Review: 71230 Fun Pack: Doc Brown
Posted by CapnRex101,
While Ghostbusters has now become an established theme, Back to the Future remains limited to a single LEGO Ideas set and two LEGO Dimensions packs. 71230 Fun Pack: Doc Brown is the second of these and the only one to include Doctor Emmett Brown with a brand new hair piece which is currently only worn by this character.
In addition, the mini model of the train looks absolutely brilliant to me and this set will allow you access to the Back to the Future Adventure World in the game if you have not purchased 71201 Level Pack: Back to the Future. The Back to the Future level is dreadful so you would not be missing much if this were your only LEGO Dimensions pack relating to the time travelling trilogy.
Minifigure
Doc Brown's new hair piece is undoubtedly the outstanding aspect of this set. It is cast in white as one would expect and the moulding is very detailed, particularly on the back. It is a perfect replica of Doc Brown's hairstyle in the movies and leaves the original element used in 21103 The DeLorean Time Machine looking totally unsatisfactory.
The rest of the minifigure remains the same but that is fine as the design can hardly be improved upon in my opinion. I love the radiation symbol printed on the back and the jacket looks splendid from the front as well. The legs are not printed but this does not bother me as they are plain in the film as well.
I am delighted that the head printing has been maintained from DeLorean Time Machine as it looks brilliant to me! The grinning and horrified expressions capture the essence of the character perfectly. The Doc is equipped with a remote control which appears in the video game as a controller for his drone ability.
I must mention that it would have been nice to see a brand new outfit, perhaps one representing his attire at the end of Part III. However, the white radiation suit holds wider appeal given that 21103 The DeLorean Time Machine has now been discontinued and the new hair element is fantastic so I am as satisfied with this redesign as I would be with a brand new minifigure.
The Completed Model
The Travelling Time Train is based on the craft seen at the end of Back to the Future Part III, although only the locomotive is represented here. Some compromises have been made as the model must be reconstructed into two alternative builds but it is faithful to the source material on the whole and is sufficiently sturdy to be flown around.
The colour scheme is primarily black but some appropriate splashes of colour have been introduced and I like the pearl gold details very much. The train is almost entirely black in the movie but I am glad of the bright colours as they make it look much more interesting. It would have been wonderful to see some printing on either side of the driver's compartment but even without decoration I think these trans-black 1x2 bricks form a reasonably impressive representation of the vehicle in the film.
I love the trans-light blue 1x2 grilles included on either side of the model. These give the impression of crackling electricity which is seen as the train takes off in the film and the flames on the back replicate the thrusters used to launch the train back to the future!
Despite the excellence of some sections of the model, there are flaws to be found. The funnels are black in the film, not pearl gold as shown here. Furthermore, the wheels are hidden behind the bodywork on the craft in the movie rather than being exposed as they are on this model. These minor issues are attributable to the scale and the necessity of alternate builds so I think they can be overlooked but you can modify the train if you wish to improve its screen accuracy.
In the game this Fun Pack unlocks the drone, repair, hacking and time travel abilities. Additionially, the Travelling Time Train can be reconfigured to unlock the blowing up silver LEGO objects, flight docking and pulling down walls abilities.
Overall
Even if you own 21103 The DeLorean Time Machine I think this is a worthy purchase. The Doc Brown minifigure is far superior to the older version and I like the Time Travelling Train too. Whether or not the in game abilities are worth anything to you depends on which other packs you own but based on the variety of abilities, 71238 Fun Pack: Cyberman is better than this one.
If you are in a Back to the Future mood then why not take a trip back to the 22nd of October last year for a look at LEGO in 1985 compared with today?
JANGBRiCKS' Video Review
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13 comments on this article
So this unlocks the level too? Then what is the point of the $30 LEVEL Set?
^Worlds and Levels are two different thing. The BTTF Level Pack gives you access to the world but also a new level in the game with a BTTF story, while this fun pack only gives you access to the world (no story, just allows you to explore and unlock items).
Great review, and I agree completely about the set, and I personally love it. It's nice to have a more accurate Doc Brown, and although I'd rather have a full-size time train, the mini model is cute. I don't play Dimensions though, so I have no idea about the game content.
The train appeas pretty pimped.
The BttF train was black with fine red and gold pin stripes. There was no massive amount of gold and red.
I definitely want to get this, though, as I have the Cyberman, it'll be purely for Doc himself.
Last time i checked this set was half price on lego.ca Canada.
Yeah, this was one of the few fun packs that I was definitely gonna pick up. I love the little train.
I don't really care for the train. I like the Doc Brown fig, but honestly, I'll pass.
Man, I wouldn't say the BTTF level was dreadful! Maybe I'm just easily amused, but heck Id rather be than think everything is bad ;) Love Doc Brown and the little train, glad Marty has a buddy now to run around with. $7.50 is a much better price for these things too and I hope it sticks as the standard pricing from here on out.
in the UK, we are paying the equivalent of $21 for these fun packs!! Best offers we get are around $15 each. The UK are getting completely ripped off on this game which can only damage it in the long run as we dig our feet in and refuse to purchase any more add on packs or get them imported.
@TheHastyTadpole - The Back to the Future level is a lesson in how not to adapt a story for a LEGO game in my opinion. The balance of the story is very poor and significant aspects of the plot are omitted which leaves only about twenty minutes of gameplay.
Is it true that Lego will be announcing new Dimension packs tomorrow? I heard something on the web and I hope it's Harry Potter.
If anyone is still reading this thread and interested, I order three of the $7.49 sets from amazon.com to be delivered to the UK. Total cost for all three delivered was £21.61.
I had a second lot of three I was going to order, but the price went up on the Chima Lion set so I am currently waiting to see if it's going to drop again or if it is worth getting the other two on their own.