egg that accompanies the rabbit is more minimalist but it will not shock on the corner of a shelf in the company of the other elements provided here.

Should we therefore agree to pay a few sets at a high price to be offered these two small promotional products? It's for you to see. If you like this type of small thematic sets and you have a few late boxes, why not. If you plan to resell the set 40527 Easter Chicks to compensate for the fact that you pay for your products at the highest price on the market, it is also tempting. The two offers will be cumulative and valid until April 16 or while supplies last.

Note: The products presented here, provided by LEGO, are as usual put into play. Deadline fixed at March 26, 2022 next at 23:59 p.m. Just post a comment under the article to participate.

Update : The winner was drawn and notified by email, his nickname is indicated below.

Today we quickly go around the contents of the LEGO set 10300 Back to the Future Time Machine, a large box of 1872 pieces which will be available at the retail price of €169.99 from April 1, 2022. This is already the third version of the DeLorean in the trilogy Back to the future at LEGO after the compact model of the LEGO Cuusoo set 21103 The DeLorean Time Machine (2013) and the micro thing from the LEGO Dimensions Level Pack 71201 Back to the Future (2015)

The Delorean DMC-12 would probably never have been so popular if it hadn't been the main vehicle of the cult trilogy and it would probably settle for trusting the top 10 of the ugliest vehicles of the 80s or the ranking of worst trading flops in history.

On screen, the stainless-bodied vehicle is transformed using numerous elements that make it a little less austere to convert it into a time machine full of cables and modifications and it is mainly for its film role as the vehicle has its die-hard fans.

We suspected that LEGO would one day end up treating the subject as it should in its range of models for adults, the manufacturer having already offered us other legendary cars from films such as the Ghostbusters ambulance (10274 Ghostbusters ECTO-1), Tim Burton's Batmobile (76139 1989 Batmobile) and James Bond's Aston Martin (10262 James Bond Aston Martin DB5).

It remained to find a solution so that fans could choose one of the three evolutions of the DeLorean according to the different episodes of the trilogy and LEGO decided to integrate some simple modifications which allow to obtain quickly and without too much effort the desired version. If you wish to display the three versions, you will obviously have to go back to the checkout. The calculation is quickly made, you will have to pay the modest sum of 509.97 € to acquire three copies and possibly count on the resale of two of the three batches of minifigs to limit the breakage.

Aesthetically, the contract is in my opinion fulfilled. The lines and proportions of the DeLorean are respected with a new windshield which allows not to waste the efforts made on the rest of the construction so that the LEGO model remains faithful to the reference vehicle, the colors chosen are consistent with some accents of metallic gray in places and the large smooth surfaces perfectly pay homage to the look of the DeLorean. The object is a pretty exhibition model that will not have to be ashamed next to a Batmobile or the ambulance of the Ghostbusters.

The product is presented as "3 in 1", and it is from the 11th and last group of bags that the vehicle modification possibilities of 35 cm long, 19 cm wide and 12 cm high are offered. It will take disassembling and reassembling a few sub-assemblies to get one of the three DeLoreans seen on screen.

It's a bit laborious, you have to start each time from the assembly phase of the front cover to then apply the planned aesthetic modifications which call on several parts common to the three variants. LEGO does not go back in detailing the subassemblies to be removed and it would have been good form to include the few parts that must be reused from one assembly to another in order to be able to keep the modifications ready to be installed.

The chassis and body of the DeLorean are therefore logically identical for the three versions and the mechanism that will be used to retract the wheels with its large red lever is installed in all cases, it is planned from the first bags. This somewhat rustic but effective system uses four rubber bands and the use of these consumables, which are clearly visible when the wheels are in a horizontal position, affects the rigidity of the supports on which the four wheels will subsequently be installed: a slight flutter effect is present when rolling the vehicle. This is an exhibition model and it is therefore not very serious. No integrated steering, we can easily do without it for the same reasons.

The first stages of construction often call for a slew of colored bricks, the product inventory is only more varied and the assembly process easier. A light brick is also integrated which will bring the time convector to life provided you keep your finger on the remote button at the back.

LEGO still has no intention of allowing us to leave this brick on and that's a bit of a shame in my opinion. The effect obtained is convincing even if the functionality will remain anecdotal due to the impossibility of leaving the convector lit. The many third-party manufacturers of LED kits to be integrated into LEGO sets will quickly solve this problem, no doubt about it.

The body of the vehicle is affected by the usual quality problems with differences in color between the gray parts, a large injection point clearly visible on the panel of the front bonnet or even numerous micro-scratches on the handle of metallic parts delivered in this box.

The good news, because there is one: the new windshield is delivered wrapped in a protective film which prevents us from the usual scratches on these transparent parts. I am happy to see that LEGO is finally taking this detail seriously, I have not stopped echoing this recurring problem for years. The manufacturer will save on the passage of many calls from demanding customers.

The two butterfly doors, which are a little too thick for my taste, are relatively well integrated, but they are also a little too heavy to remain open. They inevitably fall back and LEGO has not provided any hold-open functionality. We sometimes end up managing to leave them in the air but they close at the slightest shock or movement. One would have suspected that this would be the case by looking closely at the "lifestyle" visuals provided by LEGO when the product was announced, none of the scenes showed the doors in the open position. Depending on your skill, a simple piece of tape or a more advanced modification will fix the problem.

In the flight position with the wheels folded under the body, the vehicle rests on four transparent bricks which are there to try to create the illusion and give the impression of floating. It's a bit low to be convincing, the most picky will not hesitate to double the height of the support or to integrate a solution placed in the center of the chassis and less visible in profile.

The set does not escape the stickers, with about fifteen stickers provided. The use of these consumables, as successful as they are, still seems unwelcome to me on this type of high-end product, it will however be necessary to be satisfied with them. LEGO adds a small presentation plate with some references well known to fans, but its presence serves above all to give a collector's side to the product and, in turn, to enhance it to justify its public price.

For those wondering, the pad-printed hubcaps used on the rims for the first two versions of the DeLorean are actually the part seen on the Vespa engine in the set 10298 Vespa 125. The DMC logo on the front of the vehicle is also stamped, the printing is also a little missed on the model I received.

As you have understood, the vehicle is not to the scale of the minifigs provided, the latter are only decorative elements. The included accessories including the hoverboard are therefore logically on the scale of the vehicle and not of the characters. The two figurines are unpublished except for the head of Marty McFly which is also that of Han Solo, Cedric Diggory and a few others.

Too bad for the pair of Nike Air MAG vaguely stamped on Marty's legs, the result is frankly very average. LEGO has been known to have difficulty reaching concave areas when printing, so the manufacturer skips the interior junction between the legs and feet. Doc Brown keeps his hair already seen in the LEGO Dimensions Level Pack in 2015, it's fitting. For the rest, we get several versions of the "fuel" of the DeLorean with a box of plutonium for the first interpretation of the vehicle as well as a banana and a can to feed Mr. Fusion. The winks are there, it's appreciable.

The purpose of the product does not really deserve to try to convince those who have no affinity with the trilogy Back to the future to invest in this box. It is not necessary however to try to dissuade those who in any case will pay the €170 requested from the launch of this long-awaited and awaited derivative product. It will be up to everyone to see if this product, which suitably pays homage to the cult trilogy, really deserves the financial effort required and if it is necessary to go back to the cash register to buy two additional copies.

Personally, I think that LEGO does not disappoint overall with this interpretation of the DeLorean: the subject is well treated, the pleasure of construction is there and the result is rather convincing. Many fans had idealized this set from the first rumors announcing a DeLorean at LEGO and some may be disappointed with the few defects of the product. The fact remains that the designer makes a very acceptable copy knowing that the DeLorean is not a vehicle with a modern look and subtle curves.

We especially like this car because it is symbolic of the trilogy Back to the future, not for its design or the place it occupies in the history of the automobile and this LEGO version lives up to my expectations despite its a few annoying flaws. Those who refuse to spend 170 € in this box can always turn to the Playmobil version (70317 Back to the Future DeLorean) of the vehicle marketed since 2020 which offers similar decorative potential for less than €50, but without the pleasure provided by a few hours of assembly.

Note: The set presented here, provided by LEGO, is as usual involved. Deadline fixed at April 3th next at 23:59 p.m. Just post a comment (something to say what) under the article to participate.

Update : The winner was drawn and notified by email, his nickname is indicated below.

Today we are quickly interested in the content of the LEGO Marvel set 76205 Gargantos Showdown, a small box of 264 pieces inspired by the film Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness whose theatrical release is scheduled for May 2022 and sold at the public price of €29.99 since January 1, 2022.

We know it since the release of the first trailer of the film, this set intends to reproduce the scene during which Gargantos (the creature has the appearance of Shuma-Gorath, but a story of rights prevents Marvel from using this appellation) sends a bus on Doctor Strange, Wong and America Chavez. Except that LEGO does not provide the bus and is content to deliver the creature and three minifigs to us. It's a bit cheap as it is, especially for 30 €, but we'll do with it.

The assembly of the creature which will undoubtedly play only a very secondary role in the film is quickly dispatched. A few colored pieces for the interior of the central structure, a handful of Ball Seals and several tentacles and that's it.

We could be satisfied with it if LEGO did not find a way to miss a few technical details that the most observant will notice in passing: the Ball Seals are frankly apparent and poorly matched with the rest of the creature, there are differences in color between the elements that make up the tentacles and there is even a somewhat questionable assembly at the level of the gray ball joints that come up against the car wing which serves as an eyelid to Gargantos (see photo below). Not enough to make a drama of it, the solidity of the product and its mobility are not affected, but these finishing concerns are a bit regrettable on a product sold at this price.

We will move on to the monochrome side of a creature with much more colorful and structured appendages on the screen, the LEGO version is of a symbolism which has a little difficulty in paying homage to the scene seen in the trailer. If we add the clearly visible injection points on various elements, including those that also serve as the tail of the Basilisk in the LEGO Harry Potter set 76389 Hogwarts Chamber of Secrets, it's full card for all the details that can possibly put off the most demanding of fans. The four tentacles fixed under the body of Gargantos are fixed but the limited amplitude of movement of the other members allows some modest fantasies of presentation.

No stickers in this box, there is anyway nothing that could have justified the presence of one or more stickers. Gargantos' eye is stamped and the various items held by Wong and Strange are neutral.

By the way, I'm still looking for how to take advantage of the functionality described by LEGO on its official online store: "...The minifigures adhere to the monster's wriggling limbs...". This is all a bit presumptuous, there is obviously no on-board magnetic function that would allow the minifigs to stick to Gargantos' tentacles.

We suspected it, the relatively minimalist content of the set which does not even allow us to obtain a simple piece of sidewalk with a fire hydrant or a street lamp is above all a pretext to sell us three pretty minifigs. On the program here: Doctor Strange, America Chavez and Wong.

We find the molded cape already seen in the set 76185 Spider-Man at the Sanctum Workshop on the shoulders of Doctor Strange, the accessory has its little effect here and it is nicely executed. It just lacks a few patterns for the accessory to be a little less monochromatic and a little more faithful to the version seen on the screen. The figurine is an assembly of elements already seen elsewhere and a new torso: the legs, the head and the hair are available in the set 76185 Spider-Man at the Sanctum Workshop. The new torso is still a little more detailed than the previous one, it's successful.

Wong logically keeps the face already seen in the set 76185 Spider-Man at the Sanctum Workshop, he benefits here from a unique torso and pair of legs with very accomplished pad printing.
Finally, America Chavez, played on screen by actress Xochitl Gomez, makes her first appearance at LEGO with this little box. Black jeans, blue denim jacket with red edging and a star on the back like the American flag, it's all there, even if the girl's outfit isn't very original on arrival. The character benefits from a new head which is for the moment dedicated to him and he is a member of the LGBT community, so LEGO adds a Tile nicely pad-printed with the Pride flag.

In short, this product (almost) derived from a film not yet released is symbolic with a somewhat sad creature and three successful minifigs. Those who are allergic to Amazon will pay full price for this box, others can find it currently at 26.61 €, it's always a few euros less. By adding a vehicle or a piece of sidewalk, this product could have gained consistency and become a real playset. As it is, it's just a pack of three minifigs with a few parts that in my opinion would have simply deserved to be sold for 10 € less.

Note: The set presented here, provided by LEGO, is as usual involved. Deadline fixed at March 25, 2022 next at 23:59 p.m. Just post a comment (something to say what) under the article to participate.

Update : The winner was drawn and notified by email, his nickname is indicated below.