Review: 31214 LOVE
Posted by MeganL,
To quote the Beatles: "All you need is love."
One of the sets scheduled for release on January 1 is "LOVE", based on the famous Robert Indiana image. Let's see if it is, indeed, all we need....
Summary
31214 LOVE, 791 pieces.
£69.99 / $79.99 / €79.99 | 8.8p/10.1c/10.1c per piece.
Buy at LEGO.com »
An attractive display model of an iconic pop culture image
- Great gift for someone new to the hobby
- Vibrant colouring
- Perfect size for an office display
- Some gaps in the "O"
The set was provided for review by LEGO. All opinions expressed are those of the author.
Most people are familiar with the Robert Indiana image, made famous when it was featured in a New York Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) greeting card in 1965. This led to many incarnations of the image, including being featured on a U.S. stamp in 1973.
Subsequent sculptures can be found in many countries around the world; the original monumental sculpture was created in 1970 and is currently on display at the Indianapolis Museum of Art.
Inside the box there are nine numbered bags and two instruction books. The first of the instruction books provides some history on the LOVE image, as well as some schmaltzy language about how sometimes people "just click", and how this set will "fall into place". The two instruction books offer an opportunity to build with someone else; the instruction book helpfully suggests this would be a great date activity.
The completed model
The model is built in two sections (one per instruction book). The first is the "L" and "E" of the sculpture. These letters are built independently, with just a few bricks connecting them at the end. I was surprised when they stood on their own, albeit tilted slightly. These two letters have blue as their highlighted colour, similar to the original image.
The "O" piece has some nice techniques to provide the rounding of the letter.
The "V" piece is straightforward to built, but the hinges are not locked, which means it doesn't stand up on its own. This is an above view. Both "O" and "V" have green highlighting - best seen in some future pictures.
The "O" and "V" click into place (much like how the booklet describes it!). This next picture is taken looking at the sculpture straight on. The picture used for the header was taken at a slightly higher angle. I much prefer that angle, because you don't see the connecting plate between the "O" and the "E". I'm not sure there's anything the designer could have done to make it more flush.
A side view shows the highlighting in the letters, as well as one of my other small nitpicks - the gaps in the top of the curve of the "O". Again, it's such a smooth curve and turned out quite well; I'm not sure there's anything the designer could have done to make that gap smaller.
A rear view, showing the coloured highlights.
The back view is not unattractive, and is quite clean.
Finally, I think this is one of my favourite angles. The blue/green highlighting is shown, and the gaps on the "O" seem a bit smaller.
Overall thoughts
When I was building this set, I was thinking that it was too bad this wasn't available for Christmas - this is a set that would appeal to a number of non-AFOLs. Almost more importantly, the build is not overly complex, so would be a perfect gift for someone just starting out in the hobby. Then it dawned on me that this is being released in anticipation for Valentine's Day, which also explains the schmaltzy language in the instruction book.
The size is not too large - it's about 10 inches in height. I neglected to take a picture of the set with anything (a sloth, say) - to give it a sense of scale. It is just the right size to display in an office.
At $80, it may be just the right set for you to get for someone you connect with.
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67 comments on this article
I...do not LOVE this set.
This is a really neat set. As a fan of brick-built lettering I really like how nicely the line weight, angles, and various serifs are achieved.
This isn’t a bad set for what it is. I do feel like Lego has been doing too many of these “let’s make a random thing but out of Lego”. Not every object or neat pop culture things needs to be represented in Lego, but this would be cool for a bookshelf or someone that’s not big into the hobby.
Cool building techniques but I'm pretty sure 90% of LEGO fans don't give a hoot about this
I'll wait for the King Theoden "DEATH" version.
I’m all for sloths in every photo :) They are one of the reasons I almost always read you reviews completely while I tend to skim others.
Kinda wish the outer sides were colored blue and green like the sculpture in Philly, but as it looks, it's gorgeous!
All you need is LOVE
It's a nice set for sure, but all I'm thinking is "Who needed this?".
I read an article a few days ago that the toy industry is down but Lego is up, specifically because of sets like this that appeal to adults. Someone must be buying them.
$20 per letter?! Inflation is outta control smdh
It's a nice sculpture to be sure but I don't know how successful this will be on the market. I doubt it will be as large of a misfire as the photo holder sets, but I also don't see this appealing to much of he core LEGO demographic. I'd suggest that 18+ sculpture-type sets would be made-to-order direct as opposed to being mass produced, but I suppose the Adults Welcome initiative has been remarkably successful to people who didn't consider themselves Lego fans until the 2020s, so maybe the "normie wallet" - that buys a few display models instead of having existing whole Lego rooms that are being overstuffed - has a greater pull than we think.
@monkyby87 said:
"This isn’t a bad set for what it is. I do feel like Lego has been doing too many of these “let’s make a random thing but out of Lego”. Not every object or neat pop culture things needs to be represented in Lego, but this would be cool for a bookshelf or someone that’s not big into the hobby. "
Neither do they have to pump out as many number of cars, trains, or helicopters as they do, but those sets sell really well, so they keep making as many as they can. I assume a lot of 'random things made out of LEGO' also do quite well, given by this continuing trend. I find it interesting to see that many adult LEGO collectors seem think that if they don't like something there's no need for it existing.
On the build itself, it's perfectly fine for it is. I first saw the LOVE image on a compilation album with songs from roughly the same era this artwork was created. It's an iconic pop art image, so of course LEGO would recreate this as a set.
I guess there are some people out there who will actually want to buy this. I'm not one of them.
Just as a counterfactual to AFOLs who are constantly like "WhO iS tHiS sEt FoR?", I got my daughter the BTS Dynamite set for Christmas and she loves it. Big K-Pop fan there.
Not all Lego is for you, but any Lego could be for somebody.
(And as a Philly area native, I'd "love" to have this set.)
@Alia_of_AGL said:
"It's a nice sculpture to be sure but I don't know how successful this will be on the market. I doubt it will be as large of a misfire as the photo holder sets, but I also don't see this appealing to much of he core LEGO demographic. I'd suggest that 18+ sculpture-type sets would be made-to-order direct as opposed to being mass produced, but I suppose the Adults Welcome initiative has been remarkably successful to people who didn't consider themselves Lego fans until the 2020s, so maybe the "normie wallet" - that buys a few display models instead of having existing whole Lego rooms that are being overstuffed - has a greater pull than we think."
The core Lego demographic is kids, and people buying for kids. The huge untapped market is adults who don't currently buy Lego. Adults who currently buy Lego make up a tiny portion of their market (340k users on this site, that's 1/10th the population of Berlin, 1/25th the population of NYC, 1/16 the population of Syndey)
The normie wallet might have a greater pull than you think, but it's because you're almost definitely underestimating it. With things like MTG, the community is the market. The appeal isn't massive, there isn't a huge opportunity that could be reached, you're making products for the hardcore fans. TLG is like Coca Cola, the market is "humans who are breathing." Afols are currently buying, TLG doesn't need to change course to appeal to us. Kids and people who buy for kids are buying, that's why you see rereleases and mechs and cars all the time. Adults who don't buy Lego are huge potential, which is why things like this exist. Obviously the current slate from TLG hasn't reached them yet, but new things like this can bring them into the fandom.
And as much as it feels like a cop-out, if the "let's build a random thing but out of Lego" sets performed terribly, then we wouldn't keep getting them. TLG aren't omniscient or infallible, but they typically don't like losing money. They want to make things that people buy, and they keep making things like this, so it only makes sense that some people buy things like this. Maybe not people who are on this website, but that's their goal! Folks doubted the Botanicals when they were first announced, and now they're one of the best-selling lines, mainly because of that wider appeal.
All you need is LEGO
And money, I should add.
If you get 2 you can make EVOLVE.
Alternatively VOLE with 1 set, or VELO with an acute) for French cyclists.
All I need is love ... to love a new LOTR black box release ...
I heard money can't buy me LOVE, but I guess it can.
@ToysFromTheAttic said:
" @monkyby87 said:
"This isn’t a bad set for what it is. I do feel like Lego has been doing too many of these “let’s make a random thing but out of Lego”. Not every object or neat pop culture things needs to be represented in Lego, but this would be cool for a bookshelf or someone that’s not big into the hobby. "
Neither do they have to pump out as many number of cars, trains, or helicopters as they do, but those sets sell really well, so they keep making as many as they can. I assume a lot of 'random things made out of LEGO' also do quite well, given by this continuing trend. I find it interesting to see that many adult LEGO collectors seem think that if they don't like something there's no need for it existing.
On the build itself, it's perfectly fine for it is. I first saw the LOVE image on a compilation album with songs from roughly the same era this artwork was created. It's an iconic pop art image, so of course LEGO would recreate this as a set."
I think it makes sense for certain subject matter like cars and trains and helicopters to keep appearing as new children are always coming on the scene, and it makes sense for that kind of subject matter to be readily available. I do wish it was available at a slightly better price point, though; even generic themes like City don’t seem to have anything beneath the £8.99 price point any more, which is frustrating.
Even when I won't be buying it, I do think it's a decent set that will sell well. The review didn't change any of that. I do think the gap between the O and E is a bit unfortunate, that does take away quite a bit from the original design. And €80 seems rather pricey for a set only consisiting of less than 800 rather basic pieces, with no prints or anything special.
"It is just the right size to display in an office."
Happy for those who can still display something they like in their office.
At our company we moved into new offices after Covid, where now there aren't enough desks for everyone anymore. Desk sharing is the new norm, and a "clean desk" policy is enforced, so you are not allowed to bring and display personal items anymore.
Thank God we work from home most of the time now. No one is telling me how much LEGO I put on my desk at home!
Lego has a close working relationship with IKEA, my guess is they spoke to them and asked how many of those wooden LOVE ornaments do you sell. IKEA says millions every year worldwide. Lego says to its designers here's your next assignment.
This set seems a no brainer to me.
@gunther_schnitzel said:
"If you get 2 you can make EVOLVE.
Alternatively VOLE with 1 set, or VELO with an acute) for French cyclists."
How many to make FARTY TOWELS?
@AustinPowers said:
"At our company we moved into new offices after Covid, where now there aren't enough desks for everyone anymore. Desk sharing is the new norm, and a "clean desk" policy is enforced, so you are not allowed to bring and display personal items anymore."
Same with us.....and we had a good laugh when a new manager suddenly demanded *everyone* to be in the office on Monday. Good luck with 55 desks for over a 100 employees....
We are supposed to work at least 50% at the office, yet somehow we rarely have a shortage of desks. Guess I'm not the only one not even close to that 50%.....
@AustinPowers said:
"Thank God we work from home most of the time now. No one is telling me how much LEGO I put on my desk at home!"
Saturn V, Wildflower Bouquet and a Nanoblock train for me ;-)
@gunther_schnitzel said:
"If you get 2 you can make EVOLVE.
Alternatively VOLE with 1 set, or VELO with an acute) for French cyclists."
Or VOLVO for fans of Swedish cars?
@AustinPowers
Another good argument for home office!
Now we need one that says “RAGE”
@Auctorius said:
"It's a nice set for sure, but all I'm thinking is "Who needed this?"."
“All you” clearly
I'd like it better in different colours, thanks to this review, I understand the reasoning behind the garish scheme, as I didn't know the history of this before.
A microscale one would be good.
"The two instruction books offer an opportunity to build with someone else; the instruction book helpfully suggests this would be a great date activity." Or possibly a way to get your significant other yo see the appeal of your hobby?
"To Blathe"?
He was probably trying to bluff someone at poker.
@Auctorius said:
"It's a nice set for sure, but all I'm thinking is "Who needed this?"."
Who needs any Lego? I don’t. But we love them! And I’m sure someone will want this!
@UProbeck said:
" @gunther_schnitzel said:
"If you get 2 you can make EVOLVE.
Alternatively VOLE with 1 set, or VELO with an acute) for French cyclists."
Or VOLVO for fans of Swedish cars?"
They're made in China, now, at least the electric versions. Volvo Cars is a Chinese company.
@shawn_rob said:
"Now we need one that says “RAGE”"
I'm waiting for REVENGE.
Definitely not a set for me, but I LOVE some of the building techniques used here!
Now do SPACE!
I hope to see a RAGE version (for the Rage Against the Machine album Renegades) appear on Rebrickable.
@Lance_McCormick said:
" @shawn_rob said:
"Now we need one that says “RAGE”"
I'm waiting for REVENGE."
If they did do RAGE, they would have to put some sort of machine up against it. ;-P
As for REVENGE, I doubt it... after all, Revenge is never the answer!
I want someone to make a tower (a wall works too) of copies of this set, with John Lennon from 21306 nearby. Oh, yeah - a MOC of the dreadful flying glove going by is also a necessity.
I like it
I've been living under a rock. When I first saw the reveal, I was very confused why Lego would adapt a Rage Against the Machine album cover.
How long until someone rebricks this into
LE
GO
It's just a V -> G. Probably not too many extra parts needed. Then you get get 2 copies and make LOVE LEGO bookends.
Could have even been a 2-in-1, but maybe there would be licensing reasons against that.
Really getting in to the Art sets now, so I will probably get hold of this as well at some point.
i am not sure how good this set will sell here in germany. I believe it gets beaten up by high discounts.
The message is the best about this set but that comes down to the artist of the original. I hope the artist will get his fair share out of this.
Let me guess, the next one will read "HO-PE"...
Why not make a pixel ART set with the LEGO logo first? Or even this kind of lettering with "LEGO"?
I already forgot this set existed.
@Ridgeheart said:
" @Murdoch17 said:
" @Lance_McCormick said:
" @shawn_rob said:
"Now we need one that says “RAGE”"
I'm waiting for REVENGE."
If they did do RAGE, they would have to put some sort of machine up against it. ;-P
As for REVENGE, I doubt it... after all, Revenge is never the answer!"
Say, @StyleCounselor, what was the name of the Dread Pirate Roberts' ship again?"
I believe it's called the "I'll Most Likely Kill You in the Morning."
REVENGE
@StyleCounselor said:
"REVENGE "
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZntJssyfKr8
@Mister_Jonny said:
" @ToysFromTheAttic said:
" @monkyby87 said:
"This isn’t a bad set for what it is. I do feel like Lego has been doing too many of these “let’s make a random thing but out of Lego”. Not every object or neat pop culture things needs to be represented in Lego, but this would be cool for a bookshelf or someone that’s not big into the hobby. "
Neither do they have to pump out as many number of cars, trains, or helicopters as they do, but those sets sell really well, so they keep making as many as they can. I assume a lot of 'random things made out of LEGO' also do quite well, given by this continuing trend. I find it interesting to see that many adult LEGO collectors seem think that if they don't like something there's no need for it existing.
On the build itself, it's perfectly fine for it is. I first saw the LOVE image on a compilation album with songs from roughly the same era this artwork was created. It's an iconic pop art image, so of course LEGO would recreate this as a set."
I think it makes sense for certain subject matter like cars and trains and helicopters to keep appearing as new children are always coming on the scene, and it makes sense for that kind of subject matter to be readily available. I do wish it was available at a slightly better price point, though; even generic themes like City don’t seem to have anything beneath the £8.99 price point any more, which is frustrating."
There are polybags for about $4. And yes, of course it makes sense, but there aren't just kids enjoying the hobby, so LEGO will keep thinking of sets to also draw in adults.
@StyleCounselor said:
" @Ridgeheart said:
" @Murdoch17 said:
" @Lance_McCormick said:
" @shawn_rob said:
"Now we need one that says “RAGE”"
I'm waiting for REVENGE."
If they did do RAGE, they would have to put some sort of machine up against it. ;-P
As for REVENGE, I doubt it... after all, Revenge is never the answer!"
Say, @StyleCounselor, what was the name of the Dread Pirate Roberts' ship again?"
I believe it's called the "I'll Most Likely Kill You in the Morning."
REVENGE "
No, it's the "As You Wish."
@Auctorius said:
"It's a nice set for sure, but all I'm thinking is "Who needed this?"."
It’s clearly not aimed at Lego fans who choose usernames based on traditional themes, but I’d guess there is a big market for Lego fans looking for a gateway drug for their other half!
I've started taking a screenshot every time I see a Lego set in the background of a YouTube presenter/interviewee's 'studio' (lots of botanicals featuring, but have also seen a Mini Cooper and a UCS Falcon recently). I suspect I'll be seeing this in a few background shots in the coming year.
A lot of hate for Love.
I like this. …And I really like LEGO’s ART sets. …As a guy with 3x kids and no more space for spare parts and things, it has to be a set of cultural reference and an easily displayable piece. I’ll likely be picking this up early in the new year to build with the kids. …Last year was Mona Lisa and The Wave. …Stary Night the year before. …These sets have an audience and are appreciated.
@TheOtherMike said:
" @StyleCounselor said:
" @Ridgeheart said:
" @Murdoch17 said:
" @Lance_McCormick said:
" @shawn_rob said:
"Now we need one that says “RAGE”"
I'm waiting for REVENGE."
If they did do RAGE, they would have to put some sort of machine up against it. ;-P
As for REVENGE, I doubt it... after all, Revenge is never the answer!"
Say, @StyleCounselor, what was the name of the Dread Pirate Roberts' ship again?"
I believe it's called the "I'll Most Likely Kill You in the Morning."
REVENGE "
No, it's the "As You Wish.""
I prefer the "MLT".
@WizardOfOss said:
" @StyleCounselor said:
"REVENGE "
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZntJssyfKr8"
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=jRRnCHFeUck
@PhantomBricks said:
" @TheOtherMike said:
" @StyleCounselor said:
" @Ridgeheart said:
" @Murdoch17 said:
" @Lance_McCormick said:
" @shawn_rob said:
"Now we need one that says “RAGE”"
I'm waiting for REVENGE."
If they did do RAGE, they would have to put some sort of machine up against it. ;-P
As for REVENGE, I doubt it... after all, Revenge is never the answer!"
Say, @StyleCounselor, what was the name of the Dread Pirate Roberts' ship again?"
I believe it's called the "I'll Most Likely Kill You in the Morning."
REVENGE "
No, it's the "As You Wish.""
I prefer the "MLT"."
Where the mutton is nice and lean, and fresh tomatoes- they're so perky- I love it!
@StyleCounselor said:
" @WizardOfOss said:
" @StyleCounselor said:
"REVENGE "
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZntJssyfKr8 "
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=jRRnCHFeUck "
I got a 31145 here, and I'm not afraid to use it!
@StyleCounselor said:
" @PhantomBricks said:
" @TheOtherMike said:
" @StyleCounselor said:
" @Ridgeheart said:
" @Murdoch17 said:
" @Lance_McCormick said:
" @shawn_rob said:
"Now we need one that says “RAGE”"
I'm waiting for REVENGE."
If they did do RAGE, they would have to put some sort of machine up against it. ;-P
As for REVENGE, I doubt it... after all, Revenge is never the answer!"
Say, @StyleCounselor, what was the name of the Dread Pirate Roberts' ship again?"
I believe it's called the "I'll Most Likely Kill You in the Morning."
REVENGE "
No, it's the "As You Wish.""
I prefer the "MLT"."
Where the mutton is nice and lean, and fresh tomatoes- they're so perky- I love it!"
And now I'm wondering how I built this and wrote the review without thinking of any of this! It's one of my favourite movies.
Turn the V upside down and you’re not far off an A. Modify the E to make an F. Rearrange and you’ve got …
A F
O L
All you need is love…and EIGHTY DOLLARS!
@WizardOfOss said:
" @StyleCounselor said:
" @WizardOfOss said:
" @StyleCounselor said:
"REVENGE "
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZntJssyfKr8 "
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=jRRnCHFeUck "
I got a 31145 here, and I'm not afraid to use it! "
Well, Ken, I'VE got 31122, and I'm not afraid to eat them all!!
@StyleCounselor said:
" @WizardOfOss said:
" @StyleCounselor said:
" @WizardOfOss said:
" @StyleCounselor said:
"REVENGE "
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZntJssyfKr8 "
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=jRRnCHFeUck "
I got a 31145 here, and I'm not afraid to use it! "
Well, Ken, I'VE got 31122, and I'm not afraid to eat them all!!"
Glad I don't have to warn you about any unripe green ones....
still can't understand the hate this is getting. i live in Philly and this set will no doubt be in every gift shop in the city for years to come. it's going to be wildly popular around here. AFOLs need to understand that just because *you're* not the audience, it doesn't mean the audience doesn't exist. hell, i already have a copy coming my way, and i'm really excited for it.
You've got to admit it's quite impressive how well it matches the original font.