Today we can quickly move on with the second reference in the LEGO ART range which will be marketed from January 1: the set 31202 Disney's Mickey Mouse.

With 2658 pieces, the inventory of this second box is less extensive than that of the set 31201 Harry Potter Hogwarts Crests (4249 pieces) but the retail price of the product remains the same: 119.99 €. Here it is a question of assembling Mickey or Minnie as you wish and possibly of collecting two copies of the set to obtain a rectangular mosaic bringing together the two characters. The overall model is content to combine the two existing creations, LEGO does not offer an "alternative" construction.

The cartoon side of the pattern is reinforced by the use of tiles 1 x 1 rounds which in my opinion are more suited to this type of mosaic than the stud pieces used on other products in the range. The overall finish is better and easier to maintain. These tiles are on the other hand a little more difficult to remove from the modules and the supplied super brick separator is not of much help. Its use in this specific case just guarantees you to expel pieces to the four corners of the living room and the golden crowbar provided is a better ally during the operation.

As usual, this is not about having fun by discovering more or less original editing techniques, everything is scripted and the user is guided by a very well designed instruction booklet. The pieces are delivered already sorted by color in individual bags and you just need to associate the right shade with the right number to get started. It seems to be relaxing.

The usual mechanics of the LEGO ART range do not change, we align parts on the nine 16x16 modules which are then connected to each other via a few pine Technic. The Disney logo pad printed on a 2x4 piece will give a little cachet to the whole but you can also not install it on the model, the pieces which will be used to fill the hole are provided. The complexity of these models being quite relative, two and a half hours were enough for me to assemble Minnie, having previously stored the batches of parts in small plastic cups.

Here also, I regret a little that LEGO does not provide two different plates to be used according to the model chosen with the mentions "Mickey Mouse"on one side and"Minnie Mouse"on the other. However, in my opinion, the combined mosaic would have benefited from the presence of two separate plates.

For those who are wondering, each mosaic is foolproof once assembled, the pine Technic provide a first level of connection to the nine modules, the whole is reinforced by the presence of the gray parts placed on the back of the model and the whole is completely secured by the installation of the frame of the table with tiles that overlap the uprights. As with the other mosaics in the range, LEGO provides two wall brackets but you can easily just use one by placing it in the center of the frame.

I'm not an unconditional fan of Mickey and Minnie, but it must be recognized that visually it works quite well in this specific case with the two silhouettes presented on a white background in the shape of ears itself surrounded by a very vintage blue halo. As with the other mosaics in the range, the rendering is convincing as long as you stay at a certain distance, so you will have to study the exhibition location by choosing a wall with a little distance to really enjoy it without having the nose into the details.

As usual, we are promised a thematic podcast planned to accompany the assembly from the launch of the product. This audio track will only be available in English and is not yet downloadable at the time of this writing.

120 € for Mickey or Minnie alternately or 240 € for Mickey and Minnie at the same time, it's up to you. At the risk of repeating myself, I really have trouble with the public price of these products despite their beautiful packaging and the stated desire to target an adult audience who in principle has the means to have fun. The sale of packs bringing together the number of sets needed to assemble global or alternative mosaics, offered at a preferential rate, seemed to me to be a logical step and I am surprised that LEGO is not making this effort.

Note: The set presented here, supplied by LEGO, is as usual in play. Deadline fixed at December 9, 2020 next at 23pm. 

Update : The winner was drawn and was notified by email, his nickname is indicated below. Without a response from him to my request for contact details within 5 days, a new winner will be drawn.

Today we are quickly interested in the LEGO ART set 31201 Harry Potter Hogwarts Crests, a box of 4249 pieces which will allow, from January 1, 2021, to reproduce the emblems of the four houses of Hogwarts (Hogwarts): the lion for Gryffindor, the badger for Hufflepuff, the eagle for Ravenclaw and the snake for Slytherin.

As you will have understood, the possibility of assembling four different mosaics with various dominant colors implies that the inventory is substantial and we therefore end up with more than 4200 pieces sorted by color in individual bags. However, the public price of the product does not change depending on the number of pieces, it is still 119.99 €.

To be honest, I was not thrilled by the individual interpretation of the different emblems. Fortunately the combination of four copies of the set saves the furniture with the possibility of assembling a very successful coat of arms. The other side of the coin: you will have to spend € 480 to proudly display this coat of arms in your living room.

Those who follow already know that this is not a puzzle but a simple 40 x 40 cm (48 x 48 studs) mosaic whose assembly is scripted using the instruction booklet provided. The parts are already sorted and the mechanics are the same as for the previous sets marketed in this range: nine plates on which we align parts, we collect these plates via a few Technic pins and we frame the whole.

The pleasant surprise comes from the nine plates delivered in this box: LEGO has solved the problem that created a very unpleasant ripple effect in the center of the element. The ones I received with my test copy of the set 31199 Marvel Studios Iron Man had a defect that I reported to the manufacturer. I had to return all of these modules to get a replacement, but the new copies received were not perfectly flat either.

Here, the hollow effect in the center of the module disappears permanently and that's a good thing, especially when crossing the mosaic in profile. In turn, the problem encountered prevented me from correctly clipping the white pieces on the back of each of the plates. For the new sets that will be marketed in January 2021, LEGO has chosen here to no longer use the central volume of each of the nine modules and to add parts at the junction of these different elements.

For the rest, those who have already invested in other products in the LEGO ART range will be on familiar ground with the added bonus of large areas of the same color which will reinforce the impression of working in the assembly line. For others, expect to be a bit bored lining up pieces and following the instructions to the letter. This range will not revolutionize the LEGO universe in terms of the evolution of assembly techniques and the 4 in 1 concept of this reference will, as usual, involve disassembly in order before moving on to the next model. The case is heard in less than three hours, unless you decide to align the LEGO mention on each of the parts very precisely.

The dismantling is here in principle facilitated by the super brick separator supplied which allows to extract the bricks four by four, but then you have to unhook them from the utensil itself. It is laborious and those who can afford four copies of this box would be well inspired to go directly to the assembly of the coat of arms. I remind for all intents and purposes that the instructions necessary for assembling the combined mosaic are not provided. You will need to download them in PDF format from the manufacturer's website and view them on a PC or tablet.

As with the rest of the range, LEGO provides a small 2x4 pad printed plate to be inserted into the lower corner of the mosaic. The manufacturer could have taken the opportunity to provide us with four different plates with the names of the different schools represented, but unfortunately we have to be satisfied with the generic mention "Harry Potter". Never mind.

Two hooks for fixing the construction to the wall are provided, but the frame easily fits on one of these fasteners. LEGO still does not provide an easel to present the construction on a piece of furniture without having to rest it on something and that's a shame.

I am not giving you a verse on the thematic audio podcast promised on the box and which is part of the overall "experience", it is not available at the time of this writing. We already know that it will only be available in English.

Unlike other mosaics in the LEGO ART range which are visually self-sufficient when taken individually, I'm not really convinced by the graphic bias used for the four individual emblems offered here and There is only the coat of arms which includes four copies of the set which seems to me really very successful. Every fan of the Harry Potter universe is used to finding affinities with one or the other of the Hogwarts schools, offering a single copy of the set, however, makes sense and should be enough to please.

The public price of these mosaics has something to put off some fans who will prefer to spend € 120 on other more interesting products to assemble. In any case, it will be necessary to know how to show a little patience to find this box at around 90 €, the 2020 references are already regularly offered at very attractive prices. on Amazon Germany.

Note: The set presented here, supplied by LEGO, is as usual in play. Deadline fixed at December 8, 2020 next at 23pm. 

Update : The winner was drawn and was notified by email, his nickname is indicated below. Without a response from him to my request for contact details within 5 days, a new winner will be drawn.

The visuals have been circulating for several days on the usual channels, we now know where they come from: It is the Polish brand Bonito which reveals the two sets of the new "Botanical Collection"which will be launched next January by LEGO.

The images available are not in very high resolution, we will have to deal with it in the meantime.

On the menu of this new range intended for an adult audience, two sets:

As promised, I quickly give you some very personal impressions about the LEGO set 10276 Colosseum announced today. I won't detail the content of each bag or each construction step, if that's what interests you, treat yourself to this box and enjoy the experience without having been spoiled beforehand. At 499.99 € a construction toy, that's the least of it.

Everyone will understand that this is the biggest set ever marketed by LEGO, we have been told repeatedly since the announcement. But beyond the announcement effect, what does this product actually offer, which will go on sale on November 27 at the public price of € 499.99? As you can imagine, you shouldn't expect too much from the editing experience. I don't think I've ever assembled another set where the impression of working in the assembly line was so present. It is the subject who wants that, difficult to blame the manufacturer or the designers on this point.

A few words on the packaging of the product, although you know that I generally prefer to talk about what is in the box rather than gargling on the packaging: The set will be delivered in a dedicated box and the product is protected on two sides with cardboard reinforcements. We can salute the effort of LEGO to try to deliver a product in good condition but it lacks protection on the other two sides of the box. The copy I received has suffered a little on these two unprotected sides.

The inventory of 9036 pieces, including 340 arches Tan 1 x 3, 236 arches Tan 1 x 4, 207 bricks Tan 1 x 2 with pattern, 92 bricks Tan 1 x 4 with pattern or 59 windows Tan 1 x 2 x 2, is distributed in four numbered sub-packages which contain part of the bags and the corresponding instruction booklet. These four booklets are not in blister packs and are simply thrown into the boxes in question. They therefore arrive at best curled and at worst horny or damaged. For an exceptional product, we could hope for a little more care in the packaging.

For the record, we note that LEGO has chosen to use the number 4 in the additive form IIII on one of the sub-packaging and the associated instruction booklet rather than using the more common version IV, a syntax which is not fake, but rather used for clocks or Roman coins. A few facts on the monument itself or on the work of the designers are present at the beginning of the instruction booklets, but it is necessary to be satisfied with texts in English and Italian. Adding text in Italian was the least of things, now you have to make more effort and include other languages ​​without forcing the acquirers to download PDF files to benefit from a translation in their language.

The designers obviously determined the scale of the product based on the 2x3 and 2x4 arches present in number in the bags and on the stacked candle technique used for two of the three different versions of the columns placed on the outer face of the construction. The rest to follow. We will also remember that this Colosseum is not on the scale of the reference monument, the designers confirm that they have used the technique known as "vertical exaggeration" to allow the use of certain parts or techniques and in passing give from the presence to the LEGO version which is therefore higher than the reference monument.

The least repetitive part of the assembly is obviously the base of the model, the internal structure of which is composed of ten plates. Olive Green identical to those already seen in the sets of the new LEGO Art range and some Technic elements. We quickly realize that it will take creativity to find a place to exhibit this XXL Colosseum with a floor space of 59 x 52 cm.

This Colosseum cannot be directly associated with the LEGO Architecture universe: its base is not as polished as that of the products in the range and no monument identification plate is provided. The outline of the base is dressed in small assemblies which give it its definitive vaguely rounded shape, but we rather have the impression that we have roughly cut the ground to extract the thing.

I would have preferred a rectangular base with a little more context around the Colosseum, such as a thicker block of vegetation which would also have helped to accentuate the imposing side of the monument. Two slightly indented "carrying handles" are available on the sides of the base, they will be useful for moving the model later. Let's not forget the few olive trees and the micro-vehicles including a FIAT 500 present on the forecourt, this is the nod in reference to the LEGO Creator Expert set 10271 Fiat 500 which will fuel discussions between friends.

When the plinth is assembled, the sub-assemblies which constitute the structure of the monument are then linked together and this is where the chain work really begins. The few original techniques used to stick as closely as possible to the architecture of the reference monument have their effect during the assembly of the first section. Then, weariness quickly takes over. Spreading the assembly of the set over several days or weeks is a solution that will reduce this impression of constantly reproducing the same modules. I spent a good fifteen hours there, taking my time and spreading the editing over a week.

Everyone will have a different interpretation of these very repetitive construction phases, some will be a little bored while others will see it as a rather "relaxing" process and will consider that the end justifies the means. However, the challenge quickly becomes very relative and we even surprise ourselves building by looking only with a distracted eye at the instructions.

Each of the sub-assemblies reproducing the many corridors circulating under the stands of the Colosseum is connected to the others via a few ball joints gray sometimes a little difficult to clip without forcing on the parts placed nearby. The last module is connected via a few more tolerant clips which avoids forcing. These connection points remain visible from certain angles and in my opinion it would be time for LEGO to offer these pieces in the dominant shade of the construction in which they are integrated.

The product can also be assembled by several people thanks to the distribution of the bags and the instructions in four sub-modules. It will be an opportunity to share a friendly moment and limit weariness. The modularity of the product will then make it possible to bring together the different sub-sections to obtain the final model.

There isn't really an easily removable section on this model apart from the piece of the wooden floor which, covered with sand, served as the central arena. This sub-assembly which partially covers the hypogeum (the basement of the arena with its numerous corridors) is removable, it only fits on a few plugged-in candles. The construction is solid, it will withstand the phases of transport and there is hardly any coverings in Dark Tan, held by two ingots Tan, which embody the columns placed on the top row of the outer wall which may possibly come off following a false movement.

I know some will want to debate the choice of the dominant shade for this mockup, as the two shades of beige used are not really true. In my opinion, this is an acceptable compromise so that the LEGO version maintains a certain visual uniformity without pouring into the patchwork of gray and brown present on the "real" monument. The Tan is also a fashionable color at LEGO when it comes to reproducing walls, it will be necessary to make do with it.

Tastes and colors are indisputable and this XXL Colosseum will undoubtedly find its audience in addition to serving as a self-promotion marketing tool for LEGO as the largest official set ever marketed. We could also find in this model a possible educational vocation but it lacks the possibility of "converting" it into a historical version with all the walls, the arena and the The veil, the set of canvases deployed to protect spectators from the sun. As it stands, it's just a reproduction of the almost 2000-year-old monument that has suffered the ravages of time and the elements.

It will cost € 500 to afford this imposing model which can decorate a library or an office and which will certainly make the heyday of fan exhibitions. Some will wonder if it was really necessary to offer a reproduction of the Colosseum on this scale rather than marketing a micro-version in the LEGO Architecture range. Others will be delighted to have the opportunity to build and exhibit a monument of this magnitude alongside the Taj Mahal from set 10256 reissued in 2017, from the Sydney Opera House from set 10234 marketed in 2013, the reproduction of Big Ben from set 10253 marketed in 2016 and from London Tower Bridge from set 10214 released in 2010. Fans of the LEGO Star Wars range who want to expand their dioramas on Tatooine around the set 75290 Mos Eisley Winery will find in this box an inventory of parts in Tan and Dark Tan who should give them ideas (Mos Espa? Tatooine?). It's up to everyone to see if the investment is justified and for what reason.

As far as I'm concerned, I will skip this product without regret, having no particular affinities with these imposing models of monuments, but I salute the work of the designers who manage to offer us an aesthetic product. almost flawless. The level of detail is in my opinion sufficiently faithful to the subject of reference to make this box a very beautiful tribute to the Roman Colosseum which, even if it does not revolutionize the LEGO concept in terms of assembly experience, should satisfy the most demanding collectors and architecture enthusiasts.

Note: The set presented here, supplied by LEGO, is as usual in play. Deadline fixed at November 25, 2020 next at 23pm.

Update : The winner was drawn and was notified by email, his nickname is indicated below. Without a response from him to my request for contact details within 5 days, a new winner will be drawn.