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The Pixar film Ratatouille captured the spirit of being a struggling chef in the city of Paris. This is a wonderful Lego vignette called “Ratatouille” created by Miro Dudas. This build is completely centered around the camera. The use of forced perspective and back lighting is how this scene has been created. This is a great micro build of Paris. The city is a collection of various 1×1 Lego pieces in silhouette. While the iconic Eiffel Tower is a just a few pieces. The curving sides is achieved by bending black Lego antennas. The French flag is just 3 pieces. The Ratatouille sign is much more complicated than it looks at first glance. Remy is made up of Lego wrenches and clips which do a great job of holding everything together.
This Lego build called “A Little Bit of Magic” is created by Midwest Builders. It is a part of the Guilds of Historica, specifically from the west, the Guild of Avalonia. A community of builders who are creating a whole fantasy world. An active group that is always adding new characters, maps, and stories. This scene is a streetscape of the town called Albion. Everything pictured is a jumping off point for stories. The local Flower Merchant seems to know ancient magic. A knight on horseback notices the magical display of talent. And a mysterious rogue seems to watching everything. Some of the stand out details include the brick built tarps / canopies, the lovely signage at each merchant stand, the peeling green paint on the inn, and all the magical trinkets strung up. You can even spot the eye of Sauron. The use of some hidden LEDs is a nice touch, and brings magic to life in this Lego MOC.
When it gets hot outside there is something about spending all day fishing that just seems relaxing. All your worries from work are left behind as you fall asleep on the warm pier. Catching a fish would be nice, but it doesn’t really matter. You already have everything you need for a sleepy weekend. This scene is perfectly captured with this Lego MOC called “Fishing Cabin,” which is created by Nathan Hake. The simple cabin is actually hiding a lot of little details. Everything that you need to live is nearby. Lego Pumpkins and Vegetables in the nearby garden, a friendly dog to keep you company, a woodpile to supply your fireplace, fresh water, a canoe, and even a scarecrow to talk to when you get lonely. In this build the water looks especially nice. A layer of transparent blue 1×2 tiles on top of other colors creates a body of water with depth. There are even a few 1×2 transparent bricks mixed in giving the impression of moving water. The Lego tree looks appropriately old and gnarled. And the little cabin features a very nice color palette and interesting wooden roof. You can even find a little Lego radio out on the pier.
The Belle Epoche is a modular style Lego building created by Utanapishtim. This five story building is inspired by Brussels architecture. The building is mainly white, tan, and gray with some red and brown accents. The limited color choices helps to make this building look like it is from a real life example. The use of repeating patterns is one of the key features of modular buildings. The alternating white and tan strips look especially good. One of the stand out details is that most of the windows feature archs that are brick built. A very fragile technique that has all the pieces connected with half set studs. It is also good to see two different style of balconies. The droid arm style which can be found in some of the official buildings, and the more detailed column design that can be seen on the sides. The brick built lamp posts are an excellent design, a more classic and detailed design. The Minifigure sextant pieces are put to good use. The only question left is how to detail the interior…
The Ultra Mecha Dragon is a Lego MOC built by Christian Lintan. This is a scaled up version of their Mecha Dragon. This big beast is over four feet long, and two feet high. Just big enough to ride most rollercoasters. Monochromatic Lego creations are pretty rare. The only thing not white on this dragon are the eyes, which are transparent clear pieces. It is hard to build something interesting when you limit yourself so much. This dragon is a great example of overcoming that challenge. The use of patterns is excellent. Alternating between SNOT building techniques and reverse studs helps to give the impression of scales. Each segment of the body is also accented with some Lego teeth. The end result is a good example of not over detailing a model.
Bag End is a warm and cozy hole, located above Bagshot Row along a perfectly gardened hillside in Hobbiton. It is the desire of many Hobbits, especially the Sackville-Bagginses. But its owner, Bilbo Baggins has no intention of giving up his home. Every once in a while some unexpected visitors arrive, usually leading to grand adventures. This Lego build of Bag End is created by Dylan Lane. It expands and goes way beyond the official Lego set, released in 2012.
This build is interesting in that it incorporates lighting into the design. The creator has actually varied the green bricks on the hillside to reflect the sunlight that is shinning through tree branches. Dark green pieces can be found along the back representing the shadows over the grass. Brighter green can be found on the front facade, where the sunlight is directly hitting the hillside. An interesting effect that stands out in certain lighting conditions.
This Lego Bag End took over two years to complete. It has been packed with little scenes and details from the film / books. On top of the hill Frodo Baggins can be seen relaxing by a huge tree, while Gandalf is riding into town with fireworks in tow. Placing this scene at the very beginning of the Lord of the Rings. Gandalf and Bilbo can take a break from birthday party planning to smoke some pipe-weed in the garden. A great mini-build, especially the white 1×1 round bricks being used with a transparent pole to represent smoke. Inside this Hobbit hole are two rooms. The main entrance and hallway with the iconic round door. Then off to the side you can find the little writing room, where Bilbo works finishing the Red Book of Westmarch, a collection of stories about Bilbo’s adventurous past.
This little Lego Pac-Man is created by Marin Stipkovic. This design is based on the Pac-Man World video game, a 3D platforming game that came out for the Playstation in 1999. There is a long and storied past to Pac-Man in the 40 years he has been around. This Lego MOC features Pac-Man and his favorite power up, a cherry. The cherry uses some technic pieces for the stem which works very well. Pac-Man himself is wearing shoes and gloves. This version is much more detailed than the original, which was made out of what seems like twenty polygons. This version could even stand in for his recent Smash Bros. Ultimate appearance.
Keep your booze locked up, this brick built Jack Sparrow is looking for some rum. This Lego bust of Captain Jack is created by Bryce Dempsey. Built as an entry into an Iron Builder challenge, specifically to use the Minifigure shooters in new and unique ways. You can see a lot of them being used to create the hair, mustache, and goatee. A great detail is the single white shooter. Who knew that these even came in other colors. For a brick built figure this is a difficult scale to work in. Just big enough to get some extra details, but not small enough to rely on super simplified caricature. The nose and eyes are extremely well done in this scale, combined they form an instantly recognizable Jack.
Gregor Samsa woke up one morning to find that he had transformed into a giant cockroach type bug, or as the story says a “monstrous vermin.” Maybe in some parallel universe Gregor also turned into Lego. Based off the classic novel by Franz Kafka, the Metamorphosis is a Lego MOC created by Water Snap. This build has a bunch of great details. The sheet has been built using a bunch of slopes and curved bricks, it creates a perfect wrinkled / used look. The bed is a simple frame with a very thin mattress which uses a whole lot of 1×1 flat round plates. A Lego pillow hiding behind the carapace is a great detail. The bug itself is well done. With Lego hoses used for antennae, and Lego wrenches to create the insect feet. This is one Lego creation that you probably don’t want hanging around the house. But if you do find a giant Lego insect in your house, make sure to feed it.
Guard duty at Tensegrity Tower requires a certain amount of courage. To save on construction costs a local wizard can be employed to help build your next tower. Saving at least 50% of material costs. Just be on the look out, as any type of lateral force could knock you over at any time. Tensegrity Tower is a Lego MOC created by David Roberts. This is a very clean build, focusing on keeping your attention on the tower. The scenery is just a few plants, a couple of trees, and a short stone path. The addition of a foundation gives this tower a certain plausibility, and creates a target to attract your eyes to the center. The yellow stonework of the tower is a nod to the original castle theme. With just three chains holding up the upper portion. There must be some sort of magical portal leading up to the top, otherwise the guard is going to have a hard time getting down.
