Review: LEGO Brick Sketches Disney 40456 Mickey Mouse & 40457 Minnie Mouse

Today we quickly go around the LEGO Disney sets 40456 Mickey Mouse (118 - 17.99 €) & 40457 Minnie Mouse (140 - 17.99 €), two new references from the Brick Sketches range which, like the other sets based on the same concept, are directly inspired by the work of Chris McVeigh, a long-time AFOL at the origin of the idea that has since been 2020 become a designer at LEGO.

The product packaging does not change and the box is still too big for what it contains. We understand LEGO's desire to try and showcase these small sets of just over a hundred pieces, but we could easily halve these cardboard boxes without detracting from the appeal of the product.

There must be a few complete collectors who plan to collect all the portraits offered in this format and we are already there. with six different references, these two new boxes joining the sets 40386 Batman, 40391 First Order Stormtrooper, 40428 The Joker et 40431BB-8. The disappointment of some will undoubtedly come one day from an exclusive model at a convention that will have to be paid at a high price on the secondary market, the format seems to me particularly suitable for making some exclusive creations with a more or less limited edition.

The assembly mechanics here are the same as for the other references already on the market: You must both assemble the white 12x16 frame of 29 pieces which will serve as a support for the 3D work concerned and work in successive layers to obtain the promised result. the two portraits are almost identical in their construction, it is very very quickly assembled and we cannot say that we are spending a moment of pure creative madness with these two products. But it's the result that counts and these portraits sold for € 17.99 per unit cost much less than the mosaics in the set 31202 Disney's Mickey Mouse sold for € 119.99.

If you look closely at the photos below, you will notice the flaws in some parts that tend to wavy slightly or where the lower tenons are seen transparent. These flaws have been more or less present at LEGO for years but I still have the impression of noticing them more often in recent months.

I'm not going to be a bad language, you recognize Mickey and Minnie at first glance and the two small pictures to hang on the wall or to put on a dresser will be an illusion from afar. Up close, I'm much less convinced by the designer's choices: the eyes of the two mice seem a bit empty and in my opinion a touch of red is missing in the mouth. The superimposed pieces also produce a "carnival mask" effect, the four studs visible under the nose resemble teeth and the cheeks based on large ones. Tiles rounds remind me of Jigsaw for those who can see what I'm talking about. In my defense, I've always found that there is something scary about Mickey and Minnie in their historic white-skinned version and these two portraits won't change my mind.

I understand despite everything that these are simplified and figurative reproductions of the two characters and that it is up to everyone to assess whether the proposed "artistic" interpretation is convincing. I also know that many fans of these two characters will pay little attention to the finish or the "artistic" choices of the designer and that they will not hesitate to pay the 35.98 € requested just because it is Disney by LEGO.

Good luck to the children who will have to sleep with these things on a shelf in their bedroom. Mickey and Minnie are watching you kids, think about it. Even in the dark.

Note: The lot of two sets presented here, provided by LEGO, is as usual involved. Deadline fixed at March 3, 2021 next at 23pm. "The" I try, I participate "are automatically deleted, make an effort.

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.