Review: 43249 Stitch
Posted by Alice,
Stitch, from the Lilo & Stitch franchise, is one of Disney's most beloved characters. Even after 22 years, Stitch merchandise seems very popular, especially in a certain affordable clothes store here in the UK, so it's no surprise that LEGO wanted in on the action.
Stitch is a genetically engineered extraterrestrial creature supposedly resembling a blue koala, so let's see if 43249 Stitch resembles experiment 626!
Summary
43249 Stitch, 730 pieces.
£59.99 / $64.99 / €64.99 | 8.2p/8.9c/8.9c per piece.
Buy at LEGO.com »
A great depiction of the cute creature which I’m sure Stitch/Disney fans would love
- Looks good on display
- Moveable ears and head
- Eyes are printed
- I would’ve preferred him without the shirt and hat
The set was provided for review by LEGO. All opinions expressed are those of the author.
In fact, the LEGO rendition of the alien doesn't resemble Experiment 626 in his true form, in which he has 4 arms, antennas, and spines on his back. However, it does look like him in his disguise as a dog when he hides his extraterrestrial features.
There aren't too many stickers in this set, only some hibiscus flowers to adorn Stitch's Hawaiian shirt. I chose to leave these off, though.
The figure is about 20cm tall and, just like the on-screen character, it's very colourful.
He's dressed in a light orange Hawaiian shirt and pink flower hat, which are not things he wears in the original film, and I can't find pictures of him looking like this, so I presume he does not wear them in the sequels either.
However, the attire seems appropriate given the film is set on the Pacific archipelago, and I can understand why LEGO has chosen to give him clothing in a contrasting colour to his fur: the figure would be a bit plain without it. Personally, I would've preferred him without these accessories, though.
His limbs are fixed, so he remains in this sitting position. His head can be rotated, and his ears are articulated, allowing them to be raised and lowered.
The notch in his right ear is present and correct, but there should also be one in his left ear as well, close to his head.
Although it's unlikely that he'll be displayed with his back visible, it is nevertheless neat, tidy and fairly detailed.
The delicious-looking ice cream in his right hand can be removed should you wish.
Overall
This is a cute and eye-catching model that I had great fun building whilst humming along to 'Hawaiian Roller Coaster Ride' from the soundtrack!
Disney and/or Stitch fans are bound to love having the colourful model on display. It's a shame it isn't more poseable, but I guess that would make it bulkier and potentially compromise its aesthetics.
I think the price of £59.99/$64.99/€64.99 is not too unreasonable considering it's Disney.
96 likes
47 comments on this article
Uncanny valley
I kind of like the accessories. Stitch is a pretty distinctive character on his own merits but they add a pop of colour and texture to it.
That said, I do sympathise with anyone who’s more sceptical of them. Perhaps the set could have taken a leaf from the Fender Stratocaster set and included pieces for an ‘au natural’ version as well.
Looks cute, but €65 for a static display model with no extra features seems a bit much to be honest (even though it’s a licensed set).
I don't like it when "reviewers" don't complete the build.
It's all well and good if you personally don't like stickers. That's your business. I'm here to see the finished build, which dies include applying the stickers. /my two cents
The model is fun. I'm on the fence about grabbing it for myself, but I really like that they're doing more and more stuff like this for IPs that aren't Star Wars. They make fun gifts for fans that would be unimpressed with random playsets.
Very nice but the nose seems off. Very piggy-like.
I'll definitely get him, but the model is not without flaws. A 50 Euro price point would probably have been enough.
LEGO’s azure hues really do pop on the shelf, I must say.
To be fair, Stich looks way better in real when I saw it on display in a Lego shop.
@Sandinista said:
"Uncanny valley"
I'm not sure the phrase "uncanny valley" applies to something as clearly and deliberately non-human as this. Stitch is more animal-like in appearance than person-like, and the set reflects that.
@Klinton77 said:
"I don't like it when "reviewers" don't complete the build.
It's all well and good if you personally don't like stickers. That's your business. I'm here to see the finished build, which dies include applying the stickers. /my two cents "
I mean, how are potential consumers supposed to know what the finished set will look like with the stickers properly attached?
Sure, there are official images from Lego. And the box art. And dozens of other reviewers who will apply the stickers. You can even click the set number in Alice's review and it'll take you to the official Brickset page for the set with official images with the stickers applied.
Personally, I prefer it when reviewers leave stickers off that aren't completely necessary. While official images and box art always show the intended stickers, a review like this one from Alice is our *only* opportunity to see the set this way before purchasing it ourselves.
Great review, Alice!
I agree in this case , stickers are definately optional .
Same for the stars + extras you get on the sticker sheet with a set like 41713: Olivia's Space Academy
That does not mean I prefer stickers over prints however .
@Lyichir said:
" @Sandinista said:
"Uncanny valley"
I'm not sure the phrase "uncanny valley" applies to something as clearly and deliberately non-human as this. Stitch is more animal-like in appearance than person-like, and the set reflects that."
Indeed, this is a caricature of a stylized, animated, non-earth character, so it's as far from being Uncanny Valley as possible. Uncanny Valley refers to the fact that, being humans, we grow up around other humans, and have such an innate understanding of what humans look like, that, the closer you get to animating a "realistic" human, the more freakishly fake it looks. We can animate realistic animals, and it doesn't phase anyone, but humans done like Polar Express look like they were pulled from the Ninth Circle, while a more cartoony depiction like The Incredibles looks okay to us.
@BJNemeth said:
"Personally, I prefer it when reviewers leave stickers off "
So by the end of the day, it's about personal preference, just like Klinton77's.
This or that, what I've come to learn is that sets pictures are nice as a reference and that's it. Only way to truly judge a set is by seeing it in real life. Some looks great on camera but no so much in real life, and visa versa.
The thing is simply ugly.
Not as much as 75371 or 76282; but still ugly.
This set honestly just looks disappointing. Maybe the flower and jacket could have been removable options if you wanted to display Stitch plain, but nope.
Great, concise review. Thank you. I had the same initial misgivings about this set (my favorite Disney character) so it’s nice to know I’m not alone. I would have preferred LEGO prioritize making it more poseable and less shirty. If I want a more static Stitch to display, I’ll get the Brickheadz (which I did).
I like it. Pretty hard to render in Lego, so to me designers have made a pretty good job there. Thank you for the review and beautiful pics of this colourful, joyful set. I would have liked to see it with its bright orange flowers applied though.
Anyone got any idea on how I can change the Hawaiian shirt into an Elvis jacket?
Wow. 22 years! I really need to watch this movie one day. Very cute set though.
I haven't applied the stickers in years, and I usually look for reviews that don't do it either, because to see photos with stickers I already have the official ones.
This one's on on my wanted list, but I'm not sure if I'll actually get it. I may content myself with the two Stitch CMFs and the Brickheadz. I still need to get that Brickheadz...
@PurpleDave said:
" @Lyichir said:
" @Sandinista said:
"Uncanny valley"
I'm not sure the phrase "uncanny valley" applies to something as clearly and deliberately non-human as this. Stitch is more animal-like in appearance than person-like, and the set reflects that."
Indeed, this is a caricature of a stylized, animated, non-earth character, so it's as far from being Uncanny Valley as possible. Uncanny Valley refers to the fact that, being humans, we grow up around other humans, and have such an innate understanding of what humans look like, that, the closer you get to animating a "realistic" human, the more freakishly fake it looks. We can animate realistic animals, and it doesn't phase anyone, but humans done like Polar Express look like they were pulled from the Ninth Circle, while a more cartoony depiction like The Incredibles looks okay to us."
Or, to quote Inigo Montoya: "You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means."
@FARLANDER said:
"I haven't applied the stickers in years, and I usually look for reviews that don't do it either, because to see photos with stickers I already have the official ones."
Sometimes, it still surprises me how LEGO allows some official photos with messed up stickers to get through however.
But at least it seems to be proof that they still do a mix of renders and photos as I really doubt they render a sticker that's not straight or has a slightly lifted corner.
@Watsonite said:
"The thing is simply ugly.
Not as much as 75371 or 76282 ; but still ugly."
Completely agree. Even though that's not the fault of the set imho, but the source material.
I find Stitch to be one of the ugliest characters of any Disney animated movie and wouldn't dream of buying any kind of representation of it, be it a plush toy, a LEGO set or whatever.
@TeriXeri:
We know they use renders all the time, and we know the lifestyle photos they've been doing are not renders.
@AustinPowers:
Not even if they make a set with a minifig of Stitch wearing all the various Star Trek uniforms?
@Lyichir said:
" @Sandinista said:
"Uncanny valley"
I'm not sure the phrase "uncanny valley" applies to something as clearly and deliberately non-human as this. Stitch is more animal-like in appearance than person-like, and the set reflects that."
Regardless of what the right definition is, it doesn't look comforting. When you see brick built statues at Legoland parks or museums, the kind Nathan Sawaya does, you can tell it's Lego. When a designer does everything in their power for curves/smoothness, it can look unnerving. The brick built Chewbacca released recently had this issue.
I've been waiting to see this, as I think Stitch is adorable. I agree the nose looks wrong, the designer missed the mark on that. That is not a koala nose.
I prefer the flowers on his shirt, without them it's just a shirt, so it loses the impact of a hawaiian shirt. But it's fine that they are left off for the review.
I wish the legs were moveable, so he could stand. Can the flower be easily removed? Or is it integrated in the build? I like it, but just curious about it. Nice review.
LEAVE ME IN THE DARK WITH A HOLE FOR A HEART.
Wait, wrong "Stitch."
Not a very enticing looking set, though, so it still qualifies as Deadweight.
@Watsonite said:
"The thing is simply ugly.
Not as much as 75371 or 76282; but still ugly."
I am not a fan of brickbuild figures, mechs, etc, but this one looks great, very close to regular nonbrick build. The Chewbacca looks strange on photos, but when I saw one in person, i completely changed my mind. It looks almost perfect and amazingly natural with that brick build fur because it's really tall and bulky. The photos do not show that at all.
@PurpleDave said:
" @AustinPowers:
Not even if they make a set with a minifig of Stitch wearing all the various Star Trek uniforms?"
Not really, no. Just because it wears something different doesn't make it any less ugly to me.
I don't watch Star Trek for the uniforms anyway.
@BJNemeth said:
" @Klinton77 said:
"I don't like it when "reviewers" don't complete the build.
(...) "
(...)
Personally, I prefer it when reviewers leave stickers off that aren't completely necessary. While official images and box art always show the intended stickers, a review like this one from Alice is our *only* opportunity to see the set this way before purchasing it ourselves.
Great review, Alice!"
You took the words right out of my mouth, @BJNemeth !
I never apply stickers unless they are utterly vital (as I've said a thousand times: I don't like the way the stress of correctly applying stickers breaks up the relaxing flow of building LEGO).
A reviewer leaving the stickers off is GREATLY appreciated as it allows us to guage how vital the stickers are.
You’ve made a mistake at the top of the article stating it’s been 22 years since Lilo & Stitch came out when it can only be like, 12 years tops.
@kwickbrick said:
"Can the flower be easily removed? Or is it integrated in the build? I like it, but just curious about it. Nice review."
Yep, the flower can simply be taken off, and doesn't look like anything is missing without it on there.
The ice-cream is not attached either, it just sits in the hand.
Overall I would have liked if Lego had provided pieces for a plain/non-shirt version too so you could rebuild. I'm sure someone out there cleverer than me will come up with a version like that.
@Fandabidozi said:
"You’ve made a mistake at the top of the article stating it’s been 22 years since Lilo & Stitch came out when it can only be like, 12 years tops. "
2024-2002 = 22
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0275847/
It looks good but after seeing Ideas one everything else is a dissapointment
@Sandinista:
The stuff Sawaya builds is usually large enough that the “pixel” size isn’t a detriment, plus it’s a display piece. On something small like this, similar construction would make it look rather childish in design, which wouldn’t do much to impress most Disneyphiles. Few people are going to look at 10181 and say it looks more impressive than 10307.
@AustinPowers:
Yeah, but a source for official Star Trek uniforms would allow you to figbash the crew with stock parts.
@Fandabidozi:
2012 was Wreck-It Ralph. They’d basically abandoned 2D hand animation by that point.
@PurpleDave : true, but the whole discussion is academic anyway, since LEGO won't touch the Star Trek licence with a barge pole.
@AustinPowers said:
" @PurpleDave : true, but the whole discussion is academic anyway, since LEGO won't touch the Star Trek licence with a barge pole. "
More importantly, I don’t see Disney allowing their characters to wear Paramount outfits.
@PurpleDave said:
" @AustinPowers said:
" @PurpleDave : true, but the whole discussion is academic anyway, since LEGO won't touch the Star Trek licence with a barge pole. "
More importantly, I don’t see Disney allowing their characters to wear Paramount outfits."
Naturally. But don't forget it was you who came up with that absurd idea in the first place ;-)
I agree with your Negative. Why add the shirt? This character is iconic as he is, without the shirt. …Even so, this is an attractive looking model.
@Klinton77 said:
"I don't like it when "reviewers" don't complete the build.
It's all well and good if you personally don't like stickers. That's your business. I'm here to see the finished build, which dies include applying the stickers. /my two cents
The model is fun. I'm on the fence about grabbing it for myself, but I really like that they're doing more and more stuff like this for IPs that aren't Star Wars. They make fun gifts for fans that would be unimpressed with random playsets. "
Agreed. If anyone is reviewing a set with stickers, they should add them and critique them. This isn’t about a reviewer having a preference. It’s about the reviewer’s opinions on everything in the set. Imagine if a reviewer wrote a review only about a vehicle in a set and not the minifigures, because they didn’t like minifigures.
This is especially important when the set - like this one - has been supplied by Lego
Especially when the set is supplied by Lego
@AustinPowers:
That’s what I do. I abstain, and come up with weird stuff.
I think the Elvis costume he wears in the movie for a second or two would have been better than this non-canon shirt. LEGO could've pulled money from three demographics: LEGO fans, Disney / Stitch fans, and Elvis fans! They might as well print money - but nope. They went with stickered version of an average Hawaiian shirt instead.
this one might be my favourite buildable creature of this sort they've done, it looks cute
@Murdoch17:
Put him in an Elvis costume and I'd lose all interest in owning this.
@PurpleDave said:
" @Murdoch17:
Put him in an Elvis costume and I'd lose all interest in owning this."
Are saying you'd be... all shook up?
@TheOtherMike said:
" @PurpleDave said:
" @Murdoch17:
Put him in an Elvis costume and I'd lose all interest in owning this."
Are saying you'd be... all shook up?"
If PurpleDave received it as a gift from someone, he'd have to mark it 'Return to Sender'!
@TheOtherMike said:
" @PurpleDave said:
" @Murdoch17:
Put him in an Elvis costume and I'd lose all interest in owning this."
Are saying you'd be... all shook up?"
Nope. Actually, as this movie proved, I do like quite a few Elvis songs...as long as someone else sings them.