Reviews posted by ledaKat | Brickset: LEGO set guide and database

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5

1383: Curse of the Pharaoh
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1383
Curse of the Pharaoh

Best Mummy

Posted by ledaKat in New Zealand on 07 November 2009

This is a fantastic, albiet tiny, set. The mummy is perfect. Absolutely perfect. The set is tiny, but easy to expand upon if you have lots of sand coloured bricks and a liking for the Adventurers Egypt series. As with the Vampire from the same theme, the Mummy has a dual face. Open eyes and sleeping eyes. And yes, there is a glow in the dark skull!

Although it is small, it is well designed. I like the lion/spynx-type roof of the sargophagous. My only con would be that the spider has nowhere to sit, wherever you attach him his legs get in the way. A great addition to the monster studios theme - and a must have minifig.

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5

1381: Vampire's Crypt
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1381
Vampire's Crypt

"I Vant to Suck your Blood"

Posted by ledaKat in New Zealand on 02 November 2009

Worth every cent you can spare to get your hands on this Scary Studios theme. The Monster minifigs are wicked! Totally unique and full of character.

I just recently found all the Scary Studios sets (very exciting because I am a huge fan of the Universal Studios Monster Movies of the 1930s and 1940s) so to combine my two favourite things, Lego and Monster movies, is quite simply wonderful. Vampire's Crypt was the first one to have arrived. So I promtly made it up and couldn't stop grinning the whole time. I love that vampire. He has the most awesome cloak, his hair is gorgeous and he has a double sided face. The second face has blood around his mouth, fiendishly sick. I love it!

The set itself is also really cool, there is a neat little backdrop of the dungeon wall which is also double sided. The back is the view from the outside, and has a window and a dog bowl on the groung. It is a nice size, compact and in three sections so you can move it and arrange it however you wish. It has a neat construction design, the Vampire's coffin can slide across the top of the set towards the platform, the platform is lowered down level to the cart, turn the knob and the coffin slides effortlessly onto the cart.

I give this set an easy 5 bricks, and the Vampire fig gets a 6 brick rating.

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5

7413: Passage of Jun-Chi
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7413
Passage of Jun-Chi

Beautiful Colours

Posted by ledaKat in New Zealand on 30 October 2009

I really like this little set. Its colours are just lovely. That deep red, black, sand and a hint of green create quite a tastey show piece when its put on display. The designers have really captured the essence of the orient here. I think the big red beasty is cute, and the turntable he stands on is a nice idea. I also like how it has a large back section to the set, and because the beast turns and the plinth with the gem is on the otherside, you can use either side of the set equally and not loose the visuals. I have too many Johnny Thunder figs though, would like to see another Pippin Reid in a new, exclusive outfit like in the Yeti set.

A nice addition to your Adventurers collection.

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4

4714: Gringott's bank
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4714
Gringott's bank

Worth it for the Goblins

Posted by ledaKat in New Zealand on 27 October 2009

You just gotta get this set for the goblins. They are fantastic figs. A little bit creepy how their faces, ears and hair are all the one colour. Hagrids great too and I love Harry's Muggle clothes.

This set has many excellent aspects and one dumb thing.

This would have worked much better as a smaller, minifig set. Including Harry, Hagrid, two goblins and the mine cart, track and the money vault. Add the owls and the bat and the rat and you've got a nice, compact little set that looks great.
Instead they made it a bigger set by adding a bit of the bank itself. I say a bit, cos its just a tiny bit of it and really doesnt make any sense. Is it the entrance? Is it inside? Is that the bank manager's desk? Where is the grandeur of Gringotts in that weird little addon of bricks?

To make this set a complete success and worthy of a 5/5 it needs to either A: loose the bank, or B: expand the bank.

I have done both, I had it on display a while without the bank, then I added to the bank with other like colour bricks and made a building more worthy of the goblins that roam its vast corridors. And also made two more money vaults. But unfortunately, when you have increased the size of the bank then the mine cart and track look too small.

Basicly, I think this set was a great idea that did not quite come out of the production line as good as it could be.

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0.3

5

6552: Rocky River Retreat
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6552
Rocky River Retreat

Quintessential America

Posted by ledaKat in New Zealand on 23 October 2009

This is my new favourite lego set ever. It arrived early this morning and I immediatly got to work building it.

Nothing about this cozy little scene bares any resemblance to my own native New Zealand (that tiny but beautiful little country at the bottom of the world). Our holiday homes, or "bach" as they are called here, are typically at the beach. As a kid of the 80s I grew up on those wonderful old school American movies and tv programmes and this reminds me so much of a studio "outdoor" set from an old sit-com. I half expect to see a bear leaning over the river catching salmon and a racoon hiding in the trees.

I got so excited as I was building it and realised the cabin actually went into the rock! And creates a huge second room, so I added a little bed and sofa and lantern in there out of spare parts.

The truck is a supurb example of the vehicles of this era. It has two small windows in the back and the whole back door lifts up. I especially like the fishing rod and the flash beam lights on the roof. It has a simple trailer to transport the little boat. Its basic but totally practical and effective.

The minifigs are nothing special (although I do really adore the lady's cowboy hat) but they work well with the overall charm of the set. I greatly admire the simplicity of the trunks of the pine trees, just your basic shutter bricks stuck on top of each other with their little tabs resembling bark. You are completely free to build them whatever height you wish and place them wherever in the scene you feel they should go.

On the whole, it is a brilliant set and I want to go there and fish and look for gold in the river and sleep in the room under the rocky mountain... oh i need a holiday!

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0.3

5

7412: Yeti's Hideout
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7412
Yeti's Hideout

The Yeti Does Exist!

Posted by ledaKat in New Zealand on 23 October 2009

This set has all the intricate design elements and lavish beauty of a much larger set, all shrunk down onto a little 8 by 16 stud baseplate. It makes for a great, well structured and portable playset that is full of creative fun.

The minifigs are excellent. Pippin Reed in this outfit is my favourite "human" minifig that I have. I adore her hat and her face is really pretty. And the yeti is just supurb (even though he is not strictly a minifig I really think he should be cos he's cool.)

This small set is lovely to build and looks really wonderful. I love the small aqua icicles they really add an aesthetic beauty to the overall composition of the set.

It has an open the draw with the jewel in it and the Yeti's cave door opens system that works really well. Pippin has a sweet little camera, a fab hat and I cannot stress enough that the yeti is just cool!

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5

7657: AT-ST
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7657
AT-ST

A Tormented Soul

Posted by ledaKat in New Zealand on 21 October 2009

Oh this guy just looks so sad! There is something about him that really touches my heart. He must hate being forced to shoot rebels and Ewoks, I am sure if you asked him he would say he just wants to retire.

The movie accuracy of this machine is unbelievable! The design is flawless. He stands so sturdy even though he is just two legs and one mighty head. I really love how his head swivels just like in the movie and I can almost hear the sound of the guns fireing on the sides of his head.

There is absolutely nothing I can fault with this set. The AT-ST driver is a great minifig. It is a delight to build, you begin in the middle and work your way outwards. It is challenging because it is more or less just the one colour, which makes it all the more fun.

I am an adult so this set is just on display therefore is very sturdy to me, but I must warn those who play with it to be careful with the guns on the side as they are quite delicate and might fall off and get lost. But dont let this put you off, it is an awesome addition to any star wars battle scene.

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5

8823: Mistlands Tower
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8823
Mistlands Tower

Impulsive Purchase, No Regrets

Posted by ledaKat in New Zealand on 20 October 2009

This set was one of those rash, impulsive purchases we all sucumb to every now and then. Often they can end badly, but not this time. I love this set and am really happy I didn't think twice about it! It has a wonderful mix of minifigs, especially love King Jayko with his white hair he looks so kind and wise and I really adore Lord Vladek's outfit and armour. It is really big and tall and carefully designed to take advantage of every surface. Nothing seems out of place, (except I moved the spider web down to the dungeon).

The catapult/wagon is an interesting piece, I especially like the colour of the 4 sided cones on the wheels, very unique. The face of the knight on the horse is classic as he screams to gallop away from Vladek who is chasing after him with his sword. I feel a little sorry for the skelleton, he is dead and yet he is condemmed to forever hang for his crime even long after his body has decomposed.

It is a very enjoyable build, challenging at times but also simple at other times, and because it is such a tall set you really feel a sense of accomplishment as you see it growing higher and higher. I like the half green rock pieces and the small green plates that line the bottom of the tower, really looks as though it is rising up out of a marshland. I like the gateway with the teethlike effect and the stickers complete the stoney look of the whole building. I find the side door quite a facinating thing, make sure you keep a knight standing guard or else somebody might sneek in. The little gold triangle touches are nice and the top of the tower with the fire breathing dragon heads and of course that wonderful blue orb really completes the look of this fantasy castle.

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0.3

5

1195: ALIEN ENCOUNTER
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1195
ALIEN ENCOUNTER

A Secret Love Affair?

Posted by ledaKat in New Zealand on 20 October 2009

I think this set is just wonderful. It was my third Life on Mars set and is my favourite of all three.
As with all the Life on Mars sets, it is made up of gorgeous colours and those unique alien minifigs. Vega is my favourite of these martians, in fact she is my favourite minifig of all minifigs that I own. She is quite simply beautiful. I sense there is something special between her and the astronaut, like a secret love affair or forbidden friendship.

It is a tiny set, but is an absolute must if you have other LoM sets. I like Vega's machine with the propeller under the satelite, she is a hardworking alien and looks kinda sad. Perhaps I see a little of myself in her, that was why I was drawn to this set.

The vehicle of the astronaut is a bit lame to be honest, just two fat barrel wheels and a technic arm on one side. It wobbles a bit and doesn't really feel secure, but perhaps that is because they are on Mars and not Earth, it must be designed for the Martian atmosphere? I imagine its quite a funky ride over the uneven terrain. But this is a promotional set I have recently learned, and so we are pretty lucky to get two minifigs and two vehicles so I will let that design imperfection slide.

If you find it and like the Life on Mars theme, then you should not hesitate to get this one too.

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0.3

5

2540: Catapault Cart
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2540
Catapault Cart

What a Gem!

Posted by ledaKat in New Zealand on 19 October 2009

Great little set. I bought it for the minifig and was not dissapointed. His bat hat is very clever in its design and I really like his red patterned torso. The catapult cart is nicely designed I think, the colours combine well as an overall look and it has a kinda "homemade" feel to it, as though it was designed by a child using their spare bricks.
In short, add this to your collection if you can find it. It intergrates easily with any castle scene and stands alone proudly as a set in its own right.

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0.3

5

6270: Forbidden Island
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6270
Forbidden Island

I Can Just Taste the History

Posted by ledaKat in New Zealand on 19 October 2009

I just found this set last week, pre-loved but complete, along with its original box and inner and plastic moulded tray and everything. Absolute history, I can just taste it. It is a little damaged in places, the large flag is discoloured and has some chipping and the bridge is kinda bent but this set has been loved and played with for twenty years! That blows my mind, I was only ten when it was made. It is charming and utterly fantastic.

Its really small, by small I mean not many pieces, but because it is on a large square baseplate and has lots of large pieces it looks really big and tall in size. The minifigs are really great. esp the captain with the wooden leg and hook, the sterotypical pirate captian, he even has a parrot! The shark is a nice touch, I really like lego animals and admire their design. It has inspired me to track down more from the early pirates theme to add to it.

The instructions were completely different to more recent sets, I find they are too easy these days. Each page gives you about 4-5 new pieces and their location, whereas this set was a lot more challenging for the mind because there were heaps of addons all over the whole base each time you turned the page and I consider myself quite a skilled adult builder but I found I had to backtrack a few times because I'd missed something. Thats what lego is all about though, the challenge of the build.

If you can find it, buy it, especially if you find the original box with front flap and inner. They just dont make boxes like that anymore.

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0.3

5

5988: The Temple of Anubis
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5988
The Temple of Anubis

Adventurers and Explorers Come Quick!

Posted by ledaKat in New Zealand on 19 October 2009

Do not pass up the opportunity to own this set.
Heaps of great minifigs. Huge size and takes ages to build. Heaps of accessories and extra bits, ie not just the temple but the truck, the balloon, the sarcophagus, the Mummy!
I love the back room with the crocodile and scorpian tables and the special secret swivel door and magnitized jewel that leaps back into place on the door! How did they think of that? Love the Anubis statues, the Mummy's red eyes and Sam Sinister is a fantastic character.

I am a huge fan of the Adventurers theme, this was my second set, I have Sphynx's Secret Suprise too and a few smaller sets. I am always on the look out for more, would like to branch out to the other subthemes of Adventurers too.

This is a very creative set. Jam packed full of fun and detail. The patterns are all printed on the pieces so there are no awful stickers to peel off and cause frustration and deteriation, so it will look in excellent condition for years. The colours are wonderful and the whole thing is an impressive structure to display. You really feel like you could just step into the temple and become a minifigure and explore!

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0.3

5

6490: Amazon Crossing
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6490
Amazon Crossing

This Set Brightens My Day

Posted by ledaKat in New Zealand on 19 October 2009

No matter how tough my day can get, when I come home and look at that poor hiker who became dinner for a hungry croc, I cannot help but laugh. What a treasure that tiny detail is.

This set is medium to small, but every piece is important and gives it the charm that all sets from the early 90s possess. The truck is just cool. Love the tire suspension, the spare tire and the blue tinted sun roof. I really appreciate the box and instruction artwork of these older sets. They show exactly what the set is, no trick photography, no unnatural poses. What you see is what you get. Some of the later models tend to over dramatize the set by the cover artwork and lead you to believe it is a lot more sophisticated than it actually is. Can be a little disapointing especially for younger children who don't understand marketing tools.

If you have some more sets with rocks and landscape scene this would fit in really nicely and enhance it even more. I plan to get some more, I think it would work well with Rocky River Retreat.

Pros:
truck and cable
crocodile and skeleton remains
bridge
minifig's green outfit is nice

Cons:
none

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0.3

5

4727: Aragog in the Dark Forest
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4727
Aragog in the Dark Forest

This is SO SCARY!

Posted by ledaKat in New Zealand on 19 October 2009

I am terrified of spiders and all their silly legs! Why did I buy this set then you might ask? Because how often do you come across a toy that can help you face up to your fears!
Aragog is so realistic its uncanny. The photo doesn't do him justice. He is HUGE! I have him raised up like the way a tarantula lifts his body and hisses at a preditor and Harry and Ron trapped inside the webbed forest floor leaning back in terror as he towers over them. It sits on my shelf and sends a shiver down my spine everytime my eyes glance it.

Aragog's design is legendary. His legs are fully poseable and his body moves up and down. His big black eyes and the glowing red behind them are unnerving and the huge fangs make me feel sick. The designers should be proud of this monster. Aragog aside, I love all the sets where Harry and his friends are in Muggle clothes. I especially like Ron's jumper with the zipper. I think Ron's expression could have been more scared though, as he is probably even more scared of spiders than I think even I am.

Its a small set but quite a satisfying build because of the little tree and of course the huge spider. The colours are nice. As with Hagrid's Hut, I think this set could have done with Fang as he was right there in the thick of the spiders too. Also, I don't think it would have hurt to add a couple of extra spiders but if you have some from other sets then you can easily add to it and make the little scene crawling with the 8-legged things. Also, if you have Escape from Privet Drive, you can use the car and fly to safety!

Pros:
Aragog
Muggle clothes
Great spiderweb trap
Works well with other H.P sets

Cons:
Not enough little spiders.

Don't be afraid of the spider its just a toy, isn't it?

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0.3

5

4707: Hagrid's Hut
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4707
Hagrid's Hut

Magical Hut

Posted by ledaKat in New Zealand on 19 October 2009

I absolutely love this set!!

It is so magical how it opens as a great playset then completely closes up into Hagrid's cosy little hut he calls home. It has wonderful enchanting elements like the hidden book of dragons on the wall and the keys on the mantlepiece, just imagine what strange and facinating things they open. Also I love how you turn the chimney to hide Norbert the dragon from the view of untrustworthy visitors who come knocking on Hagrid's door.

I was unsure before I bought it if I would like the vinyl roof, wasn't too keen on it to be honest. Didn't know how it attached or even how it would stand up to gravity. But in building it I found it to be just fine. Looks really good with the overall design and stands very sturdy.

I would have liked to see Hagrid's pink umbrella and to be honest I think Dumbledore is a little unessesary... he is in other sets and I think if this set had to have a second minifig then they should have made Fang.

Pros:
Huge playability
Norbert
"Magical" features
Authentic movie colour scheme and design
Great size
Lots of accessories

Cons:
Where is Fang?!
Front door needs a step... Hagrid might trip

Basicly, if you are a Harry Potter fan, more importantly if you are a LEGO Harry Potter fan then this set is a MUST HAVE.

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0.3

5

4477: T-16 Skyhopper
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4477
T-16 Skyhopper

Best Little Ship in the Galaxy

Posted by ledaKat in New Zealand on 18 October 2009

This was my first Star Wars set. Very small and not much effort required to build. I really prefer sets to take a little longer to make, but there is just something delightful about this wee ship that once it was built I took a step back and admired it and couldn't help but smile.

The minifig is one of my favourites. So plain and understated (all red and not much detail) yet it is utterly charming in its simplicity. I see real character in that little guy. He doesn't need heaps of added bells and whistles to inspire kids to play with him and his ship, the kids can use their imagination they have plenty of it!

Pros: pilot minifig
ship looks great
nice colours

Cons: too small

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