Review: LEGO Marvel Avengers 76153 Helicarrier

Today we quickly tour the LEGO Marvel Avengers set 76153 Helicarrier (1244 pieces - 129.99 €), a box vaguely inspired by the Marvel's Avengers video game (Square Enix) which has been on the market since June 2020.

This is not the first LEGO version of the Helicarrier: in 2015, the manufacturer indeed offered an interpretation of the machine intended for the exhibition with the set. 76042 The SHIELD Helicarrier (2996 pieces - 349.99 €). This new version is much less ambitious, but also less expensive, and this time it is a playset intended for the youngest fans of the Marvel universe.

The idea of ​​offering a playable and affordable version of the Avengers headquarters is not bad, but its execution leaves me a little dubious here. The designers have however tried to integrate different functionalities which reinforce the playability of the product while trying to respect the aesthetic codes which allow to recognize the machine at first glance.

The whole thing could have almost convinced if a major detail had not been sloppy: the four propellers which allow the Helicarrier to fly and stabilize in the air are simply added above the fairings which in principle serve to them. frame and protect them.

However, there is a very rational explanation for this somewhat dubious aesthetic choice: The integration of the various mobile propellers in a frame entailed the risk for the youngest of getting their fingers caught or their hair caught in the mechanism and deporting them. above the side extensions eliminates this risk.

Seen from the outside, one could imagine that this Helicarrier offers many accessible and possibly playable interior spaces. This is not the case, only the cockpit placed at the front allows three characters to be installed in their respective seats and there is a large cell at the rear intended to accommodate the large MODOK figurine. The rest of the fuselage is filled with axles and gears held by Technic elements in the service of the rotation of the four propellers when the Helicarrier rolls on the ground.

The missile launcher placed in the center of the machine is a novelty for 2020 also delivered in the Spider-Man sets 76151 Venomosaurus Ambush and Ninjago 71703 Storm Fighter Battle, just like the arrow with its rubber tip which is a variant of the usual version. The possibilities of integrating this new element are really better than those offered by the gun Technic classic (ref. 6064131) often used until now.

With a Helicarrier version microfighter luxury, you also needed at least a matching Quinjet. And the version delivered here does not have much of a Quinjet as we know it, but the small ship remains playable with its cockpit which can accommodate a minifig and its rotating coin launcher placed in the front. It is also easier to install a character at the controls of this micro ship than to try to fit three miniatures in the very deep helicarrier cockpit accessible only through the very narrow hatch placed at the front. .

For those who were wondering what the 18 yellow parts seen grouped next to the craft on the official product visuals are for, they take place under the fuselage to prevent the Helicarrier from rolling and falling off the shelf on which it is. is stored or displayed.

This 1200-piece Helicarrier therefore vaguely resembles the machine seen on the screen and in the video game, but the size / functionality / playable space ratio is definitely not to its advantage. Note that all the stickers provided in this box are on a transparent background which allows to remain in line with the background color of the parts on which these different stickers are placed at the cost of a few bubbles or white burrs on the largest of them .

The figurine endowment here is rather substantial with a total of 8 characters, some of which are also available in other boxes marketed this year.

We assemble a large MODOK figurine which takes over from the version seen in 2014 in the set 76018 Avengers: Hulk Lab Smash. This new version of the leader of the AIM is in my opinion more interesting than the pseudo-minifig with the big head with its somewhat ridiculous seat proposed in 2014. The construction fits perfectly in the cell placed at the back of the Helicarrier, it is planned for that.

The Black Widow minifigure is not exclusive to this box, it also appears in the set 76166 Avengers Tower Battle and in the minifig pack 40418 Falcon & Black Widow Team-Up. I'm not really convinced by Harry Potter wands plugged into lightsaber handles, but why not.

The versions of Thor and Agent of AIM delivered in this box are identical to those seen earlier this year in the set. 76142 Avengers Speeder Bike Attack. Nick Fury's minifig could have been brand new, but LEGO didn't make the effort and it is simply the one seen in 2019 in the set 76130 Stark Jet and the Drone Attack.

Captain Marvel's minifigure is the one seen this year in the set 76152 Avengers: Wrath of Loki and Tony Stark's minifigure comes in a big handful of new 2020 releases.

We still have War Machine, delivered here in an unprecedented configuration with back-mounted equipment flanked by pad printed parts already seen in 2019 in the set 75893 Speed ​​Champions Dodge Challenger SRT Demon & 1970 Dodge Charger R / T. Well done for the three stacked roller skates that make a very believable missile launcher. The character's head with its red HUD is that of the set 76124 War Machine Buster (2019)

Knowing that the Helicarrier is an iconic machine in the Avengers universe, I think this new version at least has the merit of making it accessible to younger fans. The machine is solid, easy to handle and the narrow cockpit remains easily accessible to small hands.

Everything is not perfect in this set with a very rough aesthetic and few really playable interior spaces but there is plenty of fun with the beautiful assortment of characters provided and we already find this box less than 90 € at amazon in Germany. Collectors wishing to afford a more successful Helicarrier will wait for a hypothetical reissue of the 2015 version, but children will be happy to settle for this more affordable compromise.

Note: The set presented here, supplied by LEGO, is as usual in play. Deadline fixed at August 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.