[REVIEW] The LEGO Movie | 70817 Batman(TM) & Super Angry Kitty Att

[LEGO Ink]

Well this sure has been a fun few days, taking pictures, buying brick, cranking out reviews of smaller sets. I tell ya, this was not my New Year's 'Resolution', but I wouldn't trade it. Well...maybe for even more LEGO, but wouldn't we all? As a formality:

Greetings! I go by LEGO_Ink (or various variations that may or may not include the '_'). While I'm not NEW new, I have only recently found a soft spot for trying to get ahead of the game on reviews. Any custom sets I design can be found here, but you can also jump in queue at any point by clicking the link by the imbedded images. The thing that really motivated me to start sharing my opinion for LEGO sets were the highly functional features that were starting to become more prominent from the LEGO Designers. There are such slight details and modifications, that I feel they really get overlooked in the grand scheme of completing a set but, should they be designed any other way, you'd have a completely different play experience.*** Moving forward, I'd like to_

I'M BATMAN!!!!

LEGO Ink, Flickr

Well, uh...hi, Batman. What's up?

WHAT'S UP? YOU MEAN, BESIDES MY SWEET NEW GRAPPLING HOOK, AN OVER-SUPPRESSED KITTEN, AND MY MASCARA UPGRADE?

Yeah, so...haven't gotten there yet.

... MMMMM. SOOOOO...?

On it.

Set: 70817 Batman(TRADEMARK!) & Super Angry Kitty Attack

Theme: The LEGO Movie

Piece Count: 115 +ballast

Population: We're going to go with 4.

Season: Winter 2015

Wallet Request: USD $9.99

Before I get rambling, or interrupted, I have been looking forward to this set as well. If you haven't read my previous review for Double-Decker Couch, we're in for some great characters. Between the two sets we're only missing Wyldstyle, as a primary, and she had enough incarnates from waves 1 & 2 that we all probably have something that will suffice. As for the here and now, the front of the box. What I am now seeing as 'standard' art for the boxes. We appear to be in the same TLM-2 off-stage area as D-D Couch, except tensions have arisen since the last call. If memory from the film serves correctly, we will be down a cast member, or two, by the time things get rolling again.

LEGO Ink, Flickr

The same little triangle can be found in the lower corner, and my first query comes here, which may be something that is up for debate among fans. Should Micro-Managers be considered as figs? They are not Mini- and thus do not fit that description. However, as some of you are probably going to pull the 'It's Brick-built!' card, I'll see you, and raise you a Uni-Kitty. Any of them. I'm not overtly concerned one way or the other, but I feel that they [M-M's] should count, especially this little one. Thus, my stated Population: 4. The box-art is direct, and what happened in the movie is, probably, most closely translated for this particular set. Carnage, Smirks, and Clumsy Robots.

DON'T FORGET SWEET GRAPPLING HOOKS!!

Yup, still on it...

The back of the box. Even more action, and perfect explanations of details. One such detail, I actually overlooked in my eagerness to make sure I bought the set before it flew off the shelf, is the exploding feature of the Micro-Manager. (Further Down) We also have flick-fire missiles, which apparently work when you push the back of something. Who knew!?

LEGO Ink, Flickr

Box contents include three small [unnumbered] baggies, one instruction booklet, and one cape. I'd assume it's as near to random decision, as makes no difference, but Vitruvius' cape was included in the bags for D-D Couch, yet Batman's was excluded. It's power 'cannot be contained, in any container!!'

TLM_SuperAngry_003 by LEGO Ink, on Flickr

As stated in the other reviews, there is a lack of sticker sheet. And while the booklet has a prominent crease in the middle for folding, it's crisper than a minted green. Another stated element is the LEGO Survey. Prominent to me because the characters on the back seem to be reflective of whichever theme the booklet has been assigned.

LEGO Ink, Flickr

For new and rare elements, There's not a lot aside from the characters, which will be addressed later. What there is, however, sticks out. Element #85861, Plate, Round 1x1 w/ Open Stud. I absolutely love these, and for this set you won't be disappointed, either. We get 2 in Dark Red, only previously seen from the Ghostbusters Ecto-1 and Emmet's Construct-o-Mech. We also get 3 in Black, which marks its debut with this set. [EDIT 1/2/15 - Black also get some serious recognition in 10246 | Detective's Office. Seventeen of them, with potential to swap a dozen out for spares, according to New Elementary.]

LEGO Ink, Flickr

BUT, GOSH, MAN, WHY ARE THEY HERE?

...Yes, we're at the grappling gun.

FINALLY!!!

LEGO Ink, Flickr

Either I'm out of the loop, or this really is one of the cleanest, most well executed, additions to a previously moulded weapon. Not only does it redefine a purposeful weapon [of the two 'barrels', the top is visually re-purposed into a sighting system while the bottom retains the conceptual propulsion system], but it's appropriately bulky, without being superficial.

As a neatly printed element, I thought this could be handy for future use. Knowing more, now, about LEGO and printing processes, parts like this make my engineering self all giddy. There's so much decorative potential!

LEGO Ink, Flickr

*** Onto the only actual building that needs to take place for this set, we come across the obligatory Micro-Manager. As for the previously overlooked function, this one has flick-fire missiles, as well as an exploding function...all within a 3-Stud span of each other. Not to shabby. The section that really tied my laces, was the way that the function would be locked in.

LEGO Ink, Flickr

On any other M-M, we would see a fourth 'Inverted 1x2-2x2 Bracket'. Here, however you cap the back side with a standard '1x2-2x2 Bracket'. The Technic underlying brick will function as the pivot point, and once you get all four brackets into place...

LEGO Ink, Flickr

...you then place a 4x4 plate over both sides and very surely Lock the mechanism together.

LEGO Ink, Flickr

One would have to, extensively, surpass the vertical forces required for play to disrupt this function. The addition of the standard bracket is two-fold. After locking the whole thing together, the remaining top studs will act as a minimal connection point for the roof of the M-M. Because of the design, these are now connection points that won't shift during play, leaving a constant surface for reattachment.

LEGO Ink, Flickr

The Man Upstairs, having a go at the features.

LEGO Ink, Flickr

And here we have a finished product! Again, the size constraints amaze me for this particular build. The arms/tentacles, for example, have 3 (Three!!) points of articulation for each arm. This includes the rotating 'shoulder' at the base of the M-M, but doesn't include the four pose-able claws. Then, there's the levitation systems that are based on the two rocker panels at the rear. Or the two exploding roof panels. Oh, and the two flick-fire missiles which are intentionally differing sizes, that tuck cleanly above the 'shoulders', and below the exploding roof.

While the M-M's have all had differing features, is this the first one that actually blows up?

ON TO THE DUDES!!!!

But, Uni-Kitty's name begins with 'Princess'.

::SIGHHHHHHHHHH:: YOU, ARE THE WORST.

Onto the...the... Onto the Characters.

THE BEST!

Another Robo Skeleton. A SUPER Angry-Kitty. A Batman(TRADEMARK!) with a black headband.

A Batman(SHUSH!), with a black headband? Why yes, I will tell you more.

LEGO Ink, Flickr

Here, we have a side-by-side of how his expression plays out. The elevated band offers the same principle as previous Bat-figs, it's no-so-secretly his eyes. However, for this rendition we have a black band with two white slits, per side, for eyes. As much as I wonder why this wasn't put into production for the previous TLM Bat-figs, I'm glad they decided to do it. With the cowl, he now looks how Bat-fig has meant to look for quite some time. With that, I do understand that Batman was illustrated with white-outs for his eyes for quite some time. He's also had mascara. Now both families win.

The benefit to this new color scheme is that he doesn't look like he just came off the basketball court, or was mis-printed. To me, he actually kind of looks like he's got eyebrows to match his facial expression. The best part is that the unintentional 'eyebrows' don't clash with the respective faces. Instead, they make a slightly altered version to the same head we were just looking at. Exact same head, exact same side, but you add the cowl and he becomes that much goofier/angrier.

LEGO Ink, Flickr

LEGO Ink, Flickr

As far as the ballast goes, I'm always up for goodies. The jewels of this batch include a red Kitty-Horn, and two Open Studs [both of the rarer variety].

LEGO Ink, Flickr

HEY, GUY. IT'S GETTIN' LATE.

Yes, my closing thoughts. This has been a long schpeel, for such a small set. Hopefully, you didn't tune out too long ago.

4/5 Cost effectiveness - Pretty alright, I'd say. At cost ratios, it's on point. You have to realize it's not substantial, as far as taking up space or bulk parts. You do get four characters, three of which are unique to this set. I, personally, don't mind the Robo Skeleton. He's something I'd eventually want extras of for any diorama invasion, so since he's my first I think I'll take him.

5/5 Play - Yes, the only thing that plays is the M-M. The Grappling Gun doesn't fire, Uni-Kitty doesn't have changing heads, and the Robo Skeleton isn't as agile. The Micro-Manager takes it up a notch, and has more play features in it's body than some $7 sets have in all their entirety.

I'm glad I got it, and I'm not even a completest.

I, sincerely, hope you all have had a Happy Christmas, and wonderful New Year!

Edited January 2, 2015 by LEGO Ink

[activiapeche]

Thanks for the review

This set's an instant buy as soon as I will find one.

Glad to see there are some 1x1round with hole in black, I did not noticed at 1st look - always usefull pieces !!

[TheLazyChicken]

Thanks for the funny review!

Eh, this is an ok set in my opinion, I think I like the micro-manager in this set. I personally think of this set as an army builder for micro-managers and skeletons. Also for rare parts.

[KCMatze]

Must buy this set !!

[Captain Braunsfeld]

Thanks for the review. It was fun to read.

As for the set: Batman and Angry Kitty are great - kind of "must-haves".

I can do without the rest...

[Jared]

Excellent review, thank you!

[rollermonkey]

Opened this one last night.

This was actually my first Micro-manager and first robo-skeleton, which is weird, considering that I have 8 other TLM sets.

That said, I'm a little underwhelmed with this. Maybe if I'd gotten a set with a MM before, I'd have been better prepared for what was in there. I'm glad to get Angry Kitty and Batman, but it's really not a very impressive set otherwise.

[Legocity2713]

Hilarious yet informative review. Great job. :thumbup: