Review: 40456 Mickey Mouse and 40457 Minnie Mouse
Posted by CapnRex101,
40456 Mickey Mouse and 40457 Minnie Mouse expand the Brick Sketches selection, featuring substantial detail and integrating some unusual construction techniques. The famous silhouette which distinguishes these renowned characters appears perfect for Brick Sketches.
Furthermore, their bright colours seem entirely appropriate for two-dimensional representation, which these sketches approximate. Mickey and Minnie should therefore prove enjoyable, particularly when they are displayed together.
The Completed Model
Chris McVeigh established an impressive style when developing Brick Sketches as MOCs and numerous stylistic details remain intact here. They include angled edges around the image and sections which extend outside the 12x16 space, where necessary. Such consistency across the Brick Sketches theme is appealing and these features are shared by Mickey and Minnie.
The prominent ears which are essential to these characters look splendid, corresponding with the proportions of the head. Additionally, I like how these 6x6 round plates are elevated above the red background, creating shadows which give the impression of realistic depth. This colour scheme of black and white also works effectively, matching their classic depictions and certain modern animated appearances.
Appropriate curvature surrounds the eyes while the round cheeks appear similarly impressive, employing 3x3 round tiles to lovely effect. However, the eyes themselves divided opinion when these models were announced. Their shape looks reasonable, although I think they would have benefitted from printed reflections. Brick Sketches seemingly avoid decorated pieces though, in which case I am satisfied with this design.
Beyond their clothing, the only distinction between these sketches is the inclusion of Minnie's long eyelashes. These are ingeniously formed using black 1x2 grille tiles which nestle against both eyes, contrasting against the white elements underneath. The grille tiles are recognisable when viewing the model from close range but provide perfect texture from further away.
Mickey and Minnie's noses feature greater depth than previous Brick Sketches, corresponding with their animated counterparts. Once again, the resulting shadows are superb and the mouth takes similar advantage of layered elements to generate the correct shape. Unfortunately, there are hollow spaces between these layers, although they seem relatively inconspicuous.
Both characters are traditionally attired, with Minnie wearing her classic spotted dress and bow while Mickey features a yellow bow tie. 3x3 heart plates form billowed sleeves around Minnie's shoulders and a 4x4 curved tile represents the pronounced neckline. This component is simply attached using one stud and its curvature looks great, although Minnie's dress usually includes scalloped texture here.
Mickey's bow tie seems excellent as well. The angled 2x2 wedge plates certainly capture the floppy appearance of this garment and I appreciate the varied shoulder shapes between both characters. Additionally, their respective clothing and backdrops present an attractive contrast between the Brick Sketches, ensuring that they look magnificent together.
Viewing either model from behind reveals their hinged supports, corresponding with previous Brick Sketches. These are extremely basic and provide adequate stability, although even the most upright position is angled quite dramatically. Of course, that could easily be resolved by lengthening the supports. Alternatively, both sketches include hangers for displaying them on the wall.
Overall
40456 Mickey Mouse and 40457 Minnie Mouse are among the simpler Brick Sketches which have been produced, comprising the same basic shapes as their animated inspiration. These colourful designs encapsulate appropriate personality, especially featuring such round cheeks that create the impression of beaming smiles. Minnie's eyelashes look outstanding as well.
Unfortunately, the Brick Sketches theme was introduced with exceptionally expensive pricing, actually compelling LEGO to reduce their retail price to £14.99 or $16.99. That represents an obvious improvement, although still seems expensive given the dearth of unique elements or printing. Nevertheless, they are well-executed models and Disney collectors should enjoy them, particularly should the Brick Sketches receive further discounts.
These sets were provided for review by The LEGO Group but the review represents an expression of my own opinions.
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18 comments on this article
I still think they are kinda meh and pretty overpriced
I would call them ok, but not enticing enough for that price.
I'm surprised the sketch series are only available at Lego. You'd think they would make them available in other retail outlets.
@The_Brickster_ said:
"Mickey looks decent. I just cannot get past that double chin on Minnie."
Well now I can’t unsee it.
The eyes and mouth design is off for me. I prefer the Brickheadz version
Buying for sure, cause its Disney, but Minnie in particular still gives me the creeps.
I think the transition from nose to mouth is the worst design choice, I don't think it captures the shape of the real thing at all
Speaking of Lego Mickey Mouse, have you seen this, quite interesting https://brickset.com/sets/theme-Disney/subtheme-Mickey-and-Friends
The eyes aren’t a problem for me, it’s the mouth that looks a little off for some reason.
@Minifig290 said:
"Buying for sure, cause its Disney, but Minnie in particular still gives me the creeps."
So you're going to buy something solely because of brand loyalty despite not liking it? Corporations LOVE folks like you
But that aside, something about their mouths if off for me? Like yeah in cartoons they had teeth, but on these builds the studs above the mouth stand out too much
...... Creepy.
The horizontal shadow beneath the nose makes it look like there is a face on top of a second face... Creepy!
And it cannot be unseen.
Just not that great.
They are creepy.
I never disagreed more with a review than with this one. Expensive and ugly. Since it is Disney, this means they did get one property right, but I always thought Disney demanded proper quality and designs of its IP-merch-makers.
Thanks for the review! You discuss depth a lot, it would have been nice to have a shot of the profile of one of them to see what you're talking about.
Honestly I like the style of the original Chris McVeigh's MOCs better than the ones from Lego. Batman was ok but the others... I don't know, they seem kind of plain and less charming.
@BovineBrick said:
"Thanks for the review! You discuss depth a lot, it would have been nice to have a shot of the profile of one of them to see what you're talking about."
https://www.newelementary.com/2021/02/lego-brick-sketches-review-40456-mickey-40457-minnie.html?m=1
they're okay, but like 43179 the nose/snout areas just look a little wrong to me. can't bring myself to pick up that one or these for that reason