Review: 41423 Tiger Hot Air Balloon Jungle Rescue
Posted by MeganL,
It's been a few years since the last Friends Jungle subtheme, which is the primary subtheme for Friends again this year. I'm interested to see how the two series of sets are going to compare.
This year, all the jungle sets are branded as "supporting National Geographic Explorers". This partnership started last year and the Friends marine rescue sets were also produced with this theme.
This is the first year that Friends sets have carried the National Geographic Explorer logo on the box. It looks like each set features an endangered (and suitably adorable) animal. We'll start this subtheme by looking at one recurring feature of Friends sets: a hot air balloon. 41423 Tiger Hot Air Balloon Jungle Rescue features two white tiger cubs and a hot air balloon - sounds like a winner to me!
The box is one of those with the thumb tab openings, which I still find annoying and kind of surprising for a set this size. The box is in a portrait configuration, undoubtedly to emphasize the height of the hot air balloon. Upon opening the box, there are three numbered bags, a bag containing the balloon parts, a small perfect bound instruction book and a small sticker sheet.
Minidolls and animals
The two Friends in this set are Andrea and Emma. Both are wearing new outfits; as befitting their location in the jungle, it's not a surprise that the predominant colour is beige. However, both girls manage to spice things up regardless. Andrea is wearing a vest with a foliage patterned v-neck inset, a high waisted teal belt and a zippered pocket. Emma is choosing overalls with a lilac coloured patch pocked and two zippered pockets. The overalls cover a sleeveless shirt with a fuchsia and lime green pattern. However what really makes these outfits are the boots, and they're fantastic! Andrea has gold lace up boots while Emma sticks with her signature colour of purple.
I'm really liking the trend I'm seeing with minidolls having printed details on the back. However, I'm not sure I'm a huge fan of Andrea's one-shouldered creation - it wasn't all that clear from the front. It's also unfortunate that Emma's shirt doesn't have the pattern on the back.
I neglected to take a picture of the minidolls' accessories - each Friend has a walkie talkie with the rather large and superfluous adornment of the new 1x1 coral heart pieces. Andrea also comes equipped with a pair of binoculars.
Friends animals are a de facto requirement in a set, and considering this is a Jungle theme, animals are definitely an expectation. We have four different animals in this set - two of the new white tiger cubs, a baby turtle we first saw last year and it seems Andrea's pet parrot, Pepper, is along for the ride. I included the yellow frog in this picture as I hadn't seen it before.
For those who would like a closer look at the tiger cub:
This is not a new mould, but it is a new colour.
The completed model
The build starts with the air balloon - very eye catching with alternating purple and white sections, and a basket that's made up on traditional Friends colours - pink and purple. It looks like we have new coral flower pieces, and while I love the addition of the piece, the colour looks like it clashes a bit with the rest of the colour scheme.
Inside the basket is a de factor first aid station, with a syringe and a baby bottle. I may be mistaken, but I think both of these pieces used to be included in accessory packs for Friends sets; I don't remember seeing them loose before. 2x2 round jumper plates provide plenty of room for three minidolls - or two minidolls and a tiger cub, if you're so inclined.
The hot air balloon is equipped with a crate that's hung by a chain. I found the construction of the crate to be rather interesting. A sticker provides some detail on either side of the crate - the same logo is found on the side of the balloon basket, and I suspect that we will see this logo reappear in other sets from this subtheme.
The chain attaches to the side of the balloon. I thought this was a little unwieldy; plus the engineer in me knows that in all practicality this arrangement would not work. However, I'm at a loss as to how the designer could do this more elegantly.
Now for the best part of the set - the multi-tiered waterfall! There's a new piece in this set - an opalescent wall piece in pale blue. It looks terrific and gives the impression of falling water. I liked this piece so much I didn't bother adding the stickers included that shows the turbulence at the bottom of each waterfall as I didn't think they were needed.
The base of the waterfall is shaped like a heart, because of course it does. This is a Friends set, after all.
Details at the bottom of the waterfall include the turtle's area, the lower level of the waterfall pouring onto some rocks, behind which shelters a water lily. A sticker butterfly completes the detail.
That's not all - turn the model around and there's a cave obscured by some foliage.
Swing the foliage aside, and you find one of the tiger cubs! This type of function reminds me a lot of Elves sets.
The other side of the cave isn't quite as sheltered, but doesn't need to be as there's a spider guarding the entrance. You can also see some additional stickered detail on the inside cave wall here.
There's a steep and narrow pathway to get to the top waterfall, and Andrea's trying to do here. You can see she's trying to reach the tiger cub, who is somewhat distracted by Andrea's parrot Pepper at the moment.
However, the tiger cub doesn't realize it's in a rather precarious position - it's gone out on a limb, literally!
That branch is connected with an axle to allow that limb to twist, sending the poor tiger cub into the river below - or worse, if the branch twists the other way.
However, the danger isn't over for the tiger cub yet. Thanks to some minor Technic construction, the water below can simulate some dangerous rapids, so the tiger cub could find themselves falling down the waterfall. The water here is constructed from Technic 7M Beams in a new colour. This picture was taken mid-build to show the mechanism behind the water movement.
That's not all this waterfall has to offer. Assuming you make it to the top and can brave your way through the top waterfall, a diamond can be found, as Emma has discovered here. This type of detail is something again that reminds me of Elves sets - and how much I miss them!
I haven't mentioned the foliage - there's not a lot, but it's enough to convey the jungle setting. The mismatched brown pieces bother me a bit, but not enough to take away from the effectiveness of this set. Here, I think the new coral flower pieces really work.
Overall thoughts
This is a really fun set, and sets my expectations high for the rest of the theme. The play possibilities are great, and I love seeing the moving functions in this piece. Between the details provided in the stickers, the moving functions and the great use of space - this reminds me a lot of Elves sets! I loved that range, so getting a reminder about this is a very good thing for me. I really hope I see this in the rest of the sets in this theme.
When I think of this set, I'm focusing on the waterfall structures and everything it has to offer. However, you can't forget the hot air balloon - I think the colours are very striking and will be very popular. Even for people who don't like the Friends colour scheme, I think the choice of purple is infinitely better than pink! Of course, the balloon provides a key part of the story (not to mention the name of the set!), and some may well like that part better than the waterfall.
There are obviously a lot of play features with this set, and I think almost everyone will love the adorable tiger cubs. However, for the price (at this writing, I can find $39.99, 39.99€ at various websites for 302 pieces), seems a little on the high side to me. However, considering the larger balloon pieces and the adorable animals, you may find it's worth it.
Many thanks to LEGO for providing a copy of this set for review. All opinions expressed are mine.
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16 comments on this article
I’m really disappointed there’s not a single new character across the jungle sub theme. If someone gets all the jungle sets they’re going to have three of each friend, besides Mia who they’ll have four of - all of which are in the exact same outfit! I really hope this doesn’t happen again in the future. All other sub themes have had at least one new character.
The set itself is nice though and I’m in love with the satin sheens! I hope to see it used in so many more pieces in the future! :D
Wow the new plastic used for the trans blue waterfall really stands out ...
Prices predictably will drop quickly enough, but 40 Euro seems indeed like a lot for such a small set with such a limited number of pieces. It also would have been nice if they had recolored the bird and turtle or even included a bunch of the little minifigure bird (41835) in red as some sort of jungle finch drinking from the waterfall pool.
First thing I noticed was how great the waterfall piece is. I'm glad you didn't add the sticker as it looks fantastic as is.
@CM4Sci said:
"Wow the new plastic used for the trans blue waterfall really stands out ... "
The waterfall is not this color because of a change in plastic — it’s actually a new color (Tr. Light Blue Opal) which appears extensively in this year’s Friends and Disney sets:
http://www.newelementary.com/2020/01/lego-color-362-transparent-blue-opal.html
https://brickset.com/parts/colour-Transparent-Blue-Opal
https://www.bricklink.com/catalogList.asp?catType=P&colorPart=223
Fittingly for 2020, the set includes a collectable minidoll version of Carole Baskin
It appears that "de facto" is @MeganL 's favorite phrase.
I wanted this set, but then I saw LAMA RESCUE which is WAY better!
My oldest daughter had the jungle sets from a few years ago it was her favourite sub theme which I also liked building with her but only certain parts stand out like the white tiger & the transparent blue elements maybe the air balloon this time round!!
The purple balloon pieces are so shiny you can see Megan's reflection on them!
The friends jungle sets look great especially the waterfall, if they had included animals that I could use with minifigs I would probably have bought them all ;)
Wish minifig sets had the same number of animals included as minidoll sets do..
I might be tempted to get this as I am planning to make a mountain waterfall.
I’m so excited for this theme. My daughter is almost 3 and loving the duplo animal sets. I’m going to get these and save them for her for a few years away since she loves animals and I really want to try and build a lego zoo. No idea why LEGO hasn’t done a city zoo theme yet. Also secretly I really like these for me too
Mostly excited to see more trans blue opal pieces. There is a large dish in a recent Moana set.
Aaah! Cub is drowning!
I love bright colors of Friends!
What, no more Trolls theme sets reviews? Like theme had died
@Soupperson said:
"I’m really disappointed there’s not a single new character across the jungle sub theme. If someone gets all the jungle sets they’re going to have three of each friend, besides Mia who they’ll have four of - all of which are in the exact same outfit! I really hope this doesn’t happen again in the future. All other sub themes have had at least one new character.
The set itself is nice though and I’m in love with the satin sheens! I hope to see it used in so many more pieces in the future! :D"
I absolutely agree here. We need to start seeing new characters for the Friends line.
Random new characters to populate Heartlake City.
How about Olivia's mother and the police horse?
How about the bad guys from the cartoon series?
Also we need a passenger train for Heartlake City!
C'mon Lego you can do it !!!!