The new LEGO Indiana Jones: Temple of the Golden Idol set is the largest of three Indy sets currently available, and it is the most complex one, by far. It faithfully recreates the opening of Raiders of the Lost Ark; everything, from the architecture to the booby traps to the lighting and framing of the rooms, is wonderfully on point (see the set on Amazon).
This set is exceptional; it is the most fun I've had building a LEGO project since The Mighty Bowser, and it has everything to do with the four skull-printed knobs that line the bottom of the set.
Each knob is connected to a hidden mechanism; twist the knob, and it triggers a trap or visual gimmick. The first knob triggers the infamous boulder, which "rolls" along a toothed track. The second knob operates a pulley that lifts and lowers a wall. The third knob rotates a branch attached to a vine/whip, allowing a character to "swing" across a pit.
And the fourth, most interactive knob triggers a light, which bathes the idol room in a golden glow. After building the set, turn off all the lights in your house; the effect looks especially beautiful in the dark. If you continue turning the knob, the idol platform will descend, and the massive statue head above the idol will collapse and fall.
This set is exceptional; it is the most fun I've had building a LEGO project since The Mighty Bowser.
The build consists of three separate sections: the entrance to the temple with the boulder; a hallway interrupted by a chasm; and the final, climactic idol room. You build all three sections separately and connect them via a series of black pins. Then, you place reinforcing bricks over the seams, to create the illusion of a single, unified build.
The smaller details include spikes that protrude from the ground, vines and foliage that have grown over the bricks, and tree roots that have punctured through the temple's foundations over time. The elements are curved, which allow them to wrap around the structure.
The set comes with four minifigures: Belloq, a treasure hunter and Indy's arch-rival; an angry Hovitos Warrior; Satipo, a Peruvian guide who betrays Indy's trust; and Indiana Jones himself, complete with his signature hat, satchel, and whip. The minifigure also has a bag accessory, which Indy swaps with the idol to avoid triggering the trap. If you turn the Indy Minifigure's head around, there's an alternate face covered with spiderwebs.
My favorite details are the multiple stone heads that line the idol chamber. Some of them are simple stickers on printed tiles. But many more of them are made out of odd LEGO pieces, arranged to form the rough appearance of a human face. Studs for eyes, A fastener for a nose. A single tile to form a rectangular mouth. It's wonderful, minimalist work, indicative of the designers' ability to use very little to communicate a whole lot.
The Temple of the Golden Idol is targeted for 18+ audiences—not for its difficulty, but for its function and purpose. This is the middle ground between designing a fragile, yet intricately detailed adult build like the LEGO Rivendell set and a durable, yet simplified kid's build. It is a degree removed from the child-centered, "get-in-there-and-make-a-mess" ethos that traditionally comes with playing pretend. It's interactive and playful, but in a way that feels adult, focused and tightly controlled.
The set's purpose is to be a cool conversation piece. It's easy to admire, easy to operate, and difficult to "break"—a curious onlooker can set off all the functions without touching or disrupting any of the static elements within the scene. And with the exception of the statue head, turning the knob the other way will reset its respective effect for the next person. No muss, no fuss.
Have you ever been to the Museum of Natural History in Manhattan? It has these massive dioramas—taxidermied lions, tigers, and bears in a squarish room behind glass, lounging in a constructed facsimile of their natural environment. This LEGO set has the same sort of vibe and energy. You're meant to look, and aside from the knobs, not touch. But admire, above all.
LEGO Indiana Jones: Temple of the Golden Idol, Set #77015, retails for $149.99. It is composed of 1545 pieces and was designed by LEGO designers Andrew Seenan, Harald Pofahl, and Casper Glahder. It is available now.
For more brick-building coverage, check out our roundups of the best Harry Potter LEGO sets and the best LEGO Technic sets.
Continue reading...
This set is exceptional; it is the most fun I've had building a LEGO project since The Mighty Bowser, and it has everything to do with the four skull-printed knobs that line the bottom of the set.
Each knob is connected to a hidden mechanism; twist the knob, and it triggers a trap or visual gimmick. The first knob triggers the infamous boulder, which "rolls" along a toothed track. The second knob operates a pulley that lifts and lowers a wall. The third knob rotates a branch attached to a vine/whip, allowing a character to "swing" across a pit.
And the fourth, most interactive knob triggers a light, which bathes the idol room in a golden glow. After building the set, turn off all the lights in your house; the effect looks especially beautiful in the dark. If you continue turning the knob, the idol platform will descend, and the massive statue head above the idol will collapse and fall.
This set is exceptional; it is the most fun I've had building a LEGO project since The Mighty Bowser.
The build consists of three separate sections: the entrance to the temple with the boulder; a hallway interrupted by a chasm; and the final, climactic idol room. You build all three sections separately and connect them via a series of black pins. Then, you place reinforcing bricks over the seams, to create the illusion of a single, unified build.
The smaller details include spikes that protrude from the ground, vines and foliage that have grown over the bricks, and tree roots that have punctured through the temple's foundations over time. The elements are curved, which allow them to wrap around the structure.
The set comes with four minifigures: Belloq, a treasure hunter and Indy's arch-rival; an angry Hovitos Warrior; Satipo, a Peruvian guide who betrays Indy's trust; and Indiana Jones himself, complete with his signature hat, satchel, and whip. The minifigure also has a bag accessory, which Indy swaps with the idol to avoid triggering the trap. If you turn the Indy Minifigure's head around, there's an alternate face covered with spiderwebs.
My favorite details are the multiple stone heads that line the idol chamber. Some of them are simple stickers on printed tiles. But many more of them are made out of odd LEGO pieces, arranged to form the rough appearance of a human face. Studs for eyes, A fastener for a nose. A single tile to form a rectangular mouth. It's wonderful, minimalist work, indicative of the designers' ability to use very little to communicate a whole lot.
The Temple of the Golden Idol is targeted for 18+ audiences—not for its difficulty, but for its function and purpose. This is the middle ground between designing a fragile, yet intricately detailed adult build like the LEGO Rivendell set and a durable, yet simplified kid's build. It is a degree removed from the child-centered, "get-in-there-and-make-a-mess" ethos that traditionally comes with playing pretend. It's interactive and playful, but in a way that feels adult, focused and tightly controlled.
The set's purpose is to be a cool conversation piece. It's easy to admire, easy to operate, and difficult to "break"—a curious onlooker can set off all the functions without touching or disrupting any of the static elements within the scene. And with the exception of the statue head, turning the knob the other way will reset its respective effect for the next person. No muss, no fuss.
Have you ever been to the Museum of Natural History in Manhattan? It has these massive dioramas—taxidermied lions, tigers, and bears in a squarish room behind glass, lounging in a constructed facsimile of their natural environment. This LEGO set has the same sort of vibe and energy. You're meant to look, and aside from the knobs, not touch. But admire, above all.
LEGO Indiana Jones: Temple of the Golden Idol, Set #77015, retails for $149.99. It is composed of 1545 pieces and was designed by LEGO designers Andrew Seenan, Harald Pofahl, and Casper Glahder. It is available now.
For more brick-building coverage, check out our roundups of the best Harry Potter LEGO sets and the best LEGO Technic sets.
Continue reading...