REVIEW: 1371 Spinosaurus Attack Studio

[WesternOutlaw]

This evening, I would like to present a review of a lost set that I came across in a stack of boxes.

Jurassic Park III - Spinosaurus Attack Studio (place intense action music here... da, da, da...)

Set Number: 1371

Theme: Studios

Subtheme: Jurassic Park III

Year Released: 2001

Pieces: 178 (according to box)

Minifigs: 2

Extras: Spinosaurus (grrr...)

Price: $35 USD / $25 Euro

Starting with the box, impressive artwork shows the attack of the Spinosaurus:

Back in 2001, LEGO was still showing alternate models on the back of set boxes, something I really miss in newer sets:

A closer look at the boxart shows a small boat being attacked by Spiney:

The set can be divided into five components: a tree, camera, airplane, Spinosaurus, and accessories.

The tree is rather blocky but has five large leaf sections:

Not much to say in terms of the camera, although it has a nice printed slope brick and removable film tile:

The small airplane is my favorite part of the set and actually looks a little like the real deal. I like the classic four-stud wide design:

Nice trans. blue window elements contrast with the white bricks and window frames nicely:

The top can be lifted open for added playability:

Three wheel sets provide the airplane with nice rolling ability for take off and landing:

Two figs are included within the set but for the life of me, I can't figure out who the guy in black is suppose to be??? Jeff Goldblum maybe? Other? I'm really not sure, but he has red hair:

The dreaded Spinosaurus is along the same line as the Dinosaur sets. He's easy to build and probably enjoyable to smaller children:

The airplane can be attached to the tree with its 2x4 + round hole plate (pictured on bottom of airplane image above). Watch out Jeff Goldblum stand-in, Spiney's a carnivore!

The set also includes some extras including another camera and additional windshield (in case Spiney breaks one).

That concludes the images. Let's talk about some thoughts of this set, shall we?

For Action (playability), I give this set a 5 out of 5. Tree + airplane + dinosaur = triple the fun! As with other Studio sets, LEGO can keep the cameras. If I play Jurassic Park, I'm not going to make a film of the play, but rather just swoosh the airplane through the air, crash on the tree, and attack with Spiney. Adding a producer and cameraman oversteps my limited imagination and use of two hands during play.

In terms of design, I actually like the tree (which I have used in my Jungle Adventure). Adding a few vines and maybe a monkey would make it better. The camera is useless, but as I mentioned above, the airplane is a real classic. Brick-build, 4-studs wide, and a hinged top + wheels = perfect combination of elements for a small LEGO aircraft. In regard to our friend Spiney: while he may not appeal to many AFOL, this one is for the kiddies and if they want to recreate scenes from the movie, what better way? Brick-built you say? A Viking-like dinosaur would take away the fun (at least in my opinion). The problem with Spiney is that his single leg piece loosens over time. This causes him to fall down when placing him in attack position. I'll rate this set 4 out of 5 for design.

Piece selection is moderate with a few nice elements like the tree leaves, trans blue windows, and airplane slopes. - probably a 3 out of 5.

While the original price for this set was $35 here in the US, I found it for a mere $14.88. I'd say that was a real bargain back in the early 2000s. At $35, I'd probably rate the price a 3 out of 5 (moderate).

Overall, (without doing the math), I would give this set a 4 out of 5 for its fun factor. What do you think? Share your thoughts.

[Inconspicuous]

Thanks for this nice review, Brickster! I love the incredible amount of resource pics you've added- it really helps me judge the set in terms of accuracy! I was into studios, but not Jurassic Park at the time these sets were released. I quite like the tree and the plane, but I agree that the camera and cameraman aren't needed. $35 was definitely steep for a set this size, but I'm happy for you that you found it at such a bargain!

Once again, thanks for the review. If you have other sets from Jurassic Park, I've always been curious to see them in more detail.

[legitimatealex]

Pshaw you totally CGI'd that Spinosaur in there

This is a great set. I had it when I was younger and when I thought that Jurassic Park was the best movie ever made and I wanted to be a paleontologist. Didn't everybody want to be one after those movies came out?

[The Green Brick Giant]

I think I saw it for $15 in some ad and never got it. It's a real fun set, the dinosaur is neat and it's a nice tiny plane. However $35 for it 10 years ago was insane. However by today's standards the set would cost $59.

[just2good]

Nice review!

I wish I got this set when it was out... I mean, I do have the other Jurassic Park set.

[lightningtiger]

Thanks 'The Brickster' for this review - yep the plane is best part of this set !

This is not my favorite Lego theme, though I must say the Spinosaurus is the second best thing about this set !

I'm a conformist! !

[L-DI-EGO]

Excelent review!

This was my first set from LEGO STUDIOS, one of my favorite themes. I'm agree with your opinions about the set.

When I was a child, I enjoy a lot of with that Spinosaur, but I would preferred a new mold for the head instead of a single printed T-Rex head. Something similar happens with the minifigs. The cameraman and the stuntman are included in several set from the LEGO STUDIOS theme. It would have been better if TLG had included any specific character from Jurassic Park. I think that the stuntman represents any of the pilots devoured by the spinosaur during the film.

The plane is one of the best things of this set. His classic 4-studs design is good, although it hasn't enough space for more passengers.

It's true that the camera isn't very useful when someone play with the set. However, It's necessary to justify that the set belongs to the STUDIOS line.

I had it when I was younger and when I thought that Jurassic Park was the best movie ever made and I wanted to be a paleontologist. Didn't everybody want to be one after those movies came out?

I also wanted to be a paleontologist when I was younger and saw the Jurassic Park movies. But later came out the LEGO STUDIOS theme and wanted to be a film director.

[BrickPerfection]

Great review, as always!

To the set itself: I'm not too convinced by it; I never felt the Jurassic Park sets to be very good and in particular i don't like the plane; at least one more window would be needed for a 3/5, so i voted 2/5

Also the tree looks quite squary.. boo!

[Patrolek]

Cool set, rave review! Thanks :)

[k_peek_2000]

I had this set when I was all into the Movie Maker Set, I had the whole deal, the movie maker set and pretty much all of the lego studios sets that came after. That was my intro to movie making and now I am a film major because of these lego sets :p