9470 Gandalf Arrives

 

  • 9470 Gandalf Arrives

    Posted by Huw, 18 May 2012 09:50. Filed under Set review.

    9470 Gandalf ArrivesHere's a quick look at the smallest LotR set, Gandalf Arrives. It might be the smallest but it's actually one of the best. Not only does it feature two of the movie's main protagonists, Gandalf and Frodo, it also comes with a new articulated-back-leg horse and a very nice cart which is stuffed full of fireworks of various shapes, colours and sizes.

    Both minifigs are unique to this set, although Frodo pops up in a couple of others, but with a different torso and face.

    There isn't really much more to say about it: it's small, cute and if you buy only one LotR set, make it this one. It costs $12.99 in the USA and will be £11.99 in the UK when it's released later in the summer.

    9470 Gandalf Arrives 9470 Gandalf Arrives

    Thanks again to Darren and Tim for loaning me the LotR sets months before they are available in Europe. Tim is offering Brickset users a 5% discount in his BrickLink store Brick Buy Brick, and will also do so in his new web toy shop, ToyAddict, when it launches in June. Darren is also offering 5% discount on orders under £50 and 10% on orders over £50 from his BrickLink store Gizmocom, until the official release day of the LotR sets. Just mention Brickset in the notes when you check out!


    23 comments, latest one posted 12 months ago. (Commenting has ended on this article)
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Comments

Posted by Goldmatt in United States, 18 May 2012 10:06

Is the red firework rocket the one Merry and Pippin shoot off or is it just a generic one?

Posted by Huw in United Kingdom, 18 May 2012 10:12

Maybe -- it's actually a Ninjago snake as you can probably tell.

Posted by aquafreak125 in United Kingdom, 18 May 2012 10:18

It's a nice little set, really iconic and instantly recognisable for fans of the trilogy, wish they'd make Gandalf a bit more accurate though (for example add a hair extension to the hat maybe), but overall its neat!

Posted by obiron17 in United Kingdom, 18 May 2012 10:22

It's supposed to be the big Dragon one they shot off at Bilbos party (watched the film again last week). Love how simple but effective this set is when you think about the movie.

Posted by Mickitat in Germany, 18 May 2012 11:28

I have to say I am kind of disappointed that the sets are so close to the movies and not true to the books.

Posted by collectormom in United States, 18 May 2012 12:14

If you order any of the LOTR sets on shop@home you get a free LOTR poster as well. I ordered this set and more series 7 minifigs and got both the free Hulk and poster.

By the way Lego has finally increased the limit to 32 figures per purchase, up from 16. Nice! I remember when you could only get 5.

Posted by behemothjosh in United States, 18 May 2012 12:25

@Mickitat - The movie license and the book license are two different licenses. For example, many of EA's games are based off the movie while the LoTR MMO is based off of the books.

Posted by Gizmocom in United Kingdom, 18 May 2012 13:09

It's nice to see the first of my sets on Brickset ;-) Great photos Huw, much better justice than I could do to it. Love the one with the 'out of focus' cart in the background ... very nice!

Posted by Huw in United Kingdom, 18 May 2012 13:33

^ I'm glad you like it :-)

Posted by mooslug in United States, 18 May 2012 14:06

@Mickitat LEGO has the movie license, so that's what they have to make. They seem to be throwing in additional little details from the books that were not used in the movies when they can, though- for example the table/stand for the Palantir of Amon Sul in the Weathertop set.

Posted by Bumblepants in Cameroon, 18 May 2012 15:47

Found this at WalMart today and was seduced. I told myself I was not going to get into LotR Lego but that lasted all of a week.

Posted by (-)-Crushmaster-(-) in United States, 18 May 2012 19:41


This set doesn't look too bad, actually. Thanks for the quick review!

Posted by Rolyat24 in United States, 18 May 2012 21:24

Actually, I was considering buying only one LoTR set. And it was going to be this one. After your reviews though, I've changed my mind

Posted by Bumblepants in Cameroon, 18 May 2012 23:41

Cedar Hill, TX Walmart, it was the only LotR set out. Looked like the stock team just dumped it into a hole on the shelf. No labels and even the in-store price scanners didn't recognize it yet. But the register did so I had no problem getting it

Posted by Ypres in Canada, 18 May 2012 23:51

So why are the $12.99US sets starting to be sold at $15.99CAN? Normally they'd be priced at $14.99CAD... somebody needs to give Lego a reality check. And yes, my question is sort of a rhetorical one. I don't really want to hear some economic lecture from an AMERICAN (of all people). I accept prices aren't even, and unjustly never will be, but there's no reason set prices should be rising. Do foreign companies think Canadians are farting cash or something? I'm trying to keep my hobby afloat while I'm paying 12% taxes on a 20%OFF sale.

... From a friendly Canadian to the rest of the world: our economy is a ticking bomb. I think I'll worry about Frodo and Gandalf after I win the lottery. *Sigh*

Posted by LEGOKip in United States, 18 May 2012 23:58

^^Ypres, this American won't lecture you. We're all in a mess together.

@Huw:
Out of curiosity, does the book inside the cart have a title, illustration, runes, or anything Tolkienesque on the cover?

Your reviews are much appreciated and have encouraged me all the more to get these sets -- actually, I need no encouragement as I have a child who's eyeing LoTR pieces for his next creation (something about ninja knights).

Please keep on sharing your excellent photography.

Posted by rhinobucket in United States, 19 May 2012 00:48

went to get this today
didnt have it but had all the monster hunters theme
so i got one of those are those out yet i didnt think so ahhhhh
to much all at once

Posted by Brickman193 in Australia, 19 May 2012 02:55

11 or 12 dollars or pounds in the US/UK means at least 19 for the Aussies, whenever the sets are released here... :(

Posted by Plasmodium in United Kingdom, 19 May 2012 06:36

Definitely my favourite set. Just noticed though: how does Gandalf sit in the seat? It looks like there's a jumper and a tile, so how does he sit centred?

Posted by rosney in United States, 19 May 2012 08:02

^ Look closely at the pics. He sits slightly to the left (or right), leaving room for him to hold his staff while driving.

Posted by CapnRex101 in United Kingdom, 19 May 2012 08:07

Looks lovely, certainly will be picking this one up.

Posted by Plasmodium in United Kingdom, 19 May 2012 08:23

@tensor: Thanks!
£12 seems a bit steep, but if I was to buy one of the LoTR sets, it would be this one.

Posted by Toa Of Justice in United States, 27 May 2012 13:39

I believe the set number in the title of this article should be 9469, not 9470.

Commenting has ended on this article.