Review: 21361 Gremlins: Gizmo
Posted by TheBrickPal,
Gremlins was released in 1984 and still enjoys popularity today as a beloved horror comedy and a Christmas classic. The franchise has seen continued success through a 1990 sequel, a recent animated series, and a memorable LEGO Dimensions appearance in 2016.
Now, it returns to LEGO in the form of 21361 Gremlins: Gizmo, which came about from terauma's winning entry in the LEGO Ideas "If we could turn back time" 80s challenge.
This mischievous Mogwai looks wonderful in official images, exuding personality and featuring plenty of detail. I can only hope that I'm just as impressed after further inspection...
Summary
21361 Gremlins: Gizmo, 1,125 pieces.
£89.99 / $109.99 / €99.99 | 8.0p/9.8c/8.9c per piece.
Buy at LEGO.com »
A fantastic representation of an iconic character
- Adorable!
- Accurate details throughout
- Fun Easter eggs
- Multiple display options
- Reasonably priced
- Cannot die or transform into a monster
- Could be more posable
- Lack of accessories
- No minifigure
The set was provided for review by LEGO. All opinions expressed are those of the author.
Box and Contents
The box is the usual 18+ fare, but Gizmo certainly stands out against the black background, with a nice blue glow behind him.
The back shows multiple shots of the set, as well as its dimensions of 20 centimeters / 8 inches high and 27 centimeters / 10.5 inches wide - not much smaller than an 'actual' Mogwai, which are around nine inches tall.
"Look Mister, there are some rules that you've got to follow."
Like caring for a Mogwai, this set begins with some instructions. But instead of three rules, it's more like over three hundred steps.
The instructions open with an introduction to the fan designer, terauma (Fuma Terai).
As a refresher, here is his submission:
You can read more from terauma on the LEGO Ideas blog!
Of course, there's also a short blurb about Gremlins and Gizmo.
The images provided really make me nostalgic about watching the movie for the first time as a kid with my dad... in the early 2000s!
Finally, there's a message from the LEGO Ideas design team - although strangely, designer Chris McVeigh is not mentioned by name.
So cute!
Ten numbered bags are included, and no stickers - instead, two printed shields (the Captain America shield mold, to be specific) are used for the eyes.
Construction
Cute. Clever. Mischievous. Intelligent. Dangerous. Buildable.
Construction starts with the torso, which made for an interesting building experience, with plenty of Technic and SNOT techniques. A wonderful added detail is this trans-pink 1x1 pyramid for a 'heart', as apparently, terauma's daughter loves transparent elements!
The instructions split when you reach bag four, which is when you can decide whether to build Gizmo standing up (page 66) or sitting down (page 96).
For the purposes of this review, I chose the standing position, but you can check out what he looks like sitting below! I may build this version someday...
Here are the spare pieces left over, mostly used for the sitting version, after building the standing one:
The standing legs connect to the lower body using some Technic axles.
Panels are created for the fur on the arms...
Terrifying!
The head connects to a Technic axle and turntable on the torso, ensuring stability.
In the spirit of Gremlins, I had a rather morbid idea...
[Note: Despite a bright light being used, no Mogwai were harmed in the making of this review.]
Reference
Source - Posterazzi.com
The Completed Model
"To understand, one has only to listen."
And here he is! Gizmo looks spectacular when everything is built, with detail from the tips of his ears to his tiny toes. He compares favorably with the source material, and from a distance could easily be mistaken for a non-LEGO figurine, which is the desired outcome for things like this, I suppose.
His backside looks equally good, with some amusing shaping for his posterior...
The range of articulation is a bit limited, but you can get some fun poses out of him!
Anyway, he doesn't really have a bad angle!
Gizmo agrees with my assessment...
The head is easily the best part, with the most attention evidently being paid to it. The eyelids - making use of newer vehicle mudguard pieces - are perfectly captured, and I love the rounded brows. The little nose is delightfully rendered, using 1x1 corner tiles to great effect.
The ears are another phenomenal aspect of the model, and are shaped very well. They are on ball joints, but there is not too much freedom in their movement. Still, I adore them!
I really like the tufts of fur on both sides of the head, too.
Gizmo comes with two bonus accessories: 3D glasses, which he uses to read one of Billy Peltzer's comic books in the first film, and a puddle of water, which doubles as a drop of it when attached to him.
The 3D glasses are neat, with a nice transparent effect for the lenses. At first, I was disappointed at there being no temples on the sides, but when rewatching the film while building, I discovered that this is actually accurate.
It is a bit of a struggle for Gizmo to hold them, but it is indeed possible!
They do make for some sweet shades...
The water is a fun reference to the second rule of caring for a Mogwai: never get them wet, or they will multiply! If only that worked for LEGO sets.
"Ahhhh!"
Overall
This is a stunning model. No expense has been spared here, making great use of the LEGO parts catalogue to perfectly replicate Gizmo's fuzzy, pudgy design. The building experience is a joy, and what you're left with is an adorable display piece. I especially adore the curvature of the head and ears, which faithfully depict the unique look of the Mogwai.
Furthermore, the included posability, and the 'sitting' alternate model, are very welcome, although more degrees of articulation would have been nice. However, I think sacrificing that for aesthetics was the right call here, as this is not a playset.
I love the 3D glasses and splash of water, as well, recalling specific moments and bringing back fond memories of the film. Sure, it would have been great to see Gizmo's Rambo accessories from Gremlins 2: The New Batch, which were in terauma's original submission. The set would have just become pricier, though, and the glasses are arguably more important iconography for the franchise. Besides that change, this set is a definite improvement on his model, being larger and thus more detailed.
"With Mogwai comes much responsibility. I cannot sell him at any price."
...But LEGO can. And even the price is reasonable, compared to other recent licensed sets of similar piece counts. The figure feels hefty, and the inner construction is dense, bringing more value than you'd expect at first glance. £89.99 / $109.99 / €99.99 therefore seems quite fair to me, and a discount would make a purchase even more of a no-brainer.
"Yum, yum!"
[Note: Gizmo and Stripe minifigures are unfortunately not included in this set.]
For any fan of Gremlins, I highly recommend 21361 Gremlins: Gizmo, releasing on October 1st. It would for sure make a great Christmas gift - hopefully with none of the issues that Billy dealt with! I'm not sure if LEGO realizes what they are unleashing upon the world here, but after reading this review, perhaps you are ready. As Mr. Wing said, "Mogwai will be waiting."
97 likes
35 comments on this article
I kind of want to repeat my earlier comparison with the Dobby-model, but - man, unlike that bald freak, this model looks great.
It's still more expensive than I'd like, but there doesn't appear to be much of a Mogwai Tax. Maybe that's a supply-and-demand thing?
I love the shield used for the eyes!
This definitely should have been a $250 set with both stripe and gizmo or at least included a UCS style display plaque with a gizmo minifigure.
I think it looks pretty good. Unfortunately, Gremlins is one of those 80s properties that just doesn't have a huge place in my heart, for whatever reason. It's not that I dislike the film (though my wife does), it just never made a big impression on me.
I think it'll be great for fans, though. It looks awesome.
Feel like it's hard to capture the furryness with Lego bricks. Really good as far as a Lego model of him but I'd rather just have a different model or stuffed animal or something.
@StudMuffin24 said:
"This definitely should have been a $250 set with both stripe and gizmo or at least included a UCS style display plaque with a gizmo minifigure."
Can never win, something is cheap everyone wants it more expensive with more.. something has more and is expensive it should be cheaper
they definitely could have (would argue: should have) included the Gremlins minifigs from the Dimensions sets, ideally updated versions
What happens if this model gets dirty and you need to wash it? This appears to be the first model they've made that you can't get wet.
@emQ said:
"What happens if this model gets dirty and you need to wash it?"
soft scrub cleanser
"Cannot die or transform into a monster"
I have a feeling that is both a positive and a negative.
I have no interest in Gremlins, the film was OK but nothing special to me. But this model is exceptionally well done and looks better than the similar ewok and bigger Chewbacca sets.
@emQ said:
"What happens if this model gets dirty and you need to wash it?"
You could take it apart and wash the dirty pieces.
@JulieHD said:
"they definitely could have (would argue: should have) included the Gremlins minifigs from the Dimensions sets, ideally updated versions"
"Definitely could have" might be a stretch, it depends if they had kept and maintained the moulds, whether they were made for large runs originally and whether they are in the right factory. It would of course be nice to include a new minifigure but that would probably push the price to £100 or $125.
Needed a new minifig. Maybe gizmo with the bandana.
Thanks for the thorough review! Nice work!
The absence of a minifigure is perplexing, given they already produced him for Dimensions. Not a deal-breaker though! Dare we hope for a Stripe set at some point??
It is as good as it get, but furry creatures don't translate well to Lego. It's not huggable or cute, which is a deal breaker with Gizmo merchandise.
Adorable!
We always watch the movie (the first one, our favorite) at Christmas. The set is very nice, nothing like other monstrosities like that Chewbaca. Creating something organic with Lego is no easy task. This time they've pulled it off. With a discount, it might come home...
Thank you @TheBrickPal. I really enjoyed the review.
Additionally, "Cannot Die" will likely go down as the oddest and my most favorite PRO ever for a Brickset review.
I love the final design and think that LEGO has improved on the original submission. I can't see not getting this. Wait, double negatives are confusing...
The unwearable / barely holdable glasses are a miss for me. I would have expected that we wouldn't have to "rebuild" the set to simply move Gizmo from standing to sitting. That's a big disappointment for me as are the lack of minifigure(s) since I somehow managed to skip the entire Dimensions offerings.
@yellowcastle said:
"Additionally, "Cannot Die" will likely go down as the oddest and my most favorite PRO ever for a Brickset review."
For sure. "Cannot be washed" should definitely be in the cons!
I'll always prefer minifig-scale models, but this is an extremely well-executed set!
@Bagelwolf said:
"The absence of a minifigure is perplexing, given they already produced him for Dimensions. Not a deal-breaker though! Dare we hope for a Stripe set at some point??"
That was nine long years ago, friend. It was a different world. A brighter world. A far less orange world. Would that we could all go back to that world, preferably with dire warnings of this garbage timeline of ours.
This set looks really great! Better than most attempts at doing fuzzy, organic creatures in LEGO. While a minifig would be nice, ultimately I think the model is charming enough that it doesn't need it.
Hopefully it sells well so LEGO can produce a companion Stripe model, though that would be a MUCH larger and more complicated undertaking I feel.
this looks great
improvement over the original Ideas submission
will look good on the shelf
Looked good at first sight, and looks even better after some close scrutiny! Big improvement over the fan design. Too bad they didn't include the Rambo version, that would have made it absolutely perfect. It does feel a bit pricey considering the size, but if a set is this good, I don't even really mind.
Question remains: Considering the lack of appropriate companions, would it look good between my Star Wars droids?
What is the white three tailed wolf in the last picture from?
Thanks for the comments, everyone! I had a lot of fun with this review.
@DekoPuma said:
"What is the white three tailed wolf in the last picture from?"
It's Akita from NINJAGO. You can find her in 70671!
Wow.
Really incredible shaping, sculpting by the designer.
Top notch work.
Great thorough review too!
Would be a great build with the kids after watching Gremlins again.
@WizardOfOss said:
"...Too bad they didn't include the Rambo version, that would have made it absolutely perfect..."
I'm a "build the set per the instructions" kind of guy with my only ever deviation being building the 910033 Train Shed backwards to accommodate my layout. That being said, I'm very tempted to try and MOC a RAMBO Gizmo here. Gremlins 2 was underappreciated. :o)
The original Baby Yoda.
Very accurate, smashing looking model. So many great Oct 1st releases!
Wow the original fan submission is actual nightmare fuel. Can't believe that abomination got enough votes to get turned into a set. Thankfully the LEGO design team did amazingly well, the final product is pretty damn as good as you could ever expect Gizmo to look in LEGO form.
Great review! I like the extra effort shown with the reference image, humor and playfulness.
-a review of a review
"Cannot die"
That tracks for Lego.
Even though my love for the company was recently and finally destroyed by a giant slice of a battle station and a grainy, sad, little train, my love for the true shiny bricks is a lot harder to get rid of.
Nice review.
Cool model but very niche, and I like Gremlins but not enough to buy this.
Excellent review, thank you. Quite a good set too.
To echo what others have said, "Cannot die or transform into a monster" is the best pro ever in a Brickset review. And speaking of things others have said, the head mold for https://brickset.com/minifigs/dim032/gizmo would have been destroyed years ago, and while they would still have the files, and could make a new mold if they wanted to, that would definitely add to the price, especially since the mold would only be used for this set.