Review: 75581 Minions' Music Party Bus
Posted by CapnRex101,
75581 Minions' Music Party Bus certainly offers the party atmosphere often associated with the Minions, packing a surprising level of detail with some enjoyable functions into a relatively small vehicle. Chief among these functions is a clever transformation.
As its name suggests, the model can transform from a relatively traditional bus into the stage for a party, which offers definite play potential. Four figures are supplied as well, although this selection is arguably inferior to those in other minifigure-scale Despicable Me 4 sets.
Summary
75581 Minions' Music Party Bus, 379 pieces.
£34.99 / $39.99 / €39.99 | 9.2p/10.6c/10.6c per piece.
Buy at LEGO.com »
I like the Minions' party bus, particularly inside, but the figures are underwhelming
- Odd vehicle proportions suit the Despicable Me universe
- Satisfying functions
- Gus looks great
- Mediocre figures, compared with other sets
The set was provided for review by LEGO. All opinions expressed are those of the author.
Minifigures
The roster of super-powered Mega Minions continues to grow with Mega Minion Gus, whose appearance is influenced by Batman! Gus' grim facial expression mirrors Batman's traditional persona and adjusting the eyes can turn this into an angry design, which looks excellent. Also, the pointed head is interesting and distinguishes Gus from the other Minions.
The head and cape are a single triple-moulded element, mixing flame yellowish orange, black and blue plastics. The lines between colours are accordingly sharp and the double-sided cape looks fantastic, with blue on the outside and flame yellowish orange inside. Like the other Mega Minions, Gus displays an 'M' emblem on his overalls, but they are identical to standard Minion attire otherwise.
Bizarrely, the minifigure comes with a stickered QR code, leading to a stop-motion video on LEGO.com. The video is fun and shows off the party bus, although I am unsure why the QR code accessory was deemed necessary. Fortunately, various other accessories are provided too, including a trans-bright green ice lolly, which is new in this colour.
Three other Minions accompany Gus, beginning with Dave. This figure depicts the character before his transformation into a Mega Minion, as featured in 75580 Minions and Banana Car. The strands of hair printed on his head look splendid and differentiate Dave from Phil, who is another relatively short Minion.
Phil's expression is unique as well, although these three Minions are all cheerful, as one would expect aboard a party bus! Mel completes the trio, returning from 75580 Minions and Banana Car, where he was engaged in painting a banana. This version includes a pink baseball cape, attached to his head using a 1x1 round plate underneath.
The other characters wear party hats, topped with antenna pieces developed for the Imposter Collectable Minifigure. Perhaps the existing party hat element is nearing retirement. Moreover, numerous accessories are present, such as maracas, a banana, a microphone and even a frog! These are certainly welcome, but I think there was scope for even more flamboyant costumes.
The Completed Model
The party bus is fairly compact, measuring just 15cm in length. However, the model is densely packed with functions and its proportions, while unusual, reflect those of many vehicles across the Despicable Me franchise. The small wheels and short wheelbase are instantly recognisable from the films, translating well to LEGO form.
Moreover, the dark blue, medium azure and white colour scheme looks nice, alongside trans-orange and trans-red lights. I like the radiator between the headlights, while stickered number plates are mounted on either end of the bus, featuring the Anti-Villain League emblem. Another sticker is applied above the windscreen and forms the destination board.
1x2x3 inverted slopes flank the windscreens at the front and back, creating an odd shape, but again matching the animation style of Despicable Me films. Trans-light blue windows line each side of the bus and show some evidence of a party happening inside, confirmed by the balloon and flag mounted on the roof.
The whole vehicle opens to access the interior, although just opening two doors on the side is an alternative, revealing a DJ booth. This is a great option for display, perhaps with characters gathered to celebrate outside the bus. However, handles on the doors would have been helpful, so they could be opened without needing to lift the roof panels.
Both ends of the bus are attached to hinges and able to swing outwards, revealing a colourful dance floor underneath, as well as a hot tub, roof-mounted speakers and musical instruments behind the DJ booth. This transformation is clever and the designer has made effective use of space for much of the interior.
The cab is perhaps an exception though, only including a steering wheel and a lime green 2x2 plate as the seat. There was certainly an opportunity for more detail here, or maybe some clips to hold accessories. After all, plenty of items are included, but there is only enough room for one more on a rack beside the guitar.
Speaking of which, this lavender guitar has only appeared once before, with 42619 Pop Star Music Tour Bus. A printed keyboard is also included and these instruments flank an essential Technic beam, strengthening the model. The attached lights are attractive and I like the spring yellowish green and magenta tiles on the dance floor, as well as the stickered records on the DJ's turntables.
Screens and speakers are mounted on each roof panel. The screens feature four Minions in different musical settings and it would have been brilliant to see a couple of these in physical form, such as the break dancing and punk rock Minions! Also, I wish the speakers were bigger, but space is limited, admittedly, particularly with all the figures placed inside.
A curved hot tub occupies the back of the bus, complete with a tap and some trans-light blue 1x1 round tiles forming bubbles in the water. The brick-built rubber duck is also a fun addition, providing an extra dash of colour, although the specialised rubber duck component would have been even better.
Overall
75581 Minions' Music Party Bus delivers on the promise of the name, in my opinion. This bus contains numerous details and the transformation is enjoyable, differing from comparable tour buses seen in Friends. I do think there was an opportunity to go even further with the craziness of the interior, but presumably this design corresponds with a vehicle in Despicable Me 4.
However, I suspect the Minions in the film will suddenly don spectacular musical outfits, based on past Despicable Me movies, so including a couple of those would have been excellent. Gus looks marvellous though, like the other Mega Minions. Nonetheless, I think other Despicable Me 4 sets are more eye-catching than this one, especially at the price of £34.99, $39.99 or €39.99, which seems a little expensive, given the size of the bus.
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22 comments on this article
It has its charms, but The Lego Movie 2 did the concept a lot better. With the benefit of a much higher price point, mind you.
It's imressive how the closed up version looks really good, you could put it in a Lego city and no one would question it. But then you open it and it's a nicely sized playset! Brilliantly designed!
This needs to be at most $24.99, in which case it would tempt me for minion army-building. The bus looks like battle-pack part filler, being so incredibly compact and plain when closed up, like a generic city vehicle thrown in on the side. If it was able to hold all four minions and still have play functions and vibrant decor, then I could see it more as the centerpiece of the set and could imagine justifying the price.
WE LIKE TO PARTY!
"whose appearance is clearly inspired by Batman!"
...huh? He doesn't look at all like Batman, where did that come from?
2x2 Tile in Yellowish-Green for the first time makes it a must-buy [for my colour-chart]. ??
EDIT: '??' was an attempt to include the "smiling face with glasses"/nerd emoji
@the_red_wheelbarrow said:
""whose appearance is clearly inspired by Batman!"
...huh? He doesn't look at all like Batman, where did that come from?"
Perhaps 'influenced' would be the better term, but it has been well documented that each Mega Minion takes cues from existing super heroes. Gus combines aspects of Batman and Superman, but with his serious expression and tall mask, I think he is primarily supposed to evoke Batman.
From what I see it looks overpriced. They probably could have shaved off 10 Euro. It's just another van, after all and especially the interior looks sparse.
@CapnRex101 said:
" @the_red_wheelbarrow said:
""whose appearance is clearly inspired by Batman!"
...huh? He doesn't look at all like Batman, where did that come from?"
Perhaps 'influenced' would be the better term, but it has been well documented that each Mega Minion takes cues from existing super heroes. Gus combines aspects of Batman and Superman, but with his serious expression and tall mask, I think he is primarily supposed to evoke Batman."
Ah. I don't really see any connection beyond having a cape, personally, but you may be correct
I love how it can fold back into a normal looking bus so it can fit into your Lego city MOCs
Nice cameo from 10211-1 in the stop-motion video (though it has CAFE and not SHOP signage).
I also like the version of it actually as a bus with seats from the video too. Might keep an eye on this set in future sales!
I actually prefer the minion minifigs that are in this set than the others. Bus is cute.
@Mister_Jonny said:
"It has its charms, but The Lego Movie 2 did the concept a lot better. With the benefit of a much higher price point, mind you."
Yeah, as soon as I saw the review, I thought, "Let's see how this stands up to 70828."
Even in the new trailer, I don't understand why the mega minions have that darker yellow spandex creating a weird outline around their mouths. or if it even is spandex... idk it's a very weird choice I hope it's explained in the movie
I image they included a QR code because many people will scan it just to see what it does. Whereas if they put a web address in the manual, far fewer people would bother typing it in.
@CapnRex101 said:
" @the_red_wheelbarrow said:
""whose appearance is clearly inspired by Batman!"
...huh? He doesn't look at all like Batman, where did that come from?"
Perhaps 'influenced' would be the better term, but it has been well documented that each Mega Minion takes cues from existing super heroes. Gus combines aspects of Batman and Superman, but with his serious expression and tall mask, I think he is primarily supposed to evoke Batman."
I see more of a Superman influence, as he is literally a speeding bullet.
BANANA
I don't want to make @CapnRex101 feel bad about this misassumption but the character only smiles in the new trailer so even personality is kinda dubious as a Batman parallel.
When I look at this set I can understand why some people move to collect minifigures and sell the rest of the set as new. The build is too big, thus the price. Had it been a more compact set, like 6 stud wide (4 even, if you get more creative), this set would cost less and it would have been an easy sell with these minifigures.
@the_red_wheelbarrow said:
""whose appearance is clearly inspired by Batman!"
...huh? He doesn't look at all like Batman, where did that come from?"
Indeed.
I would rather call his appearance inspired by the Coneheads ;-)
Awesome, I need a couple of this. The city will benefit from more buses!
This might be my favorite set from the whole wave. Especially the Minions!