Review: LEGO Monkie Kid 80019 Red Son's Inferno Jet

Today we make a quick hook by the novelties expected from March 1st in the LEGO Monkie Kid range with the set 80019 Red Son's Inferno Jet, a box of 299 pieces which will be sold at the public price of 29.99 €.

For those who do not yet know, this range of toys intended for the Asian market is loosely inspired by the popular legend of the Monkey King from which it borrows iconic characters and places. Everything is then wrapped in a retro-futuristic context that sometimes draws on other universes to appeal to children. The result is interesting even if it goes a bit in all directions.

To date, the animated series that serves both as a reference on the context of this universe designed for the Asian market and as a marketing support for derivative products has still not been broadcast in France. There is little chance that it will ever be so, this range is only distributed elsewhere than in Asia because of the commitment made by LEGO to no longer reserve its "general public" ranges for certain geographical areas. . Products derived from this universe are therefore marketed directly by LEGO and are not accessible to other brands specializing in toys.

This box features the attack on the Mountain of Fruit and Flowers by Red Son, the son of Demon Bull King and Princess Iron Fan (see the set 80010 Demon Bull King). The mountain in question is symbolized here by an additional mini-construction which directly refers to the much more substantial content of the set. 80024 The Legendary Flower Fruit Mountain (169.99 €) which we will talk about in a few days. Those who do not want to spend 180 € to afford the "real" mountain will therefore be able to reproduce the planned scene at a lower cost.

The craft ridden by Red Son is a sort of rather original retro-futuristic Speeder with Steampunk accents that hides an interesting feature: it is also a handgun equipped with two Spring-Shooters which will be used to try to knock out the Monkie Kid attached to the top of the mini-assembly via his stick.

The loading of the two ammunition is carried out from the front of the machine by opening the cover of the turbine and the trigger is placed under the cockpit. The latter is rather well integrated and it knows how to be relatively discreet. The icing on the cake, firing is carried out in two distinct phases thanks to the integrated mechanism which pushes in two stages on the back of the ammunition. NERF could not have done better.

The grip of the weapon via the integrated stock is well thought out and the whole does not fall apart, even when handling it without taking too many precautions, thanks to its internal structure which calls for a few Technic beams. LEGO does not provide enough to present the jet horizontally, I added the few transparent pieces visible in the photos above.

The aesthetic finish of the Red Son jet would perhaps have deserved some additional parts at the level of the sides of the cockpit and the rear but I suppose that the designer will have preferred to ensure a good grip by the youngest while maintaining a fairly thin stock. Some stickers dress the speeder cabin, you will have to do with or without them and not take advantage of the nice finishing details they bring.

Three minifigs are provided in this small box: the Monkie Kid, Red Son and Bob the clone. These three figures were already present in numbers in the sets of the first wave marketed since 2020 and there is nothing new here. The pad prints are very successful with a level of detail to make fans of the LEGO Marvel Super Heroes universe jealous, who often have to be content with neutral legs and much more minimalist prints.

LEGO is putting the package on this range and it shows: all the know-how of the manufacturer in pad printing, molding and injection is at work and we better measure the laziness of certain other ranges about which fans the most indulgent are spreading various and varied excuses to justify the savings made by LEGO.

If I was a few (many) years younger, I think I would have been at least as sensitive to this universe as that of the Ninjago range. It's colorful, the content of the sets is varied enough for everyone to find the machine they like and the minifigs are really attractive. The fact that this range of products is vaguely inspired by the legend of the Monkey King is only a tool of seduction to reach Asian customers, the reference is not essential to enjoy these products and have fun.

We can regret that the range is sold in Europe without the context of its content via the animated series even if the youngest will have no trouble identifying the good guys, the bad guys and the issues. Their imagination will do the rest. My 12 year old son even showed (briefly) interested in this universe by judging the content of this range more "modern" and "varied" than that of the Ninjago universe which he has toured for a long time. Fortnite and Overwatch regained the upper hand in two minutes, however, so let's not get carried away.

Note: The set presented here, provided by LEGO, is as usual involved. Deadline fixed at March 7, 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.