Review: 21303 WALL•E
Posted by CapnRex101,
WALL•E was released during a period when Pixar could do no wrong in the world of cinema. The studio is well known for producing visually stunning films which tell fantastic stories that children and adults can enjoy together. WALL•E is perhaps the greatest example of this in my opinion, with gorgeous visuals throughout and an enjoyable storyline which also holds an important message in today's world.
I was therefore delighted by the news that Angus MacLane's LEGO Ideas project had passed review when it was revealed in February of this year. His revised submission was about as impressive as a model of the adorable robot could possibly be at this scale, so I was also pleased to see that the final model has not strayed too far from that design.
21303 WALL•E has the potential to be my favourite set of the year so far, but does it live up to my expectations?
Box and Contents
LEGO Ideas sets always feature high quality packaging and this one is no different, with two tabs and a folding lid which allows you to keep the box in pristine condition. The shape of the box is somewhat unusual, having a greater depth than usual in relation to the height and width. The yellow panelling printed onto the packaging looks great, matching WALL•E very nicely and complimenting his image on the front.
The instruction manual is equally high in quality, using a thick paper stock and featuring details of the film as well as a brief interview with Angus, the submitter of the original project. It is particularly interesting to read about how the character of WALL•E was created for the film and in LEGO concurrently as Angus MacLane was the Directing Animator for the film as well as the designer of this model.
Inside the box are nine bags of pieces, none of which are numbered. I was delighted to find that no stickers are included as the designs are all printed!
The Build
Construction begins with the base of WALL•E's cube-like body. This is probably the most routine section of the build, consisting predominantly of the repeated stacking of dark bluish grey and bright light orange bricks. Some of these bright light orange elements are new in this colour, including the 1x3 slopes which run along either side to form some nice texturing. The orange inverted brackets you can see in the image below are not new but they are rare, having only appeared in 60097 City Square and 71006 The Simpsons House before now. These are just the first of many new or rare components found in this set.
The design of the arm mounting is ingenious, allowing the arms to slide back and forth just as they do in the movie. Rubber axle connectors are used to create some friction, thereby ensuring that the arms move easily but won't slide around when you want them to remain static. Much of the detail on the front and back of the model is constructed with the studs facing sideways which yields a superb result, far better than could have been achieved with a simple brick-built design. The solar meter and WALL•E insignia both look great too, closely resembling the film.
Next comes the neck which consists of click hinges for the most part. A couple of 1x2 jumper plates are inverted on either side of the upper neck joint which provides some lovely detail, a technique I have not seen used in an official set before.
The treads are each mounted on a Technic assembly. This design is also very faithful to the film, with the correct number of wheels which are roughly the right sizes in relation to one another. I would have loved some movie-accurate round tiles printed with the BNL (Buy N Large) logo to act as hubcaps, but these undecorated elements suffice in my opinion.
The head is the final section of the main model to be completed and it is also the most intricate. Many of the techniques used here are very unusual, with construction in five directions. Over fifty pieces are used in each eye, just to give you an idea of their complexity! I don't want to give everything away so as not to spoil the build, but hopefully the image above provides you with an impression of just what a treat this is.
The Completed Model
This set is an absolute delight. It is hugely detailed, has an attractive colour scheme and is incredibly film accurate. The head and eyes are the most impressive part of the model as there are plenty of intricate mechanical elements included and lots of expression can be conveyed through them. Each of WALL•E's binocular-like eyes can be angled to show a variety of emotions, a particularly effective feature when combined with the poseability of his arms and fingers.
However, my only major criticism of the set is related to its poseability. The upper neck joint is rather loose and will not hold a position when angled up or down, at least not unless it is very carefully balanced. This is a great shame as the most appealing aspect of the set for me is posing the character to capture an emotion or moment from the film.
Otherwise the design of the model is just about perfect in my opinion. The detail continues from his eyes onto the arms, body and treads, all of which look superb in LEGO form and are very faithful to the movie. The movement of his arms is somewhat limited as they cannot turn inwards or lower as they do in the film but I don't see how the designer could have incorporated such features without compromising the appearance of the model, which is absolutely brilliant.
The front of the model is equally detailed, with the gaps between each bright light orange tile accurately representing the panels which make up WALL•E's body. The printed elements look equally superb and there is even some functionality as the front lowers just like in the movie to reveal a space for squashing garbage inside.
This level of detail is continued on the sides and back of the model, with the only noticeable inaccuracy being the lack of striping on each arm. A couple of printed designs here would have been very welcome but their absence is of little significance in my opinion.
Although the head is my favourite part of the model, the hands are a close second. They are very poseable and look fantastic as well as being functional, with an exposed stud to which you can attach the plant included.
Hal the cockroach is included too, consisting of just a 1x2 plate and a lever. This nicely completes the model, offering further options for how you might wish to display WALL•E as well as some additional play value.
Overall
At the beginning of the review I considered whether this set could possibly live up to my expectations and for the most part it does, which is a thoroughly impressive feat. This is certainly one of the best display models I own and its accuracy to the film is second to none, but the lack of friction in the upper neck joint does bother me. It is particularly frustrating since the issue could easily have been rectified by replacing the click hinge with a ball and socket joint like those on the arms, albeit at the cost of some detail.
Nevertheless, I am still very pleased with the model on the whole and it would be just about perfect with that slight modification. The shaping is absolutely superb and the colour scheme looks fantastic too, especially since many of the bright light orange elements are new in this colour.
With a price of £39.99 or $49.99 this set seems like an absolute bargain to me. It's quite a large model, which is not particularly surprising considering that the set contains 677-pieces. I am truly amazed that the price is as low as it is and I therefore have no hesitation in recommending this set to any Disney fan, as well as to anybody who is looking for a hugely enjoyable build at an affordable price.
Past LEGO Ideas sets have sold out almost instantly and I expect this one will be the best selling yet, so if you are planning to buy the set on its official release date of September 1st, make sure to move quickly. I'm certain that you won't be disappointed.
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57 comments on this article
Looks great, I'll be getting one as soon as I can.
Fantastic review. I love the last image!
Knew I'd be picking up one of these, and now it sounds even more tempting than ever. I enjoyed the movie, and so it looks like I'll enjoy the set.
It is a bit odd about the price, though. Disney License = Expensive Sets, although in this case, it appears to be the opposite.
Great review, as always. And I'll probably want two...
This set is incredible. I may get 3 or 4 if able. 1 to show, 1 to MOC with, 1 for 6 yr old nephew, and 1 for sister. Wall-E is her favorite Disney movie. I really think the set is so well done that people who are not into LEGO would want this.
Very nice review... I think my mums Christmas is sorted.
Wow, just wow. That's far and away the best Ideas set yet. I know what I want for Christmas...
Also, when are we going to get pictures of Doctor Who already? I really want to see how they do that.
I love him! This is one of the best sets I've seen in a while. I think the brown on his head is rather out of place, or at least transitions poorly. Otherwise, he seems like a must-buy set.
Again the last image is wonderful CapnRex101, and a fitting way to end an excellent review.
The eyes are so lifelike...Must-have
They could have done the Roach better.
What's with the zombie cheerleader in the penultimate image?
I suspect the Captain just put the minifig there to give a sense of scale.
Great review - I shall be visiting my local Lego store on day 1!
Looks amazing, I hoped that the garbage compactor opened and am so happy that it does!!!
A must have for me!
Great review for an Absolute Amazing set
I have yet to see the movie (I've seen all other Pixar movies)...
But I'll still likely pick this up. The problem being day 1 purchase it isn't for me, but I almost have to because of how quickly it will sell out. Although, hopefully they can keep the trend like with BBT and reissue of Exo Suit and keep it around a little longer.
This isn't limited to LEGO Stores so should be easier to get than some ideas sets from the past.
Is £39.99 the official price?
BEST. IDEAS. SET. EVER!
I'll always be partial to exo-suit, but this is a worthy second! Definitely need to add him to the Christmas wish list.
Really like the look of this Walle set, this definitely jumps to the top of my wish list.
I'm not convinced by the, 'It'll sell out,' argument. People were saying the same about the exo suit and it ended up piled in Lego stores for half price. It may go out of stock, but a company like Lego doesn't stay profitable by not resupplying successful sets. Plus, the Ghostbusters car is still available after almost a year.
@CHERUBboy - It will certainly get more than one production run but the first production run will probably sell out in a matter of hours. Based on previous experiences restocking can take several weeks or even months.
This - A must have. I like a set without any minifigs for a change :)
Will this be available in non-LEGO stores on the 1st too? It looks an absolutely amazing set but there isn't a LEGO store near me (I'm in Huw's neck of the woods in Fareham).
how much is this going to cost ?
@Kevw78 Yes.
@bbeck018 40UK/50US.
@benbacardi: According to cucumber, it would maybe be yes.
Toys R us have it for $60 but they seems to have it now
I really hope it is not cost $60 at Lego Store
Great review! This is also a definite must buy for me, and I will have to find a way to make it to my Lego store on September 1.
I generally don't care much for Pixar movies ... but this set looks fantastic!
Very impressive set. Just noticed a sentence in the Overall section that says the opposite of what the author intended "...and its accuracy to the film is second to none."
^ Really? He actually meant to say that it wasn't very accurate? Well I never!
On a Lego ideas subject, The Hobbit- Rivendale has just reached 10,000 supporters!
@fred157 "Second to none" means it's in first place. In other words, the highest compliment possible.
In my opinion, Pixar can still do no wrong. Other than Cars 2, of course.
Review sold me!
Incredible model! And what a bargain for the piece count!
love this one definetly getting one or two :)
@bsiu922 Fortunately toysrus will price match the Lego store, unfortunately you'll have to wait for the lego store to have it on their website. However, depending on the size of the store, tru's tend to get a ton of lego.
What are the box dimensions? It does look really fat!
Straight out triple purchase, one for home, one for work, and one for a gift. This is a no brainer purchase !
Mine is ready to collect, can't wait.
Picking up mine today at independent toy shop
It's on Amazon.co.uk now for order. Amazons price is £39.99.
Doesn't say pre-order, just says shipping date not yet known.
I've heard LBR stores have pushed back the relase date of this set (not September 1st anymore).
I fear that may lead to a temporary increase in resale value of boxes acquired from other toy retailers.
Roach should be a 2x6 plate with two aerials and two 1x3 flat plates over the other studs. And reddish brown.
I managed to purchase 3 sets today, my son is making one now!!!
Just picked up two of these from Toysrus
Cant Wait 1.Sep. Release
I realize that they are kind of polar opposite set types, but it's very interesting to compare the pricing on WALL•E here with the Big Bang Theory set.
Just popped into Toys R Us (UK) to try my luck. Seven on sale, bought two - one for me, one for a gift. Building now.
AND they stole my idea
Found it in Smyths last night and built it as soon as we got home. He looks great!
The neck however is indeed a problem. The head swivels on a frictionless pin. When you try to make him look up gravity takes over and turns his head around because the neck is at the back and the weight in the head is at the front.
Should there really be trees in the final picture? Not mountains of garbage cubes?
^ Fortunately my garden doesn't contain mountains of garbage cubes :o)
Great review capn.
Why is this set 012 on the box. Big bang is 010. What happened to IDEAS 011 ????
I've just received my Wall-E set at home. I cannot finish it because both of pieces needed for the head joint (http://brickset.com/parts/4211541) are missing in the box. I've reclaimed them to LEGO client service. Don't know if it's a common issue.