Review: 40632 Aragorn & Arwen
Posted by CapnRex101,
J.R.R. Tolkien's various works set in Middle-earth are celebrated for their strong characters, many of whom are suitable for BrickHeadz recreations. 40632 Aragorn & Arwen therefore contains two famed characters, although their chosen attires are perhaps surprising.
However, the newly-crowned King Elessar offers fitting splendour and Arwen looks reasonable too, even though her dress is extremely plain.
Summary
40632 Aragorn & Arwen, 261 pieces.
£17.99 / $19.99 / €19.99 | 6.9p/7.7c/7.7c per piece.
Buy at LEGO.com »
These two BrickHeadz are well-executed, but not particularly remarkable
- Popular characters
- Good costume choices
- Arwen lacks some details
The set was provided for review by LEGO. All opinions expressed are those of the author.
The Completed Model
While prominent onscreen, Aragorn's memorable Ranger garb would perhaps be ill-suited to the BrickHeadz range. I can therefore understand choosing his ceremonial attire from the climax of The Return of the King, although the costume from the Battle of the Morannon would be more colourful. However, only this figure can include the majestic metallic silver crown, with a superb printed tile at its centre.
Another printed tile forms Aragorn's breastplate, again displaying an accurate pattern. I like the chain mail decoration near the shoulders, with tiles protruding over both shoulders representing armour. Aragorn's beard looks good as well, employing a technique similar to Obi-Wan in 40547 Obi-Wan Kenobi & Darth Vader and combining quite nicely with the figure's hair.
I think dark brown would have been more faithful to the movie than reddish brown, although this lighter colour shows the texture more clearly. Aragorn's cape includes similar texture by blending curved slopes with studs, which is a technique common among BrickHeadz. Naturally, the new king includes a sword, loosely resembling Andúril.
Arwen attends Aragorn's coronation, wearing a pale green dress and an extraordinarily intricate crown. Spring yellowish green is an excellent colour choice and distinguishes Arwen among the many BrickHeadz produced to date. However, the complex lacework which decorates her dress onscreen is missing, most notably around the sleeves.
The sleeves each comprise two 1x1 tiles, perhaps in an effort to create some texture, or simply because 1x2 tiles are unavailable in spring yellowish green. Regardless, I think printed 1x2 tiles would have been more appropriate here, with white or silver patterns. The metallic crown on the figure's forehead looks splendid though, matching silver elements around Arwen's head.
While greatly simplified in relation to the source material, I like the 1x2 grille tiles which introduce some texture. In addition, the shape of Arwen's dark brown hair looks great, including the Elven braids hanging over her dress. I wonder whether the usual 1x2 slopes could have been replaced with another part to recreate an elf's pointed ears, although the ears on BrickHeadz are already prominent.
Overall
The characters of The Lord of the Rings are incredibly popular, although I think the BrickHeadz produced thus far have proven less remarkable. 40632 Aragorn & Arwen contains two appealing models, but neither possess the elaborate hairstyles or similar distinguishing features which the best BrickHeadz include.
Arwen seems particularly plain, which is unfortunate because I think printed sleeves could have improved the figure quite easily. Aragorn looks splendid though, while Arwen is certainly not bad either. The price of £17.99, $19.99 or €19.99 is consistent with other BrickHeadz twin packs and these additions to the series are welcome, but not outstanding.
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28 comments on this article
I'm not a fan of Brickheadz, but I did indulge in this set. My girlfriend and I built it together - Aragorn's gone on her work desk, and Arwen's on mine.
I like the print on nexoshield. If they will ve cheap on B @P I will get dozen
Look plenty nice, and something tells me that those prints will have much potential elsewhere.
@Jack_Rizzo said:
"I'm not a fan of Brickheadz, but I did indulge in this set. My girlfriend and I built it together - Aragorn's gone on her work desk, and Arwen's on mine."
I love that idea !
The King has returned
Love King Ellesar. Arwen, as noted, is incredibly plain. They couldn't have added some light grey dress folds near the bottom or something?
Still, its LotR and I bought it weeks ago.
Is the image of Dumbo on Arwen's crown a link to the Disney celebrations this year?
Nexo Knights may be long gone, but their shield mould lives on.
Arwen is a Blockhead, a big Spring Green Block with a head on it , especially when seen from the front.
@Igloo said:
"Is the image of Dumbo on Arwen's crown a link to the Disney celebrations this year?"
I can't un-see that now. haha
"My friends, you bow to no one"
Because brickheadz don't have the articulation required to bow.
"My friends, you bow to no one."
Lego dropped a LOTR teaser on Instagram. It’s happening!
I like the effect of Arwen’s “hair” draping down around her face and onto her dress. That’s very clever. The tiara work is lovely, too.
Some printed folds on the front of her dress would have helped. Looks a bit like a spring green salt shaker as she is.
@B_Space_Man said:
"Lego dropped a LOTR teaser on Instagram. It’s happening!"
"Oh my god. Everyone stay calm. STAY $%&$ CALM!"
@Jack_Rizzo said:
"I'm not a fan of Brickheadz, but I did indulge in this set. My girlfriend and I built it together - Aragorn's gone on her work desk, and Arwen's on mine."
Wait a second, this is wholesome content!
@johleth said:
"Nexo Knights may be long gone, but their shield mould lives on."
Nexo Knights released at a time when we weren't buying Lego. It wasn't a "dark" period, we just had a large backlog of sets. By the time we noticed the theme, it had been canceled and we never got into it. Ironically, my son who was born the year they were first released has a huge amount of passion for the theme. We try to buy them whenever we find reasonable prices. It's a good theme for kids. I enjoyed it, too, for what it was... but I still want more real Castle.
Too bad that they gave Aragorn, Gandalf and Frodo all the same sword. Opportunity missed there, TLG.
Actually Aragorn's beard isn't quite built the same way as Obi-Wan's, despite coming out so soon after. Not sure if I like the thinner moustache here or the full-sized piece on Obi-Wan...
@MaxA said:
" @johleth said:
"Nexo Knights may be long gone, but their shield mould lives on."
Nexo Knights released at a time when we weren't buying Lego. It wasn't a "dark" period, we just had a large backlog of sets. By the time we noticed the theme, it had been canceled and we never got into it. Ironically, my son who was born the year they were first released has a huge amount of passion for the theme. We try to buy them whenever we find reasonable prices. It's a good theme for kids. I enjoyed it, too, for what it was... but I still want more real Castle."
Hopefully a new theme just as good will rise from the ashes of Dots and Monkie kid at the end of this year. Long live the shield mould!
@ozbrickcreator said:
" @MaxA said:
" @johleth said:
"Nexo Knights may be long gone, but their shield mould lives on."
Nexo Knights released at a time when we weren't buying Lego. It wasn't a "dark" period, we just had a large backlog of sets. By the time we noticed the theme, it had been canceled and we never got into it. Ironically, my son who was born the year they were first released has a huge amount of passion for the theme. We try to buy them whenever we find reasonable prices. It's a good theme for kids. I enjoyed it, too, for what it was... but I still want more real Castle."
Hopefully a new theme just as good will rise from the ashes of Dots and Monkie kid at the end of this year. Long live the shield mould!"
Is Monkie Kid going somewhere? Did I miss an announcement?
@MaxA said:
" @ozbrickcreator said:
" @MaxA said:
" @johleth said:
"Nexo Knights may be long gone, but their shield mould lives on."
Nexo Knights released at a time when we weren't buying Lego. It wasn't a "dark" period, we just had a large backlog of sets. By the time we noticed the theme, it had been canceled and we never got into it. Ironically, my son who was born the year they were first released has a huge amount of passion for the theme. We try to buy them whenever we find reasonable prices. It's a good theme for kids. I enjoyed it, too, for what it was... but I still want more real Castle."
Hopefully a new theme just as good will rise from the ashes of Dots and Monkie kid at the end of this year. Long live the shield mould!"
Is Monkie Kid going somewhere? Did I miss an announcement?"
No announcement, just original Lego themes only go for about 2-3 years and I remember reading something somewhere saying Monkie Kid finishes at the end of this year. I don't think it's confirmed.
@MaxA said:
" @johleth said:
"Nexo Knights may be long gone, but their shield mould lives on."
Nexo Knights released at a time when we weren't buying Lego. It wasn't a "dark" period, we just had a large backlog of sets. By the time we noticed the theme, it had been canceled and we never got into it. Ironically, my son who was born the year they were first released has a huge amount of passion for the theme. We try to buy them whenever we find reasonable prices. It's a good theme for kids. I enjoyed it, too, for what it was... but I still want more real Castle."
For me, it was the one thing that made me come back to LEGO after 15 years back in 2016.
Ugly as all BrickHeadz...
@ozbrickcreator said:
" @MaxA said:
" @ozbrickcreator said:
" @MaxA said:
" @johleth said:
"Nexo Knights may be long gone, but their shield mould lives on."
Nexo Knights released at a time when we weren't buying Lego. It wasn't a "dark" period, we just had a large backlog of sets. By the time we noticed the theme, it had been canceled and we never got into it. Ironically, my son who was born the year they were first released has a huge amount of passion for the theme. We try to buy them whenever we find reasonable prices. It's a good theme for kids. I enjoyed it, too, for what it was... but I still want more real Castle."
Hopefully a new theme just as good will rise from the ashes of Dots and Monkie kid at the end of this year. Long live the shield mould!"
Is Monkie Kid going somewhere? Did I miss an announcement?"
No announcement, just original Lego themes only go for about 2-3 years and I remember reading something somewhere saying Monkie Kid finishes at the end of this year. I don't think it's confirmed."
Covid delays in Shanghai mean that the new Legoland, with a sizeable Monkie Kid zone (looks like a Flower Fruit Mountain log flume!), has not yet opened. I hope there will be enough demand from Chinese markets to keep the theme alive for a few more years. I think it could run and run.
I hate how blocky Arwen's dress looks, but Aragorn looks amazing and I would buy this set for him only. But I need to get 40547 first...
@bwaaatch said:
" @ozbrickcreator said:
" @MaxA said:
" @ozbrickcreator said:
" @MaxA said:
" @johleth said:
"Nexo Knights may be long gone, but their shield mould lives on."
Nexo Knights released at a time when we weren't buying Lego. It wasn't a "dark" period, we just had a large backlog of sets. By the time we noticed the theme, it had been canceled and we never got into it. Ironically, my son who was born the year they were first released has a huge amount of passion for the theme. We try to buy them whenever we find reasonable prices. It's a good theme for kids. I enjoyed it, too, for what it was... but I still want more real Castle."
Hopefully a new theme just as good will rise from the ashes of Dots and Monkie kid at the end of this year. Long live the shield mould!"
Is Monkie Kid going somewhere? Did I miss an announcement?"
No announcement, just original Lego themes only go for about 2-3 years and I remember reading something somewhere saying Monkie Kid finishes at the end of this year. I don't think it's confirmed."
Covid delays in Shanghai mean that the new Legoland, with a sizeable Monkie Kid zone (looks like a Flower Fruit Mountain log flume!), has not yet opened. I hope there will be enough demand from Chinese markets to keep the theme alive for a few more years. I think it could run and run.
"
YOOOOO Monkie Kid zone? This day just keeps getting better and better. Hopefully the theme keeps coming, more $20 sets please!
Also, for the record, I loved NEXO Knights. I'm still trying to collect some smaller sets and the Battle Suits. So far I've got Clay's, and I'm trying to part out Axl's.
I'll level with you: Arwen here looks like Hugo Weaving in a hospital-gown.
Which is a bold and brave look, but probably not the look that all of us were hoping for.