Lego Architecture Studio (21050) Review by Jim Butcher @ Eurobricks

The LEGO Architecture Studio (21050) is a very mysterious set. Currently only available in the United States, this set can be hard to find. Because of this, the set is wrapped up in mystery. Jim Butcher got his hands on this massive set and broke it open to document and review what he found. The Architecture Studio contains 1,210 pieces and comes in a very unconventional box. Most official Lego sets are released in a flat(ish) rectangle shaped box, not so for the Architecture Studio. This is a huge package. Taking up the space of 3 or 4 normal Lego sets. Inside is a very unique set, that Lego has never produced before.

Besides the 1,210 Lego pieces the set comes with two clear sorting trays. Fun fact: these sorting trays are official Lego pieces. They work well, and help to manage the massive amount of like sized/shaped pieces. Speaking of which, almost every piece is white. With the exception of a handful of transparent pieces. The whole point of the Lego Architecture Studio is to use the included pieces to begin building technically minded architecture models. The monochrome color scheme helps break the Lego models down to their core concept, while reinforcing the minimalistic goal of the set.

The large Lego piece count and sorting trays are not the main focus of this set. The instruction manual or book is the star. A huge 272 page perfect bound book. Featuring tips, building techniques, styles, history, and general information about Architecture and Lego. The book does not contain standard instructions. No step by step builds of famous architectural models. Instead the book features very general instructions, often showing the building of a model across only 3-4 steps. The Lego Architecture Studio (21050) is an educational and inspirational set, sharing more in common with Lego Mindstorms then Lego Star Wars.

Read the full review by Jim Butcher over at Eurobricks: http://www.eurobricks.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=85176&st=0

Lego Architecture Studio (21050) Book Download

UPDATE: It looks like Lego has taken the file offline. ~~Lego has offered a .pdf download of the whole 272 page book from the Lego Architecture Studio (21050). This is huge download, at 413 MB. Check it out here:~~
~~http://cache.lego.com/bigdownloads/buildinginstructions/6062928.pdf~~

Amazon has the set for sale, but like other recently popular sets it comes and goes out of stock often. Check it out on Amazon here: LEGO Architecture Studio (21050)

Lego Minifigures Series 11 Reviewed by WhiteFang @ Eurobricks

The new Lego Minifigures Series 11 is just starting to show up in stores. The packaging color will be a deep green, which matches the “holiday” theming of this series. At least three of the minifigs have a winter theme, including the Gingerbread Man, Yeti, and Holiday Elf. It looks like Series 11 is another great release. Although the distribution may cause the more desired minifigures in this set to be rare or uncommon.

WhiteFang, over on Eurobricks, has written up the definitive review. Every few months another Minifig Series is released and WhiteFang is there with an extremely detailed writeup. These figures have proven to be some of the most interesting that Lego produces. The sheer amount of new parts and detailed printing separates these from the normal minifigures from the other Lego sets.

“To me, this series remain a huge importance in the LEGO history and affirming my belief that all of these minifigures in the past, present and future series will continue to be regarded as part of the ‘Golden Age’ for the LEGO CMFs theme.”

The bad news for Series 11 is that the distribution is not at all friendly for the collector. The rarest figures are the most desired, Scarecrow, Tiki Warrior, Grandma, Jazz Musician, Bavarian Lady, and Dinner Waitress. This means that if picking out these figures from an opened box, the chances of finding these are extremely low. There are only two complete sets per box. Lets hope you like the Rock Climber, Welder, Constable, or Yeti as these are probably the minifigures you will find.

Read the whole review of the Lego Minifigures Series 11, written by WhiteFang, over on Eurobricks: http://www.eurobricks.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=85145

Lego Castle: King’s Castle (70404) Reviewed @ Eurobricks!

Lego has recently restarted its Castle theme. This may be the first time that two fantasy based Lego themes have overlapped. Lego Castle and Lego the Lord of the Rings / the Hobbit are both themes that share common designs. It has never been a better time for fantasy Lego fans. The new Lego Castle theme is actually very similar to the previous Kingdoms theme. Almost matching up set for set, with very few new ideas. For collectors of Lego Castle the minifigures are going to be the main draw here.

oo7 has recently posted up a full pictorial review over at Eurobricks of the new Lego Castle: King’s Castle (70404). This is the big flagship set for the theme and seems to have hit all the checkboxes for a Lego Castle. The standard Gatehouse, Kings keep, curtain wall, and two towers all combine to create a great modular castle. Perfect as the Crownies seem to be defending against the included siege engine and Red Dragon minifigs.

This castle comes with the Lego King, Knight, and two Archers. While on the “bad guy” side you will get a Red Dragon Knight and two Raiders. The Lego King usually comes with a chromed sword, but here comes with a pearlized sword. It comes off looking not as regal, but is also not that much of a loss. The best minifigs here are the Crown Knight, and Red Dragon Knight.

As usual the Castle set is modular and can integrate with other Lego Castle sets. For instance adding the Lego Castle: the Gatehouse Raid (70402) to the castle will match the design and scale perfectly. There are a lot of different options that you can choose for the castle layout.

Check out the full review of the Lego Castle: King’s Castle (70404) over at Eurobricks:
http://www.eurobricks.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=84348

You can find the new King’s Castle over at Amazon.

Favorite & Popular & Current Lego Sets

Check out the new Favorite & Popular & Current Lego Sets section at LegoGenre for recommendations on which Lego set to buy. With 13 Lego sets included in this first update, there should be something for everyone. Links to Amazon.com and Lego.com make it easy to research more information too. You can find a permanent link to the right of this column. Feel free to reccommend any sets you think should be included by sending LegoGenre an email, contact info here: http://everydaybricks.com/about/

This section will be updated every few weeks with new sets, so make sure to check it out every once in a while!

http://everydaybricks.com/recommended-lego/

The Lone Ranger: Cavalry Builder Set (79106) Reviewed

The Lone Ranger theme sure does have a lot of interesting sets. The Cavalry Builder Set (79106) is one of those sets that everyone wishes Lego would create for every theme. Having a full Cavalry in a wild west theme is almost essential. Who else is your collection of surly bandits and outlaws going to harass? You get three Cavalry soldiers, a cannon, a horse and the Lone Ranger. The only downside to this set is that the Lone Ranger won’t be alone for long if you buy more then one set in this theme. As an added bonus, most of these pieces (except the minifigs) can fit right in with a Pirate theme.

Check out the new review on Eurobricks by KielDaMan: http://www.eurobricks.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=82077

And check it out on Amazon if you want: The Lone Ranger Cavalry Builder Set (79106)

The Lego Lone Ranger: Silver Mine Shootout Reviewed

The Lone Ranger sets keep coming, and this time the Brothers Brick has a great review of The Lone Ranger: Silver Mine Shootout (79110) set. At first glance this set doesn’t seem all that impressive. Although, this set features an extremely large amount of play features, and sloped bricks. Most of what it offers is very hard to photograph. The five minifigs included here are the Lone Ranger, Tonto, Chief Big Bear, Butch Cavendish, and Skinny Kyle. This set goes together well with the Stagecoach Escape. This Lego Lone Ranger theme is actually a pleasant surprise. Not one set seems to be filler. Make sure to check out the video review!

The Lone Ranger Silver Mine Shootout (79110) is available now on Amazon.

http://www.brothers-brick.com/2013/04/30/79110-silver-mine-shootout-review/

UCS X-Wing Starfighter Reviewed

An early review of the upcoming Red Five X-Wing Starfighter (No. 10240) has a lot of nice things to say. This UCS X-Wing is the most detailed and well built version yet. A huge leap forward from the original UCS X-Wing (7191). Everything that was wrong with the original has been fixed, especially the delicate wings. The only downside is the slightly small R2D2.

This set is destined to become one of those fabled Lego sets. Right up there with the original, cafe corner, and green grocer, in terms of the resale market. A set like this will always be in demand.

Check out the super detailed review of 1040 UCS X-Wing Starfighter, by Huw, on Brickset.

http://www.brickset.com/news/article/?id=6398

Lego Iron Man: Malibu Mansion Attack Reviewed

Just in time for the new release of Iron Man 3 comes a new Lego set. This one focusing on what might be the definitive scene from the film. This set comes with 5 minifigs, Tony Stark, Iron Man in Mark 42 armor, Pepper Potts, the Mandarin, and an Extremis soldier. That is a lot of figures for such a set. The Malibu mansion is a super abbreviated version from the film, containing a workshop, hall of armor, and a kitchen. Lego has done a great job with their Super Heroes line. LEGO Iron Man: Malibu Mansion Attack (76007) is currently for sale on Amazon too.

Captain Nemo over at Eurobricks posted a great review of the Lego Iron Man Malibu Mansion Attack.

http://www.eurobricks.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=80219

Fun fact: Lego spoiled the surprise that Pepper Potts wears the Iron Man armor on the box cover!

Are you looking for even more Lego Iron Man Hall of Armor builds? Check these out:

Jared Chan’s Hall of Armor: http://everydaybricks.com/iron-man-hall-of-armor/
Lego Stark Industries Armory: http://everydaybricks.com/lego-stark-industries-armory-iron-man-hall-of-armor/
Lego instructions for an Laboratory / Hall of Armor: http://everydaybricks.com/iron-mans-laboratory-hall-of-armor/
Keshen8’s video imagining Tony Stark getting ready: http://everydaybricks.com/lego-iron-mans-suit/

Lego Superman: Black Zero Escape Reviewed

With Lego having licenses to both DC Comics and Marvel Comics it means that as every new film based on their comics is released, so too is a new Lego set.

Man of Steel, the new Superman film directed by Zack Snyder, is getting its first Lego set. Superman: Black Zero Escape is just starting to hit stores now, with the first sets showing up in Germany.

Plissken of Eurobricks has posted the first full review. A huge surprise is General Zod’s full combat armor. I have a feeling that this set will become a must buy for any scifi builder out there.

http://www.eurobricks.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=81634

Lone Ranger: Stagecoach Escape (79108) Reviewed @ The Brothers Brick

Who knows how the upcoming Lone Ranger film will turn out. But, one thing is certain: the upcoming Lego sets will not be forgotten.

It has been well over a decade since the last Wild West theme, and all the new Lego building sets look great. The Stagecoach Escape (79108) is looking to be the early winner of the theme. 5 figures, 3 horses, and a vehicle for $30.

Check out all the details at this early review featured on The Brothers Brick.

http://www.brothers-brick.com/2013/04/08/lone-ranger-7918-stagecoach-escape-review/