REVIEW: 71004 LEGO Minifigures – The LEGO Movie Series

[Suspsy]

Is Larry the Barista's coffee cup a brand new piece?

[Blakstone]

WhiteFang confirmed in one of the later comments that it is a new piece.

[Blacktron]

My favorite figures in the CMF line were always the space figures, some knights and the classic movie monsters. So I'm not a big fan of this movie CMF series. Maybe I'll buy a Abe Lincoln and a western wildstyle and that's it for me. I'm a a big fan of sci-fi and fantasy figures and this series is much to city(ish) for me.

Thanks for the great review, WhiteFang. But I'm not exited about this series and I hope the classic CMF line will return.

[Melan-E]

My source is working for LBR for 3yrs and although a pattern was seen for series 1-10, series 11 boxes have not been consistent. I have opened over 100 boxes in the past couple months of series 11, all sealed and fresh and both myself (as staff and as a collector), coworkers and customers have noticed an inconsistency of a distribution. In the past year TLG is attempting to minimize resellers, allowing current product to be sold for retail value or less worldwide; both policies and distributions have changed in the past year to reflect that intention. Of course there's characters that are produced more than others but I wouldnt be too upset about the distribution as some others are ;p and I wouldnt rely on it too much on it either :)

Edited December 2, 2013 by Melan-E

[WhiteFang]

Thank you very much for your comments and thoughts with regards to this new series.

I have to ask, why was the picture with all of the boxes omitted? Due to the difficulty photographing it?

Part of the reason is the difficulty to photograph everything together but the main reason will be to retrieve all of these boxes out of storage especially after I have send them to a hard-to-reach area within the house.

WhiteFang confirmed in one of the later comments that it is a new piece.

Indeed it is.

My source is working for LBR for 3yrs and although a pattern was seen for series 1-10, series 11 boxes have not been consistent. I have opened over 100 boxes in the past couple months of series 11, all sealed and fresh and both myself (as staff and as a collector), coworkers and customers have noticed an inconsistency of a distribution. In the past year TLG is attempting to minimize resellers, allowing current product to be sold for retail value or less worldwide; both policies and distributions have changed in the past year to reflect that intention. Of course there's characters that are produced more than others but I wouldnt be too upset about the distribution as some others are ;p and I wouldnt rely on it too much on it either :)

This is an interesting take, especially this is the first time that I have ever heard someone claiming this.

[Feylandel]

Thanks for the great review :-D

I see lots of nice parts - and the panda is a must-have. Not to mention Wyldstyle - one of the best female minifigures ever (my opinion).

And i don't really need the cyborgs but like their weird design and their accesssoires. Think I will get all minifigs.

[Cult_Of_Skaro]

Ooh, very nice!

I started reading this review only planning on 8, but that coonskin cap raised it to 9 for sure!

[Haltiamieli]

4) speaking of eyes - are Wyldstyle's spaced oddly apart, or is it just me? Something about the character expression is odd to me.

I think it's more that her eyes are printed rather low and thus closer to mouth, which makes them seem more apart? It's probably because of the hairpiece which might otherwise hide her eyebrows underneath, but it does make her face look a bit off.

[Dorayaki]

Great overall review Wild Fang, so detailed as usual. One thing though - I'm not sure how integral the cat lady (or Gail) are to the plot of the Lego Movie, the feel I'm getting is that there are very few major female roles in the movie. It seems more likely to me that TLC wanted to keep their fig series somewhat gender balanced, and so grabbed whatever quirky female characters the film had to offer.

Gail could simply be one of Emmet's companion in his work place, and Mrs. Scratchen-Post could be described as a weird neighbor. In the worst situation, the two and Larry would only appear in the opening (which describes Emmet's typical day), and those Master Builders have no more thing to do in later storyline. Excluding the bots, Queen Marsha has some chances to be important if the protagonists have a mission under the sea.

If we regard this movie as an action theme, though Wyldstyle is pretty cool, she is still a very typical leading heroine with brave and capable personality. Uni-kitty is a different move for TLC but could it be a cute guy? I'd like to see more villainess and female sidekicks, while the main cast isn't as colorful as what the CMF series are to me.

Two bot ladies obviosly disturb many people. If one of them was human or other creature as Mr. Business' secretary or agent, the diversity would be perfect.

Edited December 4, 2013 by Dorayaki

[Blakstone]

The two bot ladies seem to disappoint many people based on the robot skin showing through. I guess I never cared about flesh or yellow skin visible on minifig prints since I have quite a few of each type. But I share the frusteration with the western robot lady as her print is wonderful except for that issue. I don't expect to ever need a Western zombie or robot attack in a MOC.

Still the bots look to be a good compliment to the TLM sets. There are two in the first wave that focus on the Western section of the world.

[Dorayaki]

The bots look very sophiscated. But for prints, no one had opinion against the others like Cyclops or Witch . Perhaps we're not familiar with the characters yet so we don't accept their individuality.

And we don't know how the bots make appearance in the movie. If they had human disguises (with double face prints, one is the human version like WhiteFang showed), the problem is solved. Or Emmet has to feel free to let a bot waitress serve him. Perhaps TLC don't do it for the bots but they will do for Zane.

Edited December 4, 2013 by Dorayaki

[MAB]

If they had human disguises (with double face prints, one is the human version like WhiteFang showed), the problem is solved.

That is a completely different head that he showed on the minifigure. It is not human one side / bot on the other.

[Dorayaki]

If they had human disguises (with double face prints, one is the human version like WhiteFang showed), the problem is solved.

That is a completely different head that he showed on the minifigure. It is not human one side / bot on the other.

I didn't say that WhiteFang actually made a custom print on these products, did I?

Edited December 4, 2013 by Dorayaki

[Legogal]

WF: The details of your reviews are amazing and quite helpful when we are trying to decide which figs to buy.

Thanks for dedicating so much time and effort to your reviews. And thanks to Kim as well for her support.

This series has some fantastic figs, espec. the Panda and mermaid. And the new parts are outstanding, especially the hair pieces.

Keep up the great reviews!

[Lordofdragonss]

Thank you Whitefang for showing us secrets once more!

I really like this series but I can see it wil bomb very hard for people who don't will go and watch movie.

Robots and girls are loved by fans, but they are always pointed out as one ofthe weakest figs by kids.

Girls don't want them because they preffer Friends-dolls.

And for kids, a lot of the figs for this series can be really boring because they have nothing standing out in their design from normal fig or figs we had in past.

For example I find the Gail amazing because her face, but the kids don't look at parts.They look at minifig at whole.

The Panda is the most interesting one, but I don't like it. The head looks weird.

But let's go back to me-

I want Taco guy, Cat lady, Mermaid(I wish he had better face though!) and DAT WYLDSTYLE

Edited December 5, 2013 by Lordofdragonss

[Binoretor]

Great review, thanks for this.

[Aanchir]

Thank you Whitefang for showing us secrets once more!

I really like this series but I can see it wil bomb very hard for people who don't will go and watch movie.

Robots and girls are loved by fans, but they are always pointed out as one ofthe weakest figs by kids.

Girls don't want them because they preffer Friends-dolls.

And for kids, a lot of the figs for this series can be really boring because they have nothing standing out in their design from normal fig or figs we had in past.

For example I find the Gail amazing because her face, but the kids don't look at parts.They look at minifig at whole.

The Panda is the most interesting one, but I don't like it. The head looks weird.

But let's go back to me-

I want Taco guy, Cat lady, Mermaid(I wish he had better face though!) and DAT WYLDSTYLE

I don't know what you mean when you say kids don't like robots. I loved robot figs when I was a kid, and if this year's Ninjago and Hero Factory sets are any indication, robots are still very popular with the young ones.

The CMFs are also a pretty popular product lines with girls, regardless of LEGO Friends. Younger kids aren't necessarily as concerned with keeping all their figs consistent as adults are.

[Itaria No Shintaku]

Could LEGO try to be a little more sexist? All but one female is only two in a box?

You are right. Male characters will be downpriced. Lego should give some value to male characters too.

We always carry this "Female = worth, male = not worth" stuff..

But, hey, after decades of patriarchy, it's girls' time!

[Lyichir]

You are right. Male characters will be downpriced. Lego should give some value to male characters too.

We always carry this "Female = worth, male = not worth" stuff..

But, hey, after decades of patriarchy, it's girls' time!

You're really reaching for a way to make this issue about men, aren't you? Good grief. It's a ridiculous notion, in part because Lego's design team doesn't care about aftermarket prices (except in those occasional instances when they bring a rare part back to satisfy high demand). There's no conspiracy here to drive the value of male minifigs down, so get off your high horse.

[Lordofdragonss]

I don't know what you mean when you say kids don't like robots. I loved robot figs when I was a kid, and if this year's Ninjago and Hero Factory sets are any indication, robots are still very popular with the young ones.

The CMFs are also a pretty popular product lines with girls, regardless of LEGO Friends. Younger kids aren't necessarily as concerned with keeping all their figs consistent as adults are.

I'm saying what I see in Lego shops here in Poland- Shops that sell unpacked figures are usualy full of the unwanted ones- robots (the female/male clockwork one) and brick-skirt females.

[Bricknblue]

Actually what I was saying is that LEGO doesn't like woman mini figures which means the LEGO world is populated with less woman because of the horrible box distribution.

MainlyI'm just mad because it will make finding the women mini figures, which are some of the best in this series, really difficult.

[Blakstone]

I think it really depends on the minifigure. I think the Forest Maiden was very popular as well as the fortune teller. But a lot of the brick dress minifigs are a bit boring. They also come apart too easy for my taste.

I wonder if LEGO could come up with a new minifig body shape for the female hips. That way they don't have to print the shape.

[Dorayaki]

In a narrow sense, adding female minifigures should be for gender balance, not for rarity or price. I'm happy to see female construction workers and criminals.

I seldom collect more than two of the same minifigure to build army, so I seldom care about it. The major reason why female minifigures are often few in a box is usually that they come with new or exclusive parts (most recognizable one: hairpiece), and they are usually more complicated than than men's. But I admit I'm not happy to see all ladies beside Wyldstyle are rare. They added four Wyldstyle mostly because she is set to be massively produced in regular sets. Maybe TLC intended to do so, or maybe not. Unfortunately it's not Playmobil.

But since this is based on a movie, it's more about how many heroines have important roles in this story.

Edited December 6, 2013 by Dorayaki

[escortmad79]

My thoughts:

Calamity drone: Will get 1 of these for the dress & hair, the fact that she's a droid is disappointing

President business: Weird hair, will maybe get one for the torso & mug

Hard Hat Emmet: Doesn't interest me, it's nothing special so won't bother with him (shock horror!)

Wildwest Wildstyle: Will get 1 of these for the dress & hair

Abraham Lincoln: Will get 2 of these, one to keep as Lincoln & one to modify into Isambard Kingdom Brunel

Mrs Scratchen-Post: Will get 1 of these

Scribble face bad cop: Will maybe get 1 of these for the phone

William Shakespeare: I will get 2 of these

Gail the construction worker: Another that doesn't interest me too much so won't bother

Larry the Barista: Will get 2 of these for a coffee shop, like the hair & mug

Velma Staplbot: Another weird droid, will get 1 for the hair, torso & tile.

Taco Tuesday guy: Will pick up 1 of these , pretty similar to the last Mexican but love the printed plate

Where are my pants guy: Will get 2 of these for the torsos, face is ok too & the hair will be useful for a rockabilly fig

Wiley Fusebot: ANOTHER droid fig(!) Not overly impressed & another that I will be avoiding!

Panda Suit Guy: "Who lives in peace 'neath the willow tree? Sexual Harassment Panda!" Will get 1

Marsha, Queen of the mermaids: Nicki Minaj! Will get 1

Pretty disappointing series overall, had so much potential but lacks variation. What was the need to have 3 droid/drone/robot figures?

3 figures I definately won't be getting, together with 2 may pick ups makes this the worst series they've produced!

[AyliffeMakit]

Great review as always WhiteFang, here are my thoughts on the series:

Calamaty Drone: I can see why other people would want her, but I don't really need her.

Taco Tuesday guy: He is very similar to S2 maraca man, but he was great too so I'll have 1.

President Business: Very nice figure with an interesting haircut and great printed mug. Will get 1 or 2.

Hard Hat Emmet: Incredibly useful hair/hat piece and instuctions, will be getting 1 or 2.

Wild west Wildstyle: Interesting figure with a nice dress, may get 1.

Abraham Lincoln: Great hat and hair combo, must get at least one.

Mrs Scratchen-Post: A bit too similar to the S11 grandma, but the new colour cat is nice, so 1 for my city.

Scribble face Bad Cop: His scribble face scares me. He does have a good phone though, so one for me.

William Shakespeare: GIVE HIM TO ME Seriously though, he does have a pretty neat hair piece and printed tile. One for me.

Gail the construction worker: Nice hat/haircombo, Will need one or two for my city.

Larry the Barista: Possibly my favorite minifig this series. The new cup is excellent and the hairpiece is also nice. Will be getting at least 2.

Velma Staplbot: Meh. 0 for me.

Where are my pants guy: Rather nice minifig with a nice shirt, but having trousers as an accessory is a bit...weird? Getting 1

Wiley Fusebot: Hooray, more robot minifigs none for me.

Panda suit guy: Awww, hes so cute! Probably getting one for the printed teddy.

Marsha, Queen of the mermaids: No need for it really, so none for me.

Overall: A very good series for City builders, but not much else for historic army builders or anyone else.