Review: 76960 Brachiosaurus Discovery
Posted by CapnRex101,
Jurassic Park was released in 1993, so celebrates its thirtieth anniversary in 2023. Three sets from the movie have been released already, although their coverage of the film has been fairly narrow. Fortunately, this anniversary range depicts some new scenes.
76960 Brachiosaurus Discovery definitely stands out, recreating the dinosaurs' memorable introduction on Isla Nublar and containing a huge Brachiosaurus! Furthermore, the beloved Jeep Wrangler is finally available here and includes fantastic detail, although the price of £74.99, $79.99 or €84.99 seems frustratingly expensive.
Summary
76960 Brachiosaurus Discovery, 512 pieces.
£74.99 / $79.99 / €84.99 | 14.6p / 15.6c / 16.6c per piece.
Buy at LEGO.com »
The Brachiosaurus and Jeep Wrangler are both excellent on the whole, but very expensive
- A new Brachiosaurus, at last!
- Jeep Wrangler looks superb
- Tree is surprisingly detailed
- Three impressive minifigures
- Gap in Brachiosaurus' neck
- Jeep is oversized
- Expensive
The set was provided for review by LEGO. All opinions expressed are those of the author.
Minifigures
Alan Grant has appeared in all three of the previous Jurassic Park sets, but this minifigure is new. The medium azure shirt looks good and I like his dark red neckerchief, which reflects the movie. However, the head only displays one expression because of Alan's fedora and this smile does not suit the character's awed expression when he first sees the Brachiosaurus. Ideally, an alternative head would be provided.
The second minifigure, Ellie Sattler, does include a double-sided head and fares better than Alan, featuring a smile and a shocked expression. The blonde hair element works quite well for Ellie and is new in this colour, while her coral shirt is very detailed. Pink was selected before and is arguably more accurate, but I think this coral shade looks superb too.
Ellie's legs are decorated to form shorts and boots, which is effective, although triple-moulding would have been even better. Before sighting the dinosaurs themselves, Ellie is amazed to find an extinct plant in Jurassic Park, dubbed vermiforman in the film and here represented by a dark green leaf. Alan, meanwhile, comes with his Velociraptor claw.
John Hammond is probably the most appealing of these minifigures, as the beloved character has only appeared once before, in 75936 Jurassic Park: T. rex Rampage. This iteration lacks dual-moulded arms, but otherwise improves upon its precursor, as the torso now accurately features four pockets, rather than two.
The grey stripes across the front and back also correspond with the movie, while the fedora is a reasonable facsimile for Hammond's panama hat. Again, this minifigure only includes one facial expression, although his look of wonder is absolutely perfect and I like the metallic gold glasses as well.
Hammond's iconic amber-topped cane is excellent. This design is very similar to the version in 75936 Jurassic Park: T. rex Rampage, but tan is a more appropriate colour than reddish brown. Remarkably, neither the 1x1 round plate with hollow stud nor the 3L bar have been produced in tan, until now.
The Completed Model
New dinosaurs are always exciting and the Brachiosaurus has been in-demand since the first Jurassic World sets were released in 2015. Unsurprisingly, this creature is absolutely gigantic, reaching a height of nearly 24cm, with its neck fully extended. The proportions of the dinosaur are realistic and I think the light bluish grey and sand blue colours work nicely.
The shape of the head is impressive, including the Brachiosaurus' distinctive bump, where its nostrils are located. Unfortunately, they are not actually printed, but the sand blue patterns and yellow eyes look marvellous. Additionally, the dinosaur features an opening jaw and a versatile joint where the head meets the neck, similar to other LEGO dinosaurs.
Although the neck articulation is pretty extensive, the base of the neck is designed with wedge-shaped gaps to accommodate this motion. Some articulation was necessary, but I am sure the joint could have been disguised more effectively, maybe similarly to the Baryonyx. Alternatively, the range of motion could have been reduced to close the gaps.
Conversely, the legs are static and I think they should be articulated. The hind legs in particular should be able to move, as we see the Brachiosaurus rear up on its back legs in the film. Even so, the shape of the body and legs seems very realistic and articulated hind legs would require two more new pieces, so I can understand this omission. The tail can move though, by rotating all the way around.
Brachiosaurus is believed to have eaten leaves from large trees, aided by its long neck. A tree is therefore included and features considerable detail, between a network of twisted branches and scattered coral flowers, which introduce some colour. The transition from the trunk to the narrow branches could be improved, but is softened by the density of those branches.
The tree measures 26cm in height, meaning the Brachiosaurus can just about reach its highest leaves, as shown below. The tree was doubtless designed for this purpose and looks splendid with the Brachiosaurus standing alongside, reaching to strip leaves from one of the branches.
Several of the dinosaur attractions visited in Jurassic Park are identified with stone signs, each showing the animal's skull and location on Isla Nublar. One such sign is found at the foot of this tree, adorned with a couple of stickers. A broken egg and a coral frog are also included, with the latter hidden in all the new Jurassic Park sets. Some represent actual frogs, while others are variously disguised.
Detail becomes sparse on the back, although the muted colours continue and this side is quite presentable. The rounded shape looks good and I like the olive green highlights, despite their unnatural position, in bands. The mixture of reddish brown and dark brown is also appealing, accented with patches of dark green moss.
Two scenes are actually combined in this set, each featuring the Brachiosaurus. The visitors' initial sighting of the dinosaurs is clearly the first, but a platform in the tree also allows Alan to feed the Brachiosaurus, after taking refuge above the ground with Lex and Tim. There would be just enough space for all three characters and the children are available in 76961 Visitor Centre: T. rex & Raptor Attack.
While the Brachiosaurus is probably the star of this set, the Jeep Wrangler has attracted notable interest as well, having never appeared with its iconic Jurassic Park livery before! The vehicle is instantly recognisable by its shape alone and closely resembles the generic off-roader in 75916 Dilophosaurus Ambush, released in 2015.
The colour scheme also looks fantastic, capturing the right combination of light bluish grey and red, without relying substantially on stickers. The diagonal red stripe across the mudguard, side panels and windscreen frame is particularly striking. Moreover, the red hubcaps correspond with the onscreen vehicle, simply using red wheel hubs.
However, the view from the front is disappointing. The vertical grille looks good and is printed, which was a pleasant surprise. The bodywork over the wheels extends too far forward though, leaving the grille and headlights strangely recessed. I am satisfied with the winch and the shape of the bonnet though, while the stickers look nice, correctly identifying this vehicle as Jeep 18.
The Jeep is somewhat oversized, reaching a width of ten studs at the wheels. There is enough room for three minifigures inside though. Alan Grant, Ellie Sattler, Ian Malcolm and a driver ride in Jeep 18 during the film, but three seats is adequate and I think space could be created for Dr. Malcolm, with minor modification towards the back.
The roll cage is attached using click hinges, so can be raised to access the minifigures easily. I like the contrasting black and dark tan colours, with the latter representing the padded section visible on the Jeep in the film. The interior is upholstered in a contrasting sand green, so also looks splendid.
Trans-red and trans-orange elements form lights on the back, flanking the spare tyre. I am glad this tyre matches others on the Jeep, but its position highlights the disproportionate width of the tyres, unfortunately. I would have preferred a slightly smaller and therefore more realistic version of the Jeep Wrangler overall, but needing to accommodate multiple minifigures and the external running boards was bound to increase its size.
Overall
76960 Brachiosaurus Discovery stands out among the new Jurassic Park sets, introducing not only the much-anticipated Brachiosaurus, but also the classic Jeep Wrangler! Neither is perfect and I especially dislike the gap at the base of the dinosaur's neck, while the Jeep could perhaps have been smaller, but the positives of both undoubtedly outweigh the negatives.
The same cannot necessarily be said for the price, sadly. £74.99, $79.99 or €84.99 feels very expensive, although that is hardly surprising because big dinosaurs are always costly. After all, the Brachiosaurus includes four new pieces, two of which are fairly large. Nevertheless, I would only recommend this set following a discount, despite its desirable contents.
118 likes
32 comments on this article
My favorite thing is the return of that grille pattern. It was used on a few Classic Space sets like 6783.
I really have to get all the Jurassic Park sets. Growing up a massive fan of the original film and dinosaurs in general.
I wonder if they could have recoloured the new Indiana Jones hat and hair to allow Dr Grant to have his amazed alternate expression (possibly with askew glasses printed where he fumbles to get them off).
Agreed that the neck looks a bit awkward, and moveable legs would be ideal. Plus the Jeep is too big (but that can be fixed!). And of course it's more expensive than I would prefer. Regardless, my 5yo has been waiting for this set for two years, so it's probably going to be a Day One purchase here. I'll happily pay the "child tax" on this one.
I don't think the price is that outrageous to be honest. Of course it would be nicer if it was cheaper, but when I first saw it I thought it would be more than it is. What I would say though is not so much give Alan an alternate head: give him a recolour of Indy's new hat/hair combo!
This is the only JP set from this wave that I’ll probably get. Don’t need the tree but the dino and jeep are must haves
Originally I just wanted this set for the Jeep and minifigs, but the Brachiosaurus with all of its flaws has grown on me. Going to try to snag this on a discount later in the year.
That tree looks sad :(
That tree is surprisingly great and I like the Jeep quite a bit (although the 2015 Dilophosaurus one is still my favorite). The Brachiosaurus looks good but its lack of articulation really drags it down. I would've expected poseable hind legs to be a priority given the iconic rearing shot, which is even recreated on the set's box. Every other large LEGO dinosaur has moveable legs so I don't appreciate the cut corners on the Brachiosaurus. That being said, the rest of the dinosaur looks incredible and is exactly what I wanted to see.
The price isn't great but honestly, given the size of the Brachiosaurus, doesn't seem as bad as some other sets this wave (Visitor Center, I'm looking at you). The Jeep alone would be a $30 set with two minifigures in today's marketplace. The tree is worth $20 at least, which leaves $30 for the Brachiosaurus. Given the BrickLink prices of large carnivores ($20-30) I'd absolutely pay $30 for a Brachiosaurus, so $80 total really isn't that bad (for the Jurassic World theme) when you break it down.
Red wheels and a (mostly) grey body, I like this classic space jeep.
I just want the Jeep so I’ll probably get the Dennis Nedry set instead. No interest in the tree and dinosaur. Wish it came with a driver figure, generic worker in the pink polo shirt.
Nice set, but indeed, very, very expensive. The dinosaur shouldn't be that expensive to produce. Most of the part doesn't need to meet specific tolerances, since it only clutches at the feet, and some joints.
For other sets, specific large parts are made that hardly cost anything. And ABS isn't that expensive.
The only reason why it's costly is because the dinosaur is attractive.
I mean I want to like it. I Love the dino. The jeep is pretty decent albeit larger than desired. I don't love the price and even though the tree is different than usual I don't love it.
I think I may have to take this off of my want list, and if I ever come across it on discount I will have to reconsider at that moment.
How much?! They're having a giraffe. Well, ok, a Brachiosaurus.
Hammond should have short sleeves. For $85, I'd expect more attention to detail.
Is the brachiosaurus called Nick because with that gaping slice in his neck he’s almost headless?
I love the Jeep and the Brachiosaurus but it's unfortunate they didn't make the the Brachi with moveable legs like the Velociraptor design.
The price is actually pretty decent given the size of the brachiosaurus. The Jeep is very, very nice and the minifigs are great. I'd totally buy this set if my annual Lego budget were bigger.
Great Jeep. Shame about the Playmobil dinosaur pretending to be a construction toy!
For that price point the legs should be movable and there should have been more detail on the tree, discount bin.
I don't understand the love...
movable legs are mandatory on a dino that size. Also, the sculpting of the neck could have been done way better then this. The tree looks horrible.
This set feels like LEGO yet again cheaping out and trying to cash in from all those people who dont care about quality anymore and are just happy to get anything really,...shame!
No movable legs on the brachiosaur takes this from a 'maybe' to a hard pass, I'm a bit shocked to be honest. The jeep looks good though, and the figs are nice, but I won't be buying this one.
Dinosaur looks like something from Playmobile.
I guess they really want us to "spare no expense"!
I don't believe Ellie's hair is new, I own that piece already although I'm unsure which set it came on - it may just have been available from BAM stations in a lego store.
> "Ellie's legs are decorated to form shorts and boots, which is effective"
> shows an embarrassingly thin layer of print
A true "Premium Product", Gentlebeings
This is one of those ones where I know the price is ridiculous, but I don't care. I could possibly wait for the shops to start clearancing them out (I've picked up "Eternals" sets cheaply, and some of the "Avatar 2" sets have just gone on sale because shops are trying to get rid of them, so I bought those cheaply as well), but that's a gamble. And honestly, this is one of the most iconic scenes of the entire JP franchise, so, I simply don't care about the cost. Shut up and take my money, you know?
Yes it's expensive, but, to quote Alan Grant, "Its... it's a dinosaur." And that Wrangler has me wanting one in Speed Champions.
@Zordboy said: "And honestly, this is one of the most iconic scenes of the entire JP franchise, so, I simply don't care about the cost."
Indeed. I've heard it compared to the opening shot of A New Hope, because it was something that moviegoers had never seen before. Yes, they'd seen dinosaurs (and spaceships) before, but never like that!
I dont think I could say a single positive thing about this set. That tree especially is utterly atrocious, maybe one of the worst ever tree builds in a set.
LEGO could have done better with the gappy neck and the non-articulated legs. …At $80, that Dino takes up about $30-35 in value. At that amount, it needs to be implemented better.
I’m Dissapointed in this one. …Should have been a home run set.
I love this set, but it's about $30 more than I want to spend.
For $80, the dinosaur needs to be so perfect that I can't find a reason to talk myself out of buying it, and they didn't pull it off.
@Zander said:
"Is the brachiosaurus called Nick because with that gaping slice in his neck he’s almost headless?"
You mean he's nearly headless?
I actually got my first paper bags in this set, containing the Brachiosaurus.
Too bad I’m also missing John Hammond’s head though…