[REVIEW] Greek Hoplite Minifig

[KimT]

You all know by now what the box looks like.

But since it's such a pretty blue colour, let's have a look at it once more:

It looks soo much better than the yellow version from Series 1.

Plus I for one believe that the 2nd wave is waaaaay better.

Let's have a little background on this fella.

Some 15 years ago, when I was somewhat younger than today, I kinda fancied stories about Ancient Greece and the whole mediterranean area. I especially liked Athens' story and how the city evovled.

So when this minifig started showing up, I got a little puzzled at the many people calling it a "Spartan".

This is (to me) the epitomy of Athenian defense - the Greek Hoplite.

It may very well be that the Spartans also utilized a similar unit, but I still think the proper name for it would be either Athenian Hoplite or Greek Hoplite.

I choose the latter to avoid any further discussion - which I think I just ignited myself anyway

Here's a picture of my current horde:

Sweet bunch, aren't they?

I hope to get more from searching boxes at toystores around the city.

The Greek Hoplite

I am really impressed with this one.

He looks good from all angles

The Breakdown

The Torso: Good looking. They've used that new colour nougat-dark-fleshie-something to resemble a leather armor and they've done well.

The printing is good, and the plastic is acceptable.

It looks a little "Chinese" and it is - at least it says so on the bag.

The Head: He's got his "battle-face" on, that's for sure.

This is a grown-up man ready to kick some butt.

The Legs: This could have been great, sadly it's a little disappointing.

The print design is awesome, but the red used doesn't "cover" the yellow legs properly.

It looks a little transparent and the overlap in the print on the side of the leg is just hideous.

A nice try, but too "watery" and the dark red hip is also much too "Chinese" and slightly transparent compared to regular dark red bricks and parts.

The Weaponry & Armor

The Shield: Thank you TLG for giving us this.

Perfect design, simple as it should be.

This is what LEGO looks like - a shield worthy of a King!

The Spear: Again, perfect. The idea of making it dual coloured is awesome.

The spear point is superbly designed and dark metallic gray goes really well with the light version.

The spear point has been made using the soft material that we've seen before.

Sadly this prevents our Hoplites from doing any real damage in combat

The Helmet: Perfection once more

Made just the way it should be.

The plume/feather is painted on and cannot be removed.

Final Verdict

Except for the blunder in the leg print, this is a really great minifig.

All those parts - helmet, shield, spear, dark-red cape and a minifig for around 3 EUR - what's not to like?

I'll consider replacing the legs- not sure yet.

What's your thoughts on this one?

flickr

[ThatGuyWithTheBricks]

Nice review. It's a shame about the quality . Hope that gets fixed for series 3.

[KimT]

Nice review. It's a shame about the quality . Hope that gets fixed for series 3.

Only the legs are really poor.

I doubt we'll see much change in series 3 as all series are produced in China.

[Sisco]

It's a nice figure. I have to agree with you that it's a Greek or Athenian Hoplite and not a Spartan. Pop culture paints spartans to look like Hoplites, so it makes sense that people would think that the figure is a Spartan.

[KimT]

It's a nice figure. I have to agree with you that it's a Greek or Athenian Hoplite and not a Spartan. Pop culture paints spartans to look like Hoplites, so it makes sense that people would think that the figure is a Spartan.

Plus I recall something about the Spartans being long-haired contra the short military cut of the Athenians.

[Sisco]

There's that, too. Whatever it may be, it's a nice figure that I will definitely be keeping an eye out for.

[Mr. Elijah Timms]

The biggest complaint about this fig is that I do not currently have about two dozen of them in my possession.

Very impressive-- and nice review as well Kim.

[Shroffy123]

This minifig looks great. I really hope that I'll have an opportunity to pick them up. I was unable to get the series 1. Are they only found at Lego STORES? I never found them at my local TRU.

[KimT]

This minifig looks great. I really hope that I'll have an opportunity to pick them up. I was unable to get the series 1. Are they only found at Lego STORES? I never found them at my local TRU.

I found this lot in a local bookstore.

I haven't seen Series 2 in any toystores yet.

Wether or not they are in LEGO stores, I have no idea.

Oddly Denmark hasn't got a single LEGO Brand Store

[lightningtiger]

Now this dude or dude's are a must - even just for the weapons , but it's a pity - no sword !

I could just see Lego bring out a series with seige engines too !

Come on series 2.......I'm a conformist! everyone !

[SpiderSpaceman]

The biggest complaint about this fig is that I do not currently have about two dozen of them in my possession.

Amen!

Like a couple of the figures from the first wave, (cheerleader, zombie) this is a figure I thought "what's the big deal" about until I got a good all around look at it. now, oh geez, I need all i can get

Mariachi still takes precedence though and the weightlifter.

[Slack-N-Hash]

Great review you took your time to be thorough and I like that.

sad that the plastic is chinesy. We should get used to this from now on I think.

I'm just waiting for someone from that customizer guy to say that Lego stolen his idea. I think Lego design is superior in all ways and justs looks like what lego should be. Its about time and I aplaud you lego.

[Svelte]

Thanks for the review KimT! I agree Series 2 is generally more satisfying, and it's interesting to see nougaty flesh in minifig parts rather than just bricks.

The leg printing issue is not new - the Caveman in Series 1 showed the same problem (large yellow gap) and you can see it in superkalle and Ras74's review of other Series 2 figs like the surfer. Everything else is pretty fantastic though and it's sure to be a highly sought after fig.

I actually think replacing all the dodgy minifig legs with yellow Slave Leia printed legs isn't too much of a stretch Either that, or let them go commando

[WhiteFang]

Thanks KimT. This is one outstanding piece of minifig which many are looking forward to.I agreed that the leg piece is rather problematic but the overall concept and design just takes my breath away. I love all of its unique weapons and accessories given to this legendary warrior of all times. I am glad this made it here, and I strongly believe this will be the most popular minifig among both series, even more hotter than Forestmen, Zombie and Cheerleader even.

[XimenaPaulina]

Great review Kim, and even greater collection of the Greek Hoplites. They do look good as an army, this is 'the one' that I will be collecting the most in Series 2. The overall details (accessories, prints) are great IMO, never mind the very slightly minor less quality compared to the standard MFs.

[prateek]

Great review. I shall (try to) get this! IMO, he should've been clean shaven though.

[Shroffy123]

I found this lot in a local bookstore.

I haven't seen Series 2 in any toystores yet.

Wether or not they are in LEGO stores, I have no idea.

Oddly Denmark hasn't got a single LEGO Brand Store

Thank you for the info, and the detailed review! I really hope I can get my hands on these figs. Now, I just need to figure out what type of structure I should build for them :)

[Klaus-Dieter]

Thank you very much for this great review, KimT!

The Hoplite looks perect!

I'll only buy one since there is no Greek theme for which I can use it - but one I want.

Klaus-Dieter

[Rick]

Great fig. The quality of the molds and printing looks excellent (as it does on the series 1 figures). Shame about the leg printing. I don't consider it a big issue though.

[Lord Arjay]

Thanks for the review.

This fig is the one I'm most excited about from the whole of whole of Series 2. It just has so much going for it, the dual-coloured spear, the amazing sheild, the detailed helmet and a red cape! Ok the red capes nothing new but it's nice to see it anyway. I'm not to fussed over the leg printing myself, though I can see why others would not like it. If I only manage to get one of these figs then this will be it.

[squiz]

thanks for the close up pictures! This is a great minifig, probably my favourite from the two series. Shame there is only 3 to a box though! I envisage alot of trips to pick up this fig, im hoping for at least 5! If only they were out in the UK

Edited August 3, 2010 by squiz

[Tanotrooper]

Well, he can be more or less any Greek (or even Roman) hoplite but since the cape is red and the face represent a certain 'this is ...' face I do believe that the designers had a Spartan in mind. (According to the legends, Spartans wore red capes so that the enemy wouldn't see them bleeding.)

Anyway, back to the review. It is a great figure and I haven't found any so far. I'm surprised the torso is the nougat coulor, I thought it was dark tan from the pictures. That would mean that the armour is made of bronze instead of leather. (Hoplites used both bronze breastplates as linnen armours but these had a different design.)

I think the shields offers a lot of possibilities to add something to add for example a 2*2 dish inverted. I'm surprised that the handle is like that of a long Medieval shield since the predecessor, the round dark grey shield, had a handle just like the small Medieval shield.

The helmet is perfect, although one detail is too much. I suppose this represents the Corynthian type of helmet but since it was designed to protect all of the head, it didn't include holes for the ears. This was troublesome for the hearing though, and other, lighter types of helmets were made with holes for the ears. (Like the Attic helmets)

I'm surprised the spear's so soft. I do like it's design but I'm wondering weither the colours are a good choice for a hoplite. (brown handle with gold tip would be more suitable)

The legs are good though. They made sandals and pulled it all the way through around the sides. The legs have some defaults but since I won't be using them I don't mind

Finally, the face disappoints me a bit. Without the helmet he looks a bit like a pirate...

Anyway, great figure, hoping to get as many as possible.

Gaetano

[KimT]

Well, he can be more or less any Greek (or even Roman) hoplite but since the cape is red and the face represent a certain 'this is ...' face I do believe that the designers had a Spartan in mind. (According to the legends, Spartans wore red capes so that the enemy wouldn't see them bleeding.)

That's a fair point that I'd forgotten about.

Let's just call him Ancient Greece Soldier then?

[Zorbas]

Thanks KimT! The minifig looks fantastic! I honestly must get several of those! The helmet looks great and it is the highlight in my opinion!

(Sorry for the enthusiasm. Obvious reasons you see... )

P.S

I was a Hoplite too during my military service. The name (or rank if you like) is still being used today in the Greek Army.

No, not with spears.

[-JD-]

That figure is stupendously-amazingly-fantastic!

The new parts (except the shield) are super. I'd like to see that helmet painted blue and put on a Senate Commando! We finally get that dark red cape too!

But having an army of these doesn't sound as good to me anymore. The idea of having all the same heads on each soldier puts me off. Even if I swap them round I'll still have the spares.