A2L

The first thing that struck me is the clash of brick built blocky elements (the tree, reindeer) with the modern elements (curves, domes, arches) of the building and the detailed sleigh. Its unfortunate that we are getting a brick-built reindeer. The potential of reusing a reindeer is great. Mountain hut comes to my mind right now.

Hmm...military theme - yes, actual armies - no. Cannot be that difficult. Come on. Think that alien invaders attack the world 10 days from now. What will you use to defend them? Aircrafts - Fxx, Sukhoi, Rafale, assortment of tanks and rocket launchers and missiles from different countries coming together. How about translating this to a military theme - World Force vs Aliens or something.

Megabloks, excluding the micro scale figures, are way better. I remember being so disappointed after buying Smurfs that I never bought a single Mega set after that. Parts did not fit, some were loose and fell off. And look now, beginning with Halo, moving upto Blok Squad and now the fantastic Call of Duty line (my opinion changed after I got a Blok Squad at a clearance sale). It is amazing how far they have improved their designs, quality, build process and customer service. Not only the lines are fantastic, particularly the WWII line from Call of Duty (CoD), their builds are so solid that sometimes I thought that I was building with LEGO. Even the treads on the drone that came apart in 2 days were replaced by a different one through online customer service. The newer ones have lasted weeks of playing without a single tear. So yes, there is no comparison with LEGO, but they are definitely up there now, no more a one glance reject, even for serious collectors. This year will see a lot of my attention moving to MegaBloks from LEGO (first time ever). The only drawback being their figures (which gain have improved a lot with CoD). That is where Kre-O scores higher.

Good to see that so many AFOLs are waking up to this. Quality can be controlled. But what about the cost factor? Whatever the reasons and explanations for TLG's move, it is definitely cheaper to produce in China. Unless TLG in China, pays 3 times the salary that the average Chinese worker earns in a similar job.The question is will TLG pass on that benefit to the consumer?

I am not starting another generic animal wishlist. Since many of us talk about target audience, I thought of putting the wish list of a 7 year old, all in Friends animals series: 1. Penguin, 2. Seal, 3. Peacock 4. Panda, 5. Goat in some farm set and 6. Reindeer in Christina's Christmas set. "No wild animals should be included as they would look strange with cute blue eyes, and other kids may think they are friendly and go near them to play in real life!" If any similar thread already exists, please merge this. Would love to see your lists too (mind you all with cute eyes, eyelashes and smiley faces).

"The fawn really looks awful. Oh no, isn't the face like that of the monkey that you have, that strange mouth" - int the words of a 7 years old 'target audience'. Are we getting a deer? In Friends theme or in general?

Though I don't know about licensing terms, I can see a very encouraging action by TLG. They have introduced a battle pack in the first wave of a licensed set, The Lone Ranger and without mincing words called it a Cavalry Builder Set. I hope this carries forward into future Orc, Gondor and Rohan battle packs.

Thanks TLG, finally for giving the pooch with a different print (a bow instead of a collar), not just different color, in a separate Friends animal series. I hope this carries over to other animals and other themes.

The timeless question with friends animals: To use or not to use (in other sets). From what I can make out, one has eyelash, other doesn't, which means the one without the lash is a wee bit more acceptable in other sets (to me of course). Please TLG if you can print a bow instead of a collar on the pooch, please print bead eyes on the dolphins for another city set. My lil one of course is very excited, wants at least 4!

For me the cotton bud works very well. I just insert it and push it out genly at an angle. The head comes out neatly without damage or scratches. You have to use the full cotton buds, not the thin soft ones for babies. I use J&J.

Good to see that this topic has picked up steam finally. No, they are absolutely not. The minifigs hands are not angled outward like the minidolls. Just take a look at the elbow angles of both. Having said that, I don't think that my question is ever minifigs vs minidolls or why minidolls and not only minifigs. I have observed quite a few "perceived demographic" elements right at home and at play at gatherings. They love the minidolls and cannot ever think of minifigs as replacement of minidolls. The most shunned minifigs are the ones with "gowns" because they cannot do much. The most accepted ones are of course "cute ones" like Tamina, Hermoine (check sp). The minidolls and the animals (as much as I dislike them with cartoon like eyes and even eyelashes!) have opened a new exciting world of play for these girls. But and here comes the but that gave rise to the initial question, there is a marked degree of disappointment while using accessories, because of the hands. The disappointment becomes more when the boys show them how the sailor holds the telescope or the dj the mic vs how Andrea holds the mic. They have found a semi-happy solution by turning the head with a little force towards the mic or telescope, as the rubbery hair allows them to do so unlike the solid plastic hair. The above quote really sums up how they play. Just add a zillion multicolored hairbands and bows and tiaras that can be changed every minute (that TLG has already provided), and the picture is complete.

Excellent! Not only the ship itself, but the exceptional details in every quarter that makes your creation amazing.

This is mindblowing. One of the best creations that I have seen. The way you made the dome is fascinating. I hope some day you will put a small tutorial about the creation of the dome for newbies like me trying to find a way around in (LEGO) architecture.

To me it is a resounding Yes. I am really happy about the minifigures in particular. See LoTR. In wave 1 the prints of King Theoden and Haldir were exceptinal. However I didn't expect them to do surpass that so soon with Arwen and Elrond in wave 2. Today the figures convey so much more even after encapsulating the whole character in the trademark LEGO minifigure. I am also happy to see more printed parts replacing stickers (which unfortunately will always be there as kids love them).

Thanks Aanchir for your detailed reply. Totally agree, a very fine line.