Review: 71455 Grimkeeper the Cage Monster
Posted by CapnRex101,
The cruel Grimkeeper is the biggest Nightmare Creature in the new DREAMZzz range, towering above the diminutive Grimspawn found in other sets. Containing a prison cell in its chest, 71455 Grimkeeper the Cage Monster definitely seems interesting.
LEGO has produced some fantastic creatures in recent years and I think the Grimkeeper may be another. However, the price of £31.99, $37.99 or €37.99 feels incredibly expensive, relative to 71453 Izzie and Bunchu the Bunny and 71454 Mateo and Z-Blob the Robot.
Summary
71455 Grimkeeper the Cage Monster, 274 pieces.
£31.99 / $37.99 / €37.99 | 11.7p/13.9c/13.9c per piece.
Buy at LEGO.com »
While the Grimkeeper looks fantastic, this set is overpriced within the DREAMZzz range
- Grimkeeper conveys lots of personality
- Excellent articulation
- Z-Blob vehicle is underdeveloped
- Extremely expensive
The set was provided for review by LEGO. All opinions expressed are those of the author.
Minifigures
Mateo appears without his cape in this set, but is otherwise suitably equipped with his bright green belt and matching chest strap. The hourglass symbol of the Dream Chasers looks nice and I like the green highlights in Mateo's hair, corresponding with his belt. Additionally, the hair element includes lovely texture and will hopefully become available in other colours soon.
Almost all the DREAMZzz minifigures released to date originate from the Dream World, so this exclusive version of Cooper, featuring his normal Waking World attire, is a welcome surprise. I appreciate the similarities between this red jacket and Cooper's other minifigures, showing how aspects of the real world influence the characters' dreams.
The double-sided head and blonde hair element are shared with Cooper's other minifigures in 71458 Crocodile Car and 71459 Stable of Dream Creatures, with the latter piece appearing for the first time in this colour. Mateo also includes a head with two facial expressions, but both are smiling, which seems like a missed opportunity. However, the hero's pencil staff looks fantastic and an hourglass is provided as well.
The Completed Model
Measuring 21cm in height, the Grimkeeper looks appropriately intimidating and is significantly taller than 71453 Izzie and Bunchu the Bunny or 71454 Mateo and Z-Blob the Robot, although the three models share similar building techniques. I like the Grimkeeper's hunched stance and the colour combination of black and pearl dark grey, with magenta accents, matches the other Nightmare Creatures.
Given the size of the Grimkeeper's body, I was initially concerned that this figure would struggle to balance, thus limiting its posing options. Thankfully, large feet provide good support and the 2x2 curved cylinders are surprisingly versatile as well. Of course, functional knees and elbows would have been great, but turning the curved cylinders lends the limbs a degree of movement.
Furthermore, the head is attached using a large ball joint, which provides an excellent range of motion. The white horns are also adjustable if you wish, while the lower jaw opens on a hinge, as shown above. I like the contrast between the spring yellowish green teeth and the skeletal face, decorated with a piercing pair of yellow eyes.
A prison cell occupies the Grimkeeper's chest. The pearl dark grey door looks great, complete with a printed lock on a 1x1 tile. Dark grey bands wrap around the sides of the cell, resembling exposed ribs. The shoulder armour above is bulkier on the animated Grimkeeper and that gives the creature a more unusual silhouette, so maybe that should have been duplicated in physical form.
The door opens and there is space for a minifigure inside, attached to the studs on the back of the cell. Standing the prisoner on the floor would potentially have looked more natural, but this design allows you to place the minifigure at different heights, helpfully. The gaps on either side of the minifigure are not ideal though.
Unfortunately, the back of the Grimkeeper is rather bland. The magenta spikes behind its head are effective, but they terminate abruptly and could have continued further down the monster's back, gradually becoming smaller. Moreover, the small gaps in the prison cell could have been closed easily.
The arms and legs incorporate a new joint element, compatible with the click hinges produced before and combining neatly with the 2x2 curved cylinders. The wrists and fingers are similarly articulated. Clips are found in each hand and a fun lantern-inspired Nightmare Creature can be held in either one, featuring trans-pink wings alongside a printed yellow eye.
While the shoulder joints are partly covered by pearl dark grey armour, the hips are completely exposed. There is another difference between this version of the Grimkeeper and its animated counterpart here, as the animated creature includes faulds around its waist. Those would have been an ideal addition to the model, concealing the hip joints. However, the feet look splendid in their current form, featuring articulated claws.
The gelatinous Z-Blob usually accompanies Mateo and can take different forms, depending on the situation. I like the resemblance between this flying vehicle and Z-Blob's robotic design in 71454 Mateo and Z-Blob the Robot, although the vehicle's proportions are strange. The stud shooters appear too prominent, but their position immediately in front of Z-Blob works perfectly.
Z-Blob's eyes are printed on a trans-bright green 2x2x2 dome, matching the wings and a 1x2 brick which supports the aircraft towards the back. There is a control panel and enough space for Mateo on board, but the model is otherwise noticeably lacking in detail. The effect of Z-Blob transforming into this vehicle is certainly not as successful as his robotic form, for example.
In that respect, I actually prefer his alternative form. This hover bike looks more like Z-Blob is actually filling the white armour and the lime green elements are better hidden. Additionally, I love how Z-Blob's head is comically affixed at an angle, as well as the armour around Mateo, which the flying configuration omits.
Overall
Numerous fantasy creatures have been released in recent years, between NINJAGO, NEXO Knights, Monkey Kid and other themes. 71455 Grimkeeper the Cage Monster maintains their high standard, particularly in relation to the unique character of this model and the opportunity for expressive posing.
Z-Blob's vehicle is less appealing, but would be satisfactory for play in the smaller DREAMZzz sets. For the price of £31.99, $37.99 or €37.99, however, I think something better was required. There is a size difference between the Grimkeeper and the equivalent bipeds in 71453 Izzie and Bunchu the Bunny and 71454 Mateo and Z-Blob the Robot, but their many similarities highlight how expensive this set feels.
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31 comments on this article
The Dreamzz range sucks and will disappear quickly, as other recent absurd themes Lego tried out of the blue...
Product management won't stop rolling dices to decide on prices XD
Price is the reason I didn't even place this set on my wishlist.
274 bricks for £32 on a non-licensed theme... crazy!!!
How can Lego think this is a good approach?
I must say I really like the design. The lantern really gives this creature personality, like it's a giant stalking the night looking for victims.
That said... I guess I'll wait until I can get this one second-hand. I'm thinking of getting the Z-Blob set earlier, so hopefully in one or two years when these are common on the aftermarket I'll get one.
As it stands I won't be able to afford most of the theme. That's unfortunate, considering how desperately I want more original themes. The main reason for that is that this theme once again lacks entry level sets and is lopsided towards large sets (although less so than what is now usual), although I guess getting to choose between TWO 20 euro sets is a rare blessing you dont see that often anymore. Still, a 10 euro or even 5 euro entry set would have been a nice addition. They could have done that, as the theme is literally only constrained by what someone can dream up!
Ah well, I'll happily focus on other sets from years past for now. And I'm glad I will be able to afford a new set at release for once with the 20 euro sets.
The villains of Dreamzzz give me major Lego Universe "Maelstrom" vibes and I want to like it but none of the sets as wholes call out to me, just some of the components... unfortunately I think I'll be sleeping on this theme.
Wow they seriously dare to ask €38 for this? This is a €15-€20 set.
Ugly and expensive. Luckily there are many other nice sets available.
@Binnekamp said:
"I must say I really like the design. The lantern really gives this creature personality, like it's a giant stalking the night looking for victims.
That said... I guess I'll wait until I can get this one second-hand. I'm thinking of getting the Z-Blob set earlier, so hopefully in one or two years when these are common on the aftermarket I'll get one.
As it stands I won't be able to afford most of the theme. That's unfortunate, considering how desperately I want more original themes. The main reason for that is that this theme once again lacks entry level sets and is lopsided towards large sets (although less so than what is now usual), although I guess getting to choose between TWO 20 euro sets is a rare blessing you dont see that often anymore. Still, a 10 euro or even 5 euro entry set would have been a nice addition. They could have done that, as the theme is literally only constrained by what someone can dream up!
Ah well, I'll happily focus on other sets from years past for now. And I'm glad I will be able to afford a new set at release for once with the 20 euro sets."
Dreamzzz does have a polybag with Z-blob, Bunchu, and a nightmare spider, but I agree that there should have been a $10 set.
The price is a bit much for the parts count and the lack of a bigger/better side vehicle. Having said that, I will get this set (on sale) simply due to the fact that Grimkeeper will be THE centerpiece for my few Hidden Side sets. That's one of the coolest 'bad guys' I've ever seen from LEGO.
If the set had included armor around the hips and a more detailed back, that probably would have pushed the piece count into the 350ish range, which would have made the price much easier to stomach.
Feels a bit risky to launch a new, no-license IP and *not* have the prices be lower relative to other sets. But I guess Monkie Kid sells well enough, and it seems like every other set in that theme is over $100.
Personally, the only two sets I might consider getting are the Pegasus and the Ship. Everything else is a no.
$40 makes sense for a set twice the size of a mech, but the parts count doesn't really back it up.
One thing that's rather surprising is the lack of 2 alternate mods like all the other Dreamz sets. The alteration of the Z-blob fighter is like half an alternate.
The price is clearly to make other sets cheaper. RIGHT?
@WemWem said:
"
Feels a bit risky to launch a new, no-license IP and *not* have the prices be lower relative to other sets. But I guess Monkie Kid sells well enough, and it seems like every other set in that theme is over $100."
That's a good point. There's an assumption that customers are paying an inflated "license tax" for stuff like Marvel and Star Wars. But when the non-licenses sets are just as insanely priced, it kinda throws that theory out the window. Either there really is no "license tax" or Lego has truly lost their minds.
@Altair1970 said:
"The Dreamzz range sucks and will disappear quickly, as other recent absurd themes Lego tried out of the blue..."
What an incredibly negative and pointless comment
@Cin said:
"Price is the reason I didn't even place this set on my wishlist. "
Same.
It’s available at Argos. I’m betting that it will eventually be heavily discounted, possibly down to two for £32. If so, I’ll buy a couple, keeping one and selling the other for £16. If anyone in the UK wants to PM me when the time comes…
@Terreneflame said:
" @Altair1970 said:
"The Dreamzz range sucks and will disappear quickly, as other recent absurd themes Lego tried out of the blue..."
What an incredibly negative and pointless comment"
And wrong as well. The buzz for this theme is extremely positive. I’m quite sure this’ll be at least a three wave theme. Maybe even more.
I think Dreamzz is a very cool theme. For some reason it reminds me of Time Cruisers/Time Twisters, except implemented by today's generally sound Lego compared to the late '90s Lego that was floundering.
I agree the price per piece is expensive on this - as it is on most City sets and Juniors/4+ sets.
I know some folks think TLG is simply greedy and/or incompetent with their pricing, but it seems to me that most of these overpriced, non-licensed, non-motorized sets have the common factor of having relatively low part counts. So my guess is that a lot of these sets exceed 10c per part because Lego can't fully absorb the fixed costs into the price-per-part cost. In other words, I am guessing the cost for them to include another 50-100 pieces in a given set is very small compared to the cost of developing a set, designing the box art and instructions, printing and assembling the box, instructions, and part bags, packing, shipping, distribution, and so on.
Slightly off topic, but is today the day we get the second half of Dreamzzz season 1? I remember someone saying something about August.
I'm not that keen on the set, but I love the idea of this creature of the night-time DreamZzz who will try to catch you and then lock you in a cage in it's chest! More like NightmareZzz.
@JDawg5 said: "Either there really is no "license tax" or Lego has truly lost their minds."
Six for one, half a dozen for the other.
The pricing, for the second-half 2023 sets, has been absolutely bonkers. The Marvel and SW stuff is just ridiculous, and the HP sets aren't much better.
I really like this set, but I'm absolutely waiting for the prices to come down before I purchase it, because $60AUD is just a bit silly, really.
I like this set and need it for my Halloween display.
But, I'm waiting until prices go UP! After all, pretty dressage ponies can't buy their own oats and barley. Do you know what kind of gas goes in an entire collection of Ferraris? That's some real expensive stuff, my friend.
I'm feeling so sad for KKK. I just wish there was a GoFundMe page or something to help out the po' Lego owners.
@Zordboy said:
" @JDawg5 said: "Either there really is no "license tax" or Lego has truly lost their minds."
Six for one, half a dozen for the other.
The pricing, for the second-half 2023 sets, has been absolutely bonkers. The Marvel and SW stuff is just ridiculous, and the HP sets aren't much better.
I really like this set, but I'm absolutely waiting for the prices to come down before I purchase it, because $60AUD is just a bit silly, really."
Slightly off topic, but I was walking around the Melbourne Lego store last weekend, and was honestly shocked to find I could not find a Lego set for under $20 unless I wanted a tiny polybag. The death of inexpensive Lego sets is honestly very dissapointing.
@MudkipDoom said: "Slightly off topic, but I was walking around the Melbourne Lego store last weekend, and was honestly shocked to find I could not find a Lego set for under $20 unless I wanted a tiny polybag. The death of inexpensive Lego sets is honestly very dissapointing."
I was in K-mart last week and saw that the new Thanos/Hulkbuster 4+ set is about $40.
FORTY DOLLARS!
There's like ten pieces in the set.
It's inexplicable, to me. Just utterly bizarre.
I bought 71454 today, and even though the articulation isn't something I'm used to, I quite enjoy the contents of the set as a whole.
Next set I'm looking at is this one, I quite like Cooper's character.
A grimspawn or two should have been included though.
@Cin said:
"Price is the reason I didn't even place this set on my wishlist. "
Just because you don't want to pay for a set doesn't mean you don't want the set itself. I've added sets to my wanted list despite considering them too expensive.And sometime I've managed to find them on clearance at Walmart, at which point I was like, "Yoink!"
this should have been 21e too, like the other two figures...
Another victim of too expensive for what it offers. Shame, as DreamZzz seems like it could be really cool, and I intended to buy some of the sets.
Just realized, there's something hysterically/historically appropriate to Mateo having a "Pencil-Staff" (more a "Spear"/"Javelin", but I digress...):
On the series "Toys That Built America", they had a Lego episode...yes, yes; Lego is Danish NOT American, but it does have some "roots" or at least "growth" via the U.S.; anywho....The show got to the part where the lead designer was trying to figure out: how to improve the 'cohesion' between the bricks. Said designer took his pencil, and put the eraser-end between the studs...AND IT STUCK...and the rest is history.:)
@Altair1970 said:
"The Dreamzz range sucks and will disappear quickly, as other recent absurd themes Lego tried out of the blue..."
I disagree, I like it very much