Review: 40462 Valentine's Brown Bear
Posted by Huw,
Since 2013 LEGO has released a series of seasonal sets to celebrate Valentine's Day, Easter, Thanksgiving, Halloween and Christmas. During the last three years they have been BrickHeadz but having exhausted the possibilities of that format a new style has been introduced this year: cute animals on rounded bases.
So far, only 40462 Valentine's Brown Bear, the subject of this review, and 40463 Easter Bunny have been revealed, but I strongly suspect that those being released at the end of the year will follow the same format.
This one hides a little secret that is sure to delight whoever you gift it to...
Something needed to be used to support the top layer of plates, so I guess it might as well spell a secret message!
Once the green plates are in place, the message is hidden away.
The bear itself is a fairly complicated build involving plenty of SNOT but as is common these days it's all colour-coded to make it easier. This might be important if you're gifting the set to someone who's not normally a LEGO builder.
The photo on the box, head-on like this one, does not do the stuffed animal any justice: its face looks very blocky and pixillated.
However, from normal viewing angles it looks much better. Its legs can be splayed out and the arms are connected via turntables. They can be moved up and down but because the turntables offer no friction, they don't stay up.
The limbs are articulated but not the head, which is a shame.
The bear is attached to the base via a turntable to allow it to be posed, and once in place it's an attractive looking model.
Overall, it might not be on a par with the best seasonal sets of yesteryear, but it makes a nice change from BrickHeadz. It looks better 'in the flesh' than on the box, particularly given there's a building mistake in the official photo (the heart it's holding is not built correctly), so don't let that put you off.
I am sure it will be well-received should you choose to gift it to your other half. As I write it is still in stock at LEGO.com on both side of the Atlantic so if you order now it should arrive in good time for 14th February.
Hey! Get away from my flowers, you naughty goats!
Thanks to LEGO for providing this set for review. All opinions expressed are my own.
Thanks to my wife for constructing it. Any building mistakes are hers :-)
#Ad: If you purchase anything via the links in this article, Brickset will receive a small commission.
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32 comments on this article
Goats, love it!
Thanks for the review and the peek at the secret message. It's quite adorable for what it is. I've told myself not to buy small sets this year in favour of larger sets, but I know I won't be able to apply that "rule" to the little seasonal sets. I will end up modifying it to big sets AND seasonal sets. Three weeks into January and I'm already struggling with the rule, but I have bought three larger sets, so I can't play around too much. Can I hold to one modification?
Edit: Oh, yes, and thank you for the goats:)
Much like Nick Vas' frog, Huw's goat is quickly becoming iconic... I'm kinda expecting spotting a goat in each review to become trickier over time, like a where's wally type concept...
Long live the goats!
I am not a fan of this (or the bunny coming for Easter). I think they look a bit clunky.
The tail on this one looks like he is doing a poo.
But he is a bear. And I assume he hangs out in the woods.
@huw, when’s the next review of the gardens coming?
Later on today.
Yuh’no, I think I figured out what snaps lego bricks together, not tubes but plenty more of SNOT!
@bookmum said:
"The tail on this one looks like he is doing a poo."
LOL! At least they didn't use the 'poo' piece for his tail!
nice, I did not expect a hidden message in the base ;)
I just want the goats, haha
It seems Huw has found his version of sloths (not included in this set).
All hail the shrine of pic-a-nic
Commenting on the poo tail misses the more concerning part of this set... The bear is on a picnic blanket... So where's the picnic? Looks like he's about to enjoy devouring that heart to me...
@meganl I was thinking the same thing!!
This will make Valentine's day a little less lonely.
I saw the goats attacking the model and I thought, "Hmm, this review must have been done by MeganL."
I was wrong, Huw is capable of animal themed humor.
@MeganL said:
"It seems Huw has found his version of sloths (not included in this set)."
Lol
Are we gonna stop with goats when build a bonsai is over?
Unlikely!
Yes, I rather like this but not the eyes. I think it is because the pupils are white. If they were tan I feel that would give the eyes a less 'starey' look. I would also wish to put 14769 2x2 flat tiles on the ears at the front. Either the same colour or a different brown.
I'll have a look and see how much it costs before deciding whether to buy it.
Speaking of "seasonal sets to celebrate Valentine's Day"...
I've been trying to track down the 2017 LEGO "Kids" & "Adult" Building Event set featured in the February calendar:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/tormentalous/31279670873/in/photostream/
Can anyone help? (Should I have asked this somewhere else?)
@kaosconman - I would try posting that question in the forum. I'm sure members there will help you.
Can Lego please bring back goats?
The bear's cupcake tail bothers me.
GOAT FLEX.
The I love you is a cute secret!
I wish they actually included the goats XD
I cannot unsee the massive phallic design on the front.
And he's stroking it.
Please say it's not just me! :D
I had not seen it but now you've both mentioned it, I can't un-see it!
I'd better place my order now before LEGO pull it from shelves!
I need to buy this set just for the goats.
Oh, wait....
The idea is cute but somehow the bear seems a jumble of colors and shapes. The Easter rabbit works much better for me. However, as I'm likely to buy *something* during the relevant period I'll probably wind up with a Valentine bear anyway....