Review : LEGO Ideas 21319 Central Perk

As promised, we quickly go around the set LEGO Ideas 21319 Central Perk (1070 pieces - 59.99 €), a box that joins the LEGO Ideas set 21302 The Big Bang Theory in the department of derivative products which feature a popular cast in one of the emblematic sets of the TV series concerned.

Regarding the TV series Friends, there were two possibilities to pay tribute to him and please the fans: Monica's apartment or the Central Perk, the fictitious bar in which the gang of friends squat on the central sofa throughout an episode. The lego ideas project which serves as the basis for this new box being based on the bar, the official set therefore allows us to obtain the Central Perk, with in passing a nice work by the designer on the walls and furniture of the filming studio.

We could quickly conclude on the observation that this box sold for 60 € is a product only intended for nostalgic fans of this series which still regularly makes the heyday of several TNT channels which do not take any risks in terms of programming (C ' is Friends or The Simpsons ...). In my opinion, that would be a mistake, because on closer inspection this set has much more to offer than a handful of more or less successful minifigs staged in a cardboard setting filled with various and varied pieces of furniture.

The presence of the two side uprights adorned with projectors is in my opinion the detail that also gives character to the set by bringing it back to what it really is: the reproduction of a filming studio with a minimalist exterior, almost neglected. and an interior filled with the many accessories and furniture seen on screen.

By assembling the contents of the set, we quickly see that the official designer has engaged here in a real exercise in style on the various furniture and other accessories that fill the Central Perk. Carpets, curtains, sofas, counter, piano with pad-printed keys, coffee machine, crockery or even shelves hung on the walls, those who are used to Modulars Indeed, you will find here the many accessories and elaborate construction techniques that are the heyday of the range of buildings emblematic of the LEGO universe. The initial project posted on the LEGO Ideas platform had found its audience in substance but the form left many LEGO fans a little bit hungry. The official set, largely revised and improved, should therefore reassure them on this point.

Fans of the series will also have something to have fun with some references reserved for them such as the small panel "Reserved"placed on the table which partly explains why the characters can regularly occupy the place at any time of the day without having to wait patiently for another group of friends to release the sofa or the poster placed near the door. wink at the men's lipstick ad Ichiban of which Joey was the star.

Contrary to what the official visuals of the set might suggest, the glass with the Central Perk sign visible both from inside the premises and from the street is here provided pad printed on one side only. In the instruction booklet, LEGO recommends flipping this clear part according to your needs. Although most fans will display the set with the sign facing inward, I find the process a bit petty. However, it was enough to apply an intermediate layer of white behind the logo and to pad the other side in the right direction to obtain a double-sided sign without even touching the cups. The world's leading toy manufacturer must be able to do this while freeing itself from any technical constraints ...

Even if many elements including the drinks list are pad printed, there are still some stickers in this box. It's hard to know why these graphic elements are printed on stickers instead of pad printing.

On the minifig side, the designer and graphic designer who worked on the set are doing honorably: the context helping, fans will recognize each of the characters delivered here with outfits seen on screen, such as the green shirt and Gunther's colorful tie Rachel's waitress outfit made from different jackets in jean seen throughout the episodes or Monica's suspender pants.

Regarding the latter, the intention was laudable but the achievement is far from convincing with a flagrant difference in color (and retouched on the official visuals) between the legs and the top of the pants pad-printed on the chest. As usual, the official retouched visuals are also a bit too optimistic about the flesh color pad-printed on Rachel and Chandler's torso.

Although they may seem totally new at first glance, these minifigs are actually an assemblage of parts with a lot of novelty and a bit of recycling: Gunther uses Luke Skywalker's features, Rachel takes on the neutral female face used recently for Black Widow, Jyn Erso, Padme or even Mera and Monica displays the smile of Sally Ride and Tina Goldstein.

Phoebe's guitar is not a new item, the instrument was already that of the Mariachi from the 16 series of collectible minifigs released in 2016, then it was seen in the Friends range and in the Structure 10255 Assembly Square. Rachel's hairstyle is also that of the veterinarian from the 17th set of collectible minifigs (LEGO ref. 71018)

In short, at 60 € a box, there is nothing to ask many questions about the relevance of this set which can be used to wedge a series of Blu-ray or DVD boxes on a shelf. It's both a beautiful, somewhat belated homage to a cult series for an entire generation, a product that offers a compelling building experience and an interesting inventory box with plenty of accessories that are always useful. Nostalgic fans of the series will be in heaven, apprentice builders will find some original techniques and MOCeurs will fill their drawers with pieces that are always very popular. Everyone will be happy and inexpensively. For 60 €, I say yes, especially for Gunther in fact.

THE LEGO IDEAS 21319 CENTRAL PERK SET ON THE LEGO SHOP >>

Note: The set shown here, supplied by LEGO, is included as usual. To participate in the draw, all you have to do is post a comment (avoid "I participate, I try, etc ..." be a little more constructive) on this article before the August 18, 2019 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.