lifeinplastic

Fantastic MOC! So good to see my favourite Lego theme being re-explored. You can imagine the sound of the water crashing down from the cleverly-built waterfall (is this made using parts from the Cinderella set?)as well as the busy sounds of the jungle fauna hiding in the abundant foliage. The boat is the perfect vehicle for navigating the murky waterways (a realistic colour choice). The mangrove-style tree roots also set the scene nicely. I just wonder if this is not more of a Mexican/Central American location rather than the Amazon, as the temple looks quite Mayan-inspired but certainly not a criticism. Also I don't think crocodiles are actually found in the Amazon - (just their smaller caiman cousins). It pleases me to see the CMF series 13 palaeontologist used, as always thought she would be a perfect recruit for Johnny Thunder's band of adventurers. Hopefully there will be plenty more 'Adventurers-compatible' figures in future series - or better still a return of the theme - do we dare to dream...?!

Disappointed no new sports equipment or musical instruments but overall a good mix and I don't like to complain about regular series in case they stop them and only give us more licensed junk... Looking forward to the penguin and another baby (hopefully the same as the Tribal Baby but in a white blanket). The serenader sounds like it could be a barbershop singer - hopefully one like the group Ross sends to serenade Rachel in Friends...

Great job! Some excellent details - from somebody who visited the city a few years ago!

A medieval monk (friar tuck) perhaps? Would make great use of grandpa's bald piece...

Paradisa lasted for six years but difficult to compare the two due to the far greater range of colours and bricks available nowadays in comparison to the 90s. Plus the Friends line isn't only restricted to an island/beach resort, meaning there are far more possible original sets that could be built. Furthermore, Paradisa never received the same exposure as Friends enjoys these days (Internet and TV show, plus modern availability of toys in supermarkets). Paradisa was probably my favourite theme when I was a kid (except as it was pink nobody ever bought it for me, being a boy) I always therefore wished the bricks were not pink and that theme was more gender-neutral, exactly as I do with the current Friends theme. I am, like many other AFOLs it seems, disappointed that the range of buildings and subject matter of the Friends theme isn't something that is currently likely to be included in 'City' themes as a result, and have always disliked the minidolls, primarily because I feel they are divisive in terms of being too gender-specific and incompatible with minifigures. I will always wonder if a 'minifigure-based' Friends theme would have been equally as successful.

I personally feel Lego has neglected to provide a wider range of animals, especially when you look at other leading toy lines, such as Playmobil. Sadly, we have to wait for licensed themes like Prince of Persia to provide us with animals like the ostrich and camel (which I didn't buy as I refuse to buy licensed sets but hoped the moulds would be re-used for a non-licensed set). However, the collectible minifigure range does provide Lego with the opportunity to release new moulds but it would have to be appropriate to the identity of the figure. Although I would like more than anything to have a giraffe, zebra and hippo (which should be able to be taken apart horizontally to allow just the upper part to give a 'wallowing' effect), the animal would have to be small enough to fit it a CMF bag. For example... A vet (veterinarian) could have a domestic pet such as a rabbit or a tortoise. A diver (turtle) A pirate (blue macaw - variant of regular parrot) A biblical-era shepherd or Bo Peep (lamb) A hobo (pigeon) An Amazon explorer (toucan or sloth) A Canadian Mountie (beaver) A Zoo Keeper (penguins!) An Australian/Steve Irwin lookalike - koala 1) I will choose the sheep as the next animal most likely to be released. 2) The new horse should eventually be made in other colours - grey?

What worries me is that there are just so many possible characters from Disney (which is why there will be more figures than usual). Therefore I a concerned we will see wave after wave of Disney series every year as they try to cover as many films as they can, in place of regular figures.

Well we shouldn't have to damage items to make them look untarnished. I agree with the original message. It drives me mad when Lego try to individualise specific figures, often for vanity purposes. For example, the mechanic and diner waitress having name tags. Any specific writing on the plaster cast will certainly spoil such a long-awaited figure for me.

And the Native American. Series 10 was actually one of my favourites and I like all genres. Personally feel there is a lot more variety of figures that City sets still have to offer in comparison to other themes - purely because City represents the world around us so there are many more diverse subthemes from which figures can be chosen. For example, how many different sports are there? How many genres of music and musical instruments? How many different hobbies and occupations are there? How many world nationalities? How many animals/food items exist for a costume character? The good thing is there are still plenty of options for all themes to still explore and the reason I love the regular series is because there is always some figures people are bound to like due to the mixture of subjects (lots more Adventurers stuff would be particularly great though!!!).

Has there been any confirmation of any Jurassic sets for 2016? I would be surprised that, assuming Lego has the license for all the films (seeing as they appear in the game), they would not make sets relating to the previous films (I know JP3 sets appeared a number of years ago). I guess it would be sensible to have released only Jurassic World sets this year to tie in with the film release, otherwise people would have been influenced to opt for the original sets in preference, which could have damaged the current film's popularity. However, I would quite like to see the original film represented in official Lego soon.

Would still like a fishmonger like this one but in yellow... http://lego.wikia.com/wiki/Fishmonger The Series 6 butcher is getting fed up telling the Lego City pescetarians that he only sells meat, not fish!

Gotham City Zoo Escape OK, I'd much rather have a nice non-licensed City Zoo (or some sort of safari/wildlife subtheme) but seeing as Lego will no doubt release an umpteenth Police/Fire wave in as many years, rather anything remotely new, I suppose the Superheroes may be a decent way to get a zoo, following the inclusion of a zoo area in the Batman Game. There would probably need to be more scary creatures on the loose to indicate a villain or two causing havoc for the Batgang (although a giraffe does appear in the game so fingers crossed). I'd personally like a hippo with the upper half detachable from the legs to give the appearance of wallowing in water. I know there have been a lot of Batman sets but he's popular and this would also appeal to non-licensed fans much like the Prince of Persia sets were made more appealing by the ostrich and camel. It is always good to see different villains and I'd lie to see the Ventriloquist at some stage. There was a great comic strip drawing of him in Lego version with the dummy wearing a white Panama Hat but I cannot find it anywhere.

No torsos representing Ravenclaw & Hufflepuff was a let down.

Personally would rather see a return to the usual 3 series a year. Didn't buy any of the Simpsons and the Monsters sets probably won't be that useful to me personally. I liked the original standard series as there was a bit of something for everyone. My favourite part was the new accessories so hopefully Series 15 will contain lots of new moulds. As a City fan, a Winter Village theme would be of great interest (and a Summer counterpart too!). A music theme would be excellent to allow a full orchestra to be built or an animal theme where each character has an animal accessory (like the captain's seagull, trendsetter's Chihuahua, witch's cat). This could include a range of themes (a pirate and a blue macaw, an explorer with a toucan, Australian with koala, medieval falconer, a vet with rabbit...) However, this would be unfair to Space, Castle fans, etc and I would understand their frustration knowing how annoying it is when a series is replaced by 16 figures you have no interest in (like the Simpsons for me). Not looking forward to the Disney one at all.

First ever Lego vineyard? May I ask where the grape pieces come from?

A great build, Captain Nemo! Although don't think the mystery machine would go unnoticed by any witnesses! I see you have the whole gang there - any chance anybody could show me what the hairpieces look like on regular yellow heads? (would be much appreciated).

Actually, a decent living room interior would have been quite a welcome addition to my collection!

Take away the minifigures and you have a poorly built living room with badly designed furniture. Looking only at the minifigures and you have 7 figures that only bear a passing resemblance to the characters from the show. I think it's a real pity Lego doesn't invest more into its own core themes (such as City) but as long as fanboys & girls continue to throw money at buying licensed sets (when really all they seem to want is the minifigs, particularly as the actual construction element of many licensed sets are pretty weak), Lego will continue to churn out more rubbish like this. Don't get me wrong, I like the show a lot but it doesn't need to be represented in Lego. I worry about the future of my favourite hobby. *sigh*

I know this isn't a poll as such but I would highlight that having this topic in the licensed forum would affect the outcome as those that have a key interest in the licensed themes would have a preference for 'fleshies'. Personally, for me it would be yellow every time. I stopped collecting licensed themes like SW when the change was made.

Excellent! I think these would be popular on Lego Ideas...

For me (assuming they were designed a decent standard), any sets with new animals in would be my highest priority each year. I have always been jealous of Playmobil due to their abundance of animals available. My only concern would be if Lego would be hesitant to release a zoo set due to any negative association with wild animals in captivity. However, they do this with Duplo. I suppose the sets could come with a booklet advocating endangered species or breeding programmes approved by the World Wildlife Fund or something. I am annoyed the Prince of Persia camel and ostrich never found its way into Lego's own brand products. I didn't buy these sets due to my reluctance to fund licensed sets, which I personally feel is taking the soul and creativity out of Lego. Anyhow, whether Lego finally gives us some zoo sets or not, I hope some City subtheme is released in the near future which contains animals - perhaps a wildlife explorers line where some adventurer-types explore the Savannah, the Amazon rainforest and the Outback. Hippos, rhinos, giraffes, kangaroos, flamingos, blue macaws, sea lions, koalas and toucans please (but like the OP says - not brick built, except the upper half of the hippos could be separated from the legs to give a wallowing effect when fixed to a blue baseplate.

As always, thanks for the detailed review, White Fang. I like the show a lot but would much rather have a normal CMF series. There are not really any new accessories and the torsos don't generally suit regular figures (although I am pleased you included this in the review). Come back proper CMFs!

These are pretty poor - bring back Monster Fighters!!!

Gaaaaaaahhhh!!!!! Don't get me started on this subject - of all the years Lego has been in existence the lack of animals produced is very poor. I always envied Playmobil with their amazing range of creatures. I remember trying to build a Lego zoo as a kid. It had a shark, a monkey, a parrot and horse. It was pretty rubbish. 20 years later and things haven't improved much and the residents of Lego City are still waiting for a zoo to be built in their town. If a licensed set is released then any related animals are made immediately. Think, rancors, wargs, tauntauns. We even had to buy Prince of Persia sets to get an ostrich and camel. I suppose the bears and polar bears were made within the past 5 years and new crocodiles are being made next year for City but there is still lots missing. No hippo, no rhino, no giraffe, and as for a kangaroo.... Come on Lego - look at my avatar and let's get a world wildlife subtheme and focus on making non-licensed themes more appealing so kids can create the world around them.

1) Paradisa (complete with an island airport and new proper moulded luggage trolleys) 2) Adventurers (some fun in the jungle please but don't go down the 'Dino' route) 3) Lego 'Town' ('sigh'... the good old days where the citizens of Legoland were always smiling happily - quite possibly because aggressive looking criminals didn't terrorize the urban landscape and they didn't have to pay excessive taxes to fund the ever increasing police force).