0
Batman
The Batcave: The Penguin and Mr. Freeze's Invasion, set 7783
Piece Count: 1,075
Price in US Dollars: $89.99
Figs: 7
This set consists of seven different assemblies; four comprising the batcave, and three vehicles.
- Control/central batcave structure
- Batgun tower
- Jail structure
- Turnable bat sled platform
- Bat sled
- Penguin's submarine
- Robins' jet ski
(and three small armed penguins with just a few pieces each (I did not count as an assembly)
First, a shot of the entire set (without stickers):
The steps of the central/main control structure. The steps are held into place at the base and the top (although not completely tight):
The control/bat computer level (probably the best part of the set). I'm not fond of stickers and the computer screen requires one large middle sticker and two smaller stickers on the sides. I'll probably scan first, print, then place the stickers on the set. The chairs turn 360 degrees. The sides of the computer screen turn slightly. And under the table with the glasses is a secret compartment were one can hide gunds, cuffs, and other bat assessories.
Just another angle. I like the chairs the best:
The gun tower on the left side of the main structure. Not much of interest other than the gun:
And the batgun. The gun has three parts, including the large spring-loaded batgun (like on the batmobile), a chair for batman to sit on (that radar/light piece is not a sticker), and the middle section that contains a net that can be ejected by folding and pushing tight within the compartment, and pushing the back piece causing the net to shoot out.
The jail section:
This section was nicely designed. The back has a round section like a sewer or pipe leading out:
A trap door on top opens by pulling a technic beam. Pushing it back in raises the trap door:
On the top is also Batman's disguise chamber. It looks good, but I find that the hatches/doors are hard to open:
The last section of the Batcave is the front platform for the batsled. What is nice is that it turns 360 degrees by turning the technique beam, but it does turn rather slow.
On to the vehicles. The largest is the batsled. Interesting choice of vehicles, but I suppose all the others were separate sets. It's not too sturdy, but looks rather neat:
Robin's jet ski, the smallest of the vehicles contained in this set. Nothing too exciting:
My favorite of the vehicles in this set, Penguin's submarine:
Both sides open to allow you to place Penguin in the sub. Inside is a periscope that does raise and lower, a gauge, and faucet piece:
And the figs starting with the good guys:
And the bad:
Close up shot of Mr. Freeze- a very nice fig with freeze gun:
The Penguin, among my favorites:
And one of the best figs in the set, Robin. I've never been real fond of Robin but Lego did a very good job at designing this fig:
Summary
Pros
- As with all the Batman sets, the figs are superb (esp. Penguin, Freeze, and Robin).
- The set contains a number of mechanisms that add to the overall design of the set. The bat net gun moves up and down using a gear as well as the turnable vehicle platform. And I esp. like the trap door to the prison.
- Very good playability with numerous vehicles, figs, and separate batcave sections.
- Great assortment of unique pieces.
Cons
- This is a large set with over a thousand pieces. Having separate bags for each assembly would have made the build much more enjoyable and less timely. I found myself hunting for pieces to a point I was tired of building (the set probably took me around 3-4 hours to build) - and it doesn't seem like it would.
- I hate the need to place the large stickers on the bat computer screens. No more stickers Lego!
- Not too impressed with the bat sled. It's among my least favorite of the vehicles from all the Batman sets). It's flimsy.
- I'm not real impressed with how the two side sections (gun tower and jail) attach to the central/main structure. They attach with a short catwalk/walkway that does not sturdily hold the sections together.
- Almost one hundred US dollars which is pretty pricey.
I hope this review helps if you're considering buying this set. I would probably buy again.
