The last 2024 LEGO® DREAMZzz™ set we're reviewing is another great example of the quirky set design of this original theme: a witch's hut nested atop a gigantic raven. So far, I've been critical towards many sets of this wave due to unfocused and messy set design. I've associated this with the alternative builds. I like how these sets offer different designs using the same parts, emphasising the nature of this medium – but so far, it has deemed sacrifices on the design coherence.
A big mech calls for a big name and 71485 Mateo and Z-Blob the Knight Battle Mech is certainly a long one for this 1333-piece set. Though I can't help but think simply going with Mateo and Z-Blob the Knight Mech would have been enough. Surely 'Knight' and 'Mech' suggests battling is a given, right? We might never know, but by reading this article you will know if this LEGO® DREAMZzz™ set is worthy of the Round Table of New Elementarian Knights.
The first wave of LEGO® DREAMZzz™ underlined the building toy component of the theme by having different builds achieved through partial deconstruction of the first build and then adding to it with an alternate set of instructions. This idea is taken to the next level in the August 2024 wave with sets 71481 Izzie's Dream Animals and 71483 The Never Witch's Nightmare Creatures.
With these sets only a
minor part of the structure is shared between the alternative builds. Like in
LEGO® Creator sets, 3 designs are offered for the price of 1 (at least in
theory). How do these designs fare, what interesting parts do they
consist of and what did they inspire me to build?
Do you remember the ancient fable about a race between a cat and a panda? The one where the cat could turn into a motorcycle but the panda with bamboo guns was nevertheless still faster? No? Well may this LEGO® DREAMZzz™ review will shed some light on their story.
Ever since I came into contact with his work when I was a teenager, I’ve been intrigued by the work of Dutch artist M.C. Escher. The way he incorporates math and warped perspective into his art strikes a chord with me. With LEGO® DREAMZzz™ set 71486 Castle Nocturnia, do we finally get a LEGO version of his work?
The LEGO® DREAMZzz™ theme is known for introducing unique new molds, and the August 2024 wave of sets is no exception. I’ve already shown you an overview of all major new elements in the wave, but now it’s time to build the sets for a closer look.
We kick off the series with 71484 Cooper's Robot Dinosaur C-Rex. At 917 parts, the set sits in the middle of the wave, which ranges from 226 to 1742 parts. Zoey and Cooper are under attack from enemies who look a bit familiar, and will need to put their dreamcrafting talents to the test to defend themselves. But first, we’ll need to study the elements available to them.
It has been a year since LEGO® DREAMZzz™ was introduced, and on 1 August 2024 its third wave will be released. This theme has been filled with unique and unconventional models, and those require unique and unconventional elements. So, grab your pillow and join me in the Dream World.
LEGO has kindly sent us all 8 sets for an early peek. Before we build the models, I’ve gathered all new elements found across the whole wave into an overview for you.
The first half of LEGO® DREAMZzz™ Season 2 — titled Night of the Never Witch — is out now on streaming services. After a binge watch of this kid-friendly show, New Elementary is revisiting the January 2024 wave of related sets: 71471 Mateo's Off-Road Car, 71472 Izzie's Narwhal Hot-Air Balloon, 71475 Mr. Oz's Space Car, 71476 Zoey and Zian the Cat-Owl, and 71477 The Sandman's Tower. If you haven't watched the new season yet, beware of spoilers ahead!
Moko is no stranger to New Elementary or indeed the LEGO building community, so for this week of showcasing MOCs, we just had to invite him back!
We sent Moko a copy of one of last year's LEGO® DREAMZzz™ sets, 71457 Pegasus Flying Horse to see what he could dream up for us.
What happens to all the sets that New Elementary contributors receive after they are done reviewing them?
The LEGO® DREAMZzz™ sets for January 2024 maintain the eclectic, fantastical nature of the theme with five new sets made up of bright shades, sinister baddies and wild mash-ups.
There a generally 2 types of action & adventure theme flagship sets: the Castle and the Vehicle. I usually find the Castle type more interesting as they tend to offer unique architectural structures. The flagship of the LEGO® DREAMZzz™ theme is of the Vehicle type: a pirate ship, stuck in a shark, with jet engines.
For the last of my LEGO DREAMZzz reviews I'm taking a look at 71469 Nightmare Shark Ship. Spooked yet? You will be!
Even characters in action & adventure themes need a day off to relax. 71459 Stable of Dream Creatures offers such a setting from the boisterous madness that is the LEGO® DREAMZzz™theme.
There are no bad guys featured in this set and the only weapon is a wood-chopping axe. But beyond that, is it a good set and does it have interesting pieces? Let's take a look.
Would you step onto a school bus that's a also a space shuttle and driven by your physics teacher and his chimpanzee sidekick? I might think twice before stepping in, but this is space travel after all, so how could you resist? LEGO® DREAMZzz™ 71460 Mr. Oz's Spacebus presents such a scenario; let's see if this dream voyage is worth the ride.
Has LEGO® Elves come back? No, but the solemn sobbing of fans missing that theme were probably heard by some set designers. LEGO® DREAMZzz™ has more than one set reminiscent of that theme, although equipped with traditional minifigures instead of mini-dolls. 71457 Pegasus Flying Horse is the most obvious of these sets. Is this mammoth-sized winged equine a worthy successor?
As a kid, I was far more interested in the diverse members of the animal kingdom than cars. In our dreams the distinction is far less clear, as shown by these two LEGO® DREAMZzz™ sets, 71456 Mrs. Castillo's Turtle Van and 71458 Crocodile Car.
One is slow, stable and hippie-ish; the other is low, toothy and dangerous. Which one fares better? One, two... Go!
In the dreamworld, trees have blue leaves and they're filled with grandmothers, toasting bagels.
Tomorrow is August, meaning the new theme LEGO® DREAMZzz™ becomes available, and I'm starting my series of set reviews with three of its similar sets: 71453 Izzie and Bunchu the Bunny, 71454 Mateo and Z-Blob the Robot and 71455 Grimkeeper the Cage Monster. They all use the new barrel joint piece (Design ID 1994) for movement.
Bunchu the Bunny and Z-Blob the Robot are the smallest sets of the line - save one polybag - and depict the main characters exploring their skills in the dreamworld. The slightly larger Grimkeeper the Cage monster is a villain set, showing the darker side of this theme.
LEGO® DREAMZzz™ is the new flagship action theme from The LEGO Group with a tie-in animated series. In this first article, I will go through the exciting new parts appearing in the sets on 1 August 2023 and take a close look at the wild range of minifigures populating them.
Grab your pyjamas, fluff your pillow and fall into a state of bliss in this beautiful dreamworld!
