Review: 70816 Benny's Spaceship, part 1
Posted by Huw,
The three new LEGO Movie sets are now available from brand stores and shop.LEGO.com. DrDave and Kempo reviewed Emmet's Mech and Police Drop-ship last week. Now it's my turn to take a look at the third, perhaps the most anticipated set of the year among discerning AFOLs: 70816 Benny's Spaceship, Spaceship, SPACESHIP!, to give it its full name.
The 'classic space' era, 1978-1986, was a time when many of today's AFOLs were kids so the original sets hold a special place in many people's hearts including, it seems, the writers of The LEGO Movie who gave a classic space minifig Benny and his spaceship star billing in the film.
Given the number of pictures I took, I'll split the review over two parts. I'll cover the box, parts and minifigs in the first, then the construction and completed model in the second.
Box
The almost square box looks fantastic and I fail to see how anyone picking it up would not want to buy it immediately!
The back, as usual, highlights the playability of the set.
The characters included in the set are illustrated on the top of the box: Robo Emmet, Astro Kitty, Benny, Space Wyldstyle and Robo Pilot.
The instructions are in split over two books which, along with this extensive sticker sheet, are packed in a bag with cardboard to prevent creasing. Thankfully the stickers are printed on clear film so are likely to be less susceptible to peeling over time.
Parts
LEGO has just added the inventory to LEGO.com so the full parts list can be seen here. Apart from the minifig parts, there are few new parts, although there are plenty of 'nearly-new' and parts in new colours.
The 2x2 corner tile is new this year. There are two grey ones in this set.
The trans-yellow windshield is undoubtedly the most significant new part, and the one that'll be most welcomed by classic space MOCers. It's a yellow version of that used in last year's UCS X-Wing.
Although not new or particularly rare, I was pleased to see that many of the parts commonly seen in classic space sets which were new at the time are used in this set:
Minifigs
Benny, complete with 'broken' helmet and faded classic space logo, is obviously the star of the set although he's not unique to it: he first appeared in Metal Beard's Sea Cow.
Wyldstyle is sporting a funky hoodie featuring the classic space logo.
The blue hoodie piece is new for this set, so is now made in black and blue. It's a cool piece: I hope it makes an appearance in non TLM sets in the future.
Emmet is sporting his 'thinly-disguised as a robot' look. Otherwise he's identical to other incarnations.
The 'piece of resistance' is metallic silver. Presumably that's accurate, I can't remember.
The robo pilot has a nicely detailed torso print and I like that he has a red visor like the first space police minifigs.
Unfortunately he topples over when holding his blaster...
Unikitty looks delightful in her classic space garb, doesn't she! As you'd expect, her face and body are printed.
That makes it five incarnations of Unikitty now: the original pink one in 70803 Cloud Cuckoo Palace, Bizniz kitty in 70809 Lord Business' Evil Lair, Queasy kitty in 70810 Metal Beard's Sea Cow, Angry kitty in 70814 Emmet's Construct-o-Mech and now this Astro Kitty.
Stay tuned for part two of the review where I'll look at construction of the ship.
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25 comments on this article
After waiting for what seems like ages since seeing the movie I eventually managed to buy this yesterday at toyrus. Last one on the self, they seem to be selling fast! Going to start the build tonight and I already have a place for it in my classic space layout. Happy days!
Nice! Looking forward to receiving mine.
Ergh, I've been dreading this review...I want this set ssssoooooooo much but really really cannot spend £80 on it. Every picture of it I see makes me want it even more. The first of those 'exclusive' sellers that does some sort of good offer on it (e.g. Double VIP points or % off RRP) will most certainly find me on their doorstep, throwing money at the door hoping it makes them open faster! :-P
Having not got any of the Movie sets (you have to stop somewhere right??), I have to say it's very hard resisting this one. It does what it's supposed to and brings back memories of good old fashioned Space ships which I love. If it's heavily reduced anywhere I'm sure I'll give in. Great first review as usual Huw, looking forward to part two.
Oh noooooooooooo! I've just looked through the photos and now I really, really want this set! I've a feeling part 2 is going to severely harm my wallet!
I dunno, the more I see it the less "classic space" it truly seems. I'll still get it though...
@sixpack - don't forget the context of the movie though, it's a Classic Space style spaceship build from bits of a TV studio (for those that have seen the movie there's also the knowledge of who actually built this ship) i think it makes perfect sense, its got the look of a classic space set but with an updated feel to it.
Definably want this set. Mostly for parts so the minifigures would be sold except Benny :D
I picked this set up a Legoland Windsor at the weekend, and built it the same night. Its a fantastic set, which does bring back memories of being a 5 year old and getting 928 for Christmas. The fact its called LL929 was a nice touch.
I agree with sixpax, whilst the set has a look and feel of classic space, the build process and parts are very up to date. It would have been nice to go back to the classic space build style.
Saying that, the build was fun as starts of in a modular fashion, then coming together brilliantly. The extending wing function is really nicely done.
The figures are brilliant, who cannot fail to love Benny and Wyldsytle's new space outfit.
Overall 9.5 out of 10 - just 0.5 off for not being true classic space.
I really don't like the cracked helmet. I have had a dozen+ of these helmets since 1978 and have never once cracked a single one. It's like giving me an accident I've never had...
Awesome set! Pity I won't get this until X-Mas, but I think this and Caperberry's review might tide me over. Robot Emmet looks really nicely done. I'm quite fond of Benny and Space Unikitty.
BTW, the Silver Metallic Piece of Resistance is screen-accurate. Just checked.
As as Sci-Fiction fan I like this ship, but I am getting JHONNY Thunder and Green Ninja that come in Police Dropship.
I really want this set as its the only one from the movie which has appealed to me. So far the review hasnt made me want it less :)
I don't like the design of that ship. I had most of the classic space sets back in the day (and have them still) and while the design tries to copy some style elements of certain sets, it doesn't reach the slick feel of plates and trans-bricks of the first sets, nor the more intricate look of later spaceships with their protruding parts and overly use of antennas and thrusters. It ends up being a mishmash with a high parts count, which appeals - in my opinion - the most to collectors, which are too young to have played with the original sets or even don't own any of them (or just have seen the movie). So, no, that's not my cuppa tea.
I think the designers tried to make a ship that was modern and could appeal to modern-day lovers of LEGO, while putting in design aspects of Classic Space sets that could be recognized by long-time fans. I feel this is a very well done set, it's unfortunate not everyone can see it. I'm looking forward to the next part of the review, Huw!
bummer no wyldstile robot :( many she will come with a verchel dicshanary
Just finished my 70816 build purchased at TRU for $99 plus tax. I give it a 9.0/10 - the only two draw backs were the stickers and the new light grey. Specifically the Lego space logo sticker placement on the rear upper tail(s) - so hard to get uniform placement on both sides on both tails, ugh. As for the new light grey, well... No comment. My overall main issue with Lego is the plastic quality. I have seen far more stress fractures in 1x1 slopes and bricks in recent years. My sets that are 30+ years old do not exhibit the kind of cracking (other than translucent colors).
The build comes in a 2 lbs, so work on your forearm stength if you want to head in to battle with your fellow 928's, 924's, and 918's!!!
Enjoy
Has there been a designer's video done for this, I really enjoy them.
Jang at Jangbricks.com made an AWESOME alternate build, complete with a little backstory. Everyone who's into the neo classic space should check it out. alas, he hasn't posted any instructions...
@Shib - I think they only do those for the LEGO website/store exclusives, like the Creator modular buildings or Star Wars UCS sets.
Another set where I can possibly pass on the build but the minifigs are irresistable! I'll have to see how much things go for on Bricklink before I make up my mind.
TLG is getting too good at this; I have/had the same problem with most of the TLM sets, and also with several of the latest Superheroes ones. This despite being a person who's built up most of her collection by buying sets that were stripped of their minifigures!
@Modok Actually, they also do them for certain themes. The first couple years of Ninjago had designer videos, as did the first year of Power Miners and the first year of the Lord of the Rings (if I'm not mistaken). Even the first wave of Chima this year had designer videos. However, the designer videos for non-exclusive sets tend to be a bit more kid-focused, emphasizing play features and scenarios rather than exclusive parts and such.
When I saw Benny's cracked helmet in the movie trailer last year it took me right back to classic Lego Space of 1979. While I did want to see TLM, it was the link of the broken helmet that rekindled fond childhood memories.
All my minifig helmets (Space and City Police) cracked just as Benny's has.
I also liked the reference to the Space Cruiser pennant number LL929 which is the next consecutive number. Space Cruiser LL928 was released twice in 1979 in sets Galaxy-Explorer 497 and Space Cruiser 928.
The blue spacemen minifigs did not appear until 1984.
@kbsig108 - great point about 1x1 cheese slopes cracking. I wonder if there will be another Lego movie in 20 years time with pre-cracked cheese slopes for nostalgia's sake. :P
Did anyone else get 3 badly molded technic wheel pieces in Bag 4?
This is the Light Bluish Gray Wheel 43.2mm D. x 26mm Technic Racing Small, 6 Pin Holes. It wasn't even damaged from pressure or force (weight from shipping, someone stepping on it) - the inside plus-shaped groove is warped and effectively rotated 45 degrees, for what all evidence suggests is a bad plastic mold. In 20 years of Lego building I have never seen a Lego piece come from a bad-plastic mold, but that's what it looks like. This looks like something I would see in another unnamed Lego competitor.
On the other hand, I agree with someone else that this is a strong contender for set of the decade (of the 2010's so far.) The plastic quality of this set, and all the Lego Movie sets seems better than some or themes that have come out this year.