Review: 71016 The Kwik-E-Mart
Posted by rocao,
When rumors of a LEGO Kwik-E-Mart circulated in late 2014, there was a lot of hope and excitement for the potential of the model because the Kwik-E-Mart is so prominent in the TV show and has had more than its fair share of great moments. And when it was officially announced in March, hope and excitement gave way to unbridled enthusiasm for many.
With it becoming generally available for purchase today (USA | UK | Canada), we offer our in-depth review to help you determine if it makes good on its promise of capturing the spirit of the show.
Box
The box measures 23" x 19" x 3.5", which is the largest size of the standard width boxes. It's the same size box as was used for Palace Cinema, Grand Emporium, Pet Shop, if you're familiar with those. It has the same glossy finish and "The Simpsons" graphic template as 71006 The Simpsons House, which is to say that the box is absolutely gorgeous. If you're not in the habit of keeping set boxes, I daresay it will at least cross your mind to make an exception for this one.
Instruction manual
The instruction manual and sticker sheets are enclosed in a bag that is heat-sealed without the need for the customary sticker seal that catches on everything. Rather than being comprised of multiple booklets, the manual is a single book, whose heft seems to have emboldened TLG to determine a protective cardboard backing unnecessary. Indeed my manual survived its journey unscathed by the shifting LEGO bags.
Due to its large size, the manual is perfect-bound rather than the more prevalent saddle stitch (stapled). I prefer the perfect-bound method because I find the appearance more refined and it allows the book to be more readily identified when stacked or shelved. To that end, I find the lack of title printing on the spine to be a glaring omission.
Towards the end of the book, just before the parts inventory, are promotional images of 71006 The Simpsons House and a street scene of Modulars that consists only of 10232 Palace Cinema, 10243 Parisian Restaurant, and 10246 Detective's Office. Feel free to speculate on the implications of product lifecycles if you so desire.
Packaging
The elements are divided across 18 numbered bags that are labelled as follows: #1, #2 x 2, #3 x 2, #4 x 2, #5 x 3, #6 x 3, #7, #8 x 2. There is an unnumbered bag of 6x Sand Blue Plate 8 x 16.
And loose in the box are 2x Light Bluish Gray Plate 8 x 16 and 3x Dark Bluish Gray Train Base 6 x 28:
Page 3 of the manual shows how the bags are distributed across the build:
Here you can see a potential drawback of a single book. The build consists of many sub-builds which, were there multiple booklets, could be performed in parallel with a partner -- something I often do with my wife, being the romantic that I am.
Elements
Surveying the bag contents, the first thing I noticed was the great use of LEGO's vibrant color palette. All told, there are 36 distinct colors, which is essentially the same as the 35 distinct colors that comprise The Simpsons House, however whereas the House is predominately tan and brown, the colors here are more evenly dispersed.
The 2179 parts represent 510 distinct element types. By comparison, The Simpsons House has 2523 parts and only 432 distinct elements. As I understand it, LEGO models are designed with cost parameters and each part counts towards the budget. Parts requiring new molds or in new colors cost a premium, so only a limited number of new parts will be included. The Kwik-E-Mart seems to have been blessed with a high number of new and unique parts.
8 elements are new for 2015, but not unique to this set:
15 non-printed elements are currently unique to this set, most notably the sand blue plate and dark orange slopes:
13 printed elements are unique to this set:
Yet all these unique parts didn't sufficiently provide the desired detailing, so a high number of stickers were employed. I think this is an understandable strategy, and I think the set is better with their inclusion, if the alternative were no detail at all.
The LEGO Designer video provides some interesting insight to the design and creation of the decorations.
Finally, in addition to the parts for the model, there are 95 extra parts which aren't calculated in the set's piece count, the highlights obviously being the printed 1x1 round tiles.
Minifigures
The Simpsons universe is obviously heavily character-driven, having developed the core cast of characters over the span of 26 seasons. Thus, as if minifigures weren't already overemphasized in LEGO sets, it's fitting to do it more so here.
Six minifigures are included: Snake, Apu, Chief Wiggum, Bart, Marge, and Homer.
The only truly new minifigure is Snake Jailbird, and his new head mold and tattooed arm look great.
Apu Nahasapeemapetilon appeared in the Simpsons CMF Series 1, but this time he gets a clerk uniform. It's interesting to note that Apu doesn't actually don the retail uniform too often in the show.
Chief Clarence Wiggum also was previously included as a Simpsons CMF Series 1 figure. This time he is set apart with Jelly doughnut filling splatters on his torso and face. He's the least faithful representation because his LEGO form looks thinner than his appearance on the show.
This is the third incarnation of Bart Simpson, having previously appeared with eyelids in 71006 The Simpsons House and with a slingshot in his backpocket in the CMF Series 1. This time he has neither eyelids nor the slingshot, and it's my preferred one of the three.
Marge and Homer Simpson are identical to the Simpsons CMF Series 1 versions.
I have mixed feelings about the minifigure lineup. On one hand it makes sense to include mainstays such as Bart, Homer, and Marge so that the Kwik-E-Mart can serve as a standalone set. On the other hand, collectors of the entire line would welcome the opportunity for new figures.
The build
The build begins with Chief Wiggum's Springfield police cruiser, which is an 80's era Dodge Diplomat or Chevy Caprice. Overall, it's a reasonable likeness, and the bumper and grill are perfect. The design of the working trunk was the highlight for me.
The practicality of having to seat a minifigure makes it taller than it should be, but also contributes to an appropriately cartoonish quality. I would have preferred trans-clear windows, as it's more accurate to the show and I feel would look better in general. Looking through some internet images, the choice of trans-blue seems to match a model from a Simpsons video game. My biggest issue was with the choice of wheel size which look entirely too small.
Like previous "dollhouse" sets -- The Simpsons House and Haunted House -- the Kwik-E-Mart uses a combination of plates so that it can hinge open. The foundation consists of six large plates, and nine 2 x N support plate, which provide sufficient structural integrity.
The interior build begins with a well-stocked freezer section -- so well-stocked that it includes frozen Jasper Beardly, a reference to a subplot from a Season 9 show where he locks himself in the store freezer to achieve a rudimentary cryogenic sleep.
Next up is the heart of the Kwik-E-Mart: the register area, where the most popular items are kept in close proximity to Apu's ever watchful eye. It's clear that Marcus Besser is a true Simpsons fan as the first thing to go up is the "No checks, credit cards, food stamps" and "Cash" signs, which are the essence of the incovenient convenience store. The Jackpot machine and iconic Squishee drinks are placed, and then the magazine racks are filled with references galore: "Angry Dad" comics created by Bart, "Mom Monthly" of which Marge is an avid reader, and a newspaper with a headline that appeared in the show "Bumblebee Man Caught in Sting".
The building sequence oddly jumps back and forth between continuing the interior and building up the exterior. In the real world, a bank of pay phones is a mundane thing, but here in LEGO form they are splendid and the azure phones justifiably bring attention to them.
It's back inside for the arcarde machines, Buzz Cola fountain, and juice dispensers.
And finally we arrive at the pièce de résistance: the Squishee machine, whose brick form does justice to its importance.
Back outside we go to build the dumpster, which has a top-notch SNOT design (see what I did there?). The only thing keeping it from being perfect are the clipped wheels which do not spin freely. The garbage area is completed with a liftdoor which regrettably conceals the dumpster.
We finish off the front of the store with the large glass windows and doors. Sideways building and offset techniques frame them perfectly and the finished result is a look that is very accurate to that of the show.
Panels were used for sections of the wall so that poster stickers could be applied without spanning multiple bricks. However, the decision to recess the exterior walls is a peculiar one; it doesn't match the source material and doesn't make much sense architecturally, either. I think a 1x6x5 brick would have been a better choice so that both the interior and exterior wall would be flush.
To the rear of the store we go to complete the storeroom with outside access and build cases of Powersauce energy bars.
The EZ Money machine and some more refrigerated sections complete for the back of the store. A coffee machine, hot dog station, and donut case hinge back to complete the register.
The register in all it's glory:
The most repetitious part of the build commences as we start building the roof. Perhaps it's just me being odd, but I find something very satisfying about building sloped and convex roofs, so I don't mind the repetition at all. The Dark Orange slopes are a welcome addition to the parts library, and I hope we see a double concave slope in the future. It's worth noting that the roof slope for the side of the building is a departure from the straight-sided cartoon Kwik-E-Mart, but model looks better as a result.
At long last we build the Kwik-E-Mart marquee. The brick-built E is excellent as it would have been simple enough to just make the entire sign a sticker. Speaking of which, 1x2x5 bricks are cleverly placed to once again prevent the stickers from spanning bricks.
The two remaining shelves are built and Dry Diapers and Krusty O's cereal among other things stock them. The store's slogan "Yesterday's food at tomorrow's prices" is place on one of them. The use of two stud platforms for the shelves is a great idea, allowing the shelves to be easily removed, inspected, and replaced.
The three train bases are joined to form the roof, cleverly allowing the square cutouts to be used as skylights. Included here is Apu's utopian garden, revealed to Lisa in the episode "Lisa the Vegetarian" which is an episode with a rich backstory, including the guest-appearance of Paul and Linda McCartney. Access to the garden doesn't happen through a refrigerator of non-alocholic beer as it does in the show, but that's really splitting hairs considering how feature packed the interior of the model already is. The last thing we build is the air conditioning unit, and it's interesting and elegant design provides a great finishing note.
The roof slides out or drops into place, allowing either an optional or complementary means of access to the interior.
Conclusion
LEGO designer Marcos Bessa is a self-professed Simpsons fan and mentions that he was the driving force behind LEGO producing the theme. His love of the show is on full display with this model.
In many ways, I view the Kwik-E-Mart as a superior set to The Simpsons House. It is replete with show references that fans will appreciate. And setting aside those references, it can just as easily assume its place in a LEGO city as a convenience store. It's fun, colorful, and provides ample play opportunity -- all the characteristics of a quintessential LEGO set. I think it will spark new interest in The Simpsons House and though the theme remains character driven like the show, I can think of a couple playsets that would be worthwhile and feasible LEGO translations, and I think the Kwik-E-Mart will be well-received enough to make those a reality where previously I thought the theme was on shaky ground.
Many thanks to LEGO for providing a review copy.
If you've seen enough and have been convinced you need to purchase the set, please use these links to place your order: USA | UK | Canada | Germany | France.
"Thank you. Please come again"
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27 comments on this article
I'm sure to use some of my VIP points in getting this set!
Thanks for great review. I really want this set but only for pieces!
I still think it looks amazing though!
Marcos Bessa*
Thanks for the great review! The printed and stickered details are really appealing to me.
A nice review, with great photo's!
Two corrections: as magykfyre already mentioned, 'Marcus Besser' should in fact be 'Marcos Bessa'.
And "14 printed elements are unique to this set" should be: "13 printed elements are unique to this set". The "The Lego News" tile has been seen in a few other sets: http://www.bricklink.com/catalogItemIn.asp?P=3068bpb0431&in=S
Great review Huw. This set looks absolutely amazing with so many fantastic details that could have easily been left out. It's a shame that their are so many stickers but the detail that they give to the set justifies it in my opinion. Sadly I don't have the space or money to buy this magnificent set.
When you pay for sets like this it's annoying to see stickers, especially this many!
I agree, seeing so many stickers it's annoing, but putting them on bricks it's real fun! ;-)
^^^ Rocao takes the credit, not me. I just took the pics.
I response to " I really want this set but only for pieces!", it really is a fantastic parts pack, so much so that I will try and get a second one, hopefully without the minifigs to reduce the price a bit, on eBay.
I really wish I could justify buying it, and the review only makes me think that more...I wasn't that interested in the Simpsons House, but this....want.
I thoroughly enjoyed this build and highly recommend it to anyone who is hesitant. I got mine day one for VIP's.
Excellent review.
^ With nothing to line it up to, definitely not!
Wow, the level of detail with/in this one is fantastic. Great to get such a good look.
I can only echoe the positive comments about the set. It's such an incredible set and an enjoyable build. I wasn't too bothered by the stickers. The only annoying one is the '911' small one on the police car.
People have been moaning about price but I would rather have this large set than lots of smaller sets. You kight build the smaller sets once, leave them built and then dismantle them to put in your parts collection. There's no way you'll want to do this with the Ewik-E-Mart.
I am going to hold off on this until I find out what the next Simpsons set is. I have the Simpsons House but given the price I am not yet sold on buying one of these every year.
Amazing, so many nods to Simpsons fans, so many classic episodes included.
I probably can't afford it this year, but man I like this set so much. It's visually interesting, multi-purpose, FULL of amazing little fan-service details, and loaded with great parts.
It's interesting the way they're doing the line, and Huw points it out. On one hand, getting Marge, Bart and Homer isn't so exciting. Buuuuuut the line is literally two giant houses and some blind-bagged figures. There must be plenty of Simpsons fans who may only get the house or Kwik-E-Mart and nothing else from LEGO, so you almost have to have core characters for those casual buyers. Hardcore Simpsons fans, or LEGO fans, will dig through the CMF bags.
The building is brilliant, the figs are thrown in, and the cop car is decidedly odd. It's out of proportion, covered in SNOT and exposed studs alternating with tiles, and what's up with those wheels? Still, I like it.
Great set, wish I had two hundred dollars to blow on it.
I wish it used a different colour for the walls...but oh well. I didn't realize it uses 3 train car baseplates...I could use those.
I would only buy it for parting out, and because of the colour used...eh...maybe later on in the year. I am glad so many seem to like it.
I dislike the Simpsons but this set looks absolutely incredible. Without stickers applied it likely won't look as good but that does mean more pieces for MOCing. Might have to get a Modular though because of the price tag...that's a strange thought isn't it?
Awesome review! Thanks Rocao.
Tempting review of what looks like a fabulous set! I'd been planning to give the Simpsons a pass except for some of the minifigs--but this I'll definitely be buying soon!
Agree completely that this set outshines the Simpsons House, at least IMO. It's a fantastic build. I'm not a fan of the stickers but there's just no way around it with this set. A few ended up crooked and I wish I had a better way to get them on with my giant fingers. But it's a fun build and a terrific looking set. The inclusion of Frostillicus alone justifies the purchase price.
Ughhh, those stickers are a huge disappointment. I can understand when it overlaps multiple bricks (like the Powersauce boxes) but to have so many plates stickered for virtually no reason is unacceptable for a premium set like this. At the very least "Kwik" and "Mart"!
It's nice, but the stickers kill it for me.
^The Powersauce sticker does not overlap multiple bricks, it on one single 2x3 brick :) Non of the stickers overlap
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Thanks for a great review but it should be launched when it first become available, april 15th (or a couple of days later.)
I used a tweezer to apply them and got a perfect result.
^ Yes, but we didn't receive our review copy from LEGO until last week. Not everyone buys sets like this the minute they are available, in any case, so while it might be 'old hat' to you it's not to everyone.
This could very well fit into a town with the people being alien.
Mom Monthly? I used to read something similar to that.....
"Yesterday's food at tomorrow's prices". Genius.