Review: 76386 Hogwarts: Polyjuice Potion Mistake
Posted by CapnRex101,
LEGO Harry Potter was introduced during 2001 and numerous appealing models have become available subsequently. Nevertheless, there are various memorable moments which have been overlooked, including the blending of Polyjuice Potion during Chamber of Secrets.
The unusual 76386 Hogwarts: Polyjuice Potion Mistake rectifies that omission, faithfully recreating Moaning Myrtle's disused bathroom and containing four exclusive minifigures. These include Hermione, following her transformation into Millicent Bulstrode's cat, alongside Harry and Ron as Gregory Goyle and Vincent Crabbe.
Minifigures
Harry Potter and his friends prepare to infiltrate Slytherin common room by acquiring suitable robes, hence these minifigures feature the unique dark green colours of Slytherin. I appreciate the consistency between these robes and those belonging to other Hogwarts houses. The new design looks splendid, although I would welcome slight variation between the Slytherin robes.
Nevertheless, the distinctive facial expressions for Harry Potter and Ron Weasley are brilliant, reflecting the unpleasant experience of taking Polyjuice Potion. Hermione's double-sided head has appeared before though, exhibiting happy and concerned faces. The intricate hair element includes outstanding texture too, closely resembling the onscreen character.
Alternative hair pieces and faces are provided for Harry and Ron, disguising these heroes as Gregory Goyle and Vincent Crabbe, respectively. Hermione Granger memorably attempts to disguise herself too, with problematic consequences. The talented witch accidentally muddles Millicent Bulstrode's hair with one from her cat, thus partially transforming into the feline!
This unusual component slots over Hermione's head and looks splendid, displaying a fittingly concerned expression. Moreover, the consistency between the texture of Hermione's hair and this element is marvellous. Some appealing accessories accompany the minifigures, including two potion jars, a cauldron and an exclusive dual-moulded glass which contains an interesting trans-bright green liquid.
Pearl gold minifigures are available in several new Harry Potter sets, celebrating the twentieth anniversary of the theme. Anniversary Harry Potter accompanies 76386 Hogwarts: Polyjuice Potion Mistake, comprising golden components with metallic highlights. These include sparkles across the torso, which appear surprisingly effective.
The reverse integrates the LEGO Harry Potter twentieth anniversary branding, surrounded by even more sparkles! Harry's cheerful expression looks perfect and no alternative expression is included, matching other golden minifigures. The pearl gold display base and wand also appear consistently throughout the twentieth anniversary range.
The Completed Model
Moaning Myrtle's bathroom contains the concealed entrance to the Chamber of Secrets. Even so, this important location has not been represented at minifigure-scale and looks immediately recognisable here. This characteristic arrangement of basins seems particularly distinctive and scaling the bathroom down has proven successful, recreating the necessary details.
The extensive internal furnishings limits options for the exterior, which appears relatively bland. Nevertheless, the presence of exposed medium nougat masonry bricks corresponds with other sections of Hogwarts Castle and I like the protruding lattice window. The sand green 1x1 slopes above this window are satisfying too, again complementing equivalent models.
Despite the restricted space, these basins recreate their onscreen shape successfully. There should be eight separate basins but three is sufficient and their white colour stands out nicely beside the neighbouring walls. In addition, I like the reflective stickers which represent mirrors and the stacked 1x1 round bricks create excellent texture, reflecting the source material.
Unfortunately, this scale does not provide an opportunity to include any distinguishing snakes which identify the Chamber of Secrets' entrance. The opening function works perfectly though, revealing a hole through the floor underneath. Additionally, the beam which would obstruct this opening basin can be removed easily, as demonstrated below.
76389 Hogwarts Chamber of Secrets accommodates this model neatly, connecting above the slide which leads into the mysterious chamber. Minifigures can slot through the hole with ease and such continuity between sets is impressive. The consistent architecture looks attractive as well, since identical 1x6x7 arch elements appear in 76386 Hogwarts: Polyjuice Potion Mistake and 76389 Hogwarts Chamber of Secrets.
The wooden toilet cubicle closely resembles the onscreen location, making brilliant use of the stable door element. Once again, space is restricted and this structure is accordingly built into the wall, although I think that arrangement seems reasonable. This colour combination of dark brown and reddish brown also appears appropriate.
Opening the door reveals the toilet inside. Like the surrounding cubicle, this toilet is integrated with the external walls and certainly appears realistic. However, the original bathroom features toilets with high-level cisterns and assembling those here would have been superb, particularly to differentiate the older Hogwarts Castle toilets from modern examples.
Overall
76386 Hogwarts: Polyjuice Potion Mistake contains everything required to recreate Harry, Ron and Hermione's first experience with Polyjuice Potion! The bathroom contains numerous noted details from the movie, including the distinctive sink configuration, the entrance to the Chamber of Secrets and the cubicle where Hermione takes refuge, following her accident.
Of course, the minifigures are similarly important and also look excellent. Hermione's cat head appears particularly detailed, while these versions of Crabbe and Goyle are appreciated, since those characters have remained absent since 4735 Slytherin was released during 2002. I think the price of £17.99 or $19.99 represents great value too, hence I would recommend this set.
This set was provided for review by The LEGO Group but the review represents an expression of my own opinions.
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37 comments on this article
Such a fun and nifty little set. I hope LEGO releases more stuff like this that could function well not only as playsets but as vignettes as well. So many of the HP interiors suffer from a lack of depth and detail.
Definitely gonna be picking one of these up. I just wish I had the lego budget to get the Chamber of Secrets too.
Great set. I think they could have done the Crabbe and Goyle figs a bit more accurately, but they look ok.
Does one of the “modern” sets include Moaning Myrtle? Seems like this one should, but I’m guessing that I’m blurring the movies together and she shows up at a different time. (Hey, I’m a HP fan but not a superfan!)
This set looks great though, thanks for the review!
Makes me want to pop in the BluRay!
@B_Space_Man said:
"Does one of the “modern” sets include Moaning Myrtle? Seems like this one should, but I’m guessing that I’m blurring the movies together and she shows up at a different time. (Hey, I’m a HP fan but not a superfan!)
This set looks great though, thanks for the review! "
She's only in the CMF series 2, that's it.
It really is about time TLG makes a 1x14 brick. That one with the groove for the garage doors have been used almost as long as a simple bricks as it has been used for it's dedicated purpose
I think it's hilarious that they've made a set that is just a bathroom, and one that is likely to sell very well at that.
@nineteenseventyfour said:
"It really is about time TLG makes a 1x14 brick. That one with the groove for the garage doors have been used almost as long as a simple bricks as it has been used for it's dedicated purpose"
I can’t say I’ve ever missed a 1x14… But it is odd that we’ve had a 1x16 since as far back as 1988, and 1x10’s and 1x12’s since 1993, but no regular 1x14… Then again, they just made a 1x5 plate this year, after decades of subbing in the 1x5 prop, so you never know!
I wish we could get some modular Death Star sets like this.
Another great HP set. Easier buy than a SW set, for example, because it's not a redo of a previous set.
A- set. It does what it says out to do very well and does it without using too many pieces and driving up the price.
For once I have some issues with the review: You make it sound as if they've never done the polyjuice potion before, even though 4735 Slytherin was based on the scene, with similar double faced minifigs of Harry and Ron. Also, official images show dark brown hairpieces for both Crabbe and Goyle, yet Goyle has a black hairpiece in the review which is not explained. Furthermore, there has been a Goyle fig since 4735, in 4867 Hogwarts, and finally I think the exclusion of Moaning Myrtle warrants a mention, as it is her bathroom and you say the set includes «everything needed to recreate the scene». The pictures and descriptions are great as always, but I did find this review uncharacteristically sloppy on the details.
@dudebrick said:
"I think it's hilarious that they've made a set that is just a bathroom, and one that is likely to sell very well at that."
Is this the first-ever LEGO set to just be a bathroom or to even feature one so prominently?
@Modok Surprisingly no. 4712 Troll on the Loose (which incidentally could be stacked under the original polyjuice potion set) was also just a bathroom.
@J0rgen said:
" @Modok Surprisingly no. 4712 Troll on the Loose (which incidentally could be stacked under the original polyjuice potion set) was also just a bathroom."
Oh funny, I didn't know about that one. The Harry Potter theme seems to have the market cornered on bathrooms. However, I guess this is the first one to actually have a toilet!
@Modok said:
" @J0rgen said:
" @Modok Surprisingly no. 4712 Troll on the Loose (which incidentally could be stacked under the original polyjuice potion set) was also just a bathroom."
Oh funny, I didn't know about that one. The Harry Potter theme seems to have the market cornered on bathrooms. However, I guess this is the first one to actually have a toilet!
"
261-1 265-1 2775-1 3242-1
@Modok If I remember correctly, this is the fourth* Harry Potter bathroom in minifig scale (*third lavatory), and indeed the first one to include a toilet. Not surprising, though, as there are a lot of dramatic scenes in bathrooms throughout the series.
" Minifigures can slot through the hole with ease and such continuity between sets is impressive"
Wouldn't say "impressive" as I'm sure they designed it as one set, and just broke it down for numerous smaller sets for sales and selection. It's artificially not sold as a combined set.
@560heliport said:
" @Modok said:
" @J0rgen said:
" @Modok Surprisingly no. 4712 Troll on the Loose (which incidentally could be stacked under the original polyjuice potion set) was also just a bathroom."
Oh funny, I didn't know about that one. The Harry Potter theme seems to have the market cornered on bathrooms. However, I guess this is the first one to actually have a toilet!
"
261-1 265-1 2775-1 3242-1"
As a kid I loved those chrome taps in 261-1 and 265-1 !
@ResIpsaLoquitur said:
"I wish we could get some modular Death Star sets like this."
What Death Star scenes would work best for this modular design?
1. Control room (where R2 and Threepio wait)
2. Tractor Beam control
3. Leia’s cell
4. Prison reception
5. Trash compactor
6. Vader v Obi-Wan corridor duel
7. Conference room (maybe)
Feels like Emperor’s Throne Room is too big for this scale, as is the Docking Bay.
I think that’s a good amount though, might have a go at some this weekend!
Is nobody going to point out that the toilet cubicle isn't even deep enough for a minifigure to stand in, as Hermione does in the movie to prevent being seen as a cat? That's a lame design.
I think Harry and Ron's faces are too cartoonish - they look like they're right out of the Super Heroes Mighty Micros lines. This does seem like a fun set for kids to play with.
Fabulous review, as always cap'n!. Will you be reviewing 76387 Fluffy encounter soon? If yes, please address the problems with stacking the smaller sets with the new chamber of secrets set. There aren't enough "dungeon" sections to create an accurate representation of the castle from the rock face / exterior viewpoint, unless you know of new sets coming in the future to solve this issue (hint, hint)?
@james_sparham said:
" @ResIpsaLoquitur said:
"I wish we could get some modular Death Star sets like this."
What Death Star scenes would work best for this modular design?
1. Control room (where R2 and Threepio wait)
2. Tractor Beam control
3. Leia’s cell
4. Prison reception
5. Trash compactor
6. Vader v Obi-Wan corridor duel
7. Conference room (maybe)
Feels like Emperor’s Throne Room is too big for this scale, as is the Docking Bay.
I think that’s a good amount though, might have a go at some this weekend!
"
Certainly the Death Star had bathrooms though. I need Death Star bathrooms.
This is how classes should have been done, not those usless books.
While I like the set idea, I think the execution suffers from having been scaled down too much.
As is too often the case with current sets they don't provide enough depth for decent play. Especially bad examples can be found en masse in Friends and City, but Harry Potter sets often have the same problem.
I know they are designed to a certain RRP, but I would rather have an RRP of 24.99 or even 29.99 and in return get a build that is not scaled-down to the max. They could have used 16x16 plates (or rather a 16x16 footprint) as a base for this new line of HP sets, which would have given them a chance to both increase the realism as well as the playability.
"I'm here live. I'm not a cat."
@MisterBrickster said:
""I'm here live. I'm not a cat.""
I'm glad I'm not the only person who was reminded of the cat lawyer.
One of the best scenes from what is, admittedly, the weakest film in the series.
@maaboo35 said:
"One of the best scenes from what is, admittedly, the weakest film in the series."
I thought it was universally agreed that Goblet of Fire is the weakest film in the series! :o)
All the weakest films are by David Yates... His one saving grace is "Deathly Hallows pt. 1".
Great little set. I like the cat head piece & the sink function. Look forward to getting this & the Chamber of Secrets and combining them.
Worst film by far was Prisoner of Azkaban, but it is my favorite book.
I really like how this integrates with the bigger Chamber of Secrets-set.
I love that cup-piece so much. Why do I love that cup-piece so much?
@kwickbrick said:
"Great little set. I like the cat head piece & the sink function. Look forward to getting this & the Chamber of Secrets and combining them.
Worst film by far was Prisoner of Azkaban, but it is my favorite book. "
I think I really enjoyed Azkaban because I like Alfonso Cuarón’s work. But it’s been a while since I’ve seen it, and for all I know it doesn’t hold up.
Polyjuice Potion My Birth looks like an interesting set. While I half of me was hoping for a set based on the troll scene when I saw the rumors, I have the old set of that so I’m fine with them doing something new for this. The recolor of the Butterbeer stein looks interesting, I feel like it could be used cleverly for some sort of MOC or custom figure but I’m not sure who or where. Solid $20 set but I doubt I’ll get it.
Thanks for this neat review CapnRex. I hope you do one where you feature the combined sets. It would certainly be interesting to see how you can mix up different layouts. :)
P.S. I was surprised to see your review copy of the set containing a black hairpiece for Goyle. Kinda reminded me of the erroneously packed printed tile from last year’s Harry Potter CMF.
When you go back and watch the films as an adult, Philosopher's stone is the worst. The main characters are all so whiny (however, Hermione is great to be sure)!
@CapnRex101 said:
" @maaboo35 said:
"One of the best scenes from what is, admittedly, the weakest film in the series."
I thought it was universally agreed that Goblet of Fire is the weakest film in the series! :o)"
Tru dat! Chamber of Secrets is great!
I just don't get how Order of Phoenix was done that way. The longest book yet the shortest movie. SMH
IIRC 4730 (the OG Chamber) has a bathroom component in the upper story as well.