Remus_Lupin

For many of the AFOLs I've come into contact with, the Star Wars theme was their gateway into the world of Lego. What started as a purchase or two of iconic vehicles turned into a fully blown Lego addiction once they discovered the vast array of other themes that were out there. I'll hazard a guess that this also applies to a number of members here, but how many went in the other direction? I watched the OT when I was a kid, but I have to confess that they didn't leave too much of a lasting impression on me. I saw the prequels as they were released, but they did nothing to reignite any bit of interest that was there. Flash forward several years to my emergence from my 'dark ages' - I was overwhelmed by the sheer size of the Lego SW universe, but I didn't take more than a passing interest in the theme, given my general apathy towards the films as a child. I focused my renewed love for bricks on other themes; but when you get into the habit of reading Lego blogs and forums daily, it is impossible not to notice the volume of discourse on Lego Star Wars. In fact, I started to realise that a significant amount of tacit learning about the Star Wars universe was sinking in, just by reading Lego news. Being impressed by a number of SW sets, I decided that I should re-watch the films. Then I thought this was a terrible idea, given that my Lego interests were already pulling my budget in a number of different directions. It took a little over two years into my Lego renaissance to finally cave and watch the original trilogy. Given how long it had been since I saw the films, it honestly felt like I was watching them for the first time (some of the more iconic moments aside). Furthermore, seeing the likes of the Imperial Shuttle and the Death Star in their source material form, having salivated over their Lego counterparts for two years seemed to enhance my viewing. Upon finishing the OT, I was left wondering how 10-year-old me didn't fall in love with them all those years ago. But without Lego, I'm not sure I ever would have watched them again. The thing I feared about re-watching Star Wars (the anguished cries of my bank balance) hasn't quite materialised (my purchase of the Death Star notwithstanding); the percentage of back catalogue that is taken up by remakes has helped, and I've just accepted that the likes of Cloud City will never happened unless a future generation is made (and with the license renewal, I guess this isn't beyond the realms of possibility). Anyway, apologies for my long musings, but I'm interested to know how many others developed their Star Wars/Lego addiction this way rather than what I'm guessing is the more conventional order.

Why thank you, I must return the compliment - nice version of Tony Stark I felt that I needed a new avatar to match my name, so I took out the camera and whipped this up: Forever Shadowed by Stephen_J_OM, on Flickr

Haven't managed to get behind the camera in a while, but seeing this thread bumped made me want to contribute. So, some older ones that I haven't posted before: Death Eaters by Stephen_J_OM, on Flickr Breakfast at the Burrow by Stephen_J_OM, on Flickr Ron's Desires by Stephen_J_OM, on Flickr

I'm actually kind of relieved. I just about had the last Series 6 in my hands before Series 7 was being unloaded on the shelves. It's definitely the longest wait we've had for images between series, I'm hoping that it's a sign that they're slowing down the releases.

Thanks GRogall! I like the look of that AT-ST. From comparing images it looks better than the 30054 mini (though I haven't built that yet) - the legs look a lot better. The X-Wing looks a lot more similar to its polybag counterpart.

So, it's May 1st...I'm impatient to see some reviews There probably isn't a soul who would buy this before May 4th though I guess!

I certainly wasn't opposed to the Winchester, but I don't buy into the ire from some towards the decision. The company stated from the outset that it was on the boundaries of what they deemed to be appropriate source material. I also disagree with the comparisons between SoTD and the likes of Star Wars, Indiana Jones, and PoTC. Those films may not have been directed at 6-11 year olds, but they are distinctly more family-oriented than SoTD. Honestly, I think they are planets apart. The other argument that the decision was unfair given the upcoming Monster Fighters theme doesn't hold water either IMO. Take a look at the Monster Fighters micrositethat launched in the last day or two. Watch the video that explains the story behind the theme - how someone can't appreciate the difference in tone between that and SoTD is beyond me.

Love it. As a non-owner of an AT-AT, I dream of a future official UCS model. I've often wondered how feasible it'd be without a ludicrous piece-count, but you've shown that it is quite realistic. Chalk me down as another one who'll be keeping an eye out for instructions

Love those shots Wayno. The simplicity is great. Sometimes I get caught up trying to come up with interesting backgrounds, but the plain white works wonderfully

I've been doing a similar search lately (up to now I've kept my SW polybags sealed because of space issues, but want to crack them open soon) and I came across this thread which was very helpful: http://www.eurobricks.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=52253&st=0&p=931029 I ordered a few different pieces that popped up in the thread: http://www.bricklink.com/catalogItemIn.asp?P=3941&colorID=12&in=A (2x2 round brick, trans-clear) http://www.bricklink.com/catalogItem.asp?P=2681 (Support 6 x 6 x 10 Stanchion) http://www.bricklink.com/catalogItem.asp?P=30566 (Star Wars embossed tile with 4 studs). http://www.bricklink.com/catalogItemIn.asp?P=30359b&colorID=12&in=A (trans-clear stand piece from STAP, as suggested by Mr Man). http://www.bricklink.com/catalogItem.asp?P=4740 (trans-clear radar dish for the above piece).

Love the Toy Story one. It's bothering me though, I can't identify two: #3 (going from right to left) and #4 (going left to right). My best guess at the second one is

That's the visual dictionary, there is a character encyclopedia coming out in the summer.

Congrats! Looking forward to the next official TLG comment.

I, like many others it seems, was having registration issues with Cuusoo. The idea finally dawned on me to try registering on a different browser, so I dusted off Internet Explorer (had been using Firefox) and the 'sign me up' button was finally clickable. Just a thought for anyone else that was having similar issues. Now that I've sorted those issues out, support +1 added. Great project.

Incredible images, thanks for sharing I'd love to see a few more images for Mines of Moria, but it still looks like my favourite from the box art if nothing else. Attack on Weathertop is the biggest revelation from these images IMO, I really like the inside.

This is my only bag-building venture to date: Not so sure I'd do it again - it left a little cosmetic damage on the polybag in the form of minor scratches. Some are visible on the bottom-right hand side of the image.

I'm speechless, that is just phenomenal. Well done

The minifigure does seem rather superfluous - it would have been cool if they made him chrome.

Incredible That Fluffy alone is a spectacular MOC, well done.

Thanks for a wonderful review - I was on the fence about getting the set (have been on the theme as a whole) but I think you just generated another sale for TLG The set is already good value before you consider double VIP points on S@H if ordered before the 15th.

Ron stumbles across a Genie and his deepest desires flash before his eyes...

Thanks for the review, very detailed. I think this is the strongest of the first wave of Superheroes - and probably the only Batman set that looks as good (if not better) than the original version released under the LEGO Batman theme (the Batwing and Batcave don't look nearly as good as their original coutnerparts IMO). I'm not mad about the colour scheme of Two-Face and his thugs, but they are must-have minifigs for me.

The essential HP set has to be Hogwarts Castle - the most recent iteration should still be available (indeed this might be a good time to look, you might find it on clearance as the summer wave of LEGO arrives) and is a fantastic set. To augment the set you could pick up 4867 Hogwarts, which is a good accompaniment to it. After Hogwarts Castle I'd rank a Hogwarts Express as the next most essential, followed by Hagrid's Hut. I'd also highly recommend picking up 10217 Diagon Alley - the biggest HP set, and an absolutely superb one at that. I think it's one that will hugely appreciate in value too - and if your kids want it you might come across silly prices for it in the after market.

Finally got my hands on a 4695 mini Knight Bus, it's quite a photogenic little set Compared to 4866:

Great work, and I really love the collage and how it is put together.