Lego Jurassic Park T-Rex Rampage 75936

 I have been eyeing this set up for quite a while.  Not for the giant brick built T-Rex but for the gate with all the numerous film references on the rear.  Jurassic Park definitely features wuite high on my Top Ten list of films that make me happy so I have kept looking at this and sighing and now I finally got it and the build started in pretty short order.

Fred, the T-Rex (no idea why Fred but he seems to like it) was an incredible build.  I am really pleased with how darn sturdy and strong he is.  I have had a couple of issues with tail sections breaking loose when posing him but that is down to me being heavy handed.  I did think he would be a little wobbly but the balance on this figure is incredible - he is displayed in quite a high traffic area and being an old property the floorboards tend to be a bit "springy" but he has yet to come crashing off the shelf or do more than waggle his tail a bit.  The mouth is openable but I will admit to going for the full on roar setting rather than posing him in a less threatening manner (he knows that toilet with a tasty snack is just on the back of the gate).

The mini figures are really well realised and definitely bring a Lego flair to recognisable characters.  My favourite is the print on the front of Dennis Nedry which gives the illusion of a podgy belly.  For some reason the hairy chested Ian Malcolm makes me a little uncomfortable but it does make the figure instantly recognisable.

I did have some issues getting the sides of the gate lined up correctly to create the rock face look.  Took a bit of fiddling and careful angling but I got there in the end.  Each little room is a joy of reference to the film and Lego did manage to get their toilet in there (what IS their obsession?).  Only downside is there is no vehicle for the track that runs through the gate centre, just needed that to make it complete and my MOC skills really aren't up to it.

Very large and impressive set and makes a wonderful display talking point.

Number Of Pieces: 3120

Approximate Price Per Piece: £0.07

Build Time: 8.5 Hours

 

Lego Summer Fun Water Park 41430

 This is a bright and fun set that has a great deal of play value.  The included Friends minidolls DO fit in the waterslides and I will readily admit to sending most of them down the tube slide several times, had to check they fit after all (that's my excuse and I'm sticking to it).

There are a lot of fun details added to this set but I particularly like the pink crustacen moulds that form decor5ative details - the little seahorse is stinking cute and does make a good little statuette.  There is a lot going on here with a bar area, a changing room, a relaxation deck and then of course the main feature is the pool area which takes up the entire front of the model.  Throw in a handful of accessories from lilos to a Unicorn Floatie and your Friends really do everything they need to have a great day out at the pool.  Even an ice cream van for refreshments (love the little ice cream cones on the roof).

The build itself is well laid out in the accompanying booklet and although there are some fun and unusual techniques used the pacing is such that it is easy to construct even without any previous Lego building experience.  The colours make this a great deal of fun to build and make it very appealing to the eye, the turquoise and yellow combination really does it for me for some reason.  I had a lot of fun building this set and it does make me smile when I look at it on the shelf where it currently resides.

Please Note: The grey baseplate the minidolls are shown on is from my stash and not part of the kit.  It is purely there to display them in order to get a photo.

Number Of Pieces: 1001

Approximate Price Per Piece: £0.09

Build Time: 2.5 Hours

 

Lego Easter Bunny's Carrot House 40449

 This is a cute as all get out little set.  A perfectly formed little house carved out of a carrot for a tiny bunny.  I was pleasantly surprised at all the little bits and bobs that came with the set and although there is quite a bit of sticker attachment to do it is well worth persevering with.  The only downside is there isn't really any play value with the set, it is definitely more geared towards display - not a downside for me as that's the ultimate fate of most of my Lego.  Build it, play with it for a little bit and then pop it on a shelf to gloat over.

There are some fun little details inside the one room house and your tiny grey bunny has everything he needs.  Strangely for Lego there is no toilet, makes a change as they do seem to be obsessed with them.  Even comes with a nice little post box for those credit card bills to be deposited when he has overspent on Lego for the 7th month in a row!

Number Of Pieces: 232

Approximate Price Per Piece: Gift With Purchase

Build Time: 45 Minutes

Lego Year Of The Ox 40417

 Being relatively new to Lego collecting, building and generally having fun with a plastic construction toy I wasn't aware of the Lunar New Year range.  The actual animal figures are generally a Gwift With Purchase item so there is now way I would have known about it because they seem to get released in the January and go PDQ.  I was lucky enough to get the Ox figure but held off building him as I was waiting for the Spring Festival to come in to stock.

Now I have finally built him I am impressed by the figure.  Sort of a cross between a Brick Headz build and a standard system brick construction he has a definite look to him that encapsulates the animal without being faithful to the actual biological creature.  Fun to build and looks great tucked on the shelf next to the Spring Festival.

I really enjoyed the inclusion of a red lined gift envelope.  Definitely fits well with the tradition of cash for the New Year.

Number Of Pieces: 168

Approximate Price Per Piece: Gift With Purchase

Build Time: 25 Minutes

Lego Easter Chick 30579

 I am now becoming an expert at building this little guy and I am currently running at a total of 3 of them.  Maybe I need to stop using Lego shop at home but we all know that isn't going to happen!

This is a super cute Easter build featuring a little yellow chick emerging from his egg.  The only real downside to it is that the chick does not attach inside the egg, he just perches there which makes it a little unstable if you happen to knock it.  So far I haven't had any disasters but it is only a matter of time with the one on my mantlepiece.

The colours are beautifully chosen and definitely make you smile when you look at him.

Number Of Pieces: 52

Approximate Price Per Piece: Gift With Purchase

Build Time: 5 Minutes

 

If he looks familiar to you then this is the set I used for my introduction to my You Tube Channel.

The Lego Magazine

 After discovering these around Christmas last year, thank you darling husband, I have become obsessive about checking the local supermarkets for new issues every time I go.  They might not be pennies to buy but the polybags on the front definitely make them worth it to this collector.  The other half mentioned that nobody ever seems to mention them apart from the occasional mention in Lego Facebook Groups.  Cue my new You Tube venture focusing on the magazines:

The first episode is up and I will be releasing reviews of my entire collection and building the polybags - yes, I know that will halve any resale value but I don't care!  They are, after all, toys and make me happy when I play with them so to heck with being a grown up about this I'm going to play

Lego Spring Lantern Festival 80107

 I was absolutely blown away by this set, the level of detailing is absolutely immense and I constantly found myself ooohhhing and ahhing with pleasure as I was building.  It is also a substantial display piece and even though mine has had to go on a low shelf it still draws the eye with the bright colouration and the intricacy of the scene.  I am going to mention the location of the trigger for the light brick just enough to say it makes me giggle like a 7 year old every time I trigger it.

With 7 minifigures included (6 if you factor in the red statue) you really can populate your scene in a pleasing way.  Even better they come with fun little accessories so crack out the selfie stick or slurp on some Ramen whilst you visit the park.

Good range of building techniques that do leave you wondering where the designer is going with this and then suddenly you have a moon gate or a gazebo.  With a good range of colours used in transparent and opaque bricks and tiles there really is a sense of depth to the water and the printed Koi are just the chefs kiss on top of a beautiful set.

In all honesty I was keen to get this set when I first saw it and it has completely blown my expectations out of the water.  If you are on the fence about this one then take the plunge you certainly won't regret it - I definitely didn't and I am becoming hard to please.

Number Of Pieces: 1793

Approximate Price Per Piece: £0.05

Build Time: 4.5 Hours

 

Lego El Fuego's Stunt Cannon 30464

This was a must have polybag for me as I loved the Hidden Side theme before Lego sadly discontinued it.  Fortunately I managed to find one tucked away in the little tub of random polybags at my local supermarket.  In fact, if they still have any when I next go grocery shopping I think I'll get another.

Nice and quick to build and there is plenty of fun to be had torturing poor El Fuego by stuffing him in the cannon.  I slipped up and didn't get a picture of him in the cannon but he is slid in there on the Hidden Side display.

 Number Of Pieces: 46

Approximate Price Per Piece: Retired Product

Build Time: 5 Minutes

Lego Overlord Dragon 71742

 Now this is one good looking dragon.  The face mould is highly detailed and really brings this figure to life and definitely enhances the play experience.  It also helps that the dragon is quite a decent size and feels nice and sturdy for little hands to swoop him around and genuinely play with him.  Not too sure about the design choice of the fan shapes for tail and wings but it works well enough.

The Overlord minifigure is wonderfully detailed and I always love it when they are on the smoky bases so they look like spectres.  Because he is predominantly dark in colour the Golden Lloyd really pops.  However, I definitely want my Overlord to come out on top every time; after all he does have a cool dragon on his side.

Please Note: The baseplate the minifigures are displayed on is from my stash and is used for display purposes only, it is not part of the kit.

Number Of Pieces: 372

Approximate Price Per Piece: £0.08

Build Time: 1 Hour

 

Lego Cat 30574

 Never really ventured in to Polybags before but I couldn't resist this cute ginger cat but of course I couldn't just leave it there I felt duty bound to get 3 of the sets and build one of each.  Good job the cat is cute as the Ostrich is decidedly peculiar looking and vaguely creepy.  The crab is passable and does add well to my underwater Lego City items.

Definitely creative builds, such a low number of parts and yet they create recognisable creatures which is a testament to the creativity of the designers.  Certainly quick and fun builds and I have to admit they look good on the display shelf because the colour makes them pop.

Number Of Pieces: 55

Approximate Price Per Piece: £0.06

Build Time:
Cat - 5 Minutes
Ostrich - 5 Minutes
Crab - 5 Minutes

 

Lego Wu's Battle Dragon 71718

 Want to defeat Gleck?  Then you definitely need Hero Wu and his handy dandy Battle Dragon.

This is a fun little build but the absence of the moulded dragon head and making it brick built is a bit of a disappointment.  He just feels slightly unfinsihed and odd looking.  The body and thick wings are great so mitigated some of the disappointment but the lack of features on the head and the fact he doesn't have a moving mouth do spoil it somewhat.  How am I supposed to get him to breathe fire at Gleck?

Fun little sword minibuild on the orange base that is used for the Skull Sorcerer series so blends in well with that and allows a little expansion if you have some other sets.  Overall, for the price he is good value but I think I would have rather paid a couple of pounds more and had a proper head on the dragon.

Please Note: The grey baseplate under the minifigures is from my stash and not part of the build.

Number Of Pieces: 321

Approximate Price Per Piece: £0.06

Build Time: 45 Minutes