Review: 71454 Mateo and Z-Blob the Robot
Posted by CapnRex101,
Despite including just 237 pieces, 71454 Mateo and Z-Blob the Robot could be considered the flagship set within the initial LEGO DREAMZzz range. After all, Z-Blob's robotic form appears prominently in the animated series and across marketing material for the theme.
The combination of shapeless slime and white armour is striking and Z-Blob appears to have a lot of personality in official images, which is vitally important. Additionally, the price of £18.99, $19.99 or €20.99 certainly seems enticing.
Summary
71454 Mateo and Z-Blob the Robot, 237 pieces.
£18.99 / $19.99 / €20.99 | 8.0p/8.4c/8.9c per piece.
Buy at LEGO.com »
This is my favourite of the smaller DREAMZzz sets, as Z-Blob's robot form is brilliant
- Characterful design
- Fun equipment for Z-Blob
- Nightmare creature is great for play
- Large weapon can hinder posing
The set was provided for review by LEGO. All opinions expressed are those of the author.
Minifigures
Since this set is dedicated to Mateo and his accidental creation, Z-Blob, I am disappointed that his cape is not included here. This minifigure is otherwise splendid though, featuring a new hair element, with green streaks to match his right eye. The bright green belt and printed chest strap are appealing too, while Mateo's dual-moulded legs are brilliantly detailed.
Jayden appears in three of the new DREAMZzz sets, generally as a captive of the nightmare creatures. I love his unicorn-emblazoned pyjamas, which remind me of the titular minifigure in 43106 Unicorn DJ BeatBox, sharing similar colours. Additionally, the inclusion of old-fashioned braces is interesting, on both the neutral and sleeping faces.
There are slight gaps between the wires supporting Jayden's braces and his hair, but these are only small. As usual, Mateo comes equipped with his pencil staff, used to create Z-Blob, as well as a dual-moulded hourglass with the Dream Chasers' emblem on top, thus matching the hero's torso.
The Completed Model
A nightmare creature is included to snatch Jayden, incorporating a simple bed. Despite being small, this monster is immediately identifiable with similar creatures in other sets, featuring the same printed yellow eyes and spring yellowish green claws. The legs are individually articulated, as are the claws wrapped around Jayden, so characterful poses are possible.
Z-Blob is essentially amorphous and able to take different forms with assistance from Mateo's dream crafting, including an aircraft in 71455 Grimkeeper the Cage Monster and this 16cm-tall robot. The proportions of this figure are absolutely perfect, featuring large hands and feet, which certainly give the model a sense of strength, despite its relatively slender limbs.
The use of 2x2 curved cylinders for the limbs somewhat limits Z-Blob's articulation, as the figure lacks elbow and knee joints. Nevertheless, simply twisting the curved cylinders provides some variety, in combination with rotating wrists, adjustable fingers and a waist joint, as well as the expected click hinges at the shoulders and hips. Moreover, the range of ankle motion is superb, so Z-Blob stands easily.
DREAMZzz provides an opportunity to outfit models with varied equipment, so the basic robot shown above can be equipped for combat. A stud-shooting turret is therefore attached over the shoulder and a large gun, seemingly launching goo, is attached in the robot's hand. This change is less dramatic than many others across the DREAMZzz range, but is still fun.
Posing becomes more difficult with the weapon attached, as its considerable size disrupts the balance of the figure. However, there are still many options and I like Mateo's seat on Z-Blob's shoulder cannon, reflecting the characters' close relationship in the animated series. Ideally, the basic robot would include a similar means for Mateo to ride on Z-Blob's back.
Z-Blob's trans-bright green head looks great, importantly decorated with small eyes to ensure consistency with other versions of the character. A couple of stickers are applied on the chest, including one that displays the Dream Chasers' symbol. I like how curved slopes and tiles are combined on the torso, especially as the structure narrows gradually towards the waist.
The back of the figure looks reasonable as well. The use of inverted curved slopes is effective and the support for the shoulder cannon is fairly neat. Unfortunately, the range of movement is decidedly restricted because there is little lateral motion, despite the presence of a ball joint and a click hinge.
A new flame component is found in several DREAMZzz sets, including this trans-bright green and bright green element. This serves nicely as slime shooting from Z-Blob's blaster, although the red Technic axle connecting the projectile to the barrel is awkward. I think the texture on the blaster could be improved as well, but the slime container underneath is an excellent addition.
The hands and feet incorporate 2x5 armour pieces, which were created for NINJAGO mechs and provide some texture. I especially like their combination with black 2x2 slopes with ridges on the feet and the light bluish grey accents are appealing too. In addition, the new joint pieces at the hips and shoulders work seamlessly with the 2x2 curved cylinders.
A few additional accessories are also included, but not shown in official images or on the box, strangely. The stickered flag in the centre is supposed to be a target and I presume the trans-bright green blobs are too. Of course, these elements are actually required for Z-Blob's other form, presented below.
Z-Blob's blaster and shoulder cannon can be reassembled into a mask, jetpack and twin wrist-mounted stud shooters. This is my preferred of the two configurations, primarily because I find the jetpack much more appealing than the blaster. Also, the figure is easier to pose without any oversized weaponry to carry.
Admittedly though, the wrist blasters seem odd without the ability to straighten Z-Blob's arms. However, the mask looks superb. The trans-bright green 1x1 round tiles form interesting eyes and I like how the mask connects around the head, using clips on either side. This construction method prevents the mask from turning with the head though, which is disappointing.
The aforementioned target becomes an adjustable flag on the robot's back, connected to the jetpack. The green tanks look nice and I think the trans-bright green flame is better integrated here than on the blaster, perhaps because this is how the element has been used in other sets as well.
Overall
71454 Mateo and Z-Blob the Robot serves as a perfect introduction to the DREAMZzz range. The titular robot provides fantastic personality and looks impressive whether heavily armed or wearing a jetpack. Moreover, despite lacking elbow and knee joints, there is still an opportunity for numerous poses and the inclusion of a nightmare creature is ideal for play.
The price of £18.99, $19.99 or €20.99 represents fair value and I would therefore recommend this set. However, I find it odd that the three smallest DREAMZzz sets are so similar. 71453 Izzie and Bunchu the Bunny, 71454 Mateo and Z-Blob the Robot and 71455 Grimkeeper the Cage Monster each focus on bipedal figures of roughly equivalent scale and I think something different would have been welcome at this price point.
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14 comments on this article
I adore this set and can't wait to pick it up once I have the money to spare again :)
Finally something new for once, even if it's basically a mech/constraction figure. I always love original themes for the wackiness and creativity they can include and this set is great for that. And moreover, it's not exorbitantly expensive for once!
I can already see an alternate build with a transparent green worm like creature made out of those parts.
And I think this is still a more interesting build compared to those fixed knee/elbow parts used in other mechs (ninjago and star wars)
Also goes well with the color scheme from the various Monkie Kid Mei builds.
The big gun is indeed causing some headache. I also find it unfortunate that you cannot build an "all in one" variant with the blaster and the full jetpack.
Replacing two pieces at the bottom of the gun slime container with an unused one from the second setup allows for a third setup that is quite interesting: you get the (modified) gun and shoulder mounted stud shooters from the first setup, and the mask from the second one. Z-Blob definitely looks battle ready ! The change to the gun is barely noticeable.
@CapnRex101: "However, I find it odd that the three smallest DREAMZzz sets are so similar." Well, you're 'correct' in terms of "size" and partially "feel"; but it's on the latter: feel, where there's the "difference":
"Mateo and Z-Blob the Robot" (which is NOT a robot, again; a CYBORG or a MECH) is clearly an homage to 50's-60's Sci-Fi, and things like "The Iron Giant". "Izzie and Bunchu the Bunny", is kinda' "Kaiju"/"Giant Monster" (which is also 50's-60's Sci-Fi, or rather "a branch" of it); but also very cartoony, especially compared to "Grimkeeper the Cage Monster". That last one's definitely "Kaiju" and definitely "Giant Monster" (and would probably be at home in something like WH40K). Point is: while it is a overall "theme" ("dreams" vs. 'nightmares", or "creativity" vs. "corruption"), their a lot of "play" going on here: crazy vehicles, crazier creatures, and some of the coolest foes this side of Nexo Knights...let's just hope it outpaces it...
(Edit): Guess I should mention: my set arrived Monday last week, along side my ordered 71453 Izzie and Bunchu the Bunny...just gotta' find time to build 'em...but I think they'll go on the "mech shelf"...poor Lex Luthor:). Also got my 60395: Combo Race Pack on Tuesday, and while doing stuff "right now" Family Channel's running the DreamZzz series back-to-back, so not a bad week..:D
I've said it before, and I'll say it again:
This set is so close to greatness. So close......
This set has one huge flaw - the torso can be really easy deattached from legs.
This is on my wanted list the day it was announced. I think the base mech is a wonderful foundation for your own attachemnts made from the spare parts.
I loved the price of this guy. In a time when most Lego sets are becoming absurdly over-priced, I was shocked at how affordable this set was -- a great contrast to the Grimcatcher set which, in Australia at least, is almost 3 times the cost of Z-blob's mech.
The gun does mess with the balance, but the one thing I really don't like about the design is the grey piece at the waist. It doesn't make for a solid, stable connection at all.
And I'll end with a positive. I love it when Lego gives us great villains, and not only does the Nightmare King make for pure nightmare fuel (he looks like Sauron and Imhotep had a child), but I love the little army of creepy child-kidnapping demonic spider monsters.
Incidentally, today I saw a commercial on TV for LEGO DREAMZzz. It's the first time I have seen a dedicated LEGO commercial on TV in decades. Considering how expensive TV commercials are one has to wonder why LEGO suddenly feel the need to use that way of advertising. Could it be that sales are starting to slow due to their recent overpricing almost everything (not this set in particular though, but you know the general trend)?
@AustinPowers said:
"Incidentally, today I saw a commercial on TV for LEGO DREAMZzz. It's the first time I have seen a dedicated LEGO commercial on TV in decades. Considering how expensive TV commercials are one has to wonder why LEGO suddenly feel the need to use that way of advertising. Could it be that sales are starting to slow due to their recent overpricing almost everything (not this set in particular though, but you know the general trend)? "
Every bigger theme has lot of commercials nowadays. Mario, Star Wars, Creator...
@lordofdragonss said:
" @AustinPowers said:
"Incidentally, today I saw a commercial on TV for LEGO DREAMZzz. It's the first time I have seen a dedicated LEGO commercial on TV in decades. Considering how expensive TV commercials are one has to wonder why LEGO suddenly feel the need to use that way of advertising. Could it be that sales are starting to slow due to their recent overpricing almost everything (not this set in particular though, but you know the general trend)? "
Every bigger theme has lot of commercials nowadays. Mario, Star Wars, Creator..."
Not over here. At least not on mainstream channels like with the commercial I mentioned.
Can the Z-Blob aircraft combines with the Z-Blob robot?!
Not bad at all. Won't buy it but I hope someone will turn this into a Blacktron II version.