Review: 71472 Izzie's Narwhal Hot-Air Balloon
Posted by CapnRex101,
The initial range of DREAMZzz sets contained three animal-themed vehicles and the second wave includes another. 71472 Izzie's Narwhal Hot-Air Balloon looks very charming in official images, entirely embracing the surreal and fun nature of DREAMZzz.
Moreover, the price of £12.99, $15.99 or €14.99 seems tempting, as I think this model looks more complex than sets of comparable size from wave one. On that basis, I am expecting the narwhal-inspired hot air balloon to impress.
Summary
71472 Izzie's Narwhal Hot-Air Balloon, 156 pieces.
£12.99 / $15.99 / €14.99 | 8.3p/10.3c/9.6c per piece.
Buy at LEGO.com »
Izzie's Narwhal Hot Air Balloon is excellent and provides remarkable value
- Wonderful narwhal balloon
- Good character selection
- Very reasonable price
- Mediocre alternative design
The set was provided for review by LEGO. All opinions expressed are those of the author.
Minifigures
The second wave of DREAMZzz sets continues to take inspiration from season one, so Izzie has not been updated. Fortunately, the original minifigure was brilliant and I see little need for change. Izzie's trans-opalescent blue and lavender hair element is absolutely stunning and the texture in this piece is fantastic as well.
Moreover, the torso and dual-moulded legs are beautifully detailed. I particularly like the coral armour on Izzie's chest, which continues onto the back of the torso and matches the colour of her belt, complete with the Dream Chasers' hourglass sigil. Lavender highlights are also found across this minifigure, so the design appears cohesive, despite combining so many shades.
As usual, Izzie wields an impressive dual-moulded sword, pulsing with trans-blue energy and featuring a connection point on the hilt. Bunchu is also included and looks the same as before, with metallic silver and coral decoration on the front. The only change I would have liked to see was the introduction of a new head, perhaps with more serious expressions, ready for battle.
Izzie's hot air balloon cannot carry her beyond the reach of this Grimspawn, featuring a pair of trans-pink wings. The first wave of DREAMZzz sets offered surprisingly few unique Grimspawn, so this is a splendid addition to the ranks of Nightmare Creatures, although its repeated head is not ideal. Furthermore, I would rather the magenta piece on top had been trans-pink.
The body of the Grimspawn is ingeniously designed to accommodate accessories under the arms. This example is particularly neat, integrating a lavender carrot as the handle for a claw, which presumably tempts Bunchu into range for capture! The carrot has only appeared in this colour twice before; both Avatar sets.
The Completed Model
One of Izzie's cuddly toys, Mr Sharkyjaw, became 71469 Nightmare Shark Ship in the Dream World. I like the stark contrast between that menacing vessel and the decidedly unthreatening Narwhal Hot Air Balloon, which takes inspiration from another plush. The colour scheme is well suited to Izzie and the narwhal plush's chubby proportions are ideal for a hot air balloon.
The medium lavender 5x5 arch bricks used for the narwhal's body look perfect, mirrored by a variety of curved plates underneath. Even the mix of textures works well, with a couple of dark pink flowers adding some extra detail. The exclusive printed eyes are also appealing, serving to enhance the narwhal's already adorable appearance.
Narwhals are known for their distinctive tusk and the balloon includes that feature, although its position looks more reminiscent of a unicorn's horn, which works perfectly for a cute caricature. The balloon seems less adorable with its mouth open, revealing space for a minifigure to sit, or perhaps to store some accessories because there is no room for the minifigure with the mouth closed.
Unfortunately, the Technic hinge supporting this feature is noticeable from behind, but this does not spoil the overall shape of the balloon. The curved design continues towards the tail and the use of medium azure leaves, first seen in the first wave of DREAMZzz, for the fins is ingenious. Pearl gold heart-shaped tiles complete the design, for even greater cuteness!
The basket underneath the hot air balloon is not connected as securely as I would like, only relying on four studs across two 1x3 jumper plates. However, this structure looks marvellous, featuring a superb combination of earthy colours, in contrast with the colourful narwhal balloon. Even so, a pair of smaller balloons do introduce some colour to the basket.
Izzie fits comfortably inside the basket and you could place a second minifigure inside, although that would be a tight squeeze. Some decorative golden elements and a telescope complete the model and I like the telescope in particular, partly because it can move around for occupants of the hot air balloon to look through.
Alternatively, the basket can be reassembled into a chariot. The conversion is very easy and I think the chariot looks good, although this secondary design is not nearly as creative as some found in the DREAMZzz theme. After all, the basket and the supports remain essentially intact, with the only notable difference being two of the supports becoming oars.
I am not entirely sure what purpose these oars serve, since the narwhal presumably pulls the chariot, but they provide a splash of colour. Additionally, switching to another kind of vehicle is satisfying for a set of this size, so I can excuse the chariot's shortcomings, especially when the hot air balloon configuration is so enjoyable.
Overall
In general, the wacky DREAMZzz sets tend to be my favourites and 71472 Izzie's Narwhal Hot-Air Balloon certainly satisfies that requirement! The concept is fun and the narwhal looks utterly adorable, reflecting its transformation from one of Izzie's cuddly toys. Sadly, the original narwhal plush is not included.
However, this set does contain Izzie, Bunchu and a new Grimspawn variant, with Izzie standing out in particular because her minifigure is incredibly detailed. For the price of £12.99, $15.99 or €14.99, the Narwhal Hot Air Balloon is my favourite of the smaller DREAMZzz sets released so far, offering a great introduction to the theme and complementing the other animal vehicles.
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23 comments on this article
Am i the only one who is disturbed by the fact an animal is being used to fly a hot air balloon, its insides would be burning!
Was not expecting the Narwhal to open into a cockpit
Tempted to get this for proper Narwhal blast scene. References :)
I am now singing 'the Narwhal song' my sister found on YouTube over a decade ago. Thanks Lego, thanks a lot. I thought it gotten past that earworm, but alas, it came back to me.
No, I'm not going to link to it. I also must resist the urge to quote it. I am strong, I can...
'Narwhals, Narwhals,
swimming in the ocean,
causing a commotion...'
...Ok, I am weak. I admit it.
Great use of the new leaf piece. Really fun little set, I can see myself impulse buying this at some point.
that sword would make an awesome Cloud's Ultimate Weapon from Final Fantasy VII.
Thanks for the review.
I like both designs.
I think the oars are plan B in case the Narwal and chariot have to be separated.
Missing some optional wheels, otherwise Izzie would have had transportation for air, sea and land.
This is honestly the least exciting of the 2024 Dreamzzz sets. Probably not going to pick this up.
And of course, SuperCarlinBrothers is going to deny that this set exists!
Can you say "The DREAMZzz's of the legendary and iconic PBS' WonderWorks BalloonPlane"?!
@Murdoch17 said:
"I am now singing 'the Narwhal song' my sister found on YouTube over a decade ago. Thanks Lego, thanks a lot. I thought it gotten past that earworm, but alas, it came back to me.
No, I'm not going to link to it. I also must resist the urge to quote it. I am strong, I can...
'Narwhals, Narwhals,
swimming in the ocean,
causing a commotion...'
...Ok, I am weak. I admit it."
That absolutely was going through my head :D
@Maxbricks14 said:
"Am i the only one who is disturbed by the fact an animal is being used to fly a hot air balloon, its insides would be burning!"
Clearly this is an Astral Narwhal, capable of levitation by itself. No internal combustion required!
Also, while I'd like to have the little Narwhal plushie, I'd *really* like to have the original Mr. Sharkyjaw!
Why her hair is very shiny?
@BaconKing said:
"Why her hair is very shiny?"
So she can... Shine On! ;-)
No plushie of the Narhwal that was important for this scene :/
Also I dont know how Lego is supposed to sell these if they use same figs over and over...
@lordofdragonss said:
"No plushie of the Narhwal that was important for this scene :/
Also I dont know how Lego is supposed to sell these if they use same figs over and over..."
Personally I'm sort of glad that they aren't moving onto all new figs just yet, since I was a little late getting into the theme so don't have all the "main characters" yet. And with this set I feel like its low price and cute, novel appearance make it pretty appealing on its own merits!
I like it but I'm not going to get it soon. Although I usually couldn't care less about studs (It's lego, stop covering them all up!) I think that this case has too big a constrast between the lower half and the super smooth top half.
That said, I'm very happy they made smaller sized sets for the lineup. The original range had great entry level sets at 20 euro, but this is already a bit less of a threshold to overcome. In not too long I will probably get this :)
Also, those eyes remind me of sinister smileys with either a third eye or a weird white patch of hair.
@lordofdragonss said:
"No plushie of the Narhwal that was important for this scene :/
Also I dont know how Lego is supposed to sell these if they use same figs over and over..."
I'd rather have repeated figures than exclusive figures, especially when the exclusive is in the biggest, most expensive set. I'd like to be able to get all, or at least most, of the figures in a theme without having to buy every set.
This looks like a perfect set. Reasonably sized, reasonably priced, and excellent parts selection.
I’m looking forward to adding it to my collection!
am I alone in wishing the Dreamz torsos didn't have that time symbol printed on? I hate when Lego limits the re-useability of minifigure parts with such specific and restrictive prints.
This review has very probably sold me on this set. Glad Dreamzzz's second wave is receiving more sensible pricing!
Don't think those are oars so much as (tiny) pontoons, which would prevent the seating area from heeling too far either way and becoming waterlogged or outright getting twisted and capsizing.
@RangerTam said:
" @Murdoch17 said:
"I am now singing 'the Narwhal song' my sister found on YouTube over a decade ago. Thanks Lego, thanks a lot. I thought it gotten past that earworm, but alas, it came back to me.
No, I'm not going to link to it. I also must resist the urge to quote it. I am strong, I can...
'Narwhals, Narwhals,
swimming in the ocean,
causing a commotion...'
...Ok, I am weak. I admit it."
That absolutely was going through my head :D"
Great. Now, it's going in everyone's head. NARWHALS!
Nice set. Needs plushies.
The hairpiece, the bunny, & the carrot
Three reasons for me to get this
@Shadowcloner said:
Don't think those are oars so much as (tiny) pontoons, which would prevent the seating area from heeling too far either way and becoming waterlogged or outright getting twisted and capsizing. ]]
I was thinking the same thing