[REVIEW] 42091 - Police Pursuit

[Jim]

REVIEW - 42091 - POLICE PURSUIT

INTRODUCTION
Every year two new Technic Pull-back Racers appear in the line-up, so it's no surprise to see two new ones this year. What is a surprise though, is that TLG has chosen the "cops and robbers" theme from 2016 again. Obviously, kids love this theme, so it's understandable, but it feels like a cop out....you get it?! The 42047 - Police Interceptor doesn't really look like its successor, although the stickers use the same color scheme 

PICTURES
Pictures can be clicked to view hi-res versions. More pictures can be found in my Flickr album.

DISCLAIMER
This set has been provided by the CEE Team of TLG. It's not my goal to promote this set. It's my goal to give you an honest opinion about it. Therefore, the opinion in this review is my own and is in no way linked to TLG.

SET INFORMATION
Number: 42091
Title: Police Pursuit
Theme: Technic
Released: 2019
Part Count: 120
Box Weight: 287 gram
Box Dimensions: 26,1 x 14,0 x 6,0 cm
Set Price (RRP): € 19,99
Price per Part: € 0,17
Links: Brickset, Bricklink

THE BOX

As usual this model can be combined with the other Pull-back to create a combined model. This time it is a rather unconventional tank-ish vehicle. You can see the image on the back of the box. The combined models are often odd vehicles, but this one is taking the cake.

CONTENTS OF THE BOX
The box contains:

• 1x Booklet
• 1x Sticker sheet
• 1x Pull-back motor
• 1x 19L Flex axle
• 3x Unnumbered bag

PART LIST
The complete part list for the 120 parts.

COMPLETED MODEL
Looking at the completed model, I can't help but think; what exactly am I looking at?! "Don't worry about it. Just use a couple of panels and turn in into some sort of Police vehicle!". And this vehicle turned out to be a formula one style vehicle. Choosing formula one style isn't a problem. The actual design of the set IS a problem though. I bet that most AFOLs could easily come up with a way better rendition, using more or less the same parts.

Basically this set is comprised of four wheels, a couple of panels and a pull-back motor. Looking at other (smaller) sets, I do notice that they heavily rely on panels. This made me compare the part count of this set with the version from 2016. The sets respectively contain 120 and 185. I know you can't judge a set by its part count, but buying (more or less) the same set, gives you 120 parts instead of 185. That's a difference of 65 parts, which is a major difference given the total part count.

It's no secret I am big fan of panels, but this is pushing it. The fun of LEGO is building a model out of different parts. Using 120 instead of 185 parts greatly deminishes the building experience. It probably optimizes the profit though. Only the most-profitable is good enough.

Move along, nothing to see here!

And another picture of this wond.........drous vehicle. Turns our this is the bad guy after all.

The usual left-overs.

SUMMARY
Being a pull-back racer, I didn't expect any functionality besides pulling it back and letting it go. What I do expect, is a decent design. I am very disappointed with the design though. Especially the use of panels, combined with the decreased part count. This set screams profit optimization. The combined model doesn't really help either. However, since the combined models are often quite odd I won't judge this set by that criterium.

PROS

• None

CONS

• Horrible design
• Part count seems intentionally low
• Horrible design
• Horrible design

SCORE
How do I rate this set? (Wow, I needed to search for images I don't use often)

2 DESIGN

One extra point for the trouble.

4 BUILDING EXPERIENCE

 Done in a minute. 

7 FEATURES

 On par with other pull-back sets.

7 PLAYABILITY
 
I have rated other pull-backs the same grade.

4 PARTS
 
65 parts less than its predecessor.

5 VALUE FOR MONEY

 The low part count makes this set less attractive than previous versions.

4,8 IT'S ALL ABOUT THE MONEY

FINAL WORDS
Thanks you for reading this review. All pictures can be found here.

[1gor]

First of all review is decent, if not excellent based on set as object of review. Positive thing that I can say is dark azure color and as time passes by I really like this color. Images are great as usual, despite not such good set, but as you mentioned the only God here is actually Goddess Juno Moneta.

[Jim]

2 minutes ago, I_Igor said:

...the only God here is actually Goddess Juno Moneta.

That is pretty obvious indeed.

[1gor]

And general problem I that it is spreading in all spheres of human activity like pest. The set itself could be usefull as parts donor when I need handful of parts for my mocs, but post expenses for BrickLink order are (together with order) higher than price of the set.  now I'm starting to believe in Juno Moneta 

[Ngoc Nguyen]

This set is basically a cheap part source for the 10 holes 3x11 shell panels.

[Johnny1360]

I usually pick up the pullback racers every year just for parts. This may be the first year I skip them, unless I find them at a very deep discount, just too few parts. I guess this is the way they will be done in the future, very disappointed. They have never really been a good deal and I certainly don't need anymore pullback motors but just over a hundred parts = no fun. 

[Jim]

10 hours ago, Johnny1360 said:

I usually pick up the pullback racers every year just for parts. This may be the first year I skip them, unless I find them at a very deep discount, just too few parts. I guess this is the way they will be done in the future, very disappointed. They have never really been a good deal and I certainly don't need anymore pullback motors but just over a hundred parts = no fun. 

Exactly. They always were expensive because of the motor, but at least you got a decent number of parts to go with it. 

By the way; this is officially the lowest ranking set I have reviewed. 

[allanp]

I guess if these sets are profitable then we'll keep seeing them, and long may they continue to create profit for TLG. But as an AFOL the only real draw if these sets are as parts packs. But I do wonder if they could be a little more inventive with these sets. I mean, does it always have to be a car? Does the pull back mechanism always have to be prebuilt units or could Lego come up with some new parts, like a rotary spring or escapement wheel or whatever, that enables pull back mechanisms to be built by the end user? Such an idea might lead to all kinds of combined b-models, like a clockwork train or walking robot, or even a clock, or whatever. Not only do I think this would open up a few new doors for their smaller, simpler sets, they might also be more cost effective as TLG wouldn't need the expensive prebuilt bit, and would make the sets more mechanically interesting, more Technic if you like. I guess that might be a bit complex for younger builders who these sets are squarely and solely aimed at perhaps? But surely they could add something to reflect the fact they are Technic sets. Maybe a go-cart with a single cylinder engine? Or customisable racers that include a few gears and different tyre sizes that can be swapped out to create different ratios, so the kids can really be customising their builds to win the race.  

[Jockos]

1 hour ago, allanp said:

I guess if these sets are profitable then we'll keep seeing them, and long may they continue to create profit for TLG. But as an AFOL the only real draw if these sets are as parts packs. But I do wonder if they could be a little more inventive with these sets. I mean, does it always have to be a car? Does the pull back mechanism always have to be prebuilt units or could Lego come up with some new parts, like a rotary spring or escapement wheel or whatever, that enables pull back mechanisms to be built by the end user? Such an idea might lead to all kinds of combined b-models, like a clockwork train or walking robot, or even a clock, or whatever. Not only do I think this would open up a few new doors for their smaller, simpler sets, they might also be more cost effective as TLG wouldn't need the expensive prebuilt bit, and would make the sets more mechanically interesting, more Technic if you like. I guess that might be a bit complex for younger builders who these sets are squarely and solely aimed at perhaps? But surely they could add something to reflect the fact they are Technic sets. Maybe a go-cart with a single cylinder engine? Or customisable racers that include a few gears and different tyre sizes that can be swapped out to create different ratios, so the kids can really be customising their builds to win the race.  

As long as they are profitable, the only form they take will be cars or bikes. There's no other kind of vehicle that can use the motor. The only thing I can think of is that they release a bigger model with 2 pullback motors.

[m00se]

Thanks for the review.

This looks like a six year old's first MOC.

Also it reminds me more of Playmobil than Lego.

[Jim]

1 minute ago, m00se said:

This looks like a six year old's first MOC.

Agreed!

[N-4K0]

Good review as always, Jim, and I have to agree with the general opinion. This set is just... eh, if I needed more Dark Azure panels and the price was right, I could buy it, but as a model? No thanks, I can make something better myself in less than half an hour

Poor designer who had to make this, I assume he did his best given the parts he had to work with.

[Jim]

16 minutes ago, Error404 said:

Poor designer who had to make this, I assume he did his best given the parts he had to work with.

Yeah, I felt bad grading this set. But to be honest; you can do more with six panels and 120-odd parts.

[Erik Leppen]

The bottom view says it all, really. It's too bad, because I thought I'd like this when I first saw it, because of the color and "LMP-like" concept. I thought the two dark-azure 9L beams were new, but they appeared in the sailboat before. They're interesting parts nonetheless, as well as the dark-azure small panels. The white 19L flex is also interesting in a low-budget set.

And I must say the old 42047 Police Interceptor looks fun :)

Maybe it's time for a new pullback contest, where the goal is to design a set-viable model, just to show how to do this properly :)

Edited January 20, 2019 by Erik Leppen

[Jim]

4 minutes ago, Erik Leppen said:

Maybe it's time for a new pullback contest, where the goal is to design a set-viable model, just to show how to do this properly :)

Using only 120 parts or 185?! 

[pleegwat]

Why, 185 of course. For a matching pair

[N-4K0]

Why not both? One contest where you can only use 120 parts and another with 185?

[allanp]

Or what about you have to design both vehicles and a combined model to closer emulate what the designer must do. With so few parts I think we can pretty much judge by eye if the rules have been followed.

[nerdsforprez]

I am going to go all political here.  Smack me for being all Millennial-like.  But if TLG can support "cop and robber themes" why can't they support military themes? 

I mean, if their argument is that they will never depict, or support something as horrendous as war is not the archetypal theme of "cops and robbers" warlike?  If creating a toy that resembles the theme is viewed as "support" then I guess TLG is cool with supporting 1) stealing, 2) trying to get away with it and 3) ruthless attempts to rid injustice that likely will end in violence of some sort. Often even death. 

I'm not acting all Millennial-like cause I have a true problem with all this rather just a justification of if they can allow and even glorify the "cop and robber" theme then why not allow the military theme? 

** rant over**

New rant here:

Please LEGO, rid us of the brown color in the 3L axle with stop.  I do not believe there has ever been a good justification for the color.  And to place it on top of a blue, white and police-colored vehicle? 

[dmcc0]

2 hours ago, nerdsforprez said:

I am going to go all political here.  Smack me for being all Millennial-like.  But if TLG can support "cop and robber themes" why can't they support military themes? 

I mean, if their argument is that they will never depict, or support something as horrendous as war is not the archetypal theme of "cops and robbers" warlike?  If creating a toy that resembles the theme is viewed as "support" then I guess TLG is cool with supporting 1) stealing, 2) trying to get away with it and 3) ruthless attempts to rid injustice that likely will end in violence of some sort. Often even death. 

I'm not acting all Millennial-like cause I have a true problem with all this rather just a justification of if they can allow and even glorify the "cop and robber" theme then why not allow the military theme? 

I alway presumed the lack of military theme was do with the risk of offending certain countries/groups rather than the actual subject matter; although there is a pretty big leap from cops and robbers to all out warfare in terms of violent content too.  I can't imagine a WWII theme with an "Attack at Pearl Harbor" set would sell very well in the US for example, and rightly so.  A military vehicles theme would be pretty cool though.  Presumably anything based on real-life vehicles would need licencing though and would essentially lead to TLG providing funding to the military, which doesn't really sit with their family-friendly image.

[Maaboo the Witch]

3 hours ago, nerdsforprez said:

I am going to go all political here.  Smack me for being all Millennial-like.  But if TLG can support "cop and robber themes" why can't they support military themes? 

I mean, if their argument is that they will never depict, or support something as horrendous as war is not the archetypal theme of "cops and robbers" warlike?  If creating a toy that resembles the theme is viewed as "support" then I guess TLG is cool with supporting 1) stealing, 2) trying to get away with it and 3) ruthless attempts to rid injustice that likely will end in violence of some sort. Often even death. 

I'm not acting all Millennial-like cause I have a true problem with all this rather just a justification of if they can allow and even glorify the "cop and robber" theme then why not allow the military theme? 

** rant over**

New rant here:

Please LEGO, rid us of the brown color in the 3L axle with stop.  I do not believe there has ever been a good justification for the color.  And to place it on top of a blue, white and police-colored vehicle? 

Hey, TLG was all for illegal street racing back in the Racers theme. Reckless endangerment and damage of property all over the place. 

Also, brown axle! Yes. Support. 

[N-4K0]

With the risk of continuing the off-topic:

What they could do is e.g. make a model of an originally military vehicle which exist in a civilian version, like the Humvee.
It wouldn't be any tanks or straight out military stuff, but civilian versions of whatever military vehicles have those.

[Ngoc Nguyen]

18 minutes ago, Error404 said:

With the risk of continuing the off-topic:

What they could do is e.g. make a model of an originally military vehicle which exist in a civilian version, like the Humvee.
It wouldn't be any tanks or straight out military stuff, but civilian versions of whatever military vehicles have those.

Well they did. 42066 and 42070.

[N-4K0]

True, I guess those would count. I don't really see 42070 as a military type vehicle in civilian version, but 42066 could very well be now that I'm reminded of it.

Funny, cos I bought it and it didn't even hit me

[dantheman]

nice