After several weeks of delay, the #21303 LEGO Ideas WALL-E set is finally available! The delay was due to issues with a couple of hinge-bricks that were supporting the head, and this problem should now be fixed. (If you have gotten an earlier version of the set with defective hinges, you can call LEGO’s customer service for replacements.) Below is the description of this adorable little robot, as well as a full review and some fun modification. 🙂
Here is the official description: Build a beautifully detailed LEGO version of WALL-E – the last robot left on Earth! Created by Angus MacLane, an animator and director at Pixar Animation Studios, and selected by LEGO Ideas members, the development of this model began alongside the making of the lovable animated character for the classic Pixar feature film. It has taken almost a decade to perfect the LEGO version, which incorporates many authentic WALL-E characteristics, including a posable neck, adjustable head, arms that move up and down and side to side, plus gripping hands and rolling tracks. With a trunk that opens and closes, you can tidy up the planet one pile of garbage at a time! This set also includes a booklet about the designer and the animated Pixar movie. Measures over 7” (18cm) high, 6” (16cm) long and 6” (16cm) wide. 677 pieces. Price: $59.99 – BUY HERE
The #21303 LEGO Ideas WALL-E set captures the personality of the original movie character perfectly. This is particularly due to those expressive eyes and the highly posable head and neck section. Unfortunately the head is a bit too loose and can spin around easily due to the weight of the head and the lack of friction in the neck joint. JANGBRiCKS mentions a very simple solution to this in the video-review below that requires no extra parts or modification. I think this should be sufficient for most people. However if you would like to have a more permanent and sturdy solution, there is an excellent modification provided by Chris McVeigh, using some extra parts. You can download the parts-list and step-by step instructions here: WALL-E Head Mount Modification by Chris McVeigh
The arms and hands of WALL-E are also highly posable, and mimic the original design quite well. I think it would have been nice to have some stripes on the arms, but that’s a minor detail. Talking about detailing, the WALL-E logo at the front – as well as the solar meter – are printed elements, not stickers! Thank you, LEGO! Other features include the opening front compartment where you can place the little plant, or whatever else WALL-E happens to find. The tracks also look close to the original, although they don’t work well on smooth surfaces. However on rough surfaces WALL-E rolls just fine. All in all this is an excellent and lovely model. The few faults simply make WALL-E look more authentic and add to his charm. After all he was a lonely beat-up robot who regularly had to fix himself up with random parts that he found here and there. (Below is a picture of the model originally submitted at LEGO Ideas for reference.)
In the video-player below I have included three videos for you. The first one is a full-review by JANGBRiCKS where he shows you all the details and functions of the set. The second video is a modification using LEGO Power Function elements to motorize WALL-E with running tracks, and the third video uses the #9688 LEGO Education Renewable Energy Add-On set that includes a solar-panel to make WALL-E dance. 😀
As you can see, the #21303 LEGO Ideas WALL-E set is perfect for display, but also excellent for play as well as for modifications. I highly recommend it for anyone who liked the movie, or just like to have a great little LEGO robot. Please keep in mind that this is a limited release LEGO Ideas set, so if you want to get one, get it as soon as possible. It is available under the LEGO Ideas section of the Online LEGO Shop.
So what do you think? How do you like the LEGO Ideas WALL-E? Are you planning to get him? Or do you have him already? Have you thought of motorizing him or adding other modifications? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comment section below! 😉
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