REVIEW: 70812 Creative Ambush

[jodawill]

The little Western one is actually terrific. Maybe just for the minifgures, but it's really terrific for the figures!

Yeah, I'll probably get it because it has some great parts. But as far as the model goes, I'm not that impressed.

[lincolnwho]

Ah ok well I can't wait to see what people do with the parts

[Only Sinner]

Models-

Parts-

Minifigs-

I love these figs, and I am so excited to start on my own saloon. I will also have a real kabob cart in my town! What a good set.

[Dorayaki]

Nice review . As others mentioned, I guess it was probably one of their 2-in-1 plans, but it didn't turn out very well. There are too many trival pieces and long airfoil that can hardly rebuild into a kaboob stand and a saloon, so as result these planes are just "inspired" by those buildings and not useful. Therefore, even though fighting planes would be very important to the Movie, I'd rather see a real saloon instead.

The planes are not that bad, maybe the use of colors could have been smarter.

Edited December 30, 2013 by Dorayaki

[DaleDVM]

I actually love the builds... Is it me or do most people not understand what this theme is doing? The object is for these vehicles to look like they are made out of the parts of a building. In fact almost all of the vehicles are made using this same concept. In this case, I think they have done a fantastic job! The biplane is incredible in my eyes and I wouldn't change much. Thanks for the review.

[Shushen]

This set frustrates me a bit.

I would have dearly loved a bobs kebob stand, but there is no alt mode for the flying kebob seller and the western stuff doesnt really engage me.

Shame really.

[CorneliusMurdock]

But think of the saloon you could build with some of these parts! It might not be an actual 2 in 1 but that shouldn't be a problem for most of us.

I've been thinking of making a western town after getting all but one Lone Ranger set and with the parts from the "western" sets of this line as well, I'm feeling some inspiration coming on.

[Gryphon Ink]

I like the eclectic look of these vehicles, but it's insane that they aren't 2 in 1 builds. I would have liked actual transformers even more, but I imagine TLG would have gotten into some IP infringement issues if they had transformed. But I don't see how they could have gotten into trouble with 2 in 1 sets - Lego had 2 in 1s before Transformers were even a twinkle in their inventors' eyes. Huge wasted opportunity there.

[ikba]

Nice part selection, although the set is a let down, at least the micromanager is less horrible than I thought.

[Aanchir]

I like the eclectic look of these vehicles, but it's insane that they aren't 2 in 1 builds. I would have liked actual transformers even more, but I imagine TLG would have gotten into some IP infringement issues if they had transformed. But I don't see how they could have gotten into trouble with 2 in 1 sets - Lego had 2 in 1s before Transformers were even a twinkle in their inventors' eyes. Huge wasted opportunity there.

Why would there be IP issues? There have been plenty of LEGO mechs and other vehicles that transform (well, "convert"), including...

• ...the Atlantis sets 8077 and 8080
  
• ...the Ninjago sets 9441, 9442, 9444 (this one actually converts in two different ways!), 9446, and 9449
  
• ...the Exo-Force set 8118
  
• ...the Legends of Chima sets 70006, 70007, 70009, 70013
  
• ...nearly every human vehicle from the Galaxy Squad theme
  
• ...the Space Police sets 5979 and 5983
  
• ...the Mars Mission sets 7644, 7645, 7647, and 7693
  
• ...and finally, pretty much every 2004-2005 Alpha Team set.

Just because Hasbro owns a brand called "transformers" doesn't mean any toy that transforms is imitating that IP. Not even the ones that transform from modern-day, real-world vehicles into fantasy robots.

The real reason why the LEGO movie sets rebuild instead of actually transforming is because the entire movie is about trying to protect the spirit of free building against a megalomaniac who wants everything built according to rigid instructions and has an evil plot to glue everything in the LEGO world together. I imagine most of these "2 in 1" models will be built during climactic moments as the citizens of Bricksburg rebuild their ordinary buildings and vehicles in order to rise up and defend themselves against the oppressive Micro-Managers. With that in mind, having them "transform" or "convert" without having to take them apart and rebuild them would kind of undermine the whole premise — in that case, they'd still be the same models doing exactly what they were designed to do.

[ResIpsaLoquitur]

I don't understand why people are so upset about the lack of an altmode. You can make your own! I mean, the irony is that the movie is specifically about not following the instructions and using your imagination to make your own thing. I imagine that you have enough parts there to make a decent kebab stand even without instructions. For the saloon, probably not, but you might at least be able to start one.

Plus, let's see what actually happens in the movie. Maybe in the climactic scene, the saloon owner just rips a bunch of parts out of his restaurant to build the plane.

[TheOrcKing]

This set is a bit all over the place but I kinda like it.

[Off the wall]

Remarkable design. A lot of thought went into this one. Outstanding!

[cgarison]

Is it me or do most people not understand what this theme is doing?

I agree with you because it looks like the "hot mess" of the vehicles was intended. This was the first of the Lego Movie sets that I built and I loved the detail in the vehicles. The bi-plane looked like a wild west saloon was disassembled into parts that could be re-used as a plane and the kebob stand was very detailed. The only disappointments was that no way to easily spin the meat on the rotisserie and no tail gear on the airplane. In all, it was a nice set and it had a ton of great parts for MOCs.

.

[ResIpsaLoquitur]

I had a thought...

Getaway Glider + Creative Ambush + Rescue Reinforcements = enough pieces for a complete saloon?

[escortmad79]

Are we getting this set in the UK? I flicked through my January-June 2014 catalogue (With the Lego Movie on the cover) & it isn't listed amongst the sets!

[ritzcrackerman]

Not trying to bump this thread - but is this a retailer exclusive? I have not been able for the life of me to find this (in the US, at least) at Target, Wal-Mart, Fred Meyer, Toys R Us, etc. It seems like it may be the black sheep of the line, but it looks like a lot of fun. I can usually count on one of those retailers to put out a 20% off coupon periodically, which would prompt me to buy a copy.

I can't recall how much (if any) screen time it gets in the movie, I'll have to keep my eyes peeled the next go-around.

[shaggysanchez]

Not trying to bump this thread - but is this a retailer exclusive? I have not been able for the life of me to find this (in the US, at least) at Target, Wal-Mart, Fred Meyer, Toys R Us, etc. It seems like it may be the black sheep of the line, but it looks like a lot of fun. I can usually count on one of those retailers to put out a 20% off coupon periodically, which would prompt me to buy a copy.

This is a Target exclusive, the flusher is Wal-Mart, and Rescue Reinforcements is Toys R Us.

[Andy D]

I just built this today (except for the Micro Manager) and I think it was teriffic! The airplane made from a saloon is so humerous. First when just a piston engine and propellor is just not enough, you add a couple of jets in the back. Then there's the cannons! Obviously a couple of machine guns is not enough fire power... So you use a couple of big-megablocks cannons, and the cannon ammo appears to be beer glasses. The for bombs a few liquor bottes. Don't forget the flight controls... A gold faucet! Finally just what every airplane needs... A Piano, a piano! Gotta have a piano. Don't get me started on "Bob's Kabobs" this is very humerous. For a good time, I highly recommend this set!

Andy D

Edited March 9, 2014 by Andy D

[ResIpsaLoquitur]

Note: on the Creative Ambush page on shop.lego.com, somebody submitted alt-build photos for a saloon and a kebab stand for this set.

[Andy D]

Alt builds very clever. I could not find the photos. Are there more photos of the alt builds.

Thanks,

Andy D

Edited March 9, 2014 by Andy D

[Vee]

... The instructions use the drab blue and orange color scheme I already whined about in my Lair review....

I much prefer the old bigger blue "soft" instruction books to these new small hard'ish cover with black pages that I am finding in new sets like Architecture and Cuusoo.

Alt builds very clever. I could not find the photos. Are there more photos of the alt builds.

..

I could not find either. Pics too small, I hate small pics ...

[Clone OPatra]

I much prefer the old bigger blue "soft" instruction books to these new small hard'ish cover with black pages that I am finding in new sets like Architecture and Cuusoo.

I was really just talking about the color scheme, not overall instruction-booklet style. It's just very plain and dull on the inside, compared to some other themes which have more interesting colors and patterns.

The black instruction booklets aren't replacing the rest - they are used just in Architecture and Cuusoo to be more impressive items in and of themselves (they will probably be used in upcoming Star Wars exclusives as well). All other types of sets have the regular type of instructions.

[VintageLegoEra]

i am going to build mine today. Hope it meets My expectation ;)