Review: 40548 Spice Girls Tribute
Posted by Huw,
If I was asked which characters I want as BrickHeadz, which ones I really, really want, the Spice Girls would not have even crossed my mind. I therefore had quite a shock when I opened the box containing a review copy of 40548 Spice Girls Tribute the day before it was announced!
Like them or loathe them, there's no disputing that the female pop quintet had a huge impact on popular culture in the late 1990s, with their positive messages of female empowerment and friendship delivered through catchy tunes.
Last year marked the 25th anniversary of their debut single Wannabe, and that may well have been what prompted LEGO to produce this set.
Summary
40548 Spice Girls Tribute, 578 pieces.
£44.99 / $49.99 / €49.99 | 7.8p/8.6c/8.6c per piece.
Buy at LEGO.com »
The BrickHeadz what you want, what you really, really want
- Instantly recognisable versions of the reknowned pop stars
- Victoria's a bit boring
The set was provided for review by LEGO. All opinions expressed are those of the author.
Parts for each figure are packed separately, and they have individual instruction manuals, so can be built concurrently as a group activity should you wish.
The creators of the band were looking to recruit "five strikingly different girls" [1] so we have them to thank for the fact that these blocky representations are also very different, and instantly recognisable.
Emma Bunton wore clothes and styled her hair to accentuate her youthful appearance so this BrickHeadz representation is wearing a pink summer dress, and her blonde hair is tied up in pigtails.
It looks great from the front but a bit plain from the back.
Geri Halliwell wore a dress emblazoned with a Union Jack at the 1997 Brit Awards, and it's since become an enduring and iconic symbol of the band and the times, and also the most expensive piece of pop memorabilia ever sold at auction. I believe it's now on display in the Hard Rock Hotel in Las Vegas.
The two printed 2x3 tiles are likely to find uses elsewhere in a multitude of MOCs.
Her tricoloured hair adds considerable interest to the model.
Melanie Brown was attired in a leopardskin print jumpsuit during the Brit Awards appearance, and it's since became synonymous with her, so it was the obvious choice for her blocky version to wear. Ten 1x2 printed bricks are provided to replicate the pattern on the front and back, and on the sides of her legs.
I know I'm at risk of sounding like a broken record, but this figure is proof once more that a voluminous and extravagant hairstyle makes for the most interesting BrickHeadz figures!
During the early days of the group Melanie Chisholm was often seen in Adidas tracksuit bottoms and a crop top, with her hair tied up in a ponytail, so that look has been reproduced faithfully here. The 1x2 bricks of her legs are printed with a fine white line.
The figure is wearing a headset microphone: arguably it was only Mel B and Mel C that had any real vocal talent, so that seems appropriate!
This one must be Victoria Adams, but it could just as easily be Morticia Addams! There's nothing noteworthy or outstanding about it, and it's really only when viewed in context with her bandmates that it's obvious who it is.
Nevertheless, with so little to work with and hampered by the same colour dress and hair, it probably can't be bettered.
Overall I think they are really great fun and I can see them being very popular with 30-somethings who grew up with the band when they were kids.
It's tempting to start thinking about other bands that could be given the BrickHeadz treatment, but can you imagine what the Beatles, for example, would like as blocky characters? They'd all be much the same and thus very boring. The Spice Girls work precisely because they are so different, each with their own distinctive styles and projected personalities.
Kudos to LEGO for bringing us something so different and totally unexpected!
Here's their lauded Brit Awards performance for your enjoyment:
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49 comments on this article
They're cool, and if I appreciated them more, I'd buy them, but Mando has my wallet, so it's the N-1 for me.
Glad the fans of spice girls get their own lego set
I really hope we don't get more Beatles sets. The mosaic was bad enough.
the Beatles could go full Yellow Submarine. Plenty of colour and pattern there.
“Victoria is a bit boring” - so they captured her perfectly then? ;)
Sporty 4 Life
@Valendale said:
"I really hope we don't get more Beatles sets. The mosaic was bad enough."
Why was it bad?
Good review! Not much interest in this since I'm not a fan of the band but I love seeing the BrickHeadz line expand.
In terms of these builds, the costumes unfortunately don't impress me too much since form-fitting outfits don't allow for a ton of build variety in the BrickHeadz format. The hairstyles, on the other hand, are much more varied and exciting, especially Mel B.'s voluminous curls!
In terms of other bands that could make good BrickHeadz, a band like KISS with super-theatrical costumes, hair, and makeup could probably make for some interesting and varied builds.
They should do 6 (or is it 7?) BTS-brickheadz !!! *lmao*
@WemWem said:
"“Victoria is a bit boring” - so they captured her perfectly then? ;)"
She is, isn't she. :|
Beatles - hippy phase may work - but might need lots of printed bricks...
Queen would be the one to do I think as their costumes (especially Freddie's & Brian's) were outstanding... Might need bits to make 3 or 4 versions of freddie though!
Normal + I want to break free for all of them as well.....
I like that Lego is making all kinds of music-related sets now, even if they're wildly different in their approach. Strange that this and BTS seemed out of left field to a lot of AFOLs but Elvis and the Beatles didn't.
I love that set, that's a perfect example of what Brickheadz can be.
It's definitely not for me but I love to see Lego explore new things and expand it's reach. When you see how popular FunkoPop and cie are, the possibilities are endless
We want Beatles!!!
Just...why?
They should do The Beatles and The Rolling stones after this.
In Brickhead form Mel C looks more like Vicky Pollard from Little Brittain.
I am under the impression that LEGO has terrible taste in music. The only interesting things I can think of are Cryoshell and the Strat set...
“ It's tempting to start thinking about other bands that could be given the BrickHeadz treatment, but can you imagine what the Beatles, for example, would like as blocky characters? They'd all be much the same and thus very boring.”
That really depends on which look / era a set sought to replicate. The early suit-and-tie look is very uniform, sure. The Sgt. Pepper or Yellow Submarine styles? Much the opposite, and as colorful as even the brightest of cartoon characters seen in the line.
@Blondie_Wan said:
"“ It's tempting to start thinking about other bands that could be given the BrickHeadz treatment, but can you imagine what the Beatles, for example, would like as blocky characters? They'd all be much the same and thus very boring.”
That really depends on which look / era a set sought to replicate. The early suit-and-tie look is very uniform, sure. The Sgt. Pepper or Yellow Submarine styles? Much the opposite, and as colorful as even the brightest of cartoon characters seen in the line."
Heck the Yellow Submarine Beatles ARE cartoon characters so you can even base it off that.
@drbaggy said:
"Might need bits to make 3 or 4 versions of freddie though!
Normal + I want to break free for all of them as well....."
Would be interesting to make different phases of the same artist. It would work for Freddie Mercury, Bowie, Prince, Madonna, Michael Jackson... Make them hold a related mini album cover.
I want to brick free.
Mel B just needs her horns now to complete the look.
They really did capture their appearance quite well in block form. Yes, Posh is "boring," but she never claimed to be the excitement of the group. She even walked in her heels during the montage of training in Spice World. So it adds to her character.
I loved the Spice Girls in junior high when they came out. I won't buy this though (if they were minifigures, yes I would be all over it).
Good point that the Spice Girls at the very least are varied in appearance. It still doesn't work very well IMHO, as their clothing are form fitting and not very detailed. If it wasn't for the leopard and union jack prints these would look completely bland and terrible. The Spice Girls are just not varied enough to warrent building 5 brickheadz beside group completion. I mean, only 2 out of 5 get prints!
LOVE IT!
Definitely getting this set. Irritating at the time. Great nostalgia value now, and well represented.
Beatles Sgt. Pepper next.
@EDHS1989 said:
"Just...why?"
Why not? Just because it doesn't appeal to you doesn't mean it won't to other people.
@lORDoFtHEbOARD said:
"They should do 6 (or is it 7?) BTS-brickheadz !!! *lmao* "
I suspect it might just be a matter of time now!
Even back then I wondered what Posh added to the group. Not much in real life, not much either now in Lego.
I've never been a fan (to say it politely...), but I do think they captured them pretty well here in Brickheadz form.
As for other bands that would be just as easily identifiable, only two come to mind: Gorillaz and Ningen Isu. Though I think both of them are just a bit too obscure for Lego....
@WizardOfOss said:
"Even back then I wondered what Posh added to the group. Not much in real life, not much either now in Lego.
I've never been a fan (to say it politely...), but I do think they captured them pretty well here in Brickheadz form.
As for other bands that would be just as easily identifiable, only two come to mind: Gorillaz and Ningen Isu. Though I think both of them are just a bit too obscure for Lego...."
Gorillaz is by far my overall favorite band, and Lego could do more than just Brickheadz, an entire theme! And Gorillaz is hardly obscure these days, if they got the license, they would probably sell pretty well.
Let's get a pack of classical composers next! Mozart, Beethoven, Bach, Tchaikovsky, Vivaldi
Their hair styles would look good in Brickheadz format, along with the fancy dress coats and shoes for the most part; Tchaikovsky for the facial hair.
I haven’t bought any BrickHeadz, but I would definitely snap up a Sgt. Pepper’s line up! It’s a great medium for bands. I think these look surprisingly good!
U2, Bee Gees, Kiss, Poison, Venom, Metallica, Twisted Sisters, ZZ Top, Rolling Stones, Genesis, The Cure, Depeche Mode, The Beach Boys, The Monkees, One Direction, Jackson 5, New kids on the Block, Boyz II Men, Take That, NSync, Backstreet Boy, En Vogue, Sugababes, Pussycat Dolls, Destiny's Child, Bananarama, The Supremes, Little mix, TLC, ABBA, Guns & Roses, Girls Aloud, The Commodores, Electric Light Orchestra, Supertramp. Ozzy Osborne, Black Sabbath, Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, The Doors, Talk Talk, Duran Duran. Brick Headz till the end of time.... 'Til Tuesday, The Cranbberry, UB40, Crowded House. And notice that there are no recent bands in this list, the possibilities are limitless...
I like these!
The next band should be Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
Is Taylor Swift around the corner? Or The Beatles? U2? Midnight Oil? Queen? Hans Zimmer? John Williams?
Spinal Tap?
Definitely getting these.
@RaiderOfTheLostBrick said:
"Spinal Tap?"Well, apparently this Spice Girls set is 16+, but I guess that one would only go up to 11....
"It's tempting to start thinking about other bands that could be given the BrickHeadz treatment". How about George Clinton and the Parliament Funkadelic? It would be a big set!
Honestly BTS isn't that much of a surprise given the spice girls are pretty much the same type of group except female.
While we're wish-listing, a Simon and Garfunkel set of any kind would be awesome.
"...and the words of the prophets were written on Facebook walls, Walmart halls.
Whispering the sounds... of Lego..."
Nice nostalgia trip with the Brit Awards video, and a catchy tune - thanks Huw!
I forgot how revealing their clothes were - almost surprised LEGO references these outfits!
@Murdoch17 said:
"While we're wish-listing, a Simon and Garfunkel set of any kind would be awesome.
"...and the words of the prophets were written on Facebook walls, Walmart halls.
Whispering the sounds... of Lego...""
A Simon and Garfunkel set would be great, but most of all you've got to hide it from the kids.
Buddy Holly would be a very distinctive one to do.
\m/ METALLICA \m/
Yo, I'll tell you what I want, what I really, really want.
So tell me what you want, what you really, really want.
I'll tell you what I want, what I really, really want.
So tell me what you want, what you really, really want.
I wanna, (ha) I wanna, (ha) I wanna, (ha) I wanna, (ha).
I wanna really, really, really wanna buy this set ya.
I like this. Even poor Vicky who looks very emo.
Presumably her (well known to be a AFOL) husband can make some improvements on her model.
>arguably it was only Mel B and Mel C that had any real vocal talent
oh NO you DIDN'T
Kriss Kross - they could use jumper plates… I’m here all week, try the veal!
Dear David Beckham,
If you’re reading this, which I assume you are because we all know you’re an AFOL, congratulations on your wife being replicated in Lego! And thanks for helping to show that Lego can be for anyone!
Please send @huw a photo of you, BrickHeadz Victoria, and the real Victoria together so we can see how well the two versions match!
Best,
@MorkMan
@gorf43 said:
" @WizardOfOss said:
"As for other bands that would be just as easily identifiable, only two come to mind: Gorillaz and Ningen Isu. Though I think both of them are just a bit too obscure for Lego...."
Gorillaz is by far my overall favorite band, and Lego could do more than just Brickheadz, an entire theme! And Gorillaz is hardly obscure these days, if they got the license, they would probably sell pretty well. "
ngl, I wonder how hard it'd be to get the license [and in particular, how willing would Jamie Hewlett be to lend his characters to a relatively restrictive format as LEGO is, as opposed to the very much Hewll-adapted vinyl toys] but if they managed to sort that out... boy oh boy
they could do the Geep, the windmill island from Feel Good inc, the oh-so-ironic Plastic Beach, the Spirit House from Saturnz Barz... or even just a memorable BrickHeadz set or LEGO Art mosaic. endless possibilities!
The girl in pink, I think that is Baby Spice, anyway the 2x4 tiles on the back of her head would look better if they were turned so that the seam is vertical, thus simulating the part you get with ponytails. Using 2x4 slope pieces might be an improvement over the 2x4 tiles.
It would have been nice to include their spice names too. I only remember Baby & Scary Spice, I don't recall what the other spice names are.
This set goes on my wait & see list.
Purple Rain era Prince, Ziggy Stardust/Aladdin Sane David Bowie, KISS, Devo and The Ramones would all look great as Brickheadz