Deathleech

I am in the camp that thinks this set looks like nothing more than a glorified gray wall. I know Mines of Moria catches a lot of flak for the same reason but at least there it make sense. It's basically just a room under a mountain, not exactly the easiest to depict nor really a reason to create the whole room. With Dol Guldur they could of created the actual fort though like they did with Helm's Deep. I wish Lego would of made the set more expensive and added a lot more detail to round out the structure. They could of easily made DGA and DGB one set and then added another $10-20 worth of pieces to make the set feel "whole". Usually I am a fan of splitting sets up to add more options like with Helm's Deep and Uruk-hai Army, but here it just doesn't work. As is the whole the wave just feels wrong. Two of the four sets are dedicated to Dol Guldur and even combined they STILL don't look complete. Why not do a proper $100+ flagship set, include more minifigures people want like Gladriel or Elrond in battle gear (if they are in the scene in the movie), and then that way the smallest set can depict something else? For such a small wave DGB is just too dinky itself and there are too many sets devoted to it. As for the minifigures, I find all except Radagast have issues. Azog looks oddly disproportional as others have mentioned. The Necromancer lacks detail (no printing on his black parts or a cape?), we have gotten Gandalf a million times before, and no orc hair or ears really sucks. I feel like Lego really dropped the ball with this set. They could of done so much more but didn't. I really hope they announce an additional set after the movie is released and are just holding back because they don't want to reveal Smaug yet (even though he has been revealed in other places).

Not really. They are unbelievable for different reasons. The PJ stuff is over the top and added to give a ton of action. Bard killing Smaug with a single arrow is the exact opposite, it's not believable because it seems so impossible and simple (yes, yes, I know it's a dragon we are talking about here). They actually are opposite ends of the spectrum, one is over the top and the other is anti climatic and very bland. I don't like either for different reasons. Actually he still has his scales on his stomach, it's just the dragon's stomach is the softest part on their body. The spot Bard hits is the only part on Smaug's stomach where the gold he lays on hasn't been encrusted onto his skin. Oh ya, and I really hope we get a Smaug D2C set late December or early January. Because you know, Lego

Being fiction is one thing. Having things break the rules of physics or proportions is totally another thing. Ya dragons and dwarves and elves are all made up but they all have boundaries they live by in the world. A dragon the size of a huge freight ship being killed by a single wooden arrow fired from a bow is absolutely resiculous. It is like bringing down an African elephant with a BB gun. As for the dwarves falling down kilometers in Goblin Town and Legolas surfing a Mumakil, those are both Peter Jackson added things and I totally hate them as well. They are way to cartoony IMO.

I always thought Bard killing Smaug with the black arrow from the book was one of the most ridiculous things ever. Even if Smaug's stomach is soft (you figure it can't be softer than human skin, even on his belly), he is so huge a single normal air shouldn't of brought him down. How many arrows did a cave troll take to kill, or even a Mumakil to it's stomach and they are a fraction of the size Smaug is. I thought it was especially odd Tolkien mentions it's a black arrow (handed down to him?), but goes out of his way to note it posses no special properties iirc. I can't imagine Peter Jackson following this verbatim so I would agree with you. I think PJ will make the black arrow magical or special in some way. It just makes sense and is an easy plot change. That or maybe Bard will shoot a huge arrow from one of the bolt throwers? Either way I can't see him sticking directly to the book here, he has to make it more believable in some way.

If his shoulders were bulkier like in your edited version, his arm's couldn't be raised fully? I do agree with his claw being more curved to hold things though, I suggested it myself awhile back. The claw already has a slight curve so why not make it curve enough to hold things? guess it wouldn't make sense since he can't grasp things with it in the film, but in the film it looks different anyways and is more spiky (I am sure Lego rounded it for safety).

I beg to differ. There are TONS of green orcs. Gorbag is a prime example. The only real difference between Moria Orcs (goblins) and Morgul Orcs in PJ version (besides their location), is they are smaller and have the distinct helms. Lego decided not to include either of these things though so I think the Moria Orcs blend in just fine with the rest of the orcs if you are going for a more rag tag horde.

Those actually looks pretty good together... they are starting to look like a nice rag tag band or Orcs now that we have gotten a few different prints. Looks like the Gundabad Orcs are going to have to fill in as the main orc force seeing as how they are so cheap on BL (especially without hair). Still no properly armored Mordor Orcs, but all well.

The more I think about it, and after seeing this, I think a StarCraft theme would work better if done more like Hero Factory figures. That way Lego can properly do all the different alien races.

I ordered doubles of all the new Hobbit sets with the current TRU BOGO 50% off deal, so basically got them all for 25% off since TRU actually had them for MSRP. Also got 6 of the MEA set and... 60 Lake-town Guard polybag the day before when they were still in stock

Eh, Lisa and Marge look terrible imo. They look like they are taking weird duck face selfies for Facebook. Their heads also look smushed down.

This is pretty much how I feel. The ONLY Lego I buy right now are LotR and Hobbit en mass quantities. I have thought about getting into the Super Heroes theme, but decided against it. If LotR/Hobbit end I will probably finish up getting whatever they offer for these themes but stop buying Lego after that unless they do something REALLY interesting. If Lego was trying to get me hooked with LotR/Hobbit it worked, but unfortunately I don't find any of their other offerings appealing enough to stay hooked.

Oh, I know there are more sets to chose from and of course more sets/options does contribute to more sales. There is more appeal and completest will want them all regardless if there are 2 or 20. If you took two lines that were identical in popularity and one line only had 5 sets in a wave and the other had 10 of course the one with 10 will do better (as long as they all sell reasonably well and return the investment). It also means more production cost though. Our point is there is a reason Lego decided to make so many sets for Star Wars, City, Friends, etc. They know EACH will sell very well. Sure some might not sell as well as others, but most will do very well. If the Hobbit or LotR was insane popular I am sure we would of seen much larger waves. It's not like Lego just throws a dart at a board and that is the line they decide to put the most effort into and make the most sets for. They chose them because they are huge hits. I do agree with your second point. I am not sure why Lego advertises buying 2 Black Gates and putting them together, only to have over half the characters in it not be army builders. Or why don't they offer any "true" army builder sets at all when the LotR film was all about the massive scale battles? They already have enough going against them with the theme not being as geared towards younger children as most other themes, and without a ton of advertising like Star Wars. To be honest, I don't understand why Lego doesn't really take advantage of the building aspect of their line. They could easily make sets that "officially" join together with small alterations or modifications and form much larger ones, or have alternate builds. Minas Tirith? Make 3-4 sets, all priced $40-100 and when you buy all of them you have a huge $250+ set that looks magnificent and can even be made bigger with additional walls/army builders like the Uruk-hai Army set. That and they should also offer additional hair/helm options imo. How easy would it be to include a second head for some of the characters or an extra hair/helm piece for sets that COULD be multiple purchases? In MEA they easily could of included an elven helm and chest plate at minimal cost to Lego (if the reuse the helm mold obviously), and that way all those extra Thranduil's aren't going to waste. They could of also included an additional elf hair piece for those who really want the elves with ears, you now appeal more to them and also people who want the green hood and it only cost Lego a few cents extra but I am sure exponentially would increase sales.

Nice review, the pictures were great but I especially enjoyed the humor! I was originally planning on getting a few of these sets, but after seeing how cheap the Gundabad Orcs with hair are on BL already, I think I am just going to go that route in a few months when they drop in price even more. I wish they would of included the hair/ear version in at least one other set, or in the MEA army instead... all well. I know Lego loves their flick fire missiles, but did they REALLY need to include one in this set? Why not have rocks that tumble off the top or something? It may not be movie accurate but at least it's not as ridiculous as a flick fire missile in a wall that folds out. All well, the minifigures look great and we all know that's the real seller for this set.

And why do you think Lego releases so many sets for these themes? It's because they EACH sell so well. Lego releases more sets because they know the demand is there for them. Lego doesn't flood the market with Star Wars sets to make up for each set not selling well on it's own, that's not how it works. If LotR and the Hobbit had amazing sales they too would probably get huge waves or a couple waves per theme each year. It's no surprise they don't though considering the theme is aimed at an older market (while Lego is a much younger market in general), and there is no other tie in besides the movie.

I don't think it has so much to do with what movie the sets are in, I think it has to do more with the fact we haven't gotten any Gondor related sets while we have gotten at least 2 with Rohan minifigs/locations (Helm's Deep and Uruk-hai Army). The only thing we have gotten that is remotely related to Gondor is Aragorn in his Gondor attire in Black Gates, and Boromir. That's it. No soldiers, no sets based on it, nothing. While I would love an Edoras/Golden Hall set somewhere down the line (maybe a wave 4 or 5 set if the line lasted that long?), I just think Minas Tirith, or SOMETHING Gondor related, is more important right now seeing the huge absence it has had.

Flick fire missiles and ring targets to shoot at ala Chima speedzorz... The worst of two words!

Well in Star Wars it's explained Darth Maul is a Sith and of an alien race. Other than having red skin he is very much a living creature that can be slain. The Balrog is s little more vague. A lot of stuff surrounding it could be paralleled to a demon and/or the devil. The Balrog comes from deep beneath the ground and is made of fire.. both of these things are usually synonymous with hell. The Balrog even looks like a demon with all the black and fire and he battles Gandalf who is an Istari, similar to an angel. Personally I see no issue with making a Balrog set and I don't think the comparison to a demon would be enough to bar Lego from making a set. I am sure there are many other things that would prevent it first. I mean, it COULD be a small factor, but I don't think it would be the only reason or the main one.

Ya, that was one of the first things reported a few weeks ago when the sets first started popping up at TRU. I think most expect the line to end when the movies do, it's just a matter of getting a third LotR wave or if we are getting a third (and forth?) Hobbit one.

I have checked the nearest TRU at least two times this week and nothing so far in terms of polybags (or new sets, they removed them after I tried to purchase them). There is also a TRU distribution center in the same city so I would imagine the actual TRU store would be one of the first to get the polybags in.

A much better price than the $7.50 they had before (with shipping and tax), but I still think I am going to hold out till Monday when they have all the sets in stock and online and I can take advantage of the free shipping with orders of $49 or more. Right now they come out to be almost $6 exact per polybag.

Well technically a set like that could be part of Osgiliath AND Pelennor Fields since there really isn't much for Lego to put in it to represent Pelennor Fields, and since it butts right up between Osgiliath and Minas Tirith. I think it might be a little confusing to people though. Personally I would rather see a Pelennor Fields/Minas Tirith gate set, kinda like the Black Gates. While the build might not be all that interesting, it could easily include Faramir, Eowyn, Rohan Merry, Theoden, the Witch King, and even Gothmog (plus some Gondor and orc soldiers if need be). Lego could cover all the main minifgs still missing in one $80 set. They could also do a wall add on, or a separate $30 Osgiliath Ruins set that includes more Gondor Soldiers and Mordor Orcs to army build with. Basically what I am saying is no matter what Lego decides to do, they could easily make 2 more LotR sets and pretty much cover all the main figures and factions we are still missing. I think most people could live without Easterlings, Haradrim, a Balrog, Mumakil, Gothmog, Denethor, etc. (though it would be a huge shame), but no Gondor Soldiers, Eowyn, Faramir, or Witch King is unacceptable. Lego could do a minimal investment into a wave, or even combine it with a Hobbit wave and fans would, for the most part, feel the LotR line is "whole". As is it just feels so wrong. We have the first wave that hit a lot of iconic scenes but then the second had stuff like the Pirate Ship Ambush which many feel like was a wasted space if we arn't getting anymore LotR waves.

Or any pics? Or at least descriptions? People who ordered them the first time they were up on TRU website should of gotten them by now? I noticed TRU removed the in stock in store option on the poly for a few days but they seem to have added it back so maybe they will be a ails me in stores soon now?

Just to be clear, I was referring to Anduril/Glamdring when I said the only major difference was the hilt. Other than that those swords look close enough to the current Lego long sword. They only have slight differences in blade shape. Orcrist probably didnt get its own mold because its not prominently used enough. It seems Lego is only into making new sword molds if they are used a lot AND they have really unique shapes and unfortunely only Sting seems to fit both bills thus far.

I agree. I don't think a Galadriel centered set, or more Rivendell stuff is going to be a big hit with kids. Sure it's iconic and beautiful, but it has few play features and no action in these scenes. On the other hand a Balrog, Mumakil, or Gondor siege set would have TONS of things kids want. Big creatures like a Balrog, Mumakil, or armored mountain troll, tons of exploding walls/pieces and flick fire missiles that actually make sense, and of course beautiful new molds. Plus they could have tons of army building potential too. I don't see how this WOULDN'T be a big hit? AFOLs still get iconic scenes and unique pieces/molds while kids get really cool and interesting creatures and play features.

Well I am sure the LotR license was MUCH cheaper to get than say the Star Wars one. I imagine LotR was sort of a bonus when they made the Hobbit agreement. I just can't imagine Lego paying a premium for a license over 10 years old and not in hot demand. How well it has to sell to justify continuing is indeed the big question though. With other themes like Friends, Ninjago, and Star Wars selling like crazy I am sure they aren't going to sit around with a license not meeting at least a decent standard. I assume that standard would be fairly high too with the other themes selling so well. If LotR/Hobbit doesn't sell amazing they could easily move on to the next license theme and see how that does.