Review : LEGO 10292 F⋅R⋅I⋅E⋅N⋅D⋅S Apartments

Today we are talking about the LEGO set again 10292 F⋅R⋅I⋅E⋅N⋅D⋅S Apartments (2048 pieces - 159.99 €), not to rehash everything you have already seen or read during the official announcement of this derivative of the cult series of the 90s but rather to go around everything which LEGO did not necessarily put forward.

This is the second LEGO product based on the series, it joins the set LEGO Ideas 21319 Central Perk (1070 pieces - 59.99 €) which by the manufacturer's own admission has been a commercial card since its launch in 2017. Incidentally, LEGO has also put on sale a small series of key rings at the end of which hang the different characters.

The timing chosen by LEGO to announce and market this new derivative product owes nothing to chance: the special episode which will see the six friends meet again and probably for the last time is announced for May 27 on the HBO channel. Max with a teasing currently in progress.

LEGO is therefore taking advantage of the enthusiasm around this episode, eagerly awaited by a whole generation of fans, and is going with a big set that allows you to reproduce the two apartments that serve as the backdrop for 90% of the scenes in the series. With the Central Perk from the LEGO Ideas set, we will have toured the studio which hosted the adventures of the various protagonists of this sitcom and the idea of ​​offering the two apartments and the end of the hallway that allows you to go from one to the other. 'other therefore made sense.

The designer of the set is doing very well for everything related to the layout of the rooms and the layout of the premises. The bedrooms and bathrooms are missing, but the more than two feet long diorama is already large enough and it would have been even more difficult to find a place for it with the addition of additional rooms. As nothing can stop the most assiduous fans of the series, I remain convinced that many of them would nevertheless have liked to obtain all the places that have housed scenes that have become cult in their eyes.

The set takes up the recipe of the one who allows to assemble the Central Perk while respecting the fact that it is above all a film studio. The actors played their scenes in front of a real audience and the apartments like the bar were logically oriented and open to the spectators. There is therefore no legitimate criticism to be formulated on the very basic finish of the back of the studio, it is only the setting for a sitcom and no one was going to present the set in front of a wall anyway. admire the exterior facades. To quibble, I regret a little that the projectors placed at the corners of the studio are not strictly identical to those of the LEGO Ideas set.

The alignment of the two apartments is not linear, you will have to deal with the forward shift of Joey's, but the corridor is removable and it allows the two apartments to be presented separately if there is a lack of space. It's always taken even if I do not see an unconditional fan of the series ignoring the most faithful possible layout and this end of the hall which also hosted some memorable scenes.

No base plates, you have to assemble the floor of the two apartments. The floor is also delivered in "visible tenons", which on the one hand allows all possible and imaginable staging but which on the other should disappoint fans of tiling based on Tiles. The decorative beam that crosses Monica's apartment somewhat hinders access to the kitchen, you can always remove it easily without weakening the construction.

In both apartments, the interior furnishings are at one level. Structure neat but moderately inspired with a lot of furniture a little tight, a few accessories piled up on the shelves and pretty techniques at work for example for the curtains, the sofas or the various household appliances. We also find the technique already used for the Central Perk carpet with a set to be built separately which is then installed in the space provided.

For the one in Joey's apartment, we also integrate the mechanism that allows the two armchairs to move simultaneously, as in the series when Joey and Chandler rock synchronously. The walls with their usual shade variations are quickly put together, and brick stacking sessions are regularly interrupted by slightly more entertaining sequences of furniture building. There's no getting bored and those who have trouble finding the most obvious references will only have to refer to the instruction booklet that documents them when their turn is.

As this is a sitcom that takes place mainly in the locations offered here, almost everything is a reference, even the carton of milk on Joey's kitchen counter. The smallest detail refers to one or more of the 236 episodes with more or less striking scenes depending on the number of times you have watched the 10 seasons of the series. Unfortunately, the most obvious nods are also the ones that are treated in a somewhat lazy way: The Thanksgiving turkey doesn't fit over Monica's or Joey's head, and the duck is replaced by a bird. smaller than the hen ...

It's a shame and LEGO has no real excuse when we know that new molds are created by handles for sets featuring characters that cannot be reproduced with the existing elements. Monica's secret cupboard is present but it only contains a few boxes, a head and a stool.

The set does not escape a large handful of stickers including the one to stick on the front door of Monica's apartment. It was in the product teaser posted on social networks a few days before the official announcement of the set and it took effect with a color difference that was difficult to accept for a € 160 product intended for adult customers.

The rest of the sticker sheet is however more successful with an appearance of Doctor Drake Ramoray, the poster for the novel "Les Mystères de New-York" and the one for the Buttes-Chaumont toy store, both reinvented with LEGO sauce. or a page from volume V of the encyclopedia purchased by Joey. We also get three different versions of the magic slate installed at Joey's on the inside of the front door, you will have to choose the one that inspires you the most.

Friends is also and above all a casting and the set allows you to obtain the six main characters accompanied here by Janice. Overall, I find the six minifigs in the set LEGO Ideas 21319 Central Perk more successful than these and the proposed outfits seemed more familiar to me than those delivered in this new box. Each of the versions delivered here refers to a specific episode of the series and even though the build is full of winks, so the characters are often in the wrong outfit and a bit out of context.

Joey's minifigure refers to a season three episode in which the character puts on Chandler's entire locker room. The different layers of clothing are very well reproduced, it's perfect. One of the character's two facial expressions appears to mimic his signature gimmick "How you doin '?"which is still the heyday of heavy dredgers.

Ross's minifigure is based on an episode of the fifth season, the character puts on leather pants and sprinkles talcum powder. The box of powder is therefore in the character's hand and the reference is obvious. Technically, the flesh-colored neck pad printed on the gray background of the torso is a bit bland, it was prettier on the rendering used by LEGO for the presentation of the product. The two faces of the character are in my opinion a bit missed, it looks like Ross is 80 years old.

Chandler's minifig refers to an episode of the second season of the series, the tie is perfectly reproduced and one of the two faces of the figurine displays the forced laughter seen and seen over the episodes.

Rachel's minifigure is in a waitress outfit seen in the show's first season, and the adaptation is aesthetically very successful. Technically, it's me glorious with a problem with positioning the flesh-colored area on the legs. The official visuals are once again very optimistic. The monkey Marcel is obviously missing to stick to the chosen reference, LEGO could have provided us with the new version of the animal which will be present in the CITY range this summer.

Janice wears the outfit seen in an episode in the seventh season, it is for me the most successful figurine of the lot with a double face that embodies the character's two usual postures: her annoying laugh and her recurring gimmick "Oh My GodBellatrix Lestrange's hair does the job here even if it is maybe a little too bushy. The leopard blouse with its fringes is perfectly reproduced and the set lets us imagine just what LEGO could have done on others. characters like for example Richard Burke (Tom Selleck) or Mike Hannigan (Paul Rudd) who are unfortunately absent.

Monica's minifigure is based on an episode in season seven and the outfit is perfectly reproduced here as well. The overall look of the figure is pretty decent, except maybe for the hairstyle which is a bit rough.

Phoebe's minifigure is based on an episode in season six, the floral vest is interpreted well but the facial features and hair of Sally Nightmare in blonde seem a little off topic to me, as does the brush. The set also allows to obtain a reproduction of Gladys which lacks a little pad printing on the chest.

Mixed results therefore for the assortment of figurines in this box. You had to choose outfits and the possibilities were endless with 236 episodes on the clock. LEGO preferred to take the opportunity to refer to certain scenes rather than to offer more generic versions of the characters, fans collectors will undoubtedly find their account.

As far as I'm concerned, I watched the entire series twice, the first time when it was broadcast on television in the 90s and again a few years later on DVD (and VOST). The second viewing had reconciled me a little with the sitcom, the recorded laughter of the French version annoyed me and those of the real American audience seemed more natural and spontaneous. Since then, I have moved on, with other forms of humor and even if I willingly admit having taken pleasure in following the adventures of these young New Yorkers 25 years ago, I find that the schoolboy side and a little over-playful of the series has since aged very badly.

The LEGO Ideas set with the main cast and Gunther is therefore more than enough for me, it does not take up too much space, it is symbolic enough and I no longer feel sufficient affinity with the series to consider investing € 160 in this new one. diorama. If we had to imagine another box, I would have preferred a small set with the fountain of the credits and the characters in evening dress (clap, clap, clap, clap) ...

A technical detail: One of the two white pieces that take place at the back of the location that houses the desk was missing in the copy of the set that I received, it was replaced by a Tile grey. Nothing prevents assembling the set but it is a little strange packaging error.

In short, it is necessary for all communities of fans and this product is tailor-made for those who consider Friends as a cult series. They should have a great time during assembly and the product goes a long way in accumulating more or less obvious references. It will then be necessary to find a place for this bulky diorama, but I am not worried about all those who will be sufficiently motivated when it will be necessary to pay 160 € for this box.

If you have no idea how much this set has to offer fans of the Friends series because you've never watched this sitcom, just keep in mind that this is extremely well done fan service. . In any case better thought out than what LEGO offers us in many licensed sets available in other ranges.

Note: The set presented here, provided by LEGO, is as usual involved. Deadline fixed at 28th May 2021 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.