Brickthing

I prefer generic usually, although sometimes named ones are fine, as long as they're not too distinctive. I enjoy using the named figures in MOCs, because they've got a character that other LEGO-fans already know, so there's no need to introduce them. However, I prefer pulling my figs apart and making custom generic figs to use in my Bed-town, that I can then invent my own character for them. I find that the helmet of Darth Vader or the face of Dr. Inferno for example are too distinctive to use because I'd look at the fig, no matter what the other parts of the minifig are, those distinctive parts would make me associate the minifig with the character, instead of a generic minifig. In short, I like minifigs as long as their parts can be used for my own custom minifigs, and aren't so distinctive that I can rethink their character.

We've already had Barraki, so we need some heavy elemental sets now IMO. Or canister sets with roller-skates and sawblades of doom.

Just went into Farmers Glenfield and they had the new IJ sets, as well as the orange tow truck. Nothing else though. I'll be going into Albany Farmers tomorrow and pick up some new sets with the 30% off.

I really can't tell from the picture, but considering how most of the other pieces are placed in based on the fact that they were the right colour, it's likely that the thighs are gold. That's probably bad for the set because it introduces yet another clashing colour to an already sad set, but it's extremely good part-wise because it means it's likely that the mask could be Gold instead of yellow or yellow-orange. Maybe Front could clear this up? As for the other sets in the picture, I'm in love with the Cendox-Motorbike handlebar, and loling that the Thornatus has a scope for aiming it's 6+ launchers and cannons. Also, pro for flip helmets is that the Spikit gives us a unique helmet for another Jungle Glatorian, and the red helmet with Cendox gives us another Vulcanus Glatorian. It's almost as good as mask packs!

Ninja'd. Anyway, epic fail.... Did the designers say "Hey! Lets take BIONICLE's coolest character that already is a set in the current wave, combine it's parts with the clashingly-different yellow shades of Jetrax and Bitil, then give him TECHNIC-built hands, next to no recoloured parts when desperately needed, unnecessary piston-powered waist articulation and very-visible holes in his chest!"? On the pro side, it looks like we get a recoloured version of the 2008 Ignika - note the blackness between the mask and the yellow ( )eyes, as well as the longer shape of the mask. If this isn't a badly designed but well incorporated fake, I only see this Mata Nui as a decent parts pack, nothing else. EDIT: Other pro, we get a set version of Mata Nui's sword. TECHNIC fingers look more fail upon zooming in.

It's the Cairo Ambush set, which has 4 minifigs and a couple of small constructions in a set that will either be $20 or $25. It's the closest thing to a decent Indy battlepack so far.

Congrats, I've always found digital building very tedious. How much is the cost of the final product, if it's possible to buy?

Stronius makes normal Skrall look like kittens. Still wanting that club. Gelu looks alright, but the only wanting factors are the sword, white inika armour and the mask. Here's me still wanting those trans-black/silver snowflake pieces. One thing I love about all the sets this year is that the set designers have taken extra in making the tribes unique, beyond colours. Gresh, Tarduk and Vastus all use Mahri-blade-like shapes in their parts, the Ice sets have the repeating circle things on their helmets, snowflakes and blades, the Skrall are loaded with markings that look like they're etched in rock, the list goes on. Very big kudos to the set designers to that. @ The Dor: In line with the tribe design point, I think Mata Nui's blade is the awesomest design detail of all. Intentional or not, his weapon closely resembles Matoro's weapon in style, and Matoro was the Ignika's destined wearer, saviour and role-model throughout 2006-2008. Along with the fact that Mata Nui uses the same lower arm and leg parts as Matoro and includes his 2007 shoulder armour, I think this is one of the best shout-out or reference to previous story and sets, which mainly only the long-term fans would remember now, which of course is us. Front, can you pass on my thanks to everyone who did Mata Nui?

You're seventeen 'cording to your profile.

Purple's not impossible, it's just not gonna show up in future sets in large amounts. It's in this summer's Indiana Jones Cairo Ambush set. However, it's not in BIONICLE anymore because there is no element for it to match, and let's face it, what 8 year old boy will go bananas over purple pieces?

On the Crystal King Video the Power Miner has the wrong hair, and TLC taunts us with not-in-set sausages.

What? You've got to buy the set for that!

Most of us were hoping he would be metallic gold, considering the Ignika's colour and especially after the TLR trailer. However I find it kind of understandable that he isn't that colour. Really? I always thought it looked like Voya Nui with Matoro Inika's blade style applied to it.

Come to think of it, which pieces have you designed or had heavy influence in making? I'm interested to know.

Lovely pictures, you've just sold the set for me again. The instruction front and instruction content picture look so awesome as well, more than instructions of sets usually do. I can see now what's happened with the new Ignika, although I think it's a bit strange. This one is quite a lot shorter and looks very cartoony in the last picture, whereas the 2008 version was very long and looked rather awkward at some angles because of it's length. A mask in the middle in terms of proportions would be my preferred Ignika, like the one we saw in both commercials of 2007 but never got in set. I love all the recoloured parts in the set and some other Legends sets, so did the design team get a raise in new colours/ new moulds per set? The significance of Mata Nui is that he was the god and protector of all the characters from 2001-2008 storyline, but at the end of 2008 he was banished from that universe by the Makuta. His spirit was put in the Ignika, Mask of Life, because the mask was also a threat to Makuta, and then Mata Nui was flung out into space. I suppose you know what happens next when he lands on Bara Magna right? Do you know why the canister lid is yellow as opposed to orange-yellow? Yellow would probably stand out a bit more, but it clashes badly with the orange-ness of the the front and back canister art. Finally, does the wobbleness of the ankle cuffs prevent restriction of ankle articulation? Thanks so much for the review presentation, I'm very appreciative of your insider views.

Aside from the worrying hints of a non-traditional LEGO style, this sounds good, because we may be getting some cool new alien minifigs, hopefully without the awkward Ben 10 black and white markings on them though.

Vultraz was bad for it's price, but they both seem to be the same kind of set in regards to expected price. Unless of course Vultraz was marked down in that photo..

@ Cendox in store pic - What I find weird is that Cendox and the Helicopter Transport set in the other picture are the only new sets out of the entire display. Also, Vultraz is $13, Cendox is $20 = Bad...

If you were originally buying her just for parts, then why don't you swap out the red axles for discreet black ones?

The complex TECHNIC and BIONICLE designer can't build a set right? You're right that it doesn't matter, because who needs to follow the instructions anyway?

Thanks very much for this review Front, I appreciate you using your access to sets to give us an exclusive view of what's to come later this year. I love the back of the canister, and give my to your colleague who designed Stronius' mask, it's very nice.

Selfish? No, exclusives are exclusives because TLC makes them so, then offers the rights to sell the set to one store only. If no store wants to sell the set, it could be possible that it might not be released at all. Last year the Target Exclusive Yellow Jetrax (BIONICLE set ) never saw NZ shelves at all. Warehouse Albany had Hoth, Sep, Y, and 1 Venator when I went there this evening.

GS has happy eyes. Intended? It's interesting that the sets are out so early, and it seems official. Maybe in preparation for the movie?

Wow, I'm loving those production photos, but where did they come from?