I tested for you: 70905 The Batmobile

If you only need to buy one set from The LEGO Batman Movie range, does it have to be the one that contains the iconic vehicle of the Gotham City vigilante? Not so sure. And yet this box 70905 The Batmobile (581 pieces - 64.99 €), alias The Speedwagon if I believe the string of stickers provided, should be one of the bestsellers of the beginning of the year: the vehicle made some very noticed appearances in the trailers already released and it should logically occupy a prominent place in the movie.

We can discuss at length on the look of this new Batmobile, which in my opinion is to be classified rather on the side of futuristic machines seen in the latest adaptations of the Batman universe in the cinema than cars with beautiful old lines, abundantly customized seen in the older movies or TV shows.

The set is a mix of Technic parts for the chassis and a SNOT finish [Stud Not On Top] for the bodywork. No big challenge here, and some boring sequences when you have to repeat the assembly of the wheel mechanism four times.

The machine is compact and easy to handle, a good point for playability. The big functionality is at the level of the wheels: the vehicle can be put in different positions, and you can even go beyond what the box offers. Each wheel is independent, the possibilities are endless.

I note a detail that personally bothers me a little: If the machine is rather rigid and easy to handle, there is a lot of play in the attachment of the rims to the mechanism which holds the wheels. Some people will see a subtle suspension effect, I call it a bit annoying detail. Also be careful when handling, the side exhaust pipes tend to turn a little easily (see photo).

As I said above, the notched system of rotation of the wheels allows all the extravagances. It's up to everyone to find the position that suits them to display their Batmobile ...

I am also looking forward to seeing how this wheel positioning mechanism will be used in the film. This is also what will give all its meaning to this set.

For the rest, you have to be content with a few stud shooters and a very simple system that ejects the roof from the cockpit. Nothing to rave about, it's a minimum for a toy.

As for the five minifigs provided, it's a little more complicated: On the one hand, deja vu with Robin, also available in the almost affordable 70902 Catwoman Catcycle Chase (24.99 €) and in the very expensive and collector's 70912 Arkham Asylum (164.99 €).

Man-Bat is not new, it was already delivered in the DC Comics set 76011 Man-Bat Attack (25.99 €) released in 2014. If you missed it because you hadn't paid attention to this set, now is the time to fix your mistake.

The Kabuki Twins, two female bodyguards employed by the Penguin, are obscure characters who have so far only made a cameo appearance in an animated series and spinoff comic. The movie The LEGO Batman Movie may be the opportunity for these twins to earn their star on Hollywood Boulevard.

Don't be fooled by the box of the set which presents each of these minifigs separately instead of simply indicating "x2". They are twins, they are identical.

Robin is equipped with a "merch gun", so heavy that it poses a problem to hold the minifig upright with this weapon in hand. Good point, the two parts that make up the launcher integrated into this pistol-launches-goodies-in-sauce-Batman are pad printed.

Batman ... well Batman what.

The cockpit of the vehicle can accommodate two minifigs, be careful not to crumple the capes of the characters too much in the process ... You see below the part which ejects the roof of the cockpit by manipulating the wheel located in the rear engine.

In the end, this Batmobile is rather nice, even if by removing the Batarang present at the front of the hood and the two bat wings at the rear, we obtain a futuristic vehicle lambda that we will not spontaneously associate with the DC Comics universe. The minifig selection is a bit odd, I hope the movie justifies the presence of Man-Bat and the Kabuki Twins here.

Note: The set presented here is involved. To participate, you must intervene in the comments. You have until January 8, 2017 at 23:59 pm to contribute to the discussion and a draw will determine the winner.

Update : The winner has been drawn, his nickname is indicated below.