75215 Cloud Rider Swoop Bikes

Back to business with a quick glance at the LEGO Star Wars set 75215 Cloud Rider Swoop Bikes (355 pieces - 29.99 €), based on the movie Solo: A Star Wars Story.

In this small box, we find something to assemble two machines and three characters: An Arrogantus-X Skyblade-221 ridden by Weazel, a Caelli-Merced Skyblade-330 piloted by Enfys Nest and Tobias Beckett who for the occasion is in the process of 'trying to steal a container of Coaxium.

Regarding the two speeders, nothing to say. It is really very detailed and pleasant to assemble with in particular a nice work on the reactors of the Arrogantus-X Skyblade-221. The two speeders are also easily manipulated without risking scattering parts everywhere. No passenger for the Weazel sidecar, but it is possible to store the small Coaxium container provided there.

75215 Cloud Rider Swoop Bikes

Lovers of specific pieces will also find their happiness there with some new pieces including 13 copies of the Plate with 2 open pins and rounded edges delivered here in Dark Gray (6221607), 6 bars with Stop Ring en Dark Tan (6236697) and 6 flags in Dark Tan (6231385 & 6231387).

75215 Cloud Rider Swoop Bikes

The assembly experience is accessible to all, including the youngest if they are meticulous. You have to integrate many small parts in each of the machines and stick 13 stickers that dress the front fins of the two speeders and the tail of the Enfys Nest vehicle. Good news for those who like to share their moments dedicated to construction: LEGO has intelligently divided the two speeders into three bags and two instruction booklets that allow assembly as a family.

75215 Cloud Rider Swoop Bikes

The Weazel and Enfys Nest minifigs are very successful with a really very successful pad printing and masks really faithful to the versions seen in the film. A little annoying detail: The Clutch Power (nesting capacity) of the two masks seems a little weak to me. These are easily detached from the head on which they are plugged.

75215 Cloud Rider Swoop Bikes

The Enfys Nest mask uses the inscriptions in Aurabesh (the language of the Star Wars universe) seen in the film, but here in a slightly simplified version. For the record, it is written "Until we reach the last edge, the last opening, the last star, and can go no higher"on the Enfys Nest mask in the movie and LEGO only kept the end of the sentence,"and can go no higher ", on the mask of the minifig version.

The disappointment obviously comes from the head of these minifigs. Those who have seen the film know that these two characters with the look of aliens are in fact humans (and the good guys in the story) whose faces we discover and the two minifigs are nevertheless equipped with neutral heads. I would have preferred to get the faces of Warwick Davis and Erin Mae Kellyman, the two actors who play the two characters on the screen.

That being said, these two minifigs are very successful with a very successful pad printing and masks really faithful to the versions seen in the film. Enfys Nest inherits as a bonus a two-tone cape with a pretty pattern on the outside.

75215 Cloud Rider Swoop Bikes

Regarding Tobias Beckett (Woody Harrelson), the minifigure does the job and it is essential to the action of the scene reproduced here. I'm not convinced by using Mr Incredible's hair in blonde, but I'll do with it. More annoying, we find once again the very unsightly pad printing shift between the torso and the legs which ruins all the efforts of LEGO.

You will understand, this box offers limited playability and it is mainly a complement to sets 75217 Imperial Conveyex Transport (99.99 €) and 75219 Imperial AT-Hauler (109.99 €) which allow, subject to having a significant budget, to reconstruct the scene seen in the film by featuring all the vehicles and characters involved.

It is therefore the ideal extra gift to give to a young fan already well spoiled, provided you find this small box at a reduced price. The set is also currently sold for under 23 at amazon.

75215 Cloud Rider Swoop Bikes

Note: The set shown here is put into play as usual. To participate in the raffle, simply post a comment on this article before November 18 at 23:59 p.m.. You have every right to disagree with me, this is not eliminatory.

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.

Pascal89 - Comment posted the 15/11/2018 at 23:43

5005256 Marvel Avengers Infinity War

Today we quickly make the rounds of the pack of minifigs LEGO Marvel Avengers Infinity War bearing the reference 5005256, initially intended to be distributed exclusively by Toys R Us as part of the traditional "Bricktober" operation.

The international fiasco that followed the closure or takeover of the brand's stores in several countries has since called into question this method of distribution in certain geographical areas. In France, Toys R Us will survive and, we have known for a few days, will market two of the four limited edition packs available, the reference of which interests us here.

The four minifigs provided here are exclusive to this pack until proven guilty. We can also consider that these are characters who were probably intended to integrate different sets already marketed in which their presence was justified. More than just variants, these are versions that can be directly associated with certain scenes seen in the films.

5005256 Marvel Avengers Infinity War

If we count Iron Patriot seen in the polybag 30168 (it's up to you), this is the fourth version of War Machine after that of the sets 76006 Iron Man: Extremis Sea Port Battle (2013) et 76051 Super Hero Airport Battle (2016)

Everything is played here on the (numerous) details which dress the armor in Mark IV version worn by James Rhodes with a pad printing extended to the arms of the characters. The double-sided face is very successful with on one side the red HUD generated by the armor and which is therefore not really intended to be present once the helmet is removed. In short, we know it's there, it's well done, I take.

Despite a limited presence on the screen, the minifigure could easily have found its place in the sets 76101 Outrider Dropship Attack (2018) or 76104 The Hulkbuster Smash-Up (2018)

Bucky Barnes, who becomes White Wolf on screen, is delivered here in a version that could also have been included in the set 76104 The Hulkbuster Smash-Up (2018). Nothing crazy, but the outfit is faithful to the one seen in the cinema with the added bonus of a nice pad printing on the left arm and a holster on the right leg.

Collectors will hardly be able to do without this new variant which joins the two other interpretations of the character: the minifig seen in the sets 76047 Black Panther Pursuit (2016) et 76051 Super Hero Airport Battle (2016) and that of polybag 5002943 (2015).

5005256 Marvel Avengers Infinity War

Doctor Strange's staunch companion Wong is a beloved character among fans and his absence from the LEGO lineup has always been a source of frustration for collectors.

This minifigure could in fact have been delivered in sets 76060 Doctor's Strange Sanctum Sanctorum (2016) or 76108 Sanctum Sanctorum Showdown (2018) even if the character's presence on the screen during Infinity War is more than anecdotal due to his hasty departure for New York ...

5005256 Marvel Avengers Infinity War

Wong is here accompanied by a work from the library of the palace of Kamar Taj. The minifig does the job with a pad printing that takes up the different attributes of the character's costume well, even if I find the whole visually a bit messy with a red background that does not really highlight the different printed patterns.

In the box, we also find a version of Tony Stark which would also have had its place in the set 76108 Sanctum Sanctorum Showdown (2018). In my opinion, the pair of Dita Mach One glasses worn by Robert Downey Jr is missing, but this version will do. Pretty pad printing on the chest and arms of the character with hood on the back and shiny effect quite convincing for the whole outfit.

5005256 Marvel Avengers Infinity War

In short, there is no need to overdo it on these four new minifigs that collectors will in any case have to get to sleep better at night. Diorama enthusiasts can also use them to enhance their diverse and varied staging. They are successful and original enough to justify a purchase of this pack which will be sold by Toys R Us in November, it is just a matter of accepting the idea of ​​spending twenty euros to get them.

Note: The pack presented here is as usual in play. To participate in the raffle, simply post a comment on this article before November 9 at 23:59 p.m.. You have every right to disagree with me, this is not eliminatory.

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.

Yannick - Comment posted the 03/11/2018 at 5:34

LEGO Star Wars 75218 X-Wing Starfighter

Because you must always have at least one X-Wing in your collection, today we are quickly interested in the LEGO Star Wars set. 75218 X-Wing Starfighter (730 pieces - 99.99 €) which finally takes over the set 9493 X-Wing Starfighter (2012) after the variants seen in the sets 75102 Poe's X-Wing Fighter (2015) et 75149 Resistance X-Wing Fighter (2016)

Forget the previous versions, they're overpriced on the aftermarket anyway and there's always an X-Wing on the shelf at LEGO. It is a staple of the LEGO Star Wars range as can the police station in the CITY range.

LEGO Star Wars 75218 X-Wing Starfighter

I remember my discussion last June with the two designers of the LEGO Star Wars range, Michael Lee Stockwell and Jens Kronvold Frederiksen, who explained to me this desire to renew with each new version of a recurring model in the range. This X-Wing is a perfect example of this permanent questioning of designers, both in terms of aesthetics and functionality.

Exit the wheel which protruded from the back of the ship and which allowed the wings to be deployed, now places a new, more discreet, a little brutal, but very effective mechanism which puts the X-Wing in combat position instantly. The gameplay is thus maximum, no need to spend your time putting the wheel back in place while your friends are already shooting you with their Tie Fighters.

We find here some interesting techniques for the construction of the front fuselage but, due to symmetry, the assembly quickly becomes repetitive when it comes to building the wings and engines. Not to discourage a fan so far, young or old.

I will not embark on the eternal debate around the fidelity of each new interpretation of the X-Wing to the ship seen in the movies. This model is not a UCS, it is just a toy. Overall I think this new version brings a nice amount of cosmetic updates and makes the 2012 version dispensable.

I note that we can finally place the droids in the right position, in the direction of travel, instead of placing them aside as was the case in set 9493.

LEGO Star Wars 75218 X-Wing Starfighter

We could also discuss the simplification of the cannons placed at the end of the wings, but the solution implemented on this new version is in my opinion more suited to the fights between young fans who will thus avoid losing a few pieces during the confrontation.

The vessel is also thought to be handled by the youngest. Nothing comes off the fuselage, the whole is rather solid. Small annoying detail: in flight position, the front landing gear cannot be completely retracted under the fuselage, it's a shame.

Here we find the usual rubber bands that ensure the return to the closed position of the wings, it's a bit unsightly but we will do with it. LEGO still does not provide replacement rubber bands in the box and it is a shame for a € 100 toy that has to undergo a lot of handling.

LEGO Star Wars 75218 X-Wing Starfighter

We also glue some stickers with once again this very unpleasant difference in color between the white background of the stickers and the cream color of the parts on which they are placed.

I note in passing that these stickers seem strangely thin to me, more than usual. For those who are wondering: the cockpit canopy is pad-printed, it is the one that was already delivered in sets 75102 and 75149.

Collectors who consider LEGOs not for children will eventually be able to get rid of the spring shooters placed on the wings to reinforce the model aspect of the machine. The youngest ones will be delighted to be able to knock things out with these elements rather well integrated and which do not disfigure the ship.

You will also be able without regret to remove the somewhat unsightly Technic axis placed under the vessel and which is used to return the wings to the closed position during landing, the mechanism provided for deploying the wings is sufficient on its own, it works in both ways. Some may regret the somewhat violent side, including the slamming, of the mechanism. I do not care.

LEGO Star Wars 75218 X-Wing Starfighter

On the minifig side, LEGO delivers here Luke Skywalker and Biggs Darklighter both accompanied by the essential droid that comes to stay behind the cockpit. If the two pilots wear the same outfit, their helmets are obviously different with pretty pad prints.

We could debate for a long time this new version of the pilot's helmet with integrated visor that some find too bulky, but in my case it is a significant evolution of this accessory that avoids us the very questionable pad printing of the visor used until now on the face of the minifigure.

A note about droids, LEGO persists in pad printing only one side of the body of these little robots. Some patterns on the back would be welcome, just to make R2-D2 and R2-Q2 more successful.

LEGO Star Wars 75218 X-Wing Starfighter

Sold for 99.99 €, this 730-piece X-Wing is a bit too expensive for my taste even though it comes with two pilots and two droids and offers the possibility to customize it in the colors of Luke Skywalker (Red Five) or Biggs Darklighter (Red Three), which is making a comeback here in the LEGO Star Wars range, with a set of Tiles additional.

Fortunately, we find this box currently less than 80 € at amazon and this new version of a classic from the LEGO Star Wars range deserves in my opinion to be found at the foot of the tree even if I hope that LEGO will one day be able to offer us an X-Wing without these small rubber bands and whose mechanism does not contains only parts ...

Note: The set shown here is put into play as usual. To participate in the raffle, simply post a comment on this article before November 4 at 23:59 p.m.. You have every right to disagree with me, this is not eliminatory.

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.

MrBuns - Comment posted the 31/10/2018 at 0:46
18/10/2018 - 15:22 In my opinion... LEGO Ideas Reviews

21315 Pop-Up Book

We will quickly talk about the next LEGO Ideas set that you will soon be able to add to your collections: The reference 21315 Pop-Up Book (859 pieces - 69.99 €) based on the project by Jason Allemann aka JkBrickworks, the artist who is also behind the LEGO Ideas set 21305 Maze, here associated with Grant Davis.

The idea of ​​the book that opens to reveal content that takes shape is not new, it is already a few hundred years old. If you have children, you probably have a book somewhere that uses this technique with Dora walking on a path and Chipeur coming out of a bush ... The format is still having some success, I am thinking of the magnificent in particular. Pop Up Book based on the Game of Thrones TV series published in 2014 by Huginn and Muninn. This same principle is therefore applied here in LEGO sauce.

LEGO has made a great effort here on the exterior appearance of the book. Too bad the designer did not go to the end of the process: only the cover is dressed with nicely pad printed plates indicating the title and the names of the two creators of the initial project, the spine of the book and the spine remaining on their side hopelessly empty. It smacks of the savings imposed by the marketing department.

21315 Pop-Up Book

The handling is very convincing and you will inevitably want to put this book among others on a shelf to take it out in front of the astonished eyes of your friends who will choke on their aperitif when they discover what it really is.

Unfortunately, the lack of pad printing on the edge slightly reduces the potential for integrating the thing into a library and that's a real shame.

As a bonus, you will have noticed that we are entitled to a large unsightly injection mark right in the middle of the 16x8 plate which dresses the back of the book. Manufacturing process requires, it is also present on the plate placed at the front but the pad printing makes it less visible.

The formula Once upon a brick displayed on the cover of the book is completely neutral and does not directly reference the two scenes provided in the set. This is a good initiative that keeps the element of surprise and does not harm the potential for customization of the set.

21315 Pop-Up Book

I note in passing that LEGO has abandoned the idea of ​​the latch present on the initial project and which keeps the book closed. I liked the idea of ​​being able to secure the work via this latch but we will do without.

In front of your friends impatient to see what is going on, you will then casually open the book to reveal the scene that you have chosen among the two provided in the box.

Only the decor remains in place in the book. The minifigs can be stored there but will have to be placed where you want afterwards, nothing is specially designed to keep them in place when closing.

21315 Pop-Up Book

Because you have to leave room to store the decor in the two flaps of the book when the latter is closed, some may have the impression that the two scenes are a little minimalist when deployed. It's the principle that wants that and we can not blame LEGO on this specific point.

21315 Pop-Up Book

The and 21315 Pop-Up Book allows you to set up two different sets provided: the first is based on the tale of Little Red Riding Hood with the grandmother's house, some furniture and some accessories, the second is inspired by the story of Jack and the Magic Bean with a landscape, a few micro-tricks symbolizing the houses and the vegetation and a bean that unfolds on a few Technic pieces held in place by a string at the opening.

It's well designed, it works every time. No blockage or destruction of the various elements during repeated handling.

Once you have fully understood the principle, you are free to create your own content while keeping the mechanism and dressing the two spaces with 12x2 studs available. The real challenge here is to put together a decor that will not block when closing the book.

I already know that we will be entitled to dozens of creations from more or less inspired MOCeurs and you will quickly find some ideas to fill the book on flickr, Instagram or your favorite forum.

In the box, three minifigs to embody the different protagonists of Little Red Riding Hood accompanied by the giant from the tale Jack and the Magic Bean and a microfig to represent young Jack. This coherent endowment allows the two stories to be told while adding a little interactivity. To signal your young audience that it's time to go to sleep, just close the book.

21315 Pop-Up Book

This is obviously more of a "demonstration" product with almost infinite customization potential than a toy. You can use it to show your friends that there is much more to do than a Star Wars ship or a building with a few LEGO bricks.

I say yes: LEGO offers here a nice set with a really well executed idea, which you can offer at Christmas and which will have a small effect even on those who are not absolute fans of the brand's products. Guaranteed effect also on the youngest who like stories before going to sleep.

LEGO Ideas set public price 21315 Pop-Up Book from the LEGO Shop  : € 69.99.

Note: The set shown here is put into play as usual. To participate in the raffle, simply post a comment on this article before October 31 at 23:59 p.m.. You have every right to disagree with me, this is not eliminatory.

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.

Smurf77 - Comment posted the 19/10/2018 at 14:47

LEGO Overwatch 75987 Omnic Stronghold

Today we are talking about the first set of the LEGO Overwatch range, the reference 75987 Omnic Bastion (182 pieces - 25 €) which has the particularity of being an exclusive marketed only by Blizzard and of not containing any minifig. It is indeed a question here of assembling the automaton of combat named Bastion, delivered for the occasion in version Omnium crisis.

As much to tell you right away, do not buy this box hoping to spend long hours assembling the parts that are inside. Everything is completed in less than 10 minutes and it is not a high level "creative experience".

LEGO Overwatch 75987 Omnic Stronghold

The fact remains that fans may find some reusable techniques there. Those looking to create their own custom mechas and who regularly damage their eyes on various flickr galleries while attempting to reverse engineer may also find some creative avenues there.

Contrary to what one might legitimately imagine because the minifigure is made from LEGO bricks, Bastion cannot switch to turret mode. In any case, not simply and it is in any case not documented in the instructions or on one of the sides of the box. I tried a few things, but I quickly abandoned the case ...

This figurine is obviously not modular despite the presence of ball-and-socket joints at the level of the hips and arms which ultimately only serve to make him strike a pose out of his display when the point of balance has been found. The two black pieces placed at the back of the feet help stabilize the whole.

LEGO Overwatch 75987 Omnic Stronghold

For those who are wondering, this product exclusively distributed by Blizzard on its merchandise shop is a "real" LEGO set, with real parts, real instructions and real stickers to stick on (two on the armor protecting the arms, one for the plate placed on the front of the small display). Only the box is really cheap, the cardboard is really very thin, the package I received is a brilliant demonstration ...

At 25 € joke, this is obviously a starter product intended to bring fans of the game Overwatch into the LEGO universe. Blizzard and LEGO have undoubtedly seen significant commercial potential here with no less than 40 million players identified according to the latest statistics from May 2018. At 9.99 €, we could discuss, but here it is much too expensive for what it is.

If you feel like it, you too can show your attachment to the game by placing Bastion and its small display on a corner of your desk between your pencil holder and your stapler. It's more discreet than a Delorean, less ugly than a BrickHeadz figure or one of those LEGO clocks in the shape of a minifigure, your boss will see nothing but fire and you can sketch a smile of satisfaction by saying to yourself that you are part of the Overwatch family and proudly display it.

Or, with your 25 €, you can also eat lots of ice cream.

Note: The set shown here is put into play as usual. To participate in the raffle, simply post a comment on this article before October 24 at 23:59 p.m.. You have every right to disagree with me, this is not eliminatory.

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.

R @ nkor - Comment posted the 16/10/2018 at 15:22

LEGO Overwatch 75987 Omnic Stronghold