Review: 76950 Triceratops Pick-up Truck Ambush
Posted by CapnRex101,
Large dinosaurs commonly remain exclusive to relatively expensive sets because the dinosaurs provide innate value. 76950 Triceratops Pick-up Truck Ambush therefore seems appealing, with this substantial Triceratops available for £39.99, $39.99 or €44.99.
However, the size of this dinosaur has evidently occupied significant value, as the accompanying vehicles and minifigures appear somewhat underwhelming. Even so, the Triceratops alone could mitigate those issues, to some degree.
Summary
76950 Triceratops Pickup Truck Ambush, 210 pieces.
£44.99 / $44.99 / €49.99 | 21.4p / 21.4c / 23.8c per piece.
Buy at LEGO.com »
While the Triceratops is superb, other Jurassic World sets overshadow this one
- Perfect content for play
- Exclusive Triceratops colour
- Relatively bland vehicles
- Mediocre minifigure selection
The set was provided for review by LEGO. All opinions expressed are those of the author.
Minifigures
Several Claire Dearing minifigures have appeared since the Jurassic World theme began and this version is unique, sporting unusually dark attire. Her double-sided head is familiar though, returning from many prior appearances, while the wavy dark orange hair element suits Claire nicely.
Franklin Webb is similarly dressed in black, seemingly for infiltration. The creasing on both torsos looks superb, although their similarity does seem odd and I think leg decoration would have improved each minifigure. However, I like Franklin's new head, with subtle facial hair and two fitting expressions.
Claire's second face is less effective, as her frightened mouth appears comically wide and the ink application on this side could be improved. Nevertheless, unique versions of two prominent characters are welcome and Claire's carrot lure accessory is fun, doubtless tempting the hungry Triceratops.
Two unidentified Guards are included too, each comprising existing elements. Jurassic World sets have historically offered a selection of guards sporting ACU or Ingen uniforms, so another variant could have been interesting here. Nevertheless, these casual designs seem reasonable as both feature muted colours, but avoid appearing bland.
One character displays a cruel smile, which is among my favourite generic heads and usually appears on Imperial minifigures from Star Wars. The other head is less appealing, having now appeared thirty times since 2015! However, I do like the second guard's knitted cap, which suits the character nicely.
Naturally, both minifigures are equipped with tranquilliser rifles, including yellow syringes fixed on top. Lime green was common among past Jurassic World sets, so the introduction of some variety this year is refreshing.
Herbivorous dinosaurs are relatively scarce across the Jurassic World range, but Triceratops have appeared before. This design is new and presents a distinctive dark bluish grey, dark red and tan skin tone, with prominent scarring across the head and body. Personally, I prefer earlier colour combinations, but this dinosaur undoubtedly stands out within the range.
As usual, the Triceratops measures almost 18cm in length and its shape appears very realistic, featuring the prominent frill, beak and three horns that give Triceratops its name. I love the tan details around the frill and the printed scars look outstanding. Additionally, the yellow eyes are clearly visible against the surrounding dark colours, which enhances the entire creature.
The neck and four legs are articulated, offering an adequate range of motion to create some dynamic stances. The neck is especially impressive in that regard, capable of tilting down as though preparing to charge! I think the static body and tail also look great, as clever moulding avoids unnaturally straight lines. While this Triceratops is excellent, bigger herbivores remain unfortunately scarce.
The Completed Model
Two vehicles pursue the Triceratops. The smaller all-terrain design seems relatively awkward, presenting an odd balance of bodywork because the front looks considerably heavier than the back. Also, the mixture of dark green, sand green and a green bracket beneath the headlight is strange, although I am pleased there are seats for two minifigures on board.
Pick-up trucks are common among LEGO sets and frequently share similar designs, given the repeated use of certain elements. This example certainly conforms to type, measuring 14cm in length and featuring the typical 4x6x2/3 bonnet pieces. However, the resulting shape looks nice, so such repetition is hardly surprising.
The black and light bluish grey colour scheme is relatively drab, but distinguishes this vehicle from the similar model in 76946 Blue & Beta Velociraptor Capture. I dislike the additional dark tan and medium nougat splashes though. Presumably these are supposed to represent rust or mud, but the mismatched colours appear more distracting than natural, in my opinion.
However, I am pleased with the prominent bullbar and headlights on the front, which provide realistic detail. The exposed studs underneath the bullbar introduce welcome texture and the rounded mudguards look perfect too, relative to the large tyres. Even so, the design does feel derivative of past models, unlike the creative vehicle from 76951 Pyroraptor & Dilophosaurus Transport, for instance.
Fortunately, this vehicle incorporates a simple function. Compressing the bullbar causes the bonnet to explode, as though struck by the charging Triceratops! This mechanism involves a slider between the front mudguards and works well, although uncovering some engine details inside would have been good. Maybe the orange elements could represent engine or battery housings.
Removing the roof reveals space for a single minifigure inside, which is disappointing as there would easily have been room for two. You could position additional minifigures behind the cab though, between the angled braces. Accessories can also be stored here, but the omission of clips outside the cab is unusual. Instead, there are empty studs to secure a floodlight on either side.
Overall
The exclusive Triceratops dominates attention in 76950 Triceratops Pick-up Truck Ambush, as expected. The distinctive colours are great and I appreciate this opportunity to acquire a large dinosaur in a set costing £39.99, $39.99 or €44.99, given their availability is usually limited to bigger and therefore more expensive sets.
While the Triceratops is superb, the vehicles and minifigures seem lacklustre. I like the exploding bonnet function, but this pick-up truck is otherwise bland, like the minifigures. However, perhaps most unfortunate is the absence of another baby Triceratops, since one does appear during this scene from the movie and the dinosaur could have returned in a third colour, matching the adult Triceratops.
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31 comments on this article
My dino-loving son, who generally prefers T-Rex, has identified this as his favorite current set. The simple builds and the lack of any unnecessary “set pieces” make it far more enjoyable for him to build and play with.
The Triceratops bigfig is maybe my favorite of the dinosaur figures they’ve done. It just looks so appropriately hefty, and it’s well scaled to the minifigs.
Price is high, but it could’ve been worse given current trends. This is probably MOC’ers best chance to acquire enough Triceratopses for a decent-sized herd.
I do wish the Trike didn’t have the prominent scarring over the eye. That kinda marks it as a “unique” animal - a more generic color scheme would have been appreciated. But that’s a small nit.
Feel like maybe they could have included a motorbike as well, for one of the rescuers or hunters to ride.
Having seen the latest movie, this is a scene from the beginning of the movie where thugs chase Claire & co, and the Triceratops kinda just gets in the way. ??
That explains the choice of attire and vehicles, although Claire's gang is actually driving a van, not a trike.
There's no quad bike in that scene. I know the set would be a lot more expensive, but if it had the white van that Claire and Franklin use during the chase, it would make an excellent set. This change also resulted in the lack of the baby triceratops they rescue.
And I can't unsee Jesse Pinkman from that guard with the knitted cap.
I didn't know Black Widow was in Jurassic movie! Got a real downgrade in her weapons.
@Sandy said:
"Having seen the latest movie, this is a scene from the beginning of the movie where thugs chase Claire & co, and the Triceratops kinda just gets in the way. ??
That explains the choice of attire and vehicles, although Claire's gang is actually driving a van, not a trike."
Hey, everyone has been hit hard by inflation. Claire must've had to sell the van to get by and got a trike as a part of a trade-in deal... Dino food costs more than you think!
;-)
Those "guards" aren't employed by Biosyn or InGen. They're just random illegal dinosaur breeders (which makes them even more boring).
Could've been a Stegosaurus.
@WemWem said:
"Price is high, but it could’ve been worse given current trends. This is probably MOC’ers best chance to acquire enough Triceratopses for a decent-sized herd. "
At $40 a dino? I’m in the wrong profession I guess…
I would have replaced that Trike head with a Nasutoceratops mold and included a baby Nasuto as well now, Triceratops and Sinoceratops were in the same enclosure in the film.
"The smaller all-terrain design seems relatively awkward, presenting an odd balance of bodywork because the front looks considerably heavier than the back."
It seems like Lego designers force themselves to re-design these vehicles in a unique way with each new set. I understand that mentality. But there are probably only so many ways to design a good 4x4, and the rest just look odd with strange proportions. I see the same thing with Lego City cars. In an attempt to offer a unique design, the result is an oddly proportioned or shaped vehicle.
New Triceratops is always nice. but itsa BIG shame as this scene should have Nasutoceratops!
@TomKazutara said:
"wow, the minifigures are super lame here"
But movie-accurate. Still, you're right.
Not much to say really as it’s a fairly generic looking set. I only really want the Triceratops but even then, don’t really like the colours and ‘battle damage’. And it’s very expensive and limited to Kmart (so it seems) here in Australia.
Yeah, here in Hungary too. From the current JW line this and the Pyroraptor sets are both LEGO.com exlusives and not part of the normal sortiment, therefore more expensives. They are not in the catalogs too.
@capnrex101 - I think you got the 2 black torsos the wrong way round!
I might have to get this one, as Triceratops has always been my favorite dino.
@markisnot: Exactly what I was thinking.
@Lordmoral said:
"I would have replaced that Trike head with a Nasutoceratops mold and included a baby Nasuto as well now, Triceratops and Sinoceratops were in the same enclosure in the film."
I feel like it was supposed to be a Nasutoceratops, but they decided not to make a new mold to save money
Weird looking all-gray back legs. …bummer
This is 5 fewer dollars then euros (40 vs 45). The recently reviewed grocery store is 15 more dollars than euros (45 vs 30).
Lego's pricing makes no sense.
@Rimefang said: "Could've been a Stegosaurus."
And should've been.
C'mon Lego. It's been decades. Give us a Steg.
"Relatively bland vehicles" is saying it mildly. The vehicles are beyond bland, they are openly boring. Especially the pick-up truck. Vehicles clearly serve as filler to sell dinosaurs, but some creative effort would have been nice.
@Zordboy said:
" @Rimefang said: "Could've been a Stegosaurus."
And should've been.
C'mon Lego. It's been decades. Give us a Steg. "
I'm not huge on identifying dinosaurs that don't play a role but I don't remember any stegosauruses in the Jurassic World films, maybe if they still do Legend of Isla Nublar sets they'll throw one in (although that subtheme is dead as far as I know). There isn't much to win me over with this one but the missing tooth on the Franklin Minifigure is comically accurate and if they included it on his old face print it'd work well for pre-Electro Max. The truck play feature is clever but even after seeing the film and being able to identify which set represents what scene (certainly better than some of the Jurassic World and especially Fallen Kingdom sets), the wave as a whole just doesn't interest me. I identified the truck with Claire and Franklin before seeing the box art since they also use a truck in this part, maybe not this truck but I remember their involvement more than the randos'. Even though she appears even less than Franklin, Zia deserved a spot somewhere IMO, I assume they'd reuse the villain's hair from the Raya sets if they weren't gonna make a new mold for her.
I see the Jurassic Gang, when it comes to dealing with triceratops, prefers to use the carrot-and-syringe approach.
Their clothes is so drab.
l like this, but I wish that the Trike had a Nasutoceratops head mould. That would have been cool.
Like others, I would have preferred if Lego had kept the Triceratops body mould and had created a new Nasutoceratops mould for the head to make this scene more movie accurate.
I still think Lego have done well with the Dominion sets as they are much closer to the source material than previous JW movie set releases.
I'm hoping in future JW/JP sets they release:
Dimetrodon - Dominion
Stegosaurus - The Lost World
Spinosaurus - JP3
Scorpios Rex - Camp Cretaceous
Uninspired, slapped together figs and ugly, bland builds. 76947: Quetzalcoatlus Plane Ambush and 76951: Pyroraptor & Dilophosaurus Transport are better choices for the same price.
Dull set, the pick-up truck and the all-terrain are worth 20 USD dollars together, it's quite bland, the Triceratop would be 10-15 USD dollars, so 40 USD seems slightly too much, as the piece count is only 210. The pricing in other regions, such as European (45) and Australia (80), feel extremely overpriced, with the latter almost absurd. 76951 is better but still mediocre.
Hahaha, the Triceratops looks like he's wearing some kind of armor, especially around the beak :D
I don't like the colors choosen.
For a theme, that is 90% about Dinosaurs and consequently overpriced, I still think, that the quality and quantity of the Dinosaurs in LEGO's Jurassic World is quite bad.