Review: 70900 The Joker Balloon Escape
Posted by CapnRex101,
70900 The Joker Balloon Escape is the smallest of the thirteen sets which make up the first wave based on The LEGO Batman Movie.
Priced at just £11.99 or $14.99, I expect this will be among the most popular sets as Batman and the Joker seem to be the most important characters in the film and the Clown Prince of Crime has never appeared in such an affordable set before. Furthermore, his balloon contraption looks delightfully wacky and includes some interesting parts so I have been eager to take a closer look at this model.
Minifigures
Batman appears in almost every LEGO Batman Movie set, as one might expect, but I am glad to see the two arch nemeses available at such a low price. This cowl has been in use since 30160 Batman Jetski was released in 2012 and the torso is also quite familiar as the bat symbol and muscle definition on Batman's chest are the same as that seen in The LEGO Movie and in many DC Super Heroes sets released before 2015.
However, this torso does not included a printed belt. A separate element is used instead which features several different compartments on the front and back. It looks splendid and is also worn by Batgirl and Catwoman in other sets. Batman's cape is made from a soft fabric and he is equipped with a grapnel launcher which comes complete with a short length of string and a hook.
The LEGO Batman Movie has offered new and unusual versions of many classic Batman rogues but the Joker is, somewhat ironically, perhaps the most traditionally designed of all. His lurid green hair is present in the form of a detailed new element and the expressions on his double-sided head capture the essence of the character perfectly. I also like the purple jacket and waistcoat which is printed on the torso along with some golden buttons which resemble skulls.
Unfortunately the back of the torso is not decorated which is rather surprising as I would expect every minifigure to feature back printing nowadays, even those in original themes such as CITY. The same is true of Alfred in 70909 Batcave Break-in which indicates that a fabric attachment at the waist negates the need for printing on the back of the torso. I would certainly have appreciated some detail but I think it looks alright given that the Joker is wearing a plain purple jacket.
The fabric tails of the Joker's jacket are quite spectacular! They measure almost 5cm long and trail on the floor behind the minifigure which seems appropriate for the ostentatious personality of the Joker. Unfortunately they are made from a stiff fabric which may become creased over time. His left leg is printed with a small silver chain but he is unarmed which reduces the play value slightly. Perhaps a machine gun could have been included.
The Completed Model
The 124 pieces which make up this set are divided between two models. The Joker's balloon contraption looks appropriately absurd, with five colourful balloons and a pair of flaming thrusters allowing the villain to take to the skies in the hope of evading capture. You can easily remove the balloons to replicate their inflation or deflation and their positioning can be adjusted as each one is mounted on a hinge.
The lower halves of the balloons are quite rare and the blue one is particularly appealing as it is currently exclusive to this set. A pair of black paint rollers are used as grips for the Joker and the balloon backpack also attaches around the neck of the figure using a trans-clear bracket so it is held securely in place for even the most enthusiastic of swooshing!
It is also worth noting that the backpack is sufficiently bulky to support the Joker and he does not fall over when wearing it, thereby rectifying a flaw which has afflicted minifigures wearing large backpacks in the past. This vehicle reminds me of the heli-pack found in 8631 Jetpack Pursuit, one of my favourite small sets, but this is even better thanks to its wacky design and colour scheme.
This set is based on a scene in which the Joker battles Batman in the Gotham Energy facility and some appropriate scenery is included. This consists of a white silo containing flammable materials, a computer terminal and a railing with a large bomb. The bomb is comically oversized and I love the enormous alarm clock which looks as though it has been hastily lashed to the detonator and several sticks of dynamite, in the true style of the Joker.
The computer beside the bomb resembles an Apple II in both shape and colour. It is decorated with a sticker showing a process flow diagram and makes effective use of a 1x2 grille to represent a keyboard. I am pleased to see such an archaic machine in a modern LEGO set and this matches a similar computer terminal which is present in 70901 Mr Freeze Ice Attack.
A cylinder is situated behind the railing and this is decorated with a hazard symbol on one side. Unfortunately this warning obviously goes unheeded as pushing down on the yellow 2x4 tile beneath the silo will cause it to explode! This is a simple feature but a fun one and it is quite unusual to see moving parts like this in such a small set. A pipe consisting of two macaroni pieces connects the cylinder to the floor, further linking this set with 70901 Mr Freeze Ice Attack which also contains some red pipework.
This section of the Gotham Energy building can be combined with similar models in 70901 Mr Freeze Ice Attack and 70910 Scarecrow Special Delivery to form a larger structure. I will be showing all three components joined together in an upcoming review of 70910 Scarecrow Special Delivery.
Overall
70900 The Joker Balloon Escape is a thoroughly impressive entry at this low price point, offering tremendous play value which is only expanded when this set is combined with others. Furthermore, the models included look good on display and the two minifigures are excellent as well.
The appeal of this set may be limited if you are intending to purchase 70908 The Scuttler which includes the same characters but I think it is still worthy of consideration as the Joker's balloon backpack is an excellent model, despite its small size. If you are looking to get a taste of The LEGO Batman Movie without spending too much, this is an ideal set!
I hope you have found this review informative. Let us know by liking this article and share your thoughts on the set in the comments below. Our coverage of The LEGO Batman Movie range will continue over the coming days.
This set was provided for review by The LEGO Group but the review is an expression of my own opinions.
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20 comments on this article
Great review! I really can't wait to get this set in January.
Good review captain! This looks like a must-have to me! (my strange obsession with cloth parts demands that I get a hold of those coat-tails...)
Maybe the whole movie is set in a different timeframe? Hence the use of dated computers
It's not always the largest and grandest of sets that are the best.
This looks to be a little gem.
Undoubtedly this will sell like hotcakes, as it deservedly should. I think arguably its one of the best sets of the wave--a traditional superhero/villain ultimate fight is hard to beat after all.
The suggestion by Casper_van_hobbes of the movie being in a different timeframe made me think of Two-Face being voiced by Billy Dee Williams. You know, going back to a different decade.
I really love the playability of this set and all of these cool pieces. This is a must-buy for those interested in the movie, I think.
Re: cheap Jokers - he was available in the bumper car poly.
I wish TLG had made a new Batman mask, totally closed, with the eyes and mouth simply printed on it (since TLG can print nice details on shaped heads now). That way, the heads could have been normal, instead of having those weird headbands with eyes on them. I really hate those.
I LOVE this set!!!!
So does this mean that this set is available to purchase in some stores?
@supervir2 - Yes, although that polybag was not available worldwide.
@SpidermanLM339 quoting from the end of the review: "This set was provided for review by The LEGO Group". It might be showing up, but this wasn't a retail copy.
The price really should be $13, for $5 more you get three mini figures and dozen more pieces in the $20 sets. It's cute though.
@VictorvanSchagen. Well, TLG could do that, but if they print on the mask, you can't change his expressions, something that these new Lego Batman Movie figs do with different eye prints instead of just face prints.
Dang, I'm definitely getting this now.
On a side note, I love this price range. So many good sets (not even including battle packs) have come out of it.
I think I'll get this and the Catwoman set (For Robin), when it comes out.
Definitely getting this! First thing I'll try is using those tailflaps as curtains
Do we know when these are due to hit UK retail stores?
I really wish this set was coming out before Christmas. :(
I don't know why, but this Joker strikes me as the most Caesar Romero'ish of the Jojer figs. Even more so than the actual Caesar Romero Joker fig.