Review: 70436 Phantom Fire Truck 3000
Posted by CapnRex101,
Following their impressive campaign to detain ghosts during 2019, the heroes have equipped another interesting vehicle for capturing more abominable spirits. 70436 Phantom Fire Truck 3000 combines aspects from conventional fire engines with outlandish weapons!
The model looks splendid, corresponding with 70423 Paranormal Intercept Bus 3000 as various dark azure weapons are distributed across the exterior. Furthermore, this set contains an exclusive brick-built figure which looks totally different to anything else from the Hidden Side theme, towering above the standard ghosts!
Minifigures
Several versions of Jack Davids have been produced and this example is relatively common, returning from 70430 Newbury Subway. Nevertheless, the combined hood and hat component looks excellent and combines perfectly with the torso which features red streaks. The legs look nice too and I like this double-sided head, displaying cheerful and angry faces.
Parker L. Jackson includes the medium lavender hair piece that became available during January. The textured detail on this element looks great and the contrasting teal headphones are a pleasing inclusion as well. Her torso and legs were both introduced last year, although they are decorated nicely and I especially appreciate the ripped jeans. Even so, an updated design would have been welcome.
Unlike her allies, Professor J.B. is dressed identically in every Hidden Side appearance. That seems appropriate though and her white lab coat looks marvellous, including two metallic silver badges and numerous scientific items which are tucked around her belt. Furthermore, I like the Frankenstein's Monster emblem on her pink shirt, loosely corresponding with past minifigures.
Lavender and white plastics are combined to brilliant effect for J.B.'s hair piece. The moulded goggles look perfect and include spring yellowish green lenses. This head has only appeared with 70432 Haunted Fairground before now, featuring a smile on one side and an aghast face on the other. The latter expression seems particularly striking!
Each minifigure carries a mobile phone that displays the Hidden Side app. While their attire has not been altered, two of these accessories have. Jack's phone now displays a yellow ghost while Parker is challenging a blue ghost and a yellow ghost. These designs are reasonably intricate but Professor J.B.'s purple phone remains unchanged, featuring a frightening red ghost.
The ghost-hunting team has been expanded to operate their new vehicle and now includes a robotic character named TeeVee! This figure bears an obvious resemblance to a similar robot from the Alpha Team theme and even shares its name with the earlier character which is very satisfying. However, the figure has been significantly updated so now includes more detail.
Metallic silver and blue panels decorate TeeVee's minifigure legs and two different screens are provided, displaying happy and sad expressions. The second design is comically exaggerated which works perfectly and I love the antennas on top of this robot, further recalling the original Tee Vee figure from 6775 Alpha Team Bomb Squad.
The courageous Ghost Hunters have already encountered numerous ghoulish enemies but Nehmaar Reem - The Harbinger presents a completely different challenge! This enormous character looks absolutely terrifying, befitting his majestic name. The figure measures 17cm in height and presumably takes inspiration from the Slender Man, given his proportions.
Despite his imposing size, Nehmaar Reem maintains certain features of traditional minifigures. For instance, the head is designed around an aqua 2x2 round brick and the 1x1 round tile on top resembles a stud. His expression looks appropriately menacing and the pentagonal tiles situated around his neck are both printed which was a pleasant surprise. Moreover, I like the spikes behind the head, reflecting those on his hands and feet.
Black tail elements form the slender limbs, creating otherworldly shapes and suggesting that Reem's limbs may extend like tendrils. Unfortunately, the delicate legs lack proper articulation because they are connected to a dark tan base but that design ensures stability and both arms can move quite extensively. They are attached to the shoulders using ball joints and the fingers are individually articulated too.
Relatively little detail appears on the back of this figure. The exposed light bluish grey pieces seem somewhat awkward in my opinion, although this colour is limited to the area around the neck. The villain wields an intriguing weapon with a trans-yellow spearhead. Exactly the same accessory appears in 70437 Mysterious Castle, suggesting its vital importance to Reem.
Nehmaar Reem commands a hooded Shadow Walker. The role of these mystical characters has yet to be revealed but they certainly appear intimidating, due in particular to their crackling blue eyes. They are printed on a trans-black head, conveying the ghostly origin of these villains. The black hood is reasonable too but generally looks better with a cape.
Various metallic silver and metallic dark grey designs are printed across the torso and legs. I think this ornate armour appears effective and the decorative ram's head certainly stands out. Moreover, the blue highlights on the chest are nice and the minifigure wields a pearl dark grey sword that was originally designed for the Uruk-Hai from The Lord of the Rings.
The Completed Model
Fire engines regularly appear in LEGO sets, varying in scale and design. This example looks rather unusual, not only because of its obvious modifications but also the increased scale. The model measures 23cm in length and is eight studs wide, enabling much greater detail and more internal space than previous fire apparatus. In that regard, it appears quite reminiscent of 70423 Paranormal Intercept Bus 3000.
Several trans-clear headlights are positioned across the front, surrounding a curved radiator grille. This design undoubtedly distinguishes the Phantom Fire Truck 3000 from past fire engines, although I think the shape seems slightly awkward. The number plate is great though and the light bluish grey bars on either side are useful for attaching additional minifigures.
Newbury Fire Department crests adorn the doors. They are formed using stickers which look nice but the 1x2 masonry brick underneath seems odd. This is intended to represent steps for accessing the cab and it does include suitable texture. Even so, I think stacked 1x2 plates with slide rails would have been more successful as the light bluish grey bricks appear out of place.
However, I appreciate the opening doors and two further stickers are placed on the roof beside the sirens. Two enormous cannons are fixed to both sides of the cab, matching weapons from previous Hidden Side sets. The dark azure colour scheme is superb and colourful panels are concealed inside each cannon. Rotating the barrel will reveal yellow 1x2 half cylinder pieces which can be scanned in the Hidden Side app. These elements are brand new and appear in yellow and black here.
The interior is remarkably spacious, providing room to seat four minifigures comfortably. The model includes a steering wheel and two computer screens are situated at the rear of the cab, displaying a racing game and some ghosts. I love the neighbouring lava lamp which comprises white fez elements and trans-purple 1x1 round plates, standing beside a mouse and the printed keyboard.
Dark azure and flame yellowish orange wheel covers protect the tyres. They seem fragile but feel perfectly secure and the wheels can still rotate inside. Storage bays are situated between the wheel arches and these incorporate several LEGO references, featuring Tahu's mask from BIONICLE and a bumper sticker that is inspired by the Res-Q subtheme of Town.
The emblem for Rocket Racers appears on the opposite side. Fire extinguishers are stored in the rear compartments while the forward panels hide two additional yellow pieces for scanning. An enormous turret is fixed where the ladder assembly would generally be found. This weapon can rotate all the way around and the twin barrels are adjustable, offering an expansive field of fire.
Another sticker is applied on the rear bumper, advertising this fire crew winning a barbecue competition! The pearl silver ingots and rear lights look reasonable here but there are some unsightly gaps, most noticeably at the centre. That is frustrating and I think the design could have been improved, although the reasoning for these gaps becomes clear as the vehicle is equipped with a deployable mech.
Removing the mech leaves behind the forward and central parts of the fire engine bodywork. The rearmost segment is completely missing though, revealing exposed pipes beside a trans-purple 1x1 round plate. The vehicle definitely appears weaker in this form, although not to the extent I had anticipated because the designer has included detail beneath the mech.
Moreover, another colourful panel appears beneath the trans-purple 1x1 round plate and the colour wheel is cleverly positioned behind the cab. Similar structures have appeared in many other Hidden Side sets, interacting with the app, but this wheel is integrated particularly nicely. The cylinder could easily represent a water tank when rotated to show its light bluish grey side and is therefore disguised beautifully.
The mech transformation is exceedingly simple. This vehicle connects to six studs on the fire engine so is easily removable and the lower section splits in half, forming the legs. The turret remains almost unchanged, although I think it looks more dynamic when the arms are moved downwards, as demonstrated here. The resulting mech measures 17cm in height.
Seats for two minifigures are available in the cockpit, alongside a steering wheel and a printed control panel. The trans-purple windscreen looks brilliant and I love the flame yellowish orange highlights above each shoulder. The metallic silver sticker on the front of the torso is superb too and stickers are applied on each arm, depicting beams of electricity.
Impressive detail continues on the reverse where several medium azure canisters are fitted, presumably providing power to the weapons. Trans-purple details appear consistently across this model, including on each canister. However, these are only connected using clips so they can easily become dislodged during play.
Fortunately, the shoulders, hips and waist feel more robust. I am especially pleased with the waist which incorporates a ball and socket joint, creating appropriate friction. I think the arms could be improved though. These lack elbow articulation and appear stubby, reminding me of 70707 CLS-89 Eradicator Mech from Galaxy Squad which was similarly proportioned.
The legs differ dramatically from the upper body, incorporating bodywork from the fire engine. Nevertheless, dark azure parts are included here to complement those on the torso. The dark tan plates also look reasonable and the mech is very stable because of ball joints in each ankle. These joints create the aforementioned gaps in the fire engine mode but I consider this a worthy compromise to ensure that the mech stands securely.
Overall
70423 Paranormal Intercept Bus 3000 proved popular during 2019 so expectations for 70436 Phantom Fire Truck 3000 are particularly high, given their similar roles. I think this model improves upon its predecessor in certain regards, featuring superior external detail and more impressive functionality, but the earlier set is based around something more distinctive. LEGO fire engines have appeared frequently, unlike school buses.
Nevertheless, the price of £59.99 or $59.99 feels very reasonable. This set includes 760 pieces and the completed fire engine is relatively substantial. Nehmaar Reem is also notably appealing and I love the deployable mech. This is undoubtedly a worthy addition to the Hidden Side theme and an appropriate successor to 70423 Paranormal Intercept Bus 3000.
This set was provided for review by The LEGO Group but the review represents an expression of my own opinions.
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53 comments on this article
was wondering what this would look like, boxart wasn’t showing much, but I see some mods incoming
I find it a bit odd they didn’t include the transparent blue wings from the new car set as well. Come to think of it, is that piece exclusive to that set? Bit strange it isn’t in the more expensive ones.
Also my head canon is JB likely helped develop older Teevee models for Alpha Team, but didn’t get a chance to share her new model when the group disbanded and was replaced by the Agents.
Anyone else getting an Optimus Prime vibe?
I wasn't planning on picking up any sets from this theme but I have to admit this is really really good. The vehicle, mech, minifigs, and slenderman all look amazing!
I really like how it transforms into a mech, I think that’s a pretty cool addition reminiscent of Exo-Force. However they did leave many studs exposed, like for the legs of the mech and the tops of the wheel guards, which seems awkward to me.
Anyone else agree?
-Mechahaulic
My gosh! So many references to things I love! I grew up playing LEGO Racers and BIONICLE, so those references are much apprecieated. It's also great to see TeeVee return as well.
And that mech . . . Holy Promare!
Promare is one of my favorite films, and this mech is just filled with references to it!
First of all, Promare is broadly about fire fighting mecha, so the subject matter certainly fits.
Then, the M4T01 number plate appears to spell MATOI. The Matoi Tech is the name the main mech used in the Promare promotional material.
The shape of this mech also bears a striking resemblance to the main character, Galo Thymos, wearing his distinct baggy red pants with a gold 3 printed on them. This may be why the legs are so different from the upper body, to mirror his silhouette.
Somehow I have a feeling Toothdominoes was behind that one ;)
Anyway, I think this will be a day one purchase from me!
@ledmouse said:
"Anyone else getting an Optimus Prime vibe?"
Definitely! xD As a kid, I actually had a firetruck-style Optimus Prime :P
Almost makes me want to buy this set ^^
Just wanted to point out something that I found interesting about this in depth look - Reem’s name is the harbinger. Harbinger means a person or thing that announces or signals the approach of another. I suppose this confirms a 4th wave with a big threat. Basically I think Reem is a sorta warning for what is coming - eg a huge big threat. What do u think?
Have Lego ever made a 8 stud long windscreen? Would look better then 2 x four stud long ones stuck side by side!
Probably the only American-style fire truck we'll ever get from Lego.
I do also appreciate the amount of easter eggs in it - I did not expect Tahu to show up!
Would’ve been cool to see those new half cylinder pieces in a separate photo! That’s the highlight of the set to me
jeez, never thought I'd find a lego fig genuinely terrifying, yet here we are!
What an amazing set! Even setting aside the many easter eggs (such as the laptop screen, which displays not just any racing game but specifically the original Lego Racers!), the bulk and level of detail alone make this feel like a worthy successor to last year's bus. The Dark Azur and Flame Yellowish Orange details added to the Bright Red vehicle really pop, and the techniques used for the wheel guards and cannons look fantastic.
Unlike the reviewer, I don't feel like the proportions of the mech are too bothersome, largely because I viewed it not as a standard humanoid mech, but more like a walking weapons platform like the AT-ST from Star Wars. Considering that, the lack of articulation for the "arms" beyond hinges to aim the cannons and the fact that the mech has a vehicular-looking cab instead of a more humanoid torso and head doesn't bother me.
The only thing I want from this set is Tee-Vee.
The Shadow Walker head could be used to make a rather interesting Jawa.
Nehmaar Reem looks like Slenderman and Voldemort had a baby
I love that TeeVee and the Slender Mand. I suspect that Lady E was the least of our heroes concerns.....
That Nehmaar Reem has to be the scariest looking thing ever found in a LEGO set!
Tbh I would have liked a ghoulified fire fighter
Everyone’s talking about slender man, but does anyone have any love for optimus prime?
This is an ok set I know the fire engine is gettin some bad heat but I,d try n build different things with it.. I do like minifigs too,
I hope we get a Hearse police car and Ambulance from hidden side, my favourite so farhad bern the school bus and fishing boat!!
Looks like a nice addition to the Ghostbusters Firehouse or a compliment to Ecto-1.
I wonder if you have to adjust TeeVee's rabit ear antennas to get any reception? LOL.
The set looks better than the initial leak. I love all the easter eggs and play features.
Didn't expect the mech function, now I want it.
This https://brickset.com/minifigs/sw0301/jar-jar-binks-(printed-head) is the scariest :)
Strangely, this is the best looking fire truck from a Lego set imo.
Haven't gotten any Hidden Side sets, but I'll for sure be picking this one up. Reem looks absolutely terrifying!
Also, Teevee!
I am converting this over to a more ordinary fire truck. That was my first thought when the photos emerged. Much better than the Euro-style stuff LEGO typically gives us. Looks like a hodgepodge from a ton of different trucks from 1950-1990. I will buy three, one to make into an engine, another a ladder truck, and a third a heavy rescue; upgrading from the trucks I build, which are mostly pickup-styled cabs. Roof setup will be reworked to be more realistic and representing a truck built in the 1980s or 1990s. I don't like the grille setup, but seeing as it is slightly curved, I am reworking it to look more like the American LaFrance Century 2000, which was built here in my hometown for eight years (`1986-````1994). The cab should provide plenty of room for at least 4-6 firefighters once all the Hidden Side stuff is taken out. I The front door decals are definitely staying and being used.
I love the minifigs in this set, even though the truck will be converted back what it's supposed to look like.
As much as I like the Hidden Side concept, and the models, I'm finding the repetitive inclusion of the same mini figures to be tiresome. I think this is where story-driven themes tend to suffer.
Ew, more Hidden Side? This is one of the few themes that makes me want to vomit.
The scariest minifigure has to be https://brickset.com/minifigs/sw0243/chancellor-palpatine-clone-wars-red-outfit or https://brickset.com/minifigs/hp064/ron-weasley-gryffindor-stripe-torso-sleeping-awake-face
The terrifying figure is definitely tapping into the "oh no somebody summoned a monster" vibe of Stranger Things and Ghostbusters
Looks like the US price listed is incorrect! Lego has it on their website as "coming soon" for $59.99. That seems like a much better value, and this is definitely one to pick up. I don't get many of the hidden side sets but this one certainly looks interesting to me!
@Huw said:
"That Nehmaar Reem has to be the scariest looking thing ever found in a LEGO set!"
It just may be. But my vote goes to Baby Thomas. https://brickset.com/minifigs/x4cx02/scala-doll-baby-(thomas)-large-eyes-pattern
I love alpha team growing up and seeing Teevee upgraded to have an expression makes me want to buy it. Also there's a slenderman lookalike as well.
@Huw said:
"That Nehmaar Reem has to be the scariest looking thing ever found in a LEGO set!"
Perhaps. Or what about Dr Kirby? https://brickipedia.fandom.com/wiki/Kirby_Bat?file=Kirby_O%27Neil.png
Should there be a Brickset poll including Reem and others mentioned in these comments of the scariest LEGO figure?
Hidden side is the only theme that gives me surprises and I am difinitely getting this one!
I liked the design of the fire engine, and whenever Lego references it's own continuity, it makes me happy.
But I didn't realise the fire-truck has a mecha component. Oh yeah, this is a first day purchase.
Nehmaar Reem reminds me more of Aku from Samurai Jack. And that firetruck must have the most parking tickets ever to get a boot on all four wheels!
@Brick_Bricky_McBrickface:
20684 from the Scooby-Doo Mystery Machine, 62576 from Agents and Coast Guard, 2826 from Model Team, 24248 from the 2nd UCS Snowspeeder, 6084 from Aquanauts, 88067/88068 from Construct-A-Buzz, 95198 from Alien Conquest, 85962 from Agents, and 16477 from the UCS Slave I. Of those, the only one that would really look good is the Mystery Machine windshield, but if you wanted a more sci-fi-ish firetruck, you could probably make either of the next two work. After that, they include a lot of bubble domes and other really odd shapes.
Thanks to the Manor Von Baron containing both the Orb of Ogel and some Newbury residents we know that Alpha Team and Hidden Side take place in the same universe, so it's entirely possible that this is the *same* TeeVee, which I would absolutely love. I never got the original TeeVee, and he's been a fig on my wanted list for a while. This new version is much better but captures the silly essence perfectly!
First we had Slender Man, and then Siren Head, and now The Harbringer. I absolutely love his design, such a freaky and fun ghost. I hope more things like this show up in the future, as this line is starting to get absolutely bonkers with the ghosts.
Funnily enough, I spent the last couple of days writing a script for a theory where I try to connect as many LEGO Franchises together as I can with easter eggs and references. When it came to BIONICLE I went on a bit of depressed/ranty bit about how the only real BIONICLE easter eggs were in the two Ninjago City sets, which are technically non-canon. Granted, this mask is just an emblem and not concrete enough proof for me to add BIONICLE in the Universe, but it's a good enough reference that it pushed me over the fence on weather or not to get this.
Everything that needs to be said about this great review & fascinating set has already been said, so this comment will merely be a plaintive plea to LEGO to remove the pointless colour-locking from Mixel ball joints.
@christopher94 - Thanks for pointing our the error in pricing. I have updated the review and think $59.99 represents much better value, consistent with the other Hidden Side sets.
I think the 2004 TeeVee Minfigure is pure nightmare fuel. That face...
https://https://brickset.com/minifigs/alp021/alpha-team-android
Now we are taking about true monsters!
This Harbinger is definitely scarin'-guy, and main reason for such statement is simple - it is entirely brick-built but resembles grotesque minifig.
As for fire-truck... legacy of Ecto-1 is living! Mech concealed in truck, is more akin to mobile fire platform, not to proper mechs, yes.
Truck looks good. Truck looks great with the add ons. Minifigs look good, other than slenderman who looks terrifying. I might get this one- pockets are tight right now. But if I do, that fig is NOT going on the shelf with the other- he is not watching me in my sleep. :P
Honestly hoping that this is true and that there’ll be more to come.
@legolover777 said:
"If you say Nehmaar Reem's name backwards it sounds like mirror man.
COINCIDENCE, I THINK NOT! Meerraar (Mirror) Mhen (Man)"
The second face makes him Grum-Pee-Vee.
Nehmaar Reem is properly spooky and reminds me of the lanky Old-New-York showman ghosts from the 2016 Ghostbusters movie. (Yes, it was fairly awful, but as bad as 1989 and Ghostbusters 2? I think I'll take Elle King's soundtrack over Bobby Brown's, at the very least!). Though there's a bit of Jack Skellington in there too...
Great to see (Seymour) TeeVee return and the mech is excellent.
Not so keen on the maths where $60 = £60 though. LEGO should stop leaving it until they get to the airport to do their money changing...
@legolover777 said:
"If you say Nehmaar Reem's name backwards it sounds like mirror man. COINCEDENCE, I THINK NOT!
Meerraar (Mirror) Mhen (Man)"
Like the tokusatsu superhero from the 70s?
Never having bought a Lego fire truck this I guess will be the first. Already love the spookiness of the Hidden Side theme but that brick built Slenderman inspired figure takes it to a whole another level of terrifying. Also really like how Lego for once included a transformation function without having to tear down the entire set to build one or the other. A bit expensive at $80 Canadian, however with the build being a 8 wide across, and substantially detailed, not to mention interior room for not only two, but four minifigs to sit comfortably this turned out a lot better than I thought it would. The bus from last year was definitely a better novelty as we almost always get firetruck's of one style or another, but Lego I think has done enough here to make even the most mundane city vehicle interesting/unique. Does the box art remind anyone of Hasbro's failed KreO line though hugely improved? Definitely excited for this one, and the haunted castle.
@Joefish:
My DVR kept trying to save me by deleting it, but I eventually got around to watching Ghostbusted. It's definitely worse, by a long shot. The best comment I've read on it, by far, is that if the gender roles were all reversed, women would have burned down the theaters. And that came from a woman.
FYI Lego did make this kind USA looking fire truck before, set 735. Not detailed as this.
Love "Slender Man"!
Honestly this whole theme is beyond uninteresting to me.
However, the initial images of this set intrigued me enough to click the article. I liked the truck and the cannon designs, but the fact that this thing splits into a mech may have convinced me to pick this up. The design overall for the vehicle is just amazing, and while I don't care at all about the characters both the Professor and TeeVee look pretty snazzy.
I stick mostly to licensed sets now a days, but this set has just enough to get me to drop the $$$ on it. Now to go find one!