The Evolution of Star Wars Minifigs

[Fallenangel]

I suggest you buy action figures instead of Lego, if you are looking for accuracy.

Or Kotobukiya statues instead of action figures if you are really looking for accuracy. What people find so 'accurate' about action figures I will never know.

[Brickmamba]

I don't think mini figures are suppose to be accurate representations, you start changing them too much and you will lose the charm and compatibility of basic Lego figure.

Given yoda has shorter lets is enough to differentiate him enough scale wise and chewie with the Woody size legs makes sense but it's not a deal breaker for me.

[wokajablocka]

Biker scouts need more printing and a backpack!

Out of your sarcastic ideas this one is very feasible, cheap and I been waiting for a re-do on the Scout troopers. I was really waiting to see the new fig in the 2012 Endor battle pack but I will still have to wait.

Lego has been working on accuracy with the last few years of SW figs, going from yellow to flesh and now we are bombarded with custom moulds that are IMO getting too detailed and leaning away from the iconic Lego minifig look.

Edited January 20, 2012 by wokajablocka

[JackJonespaw]

leaning away from the iconic Lego minifig look.

I don't know if this was meant to describe the customs, but I think Lego is getting way to detailed, and it isn't looking good. Don't agree with me? Here's two words that might change your mind: Darth Maul.

He would be great without the horns. I think Lego's best years for figs was around 2007-2009. They weren't too detailed and they weren't too simple.

Edited January 20, 2012 by JackJonespaw

[LEGOman273]

I don't know if this was meant to describe the customs, but I think Lego is getting way to detailed, and it isn't looking good. Don't agree with me? Here's two words that might change your mind: Darth Maul.

He would be great without the horns. I think Lego's best years for figs was around 2007-2009. They weren't too detailed and they weren't too simple.

He has arm printing?!?! How did I miss that?!?!

[fyrmedhatt]

Lego has translated the look of each character into minifigures, and they have been highly successful in doing so. Some of the Star Wars minifigures are nearly as iconic as the characters they are supposed to represent, like the stormtrooper, Darth Vader and Boba Fett minifigures. I've seen images of those on a lot of t-shirts worn by non-afols. The success of the Star wars minifigure is obvious when you see the prices of some figures, and there are plenty of collectors out there that primarily collect the figures and not the sets.

It's like a good caricature, it's not supposed to be photorealistic, but recognizable and distinct, which I think Lego has done well.

[Vindicare]

Missing the big one, where are the noses?

What'cha say!? I can't hear you. I don't have ears.

[Ritz Brick]

He has arm printing?!?! How did I miss that?!?!

No, just the lighting.

[LEGOman273]

No, just the lighting.

He should have it though.

The glare is a perfect representation of his armbands.

[Oxus]

my problem is that they are taking over the focus of TLG and are seemingly becoming more important than the sets themselves.

[wokajablocka]

I don't know if this was meant to describe the customs, but I think Lego is getting way to detailed, and it isn't looking good. Don't agree with me? Here's two words that might change your mind: Darth Maul.

He would be great without the horns. I think Lego's best years for figs was around 2007-2009. They weren't too detailed and they weren't too simple.

The only problem I have with Darth maul is that the old print looked more evil than the new. If you dont like the horns they are easily removable.

I wonder with Darth Mauls returning in the clone wars in 2012, will we see another version of him in the future? May be with cyborg legs perhaps?

[Mofo Jones]

my problem is that they are taking over the focus of TLG and are seemingly becoming more important than the sets themselves.

QFT.

[Alldarker]

I don't think it looks too bad:

Han & Chewie by "Orion Pax", on Flickr

Chewbacca is actually a pretty svelte giant, compared to, say, a muscle bound character like Colossus. But to each his own.

Hmm... Gotta admit that Chewbacca actually does look quite good / accurate with those long legs. Not at all as silly as I'd expected.

[Mr Man]

Don't forget the "tall" legs they made for Woody - which I would actually dig seeing used more, especially for someone like Chewy.

As soon as I saw the new leg mould I thought of using them for Chewy.

[JackJonespaw]

As soon as I saw the new leg mould I thought of using them for Chewy.

I think it's still a bit too disproportionate for the minifigs. Sure, Chewie is taller than everyone else, but his sandwich mold makes him taller than everyone else. I just think it's exaggerating the proportions a bit.

[legolandia]

my problem is that they are taking over the focus of TLG and are seemingly becoming more important than the sets themselves.

It is not the fault of those who design the minifigures.

In my opinion there are two reasons why what you saying is happening: First, the minifigures are improving but the sets are not and Second, it looks like Lego is not willing to take any risks with new designs at all and they are just bringing out sets that will sell.

[JackJonespaw]

It is not the fault of those who design the minifigures.

In my opinion there are two reasons why what you saying is happening: First, the minifigures are improving but the sets are not and Second, it looks like Lego is not willing to take any risks with new designs at all and they are just bringing out sets that will sell.

Excatly! I mean, look at 10188. Did it do well more because of the building, or THE 24 MINIFIGS? It's still a great set, but I doubt that have of the people that bought it would have bought it if it had only about 2 or 3 minifigs.

[LEGOman273]

How about using 1x1 plates on the feet of characters that need to tower over others. (Chewie, Vader)

[wokajablocka]

How about using 1x1 plates on the feet of characters that need to tower over others. (Chewie, Vader)

I was thinking the same thing . Make him a little taller with out strching him too much. If I was not so lazy I would take a pic and post.

[Sir_Basil_Ashton]

my problem is that they are taking over the focus of TLG and are seemingly becoming more important than the sets themselves.

The minfigs taking over the focus of TLG is just the nature of the beast. LEGO tested the market with the Collectible Minifigures and based on their success with that line, I don't blame them for producing outstanding minifigures. The shape and pieces of the minifigs have survived the test of time. I applaud the fact that they're making new accessories, headgear and legs for different minifigs. They're evolving as they should.

What's more important? The minifigs or the sets themselves? That really depends on the type of collector you are. There's obviously a market for both. Personally there are times that I don't care for a specific set but want the minifig for my collection and there are times I want a set and could care less about the minifigs that accompany it. Either way I still love LEGO and in the end it's my choice to buy or not buy the products LEGO produce.

I have to admit, my taste in LEGO is starting to evolve. I've recently branched a little from LEGO SW and have bought other themes. The whole releasing updates of older sets hasn't been interesting enough to me. For now I choose not to buy them but I'm sure in time I'll purchase them.

[Ritz Brick]

The detailing and amazingness of the Collectible Minifigures is different from the path our Star Wars friends are headed. CMF are mostly made from the standard torso, legs and a head with a hairpiece, helmet ect. and some kind of special accesories and still always resemble our classic minifigure. But when our minifigures start going from a minifigure to a ministatue is dissapointing. In addition to making them look almost to detailed.

Case and point:

ARC Trooper

Grevious

Gunray

Savage

Sebulba

Stormtrooper

Watto

The above minifigures are only be made for people to buy the expensive set to get the expensive and detailed minifigure, and then settle for a mediocre build. 9489 is a perfect example. Way back in 1999, getting the Boba Fett helmet/jetpack combo would've been a huge deal. Nowadays everyone freaks out about getting a character that doesn't have this, or doesn't have that included meanwhile freaking out about the price of the set and the lackluster build that comes with it.

Maybe we should all just go back to using these and be thankful for what we have now.

[Hobbestimus]

I think it's still a bit too disproportionate for the minifigs. Sure, Chewie is taller than everyone else, but his sandwich mold makes him taller than everyone else. I just think it's exaggerating the proportions a bit.

I think it's actually a really close comparison:

Han & Chewie by "Orion Pax", on Flickr

But, then, the great thing about Lego is how easy it is to adjust to your liking. The only real issue is there's not enough version of those long legs out there.

[CaptainCRO]

The detailing and amazingness of the Collectible Minifigures is different from the path our Star Wars friends are headed. CMF are mostly made from the standard torso, legs and a head with a hairpiece, helmet ect. and some kind of special accesories and still always resemble our classic minifigure. But when our minifigures start going from a minifigure to a ministatue is dissapointing. In addition to making them look almost to detailed.

Case and point:

ARC Trooper

Grevious

Gunray

Savage

Sebulba

Stormtrooper

Watto

The above minifigures are only be made for people to buy the expensive set to get the expensive and detailed minifigure, and then settle for a mediocre build. 9489 is a perfect example. Way back in 1999, getting the Boba Fett helmet/jetpack combo would've been a huge deal. Nowadays everyone freaks out about getting a character that doesn't have this, or doesn't have that included meanwhile freaking out about the price of the set and the lackluster build that comes with it.

Maybe we should all just go back to using these and be thankful for what we have now.

How are the podracers mediocore?

[Mr Man]

In addition to making them look almost to detailed.

Case and point:

ARC Trooper

Grevious

Gunray

Savage

Sebulba

Stormtrooper

Watto

Agreed, the level of detail just looks silly in some cases, trying to cram so much detail into a small fig that isn't even to human proportions, and it sometimes backfires in the case of Darth Maul, the new super detailed face looks like he's being sick, the last two faces looked more evil.

[Mooch]

I wish they would build the turntable base

into Artoo's body so his head could swivel.

I don't know why they haven't done that yet!