Are LEGO minifigs too detailed?

It was while browsing flickr that I came across this photo of MED and that I asked myself the question. Are LEGO minifigs too detailed?

It is a question that deserves to be asked and that divides the community. It's a fact, LEGO minifigs are getting more and more detailed, screen-printed and dressy. Some see it as a normal evolution of the toy according to the evolution of fashions and technologies, while others see LEGO gradually losing its soul and its image of a toy appealing to the imagination of the youngest.

Today we are a long way from the basic yellow-headed minifigs of the 1990s. I naturally pass on the bits of plastic acting as a character dating from the 1970s before the creation of minifigs with movable arms and legs in 1978 .... The arrival of Flesh in 2003 changed the appearance of minifigs, but without necessarily distorting the product.

In recent years, LEGO has entered another phase: Minifigs are more and more detailed and close to the universe from which they are inspired. Just see Jack Sparrow, Harry Potter ou Indiana Jones to understand that there is no longer any need for imagination: The minifigure is immediately recognizable and assimilable to the character it embodies.

The remakes of the Star Wars universe are also ultra-detailed: Sebulba from the set 7962 Anakin Skywalker and Sebulba's Podracers released in 2011 is much more detailed than the Sebulba of the set 7171 Mos Espa Podrace released in 1999.

Not to mention Boba Fett's minifigure which has evolved well since the set's minifigure 7144 Slav I released in 2000 until 8097 Slav I released in 2010 .... 

The Star Wars universe reflects this evolution of minifigs over the years. The range spans over 10 years and incorporates almost every variant of minifig that LEGO has been able to produce.

Personally, I am divided. On the one hand, I tell myself that as long as the minifig keeps the shape that we know it, all is well. And I expect seriously worked minifigs in the Superheroes range, with beautiful screen prints and colors faithful to that of the models. After all, it's the shape of these characters more than their dress that makes them part of the LEGO world.

But on the other hand, I contradict myself and I regret that some minifigs are sometimes too dressy, decorated, to be made even more realistic or close to their model. Undoubtedly an effect of nostalgia particular to the Star Wars universe, which must be less present among the youngest ....

And you, what is your opinion?