Review: 10331 Kingfisher

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Following up on the enormously popular Botanical series which brought more fans to the hobby, LEGO is branching out to the animal world with 10331 Kingfisher. This bright, colourful bird that has been captured in many eye-catching photographs is an interesting choice.

Will animals prove to be as popular as the plants? I'll take a detailed look at the model from every angle after the break.

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Review: 76277 War Machine Mech Armour

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The quality of Marvel mechs varies significantly. Some are expertly designed for their respective pilots, while others seem more generic and lack proper character. For instance, Iron Man mechs have struggled, capturing the hero's distinctive colours, but little else.

76277 War Machine Mech Armour should have an advantage, as War Machine's armour includes far more visible weaponry, which could be translated to a mech. Additionally, this set contains an exclusive War Machine minifigure, so has another opportunity to impress there.

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Review: 60431 Space Explorer Rover and Alien Life

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LEGO has favoured more realistic space rovers recently, although 60431 Space Explorer Rover and Alien Life evidently takes a more outlandish approach to the idea. The result looks fantastic in official images and includes some ingenious functions for a model of this size.

Moreover, the price of £24.99, $34.99 or €29.99 seems inexpensive for a set with such exceptional play value. Having already reviewed some wonderful Space sets this month, I get the impression that the space rover could be another.

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Review: 75372 Clone Trooper & Battle Droid Battle Pack

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Incredibly, the standard Phase II Clone Trooper has only appeared in six sets and the latest was produced in 2014. 75372 Clone Trooper & Battle Droid Battle Pack is thus an appealing prospect and features three standard Clone Troopers, as well as a red-armoured Shock Trooper.

Moreover, this Battle Pack reintroduces the Super Battle Droid, which has been missing for almost as long as the Clone Trooper! Between a fantastic minifigure selection and vehicles aligned with the Republic and Separatists, there is plenty to appreciate here.

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Review: 71471 Mateo's Off-Road Car

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The gelatinous Z-Blob is able to transform into multiple vehicles, now including 71471 Mateo's Off-Road Car. The shape of the vehicle is slightly unusual and thus looks awkward, although the details shared with Z-Blob's robotic form are effective.

However, this is an instance where I believe the secondary quadcopter mode, not displayed on the front of the box, is actually superior to the off-road car. On that basis, there is more to this set than it seems.

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Review: 71805 Jay's Mech Battle Pack

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NINJAGO has never been a stranger to mechs, but the new wave takes their dominance to an extreme! 71805 Jay's Mech Battle Pack includes the smallest of those mechs, although its four minifigures have undoubtedly attracted more attention than Jay's mech.

This makes sense because it is unusual to find four minifigures in a NINJAGO set costing as little as £8.99, $9.99 or €9.99, particularly when two of those minifigures are exclusive, while two others are perfect for army building.

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Review: 60404 Burger Truck

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It seems LEGO City is being taken to extremes in 2024, between the new Space range and 60404 Burger Truck. This model is definitely distinctive and perhaps less realistic than equivalent trucks produced before, although I find its eye-catching design very appealing.

The burger-shaped structure looks excellent and can be detached to become a separate burger stand, while the actual truck is impressive too. In addition, both minifigures are new and I was surprised to find no stickers required, as any decorated parts are printed!

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Review: 30680 AAT

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LEGO obviously considers the AAT an interesting subject for microscale models. After all, the tank has already appeared in three Advent Calendars and two polybags. 30680 AAT is the third.

The vehicle looks remarkably detailed for its size and its release is fitting, for the 25th anniversary of The Phantom Menace.

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Review: 71045 Collectable Minifigures Series 25

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71037 Collectable Minifigures Series 24 could be considered among the best series of Collectable Minifigures released to date and I am expecting great things from 71045 Collectable Minifigures Series 25. There are various desirable characters included, after all.

The sinister Vampire Knight has drawn particular attention, modernising Basil the Bat Lord, while the long-awaited goat is also available with the Goatherd. However, all twelve minifigures have something to offer and the high standard appears remarkably consistent across the series.

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Review: 10328 Bouquet of Roses

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As you might expect, roses have been an integral part of the botanical collection since its inception in 2021. The first bouquet, 10280, included a trio of them in light nougat, and the supplementary set released the same year, 40460 Roses, contained two red ones.

The latest addition to the collection, 10328 Bouquet of Roses, contains a dozen stems, making it the perfect gift for your loved one on Valentine's Day.

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Review: 60430 Interstellar Spaceship

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The previous Space subtheme in LEGO City prioritised realism, clearly contrasting with the new range. 60430 Interstellar Spaceship seems like a product of science fiction and looks very sleek, focusing on pure speed over storage or other practical considerations.

I love the angular shape of this vehicle and its proportions, while its central function was a pleasant surprise too. There is even an exclusive minifigure, so this should prove to be another great addition to the Space subtheme.

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Review: 71475 Mr. Oz's Space Car

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71460 Mr. Oz's Spacebus was an outstanding set from the initial wave of DREAMZzz sets, expertly mixing the mundane with the fantastical. 71475 Mr. Oz's Space Car seemingly achieves the same, which bodes well, especially given its lower price, relative to the Spacebus.

Also, all three alternative models appear equally impressive, a feat accomplished by very few DREAMZzz sets to date. The minifigure selection is appealing too, including both Mr. Oz and Albert the chimpanzee, so this should be another satisfying set.

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Review: 40725 Cherry Blossoms

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I think it's fair to say that the botanical collection is one of the most popular, attractive and innovative product lines at the moment, and one that is responsible for bringing many people into the hobby that would not have considered buying LEGO otherwise.

40725 Cherry Blossoms is this year's pocket-money priced set, which is both an attractive model when displayed on its own, or with others in the collection.

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Review: 42639 Andrea's Modern Mansion

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42639 Andrea's Modern Mansion has made a big splash in the January wave of sets. And for good reason - it's the largest Friends set ever released (2275 pieces), the most expensive (£169.99 / $199.99 / €199.99), has the most minidolls (10), and is the first with a 14+ recommended age rating.

With that price and piece count, this is a set comparable to the modular buildings. Appropriately, the designer of this set, Wes Talbott, does have a modular building (10270 Bookshop) in his portfolio.

This is the set that many Friends aficionados have been clamouring for - a Heartlake City build that appeals to the theme's older fans. It's also the first retail set with all five of the original Friends! Let's see how the original Friends have grown up in this sophisticated, stylish build that's sure to please Friends fans and create some new ones.

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Review: 60428 Space Construction Mech

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60428 Space Construction Mech stood out to me when the new Space range was announced, due partly I am sure to the similarities between this model and 8957 Mine Mech from the esteemed Power Miners theme. Somehow, the proportions of both mechs are very appealing.

However, nostalgia is far from the only source of interest here, as the mech is nicely articulated and piloted by a desirable minifigure, wearing new space armour. With a price of only £8.99, $10.99 or €9.99, this should be an excellent set.

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