Review : LEGO Harry Potter 75954 Hogwarts Great Hall

What if we took a quick look at the set 75954 Hogwarts Great Hall (878 pieces - 109.99 € - VIP X2 points in August)? Why fast? Because this type of set does not call for any particular criticism as it is aimed at a specific audience.

You are Harry Potter fans and you don't want to spend € 419.99 on the large micro scale model of the set 71043 Hogwarts Castle ? This more modest box is made for you, especially if you prefer minifigs to micro-things. Do you have no particular affinity with the Harry Potter universe? You have just saved 109.99 €. End of the story.

The LEGO Harry Potter sets marketed between the early 2000s and 2011 having become inaccessible on the secondary market, many fans who were not necessarily interested in LEGO products at the time are now delighted with this reboot of the range. . It is understandable and whatever the content of the new boxes offered by LEGO, they will probably be unanimous among fans finally rewarded for their patience.

For the rest, this box proposes to assemble a very caricatured representation of Hogwarts focusing on the Great Hall and on a tower grouping together a few more or less identifiable spaces.

Everything here is summed up in its simplest form and sometimes even pours into the purest symbolism. The designers wanted to pile up an incalculable number of references and some are sometimes summarized in their simplest form. Even the Sorting Hat is there with a nicely crafted piece (in front of the mirror in the photo below). The Philosopher's Stone is in the chest placed on the first floor of the tower. The fans are in heaven, the others remain unmoved. It's logic.

It will be necessary to apply the inevitable stickers provided on both sides of the removable elements of the riséd mirror, on the reversible banners of the different houses, on the clock placed above the main door and on the walls of the tower. Don't be surprised if the final result you get after applying the different stickers on the walls of the tower differs from the visual on the packaging of the set. The instructions suggest a different placement.

The fact remains that thanks to this set, the youngest will have in their hands an affordable box whose construction challenge is far from being met. This compact version of Hogwarts also makes a perfectly acceptable playset although it is a bit fragile in places. This is particularly the case of the arrows of the roof which have an annoying tendency to unhook. It's annoying, but since it's LEGO, it can be put together in the blink of an eye.

Minifig collectors will also make the effort to be able to add new versions of their favorite characters to their collection. And LEGO was not stingy with this box.

As with the other pretend-like movie set-style dollhouses usually marketed by LEGO, it takes little fingers to access some of the "playable" spaces. But this box being intended for children (from 8 to 14 years old, it is written on the packaging ...), it is not a problem ...

On a purely architectural level, we recognize Hogwarts at first glance, it's successful. Those who have never been interested in the Harry Potter universe may see it as a medieval church, but fans will not be fooled. It's compact, a bit simplified, but the result is quite correct. Personally, I prefer the gray used here for the roofs to the green of the previous sets. Everyone will have their opinion on the matter.

It's up to you to then create the rocky peak on which Hogwarts is placed to give it a little height. Some MOCeurs have already tried their hand at exercise with success (see the wonderful work of Vortex on the subject).

Too bad that LEGO does not provide enough to completely close the building instead of delivering a half building. An additional roof section would have been welcome.

Exit the flotilla of boats sailing towards Hogwarts, we have to be content here with a single copy, the great room becomes a cramped space with reversible banners with benches on which the students cannot really sit, there are even two chairs placed on the floor in front of the teachers' table ...

The many towers of the building are here modestly represented and the main tower is not even perfectly round which clashes a little with the roof of the thing which displays a rather convincing shape.

Harry will have a little trouble making out his parents in the mirror behind which Fawkes (Fawkes) is hiding by being glued so close and the gigantic moving stairs seen in the cinema boil down to a modest retractable set.

Not to mention the Basilisk whose representation here is far from acceptable unless you consider that the thing is inspired by a new form of modern art.

On the minifig side, LEGO has been pretty generous in this box and there is almost something for everyone. Five students are provided: Harry Potter (with Hedwig), Hermione Granger, Ron Weasley (with Crustard), Susan Bones and Draco Malfoy.

Small sweater with V-neck and tie in the colors of each student's respective house for everyone. Sober, but consistent. Small non-articulated legs for the whole troop, they are still children ... For the teenage versions of the characters, we will have to wait for future sets.

Special mention for the hair of Hermione Granger, it is faithful to the haircut of the actress Emma Watson.

No Students Without Teachers: Minerva McGonagall, Albus Dumbledore and Quirinus Quirrell get the job done. Double face for Quirell, you know why ...

Nick Quasi Sans-Tête and Rubeus Hagrid complete the cast offered by this box. We can discuss the appearance of Hagrid, some finding him a look of Playmobil. On the contrary, I find it rather successful, it is a good compromise between fully molded minifig and bigfig.

The creature we could have done without here is the Basilisk (or Basilisk in original version). This giant reptile locked in the Chamber of Secrets has frightened a whole generation of fans. Its interpretation in LEGO version is far from paying homage to this menacing creature.

We know that LEGO bypassed the Chamber of Secrets after testing a first version of the set which included this space with a panel of children who remained more or less indifferent to the presence of the place. These same children, however, had shown some interest in the snake itself, so it was retained.

Beyond its potential as a playset, this product also offers an interesting alternative in terms of exhibition. From a distance, you will recognize the characteristic facades of Hogwarts.

Things will get more complicated with the addition of the few walls provided by the set 75953 Hogwarts Whomping Willow (753 pieces - 74.99 €) which flesh out the construction a little but increase significantly and in a non-linear way the surface occupied by the whole.

The 75953 Hogwarts Whomping Willow set, which we will talk about soon, will allow you to obtain some additional minifigs and the total bill therefore climbs to 184.98 €. It's up to everyone to see if the game is worth the candle.

In the end, it's hard not to simply say yes to this box which will find its audience among the many fans of the Harry Potter universe happy to be able to afford a quality derivative product. There is something for everyone, kids wanting to have fun in the halls of Hogwarts and parent collector, all at a price that seems almost reasonable to me.

Note: The set shown here is put into play as usual. To participate in the raffle, simply post a comment on this article before September 5 at 23:59 p.m.. You have every right to disagree with me, this is not eliminatory.

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.