I’m a big fan of finding new ways of integrating large LEGO pieces creatively. Peter Ilmrud does this adeptly in his Steampunk Airship. His skill with smaller LEGO pieces cannot be overlooked (for example the smoke billowing out of the top), and this would be a fantastic creation even if it didn’t have an abundance of large elements, but it’s those big pieces that make you say “oh cool, I haven’t seen one of those used like that before” or, if you’re steeped in the LEGO fan lexicon, “NPU” (Nice Part Use). Let’s dive in and examine some of the parts used nicely here. The obvious examples are the planets – Bespin specifically – used for the balloons. Another easily noticeable piece is the dragon head fittingly used as a figure head. Further examination reveals well-integrated use of a Ninjago Airjitzu propeller, hero factory blades, and 4 Juniors boat bows used...

LEGO has been having some fun with their designer videos recently, and this gem for the newly announced LEGO Stranger Things set 75810 The Upside Down turns the boombox’s awesome level up a notch. LEGO Designer Justin Ramsden (also part of the team of designers who bought us the gigantic Hogwarts Castle) flips the set over and over showcasing the strength of the build, while also rocking some amazing puns in this video designed to look like a long-lost interview recorded on VHS in the 1980s. LEGO Stranger Things 75810 The Upside Down comes with 2,287 pieces (read our full review here) and will retail for US $199.99 | CAN $269.99 | UK £179.99. It is available beginning tomorrow for LEGO VIP members, with a full release coming June 1. The post LEGO goes retro with designer video for Stranger Things [News] appeared first on The Brothers Brick. Original linkOriginal author: Dave Schefcik

Things are getting stranger. LEGO has revealed a brand new large and unique set 75810 The Upside Down based on Netflix’s original series Stranger Things. The set features the main Byers’ home from the series complete with 1980 Chevrolet Blazer, along with the darker reverse “Upside-Down” dimension beneath it. The set comes with 2,287 pieces and eight minifigures including Eleven, Mike Wheeler, Lucas Sinclair, Dustin Henderson, Will Byers, Joyce Byers, Chief Jim Hopper and the Demogorgon. The set is available starting tomorrow for LEGO VIPs for US $199.99 | CAN $269.99 | UK £179.99 with general availability beginning June 1st. (We’ve already gotten a hands-on look at this stunner of a set, so make sure to check out our review too.) https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/media.brothers-brick.com/2019/05/75810-LEGO-Stranger-Things-The-Upside-Down-Product-Spin.mp4 Stranger Things is certainly an unexpected partnership for LEGO, especially with the series’ focus on horror. But the company is diving headfirst into 80s nostalgia and delivering perhaps one...

Netflix’s sci-fi-horror-adventure series Stranger Things has been riding the wave of 80s childhood nostalgia for two seasons, making it a smash hit for the streaming platform. With the third season dropping July 4, LEGO is rolling out a massive new set to kick off its licensing partnership. Just officially announced today, 75810 The Upside Down includes one of the key locations in the series, the Byers’ home. It’s got a twist, though, with the creepy “Upside-Down” alternate dimension mirrored below it. Trees serve as pillars so the house can be displayed with either world on top. The set features 2,287 pieces and will retail for US $199.99 | CAN $269.99 | UK £179.99. It is on sale beginning tomorrow for LEGO VIP members, with a full release coming June 1. The set includes eight minifigures, the mirrored house, Chief Hopper’s Blazer, and a small display stand for some of the minifigures....

Their similar goals of provoking thought in the beholder is why science fiction and abstract art often go hand in hand, and this applies to LEGO as well as other media. The freedom to create something new also makes it easier to send a new message. Ralf Langer has taken this freedom to create a mysterious scene of a discovery on an alien planet. What lies beyond the door? Is it a symbol of creation of new life or the inevitable change in an already existing one? No matter the meaning, the creation is impressive in a completely technical view as well. To less experienced builders it may seem like a few simple surfaces broken up by random and inherently meaningless technical textures we like to call “greebling”, but there is much more to it. Ralf is a master of textures as he proves here with grids of minifig stud shooter...

Adult builders of a certain age hold a special place in our hearts for what we call “Classic Space.” With the Apollo missions fresh in the history books and with Star Trek, Buck Rogers, and Star Wars capturing our imaginations, LEGO hit a sweet spot with their space theme from about 1973 to 1987. For many, they were likely among our first LEGO sets and the fond nostalgia for the theme remain with us forever. Guido Brandis captures this feeling nicely with his LL-942 Star Fire II. There are rules to the “Classic Space” look; blue and light gray are used in nearly equal measure while trans-yellow is for windscreens. Red, used very sparingly, is usually reserved only for rover rims but is utilized here as the pilot’s uniform. Modern elements not available to us in the ’70s and ’80s create a perfect synergy between the old and the new. Even...

I’m always fascinated by how skilled LEGO builders can create interesting backgrounds for their models using simple pieces. Builder why.not? has made this awesome cyberpunk scene of a figure staring down a robotic eye, but then filled out the background to truly make the scene immersive. One wall cleverly uses the holes in Technic plates to make a Matrix-like cascade of lights, while the other uses minifigure stands and turntable bases to create an interesting texture. And finally, the presentation with careful lighting is as important to this creation as the build itself, and it all comes together marvelously. The post From the dark Matrix appeared first on The Brothers Brick. Original linkOriginal author: Chris

Next week The Brothers Brick will be in Billund, Denmark at LEGO’s headquarters to talk with LEGO about how the company interacts with the fan community. That’s not all we’ll be doing though, as we’ll also have an opportunity to sit down with a handful of LEGO designers to pick their brains about your favorite themes. We want to give our readers a chance to get in on the action, so if you’ve got a burning question about one of these themes, you can fill out our form to submit your question. Just remember, LEGO designers can never talk about unannounced future products or plans, so there’s no point asking “will LEGO ever make Monorail again?” or “what sets are planned for next summer?” The design teams we’ll be speaking with include Creator Expert, Games (Video Games & Apps), Harry Potter, Hidden Side, Ideas, Jurassic World, and Speed Champions. Although the...

LEGO is going all-in on the Statue of Liberty lately, having just released a huge new Architecture set of the famous American landmark last year and featuring a post-apocalyptic version in The LEGO Movie 2, with the huge accompanying Apocalypseburg set headlining the movie tie-ins. Now the emblem of freedom is getting another LEGO makeover with a BrickHeadz set, 40367 Lady Liberty. There’s no word yet on when the set will be released, but it’s a good bet it will be June 1 to have it out in stores well ahead of American Independence Day on July 4. The set has 153 pieces, and will likely retail for $9.99 USD. 40367 Lady Liberty | 153 pcs | ~$9.99 USD Images courtesy of LEGO. The post LEGO BrickHeadz 40367 Lady Liberty officially revealed [News] appeared first on The Brothers Brick. Original linkOriginal author: Chris

No matter what you might have thought of the 2013 sci-fi film Oblivion, starring Tom Cruise, you can admit it featured some sweet tech. From the electric motorbike, to the huge water hoovers, to that giant upside-down pyramid, the film’s visuals were stunning. One of the most iconic vehicles was the super-maneuverable light plane which was quickly nicknamed the Bubble Ship. This stunning model by Riskjockey captures the stark, delicate visual aesthetic from the film, including swiveling landing gear. I love the smooth engine pods and the clever use of the new gyro-sphere and hatch from the Jurassic World theme for the cockpit. Another nice part use is the large triangular panels used to create the geometric symmetry of the fuselage of the ship. This is not the first version of the Bubble Ship–or even the second–that has been featured here on TBB over the years since the movie’s release in...