Review : LEGO 10276 Colosseum (The Colosseum)

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.