Review: 40205 Little Elf Helpers
Posted by MeganL,
To conclude our reviews of this year's six seasonal sets I will take a look at the second of the Christmas ones, 40205 Little Elf Helpers which differs from the others in that it consists of two figures rather than one.
This set comes in a small box that has push-tabs to open it, which as I have said before I am not fond of. Front box art shows two elves surrounded with tools of their craft. It also includes an ornament with two dotted lines, presumably for ease in gift giving and they are "To: and From:" lines. The back of the box shows the elves during the toy creation process, from an empty table to the toy production. Inside the box there are four unnumbered bags and an instruction booklet.
The build starts with constructing the first elf from toes upward, including the chair on which he is sitting. I like the use of the printed palette piece as an accessory for the elf, which is held in one hand while a paint brush is held in the other. The elf's torso is next with the use of some 2x4 hinged plates to allow the the arms to spread out. The elf build is finished with his head and face.
There is an interesting use of tan pieces, particularly cheese slopes for the ears, to make up the features. Though it does look different, the overall look grew on me after building, so I think he looks rather cute. The head is attached using a 2x2 turntable plate which allows for full rotation of the head. He is finished off by a festive Santa hat.
The second elf is an almost identical build; this time it is a female elf. She has a rather smart green skirt on and her clothes are a different (though complementary) colour scheme. Both elves have matching red bow ties.
Finally, the build finishes wth the elves' work table. Tools are located at one end with some paint jars at the other. Also included is one of the elves' work products, a small truck or train, yet to be finished being painted green.
Even though the elves take a bit of getting used to - what puts me off a bit is that they have no mouths and their noses are a 1x1 round tile - I think they are still rather cute. I would like to see a more realistic face but understand that can be hard at this scale. I think the work table is great and has lots of little details.
If you love seasonals, this one is worth picking up especially if you can get used to the elves. Otherwise it is a pass!
28 likes
10 comments on this article
Great review. I admit they look better in the flesh than on those renderings.
But their heads can do a 360° spin, which is not creepy at all. XO
I love this set. Yes, I'd still prefer the Minifigure vignettes, but this set comes with some great individual pieces. I think it's the best of this year's seasonal sets.
Why can't we have "nougat" or "light nougat" parts instead of tan/brick yellow? :S
The faces, the eyes and round noses in particular, strongly reminds me of Wallace & Gromit. The proportions are off, the eyes are too big, but they still have that feel about them.
Can you post pictures of all of the seasonal sets together?
I have to say, they do look better in your photos, and there is a decent part selection, but I think it will still be a pass for me...
Definite Pass.
Pass from me as well. They just look so odd.
I must say I did prefer the minifigure sized vignettes as I could incorporate those into my winter village scene that comes out of the box every year. I find these a little bit scary like a ventriloquists dummy!
I'd just started to be able to look at them without wondering where they'd hid the bodies, and now you tell us their heads spin all the way round? That's not green paint on that truck, it's pea soup...