Awesome All About Bricks Awards 2014

Especially re-named for one year only, it’s time for the Awesome All About Bricks Awards (taking alliteration to unnecessary lengths, and not guaranteeing awesomeness).  There are the usual awards and some fun ones, so let’s round out 2014 with a bit of reflection on the year in LEGO.

New LEGO Themes for 2015

As the new year approaches fans start looking forward to all of the new goodness that is coming for the first half of the year. As always, popular themes return with new offerings but there's also entirely new LEGO worlds to enjoy. Which will be hits and which will be misses? Read on for a look at the new ranges in 2015. 

The LEGO Take Over of Christmas Continues!

Over the past year LEGO have been trying a marketing campaign that revolves around LEGO being for each occasion – Easter, Father’s Day, Summer… but the one time of year that it genuinely is associated with is Christmas. Memories of unwrapping LEGO sets on Christmas Day last, and this year LEGO had their largest range of Christmas products available.

LEGOLAND Discovery Centre Manchester: Meet the Master Model Builder

The LEGOLAND Discovery Centre in Manchester is a hands on, interactive experience for children who love LEGO. Recently it was time to launch the annual Christmas Bricktacular, which will kick up a gear with the unveiling of a giant LEGO Advent Calendar in December. Resident Master Model Builder Alex Bidolak took the time to talk to All About Bricks about all things LEGO and share a day in the life of a Master Model Builder.

The LEGO Movie Animated Universe Will Continue

Chris Miller and Phil Lord have been talking up plans for future LEGO movies, which gives us a few hints as to what will be coming next. The success of The LEGO Movie has opened the door for more animated cinematic fun, with adventures due for the Masters of Spinjitzu, Batman and of course Emmet. So what hints have the new overlords of the animated LEGO universe been dropping?

The Big Bang Theory Passes LEGO Ideas Review

Firstly, congratulations to Alatariel and GlenBricker for getting The Big Bang Theory set commissioned and to DeTomaso for the Birds set. The competition is fierce, and as more sets reach the LEGO Ideas Review Stage passing becomes an even more impressive feat. There is no doubt that those who put forward these projects put in the work and passionately want their project to become an official LEGO set. The following article will, however, question what LEGO are thinking and what fans want from the plastic brick.

Christmas Bricktacular Coming to LEGOLAND Discovery Centre

It's not Christmas yet, but it's time for planning - especially if you want to check out the LEGOLAND Discovery Centre in Manchester, where the Christmas spirit is soon to take hold! The Christmas Bricktacular kicks off on November 15th, read on to find out what will be taking place...

The LEGO Movie Blu-ray Review

The LEGO Movie Blu-ray comes jam-packed with special features, with extras included in the “Everything is Awesome” edition. So what’s on the disc, and how does it stack up?

LEGO Police to Stake out the Swamps

LEGO have some fun with the Police sub-theme of City. Collectors have grown tired since the 2005 City re-launch (it’s nearly ten years, yikes) of the same old Police sets being released year after year, but LEGO find that Police are the best-selling City sets. What to do? Get the Police out of the City, and into the… swamps!?

Greenpeace Pressure Ends Partnership Between LEGO and Shell

LEGO have relented to pressure and are to end their relationship with Shell, which has goes back to 1960s. After an emotive video from Greenpeace, playing a subdued version of “Everything is Awesome” over LEGO scenes being submerged by oil, LEGO initially said that Greenpeace must take issue with Shell. Since then they have changed their position and stated that they will no longer collaborate with the energy giant.

LEGO Batman Movie Coming in 2017

News has broken that beyond the Ninjago movie in 2016, the following theatrical release based on LEGO will star Batman. This will push The LEGO Movie 2 back to 2018 or possibly even later if key members of the creative team are working on both films. With LEGO looking to capitalise on their success it seems that fans should expect regular releases from here on in.  Is LEGO Batman ready for his own adventure? 

LEGO to say "Welcome to Jurassic Park"

It’s official! Jurassic Park is back in brick, and will be another of the many licensed LEGO themes in 2015. It was back in 2001 that Jurassic Park was part of the LEGO Studios theme, and a lot has changed since. So what should the new theme contain? What will LEGO fans want to see on store shelves?

LEGO Star Wars: Jedi Starfighters Episode II

With the prequel movies over, LEGO had barely scratched the surface of the Jedi Starfighters that they would release. The various coloured ships seen in Revenge of the Sith and regular Jedi adventures in The Clone Wars gave plenty of designs to base sets on. 

LEGO Star Wars: Jedi Starfighters Episode I

 It’s scary to think that it is now twelve years since fans were introduced to the Jedi Starfighter. The first time fans met this vehicle was not when the second Star Wars prequel, Attack of the Clones, was released to cinemas nor on the main product launch day. The Jedi Starfighter was the sneak preview vehicle from LEGO and Hasbro, released ahead of the movie to give fans an early toy to get their hands on.

LEGO Pirates 2015: Rumour Analysis

Brickset have opened the treasure chest to see what secrets lie within. Apparently fans have five LEGO Pirates sets to look forward to in 2015 - and if we're really lucky an exclusive on top of that. Let’s speculate wildly about what they might be – after all, it is that time of year.

Is LEGO Improving When it Comes to Gender?

I have written before and commented on the lack of female representation in LEGO, and supported articles that call on the company to re-balance its products for both genders. But for all the faults that LEGO has, and of course there are faults, LEGO does not exist in a vacuum and has actually improved in terms of appealing to both genders. So this article will be approaching the issue in support of LEGO, pointing out where they have improved and why aspects of the attacks are unfair.

New LEGO Ideas Sets in Short Supply

LEGO collectors have been frustrated recently with not being able to get hold of the latest Ideas sets – the Research Institute (21110) and Exosuit (21109) – after they both sold out on the official online store. It is debatable how short supply is here in the UK, with physical LEGO Stores still getting stock, however anecdotally it seems that in the USA the shortage is real. Is it positive that sales have been this good, or a failing that LEGO didn’t supply enough sets?

LEGO Star Wars 2015: Rumour Analysis

Jedi News have continued the site tradition of posting the first peek at next year’s LEGO Star Wars range, well the January sets at least. Will it be another year of X-Wings and Snowspeeders? Or full of newness? Or more realistically a bit of both? Read on for fan perspective on how the line-up looks. 

The Many Releases of The LEGO Movie

The LEGO Movie is now available on DVD, Blu-ray and instant video around the world in a variety of editions. This article provides a round-up of what is out where, hopefully helping fans make sure they pick the right version for them and collectors make sure they don’t miss one. 

From Spinners to the Cinema: LEGO Ninjago

Ninjago was back this year after supposedly featuring “The Final Battle” in 2013. Fans were excited to see the Masters of Spinjitzu return facing a new set of villains. With a feature film release in development, there’s bound to be much more Ninjago to come too. Let’s look back at how this theme has developed over the past four years…

LEGO Pirates to Return in 2015?

A tantalising piece of information and an image more exciting than licensed Minifigures has been posted by LEGO on their ReBrick website... a contest to name a new LEGO set has revealed that in 2015 we are getting a new Pirate ship, and since there's a logo alongside it we may well be getting a full blown Pirates theme!

One Month Until LEGO Celebrate May 4th

It's one month until what has become annual Star Wars day, May 4th. LEGO have taken to joining in the fun with a promotion in LEGO stores and at the online shop, and the LEGOLAND Windsor Resort host a full-blown Star Wars weekend. LEGO Stores will be continuing the celebration with Star Wars activities aimed at kids throughout May. Read on for more on what to expect and which new exclusives to watch out for.

Special Guests at the LEGOLAND Windor Resort Opening

It's not long now until the LEGOLAND Windsor Resort re-opens for the new season. The new Pirate Shores area will be open for the first time, and there is an extra treat in store on the opening weekend. Read on to find out how the park will be celebrating the release of The LEGO Movie...

McDonalds Happy Meals Feature The LEGO Movie

There’s every excuse for a LEGO fan to tuck in to some fast food at the moment, with McDonalds Happy Meals featuring The LEGO Movie. There are eight different lenticular cups to collect with a different character on each.

Pirate Shores to Open at the LEGOLAND Windsor Resort

It's time for Pirates again at the LEGOLAND Windsor Resort! When the park re-opens in March the Pirates Landing area will have become Pirate Shores. This seemed like a good time to look at the contintiy and change in the Pirates section of the LEGOLAND Windsor Resort over the years. Read on for a look back down memory lane, and a look ahead at what's new for 2014.

It's Hard to Avoid The Lego Movie

With $193 million in the bank worldwide, The LEGO Movie has had a very strong opening. LEGO fans have been aware of the movie for some time, eagerly anticipating its release. It's not just LEGO fans who bring in that kind of money though, which is why The LEGO Movie has had one heck of a marketing push...

The LEGO Movie: All About Bricks Review

The LEGO Movie is the first ever theatrical release based on our favourite toy. After trailers, posters, stationery, a Happy Meal promotion and of course the building sets themselves, The LEGO Movie has now hit the USA and will be released in the UK on February 14th. For a pretty spoiler free review (although there may be very minor spoilers for those who like to avoid absolutely everything), read on... 

Confused.com Have Some LEGO Fun

Just to be clear before going forward, this is in no way an endorsement of any product or service from Confused.com! That said, Confused.com have been having some fun to tie in with The LEGO Movie. Check out the advert below, which is a recreation of a regular advert but in LEGO form.

UK Toy Fair 2014 Report

From January 21st to January 23rd 2014 the annual UK Toy Fair took place at the Olympia in London. LEGO were there to unveil the second half of the 2014 range, including regular themes such as City, Star Wars and Minifigures along with new themes such as Mixels and Ultra Agents. Read on for the All About Bricks report on UK Toy Fair 2014.

UK Toy Fair 2014: Other Themes

These are those themes that there seems to be less interest in, but some people will love them so be annoyed that they are unceremoniously dumped together. So here's Hero Factory, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Juniors and Creator.

UK Toy Fair 2014: City

Here is the rundown of what's been unveiled in the LEGO City range.

UK Toy Fair 2014: Agents and Ninjago

The popular Agents theme is back but Ultra! Plus a couple of Ninjago sets.

UK Toy Fair 2014: Friends

LEGO have revealed what the residents of Heartlake City will be up to later this year...

UK Toy Fair 2014: Legends of Chima

There are quite a number of Legends of Chima releases again later this year.

UK Toy Fair 2014: Duplo

People might actually be interested in the Duplo list for a change, as there are a surprising number of licensed sets.

UK Toy Fair 2014: Star Wars

The UK Toy Fair is upon us, and that means an official announcement of what LEGO have up their sleeves for the rest of the year. Kicking off the theme lists is the LEGO Star Wars list. Stay tuned at the end of the week for a UK Toy Fair 2014 round-up.

Cloud Cuckoo Palace (70803) Review

With a huge number of launch sets for The LEGO Movie, picking a first purchase was a relatively tricky decision. But one set seemed to combine the key ingredients of a low price point, featuring main character mini-figures and looking unlike any other LEGO set on the market. So here’s a look at Cloud Cuckoo Palace (70803).

What Happened to the Last LEGO Games?

Following up on the original article last April, there is now more clarity about the fate of LEGO Games. A limited release of the sets came out over the Summer around Europe, although Story Mixer seems fated to the ‘what would have been’ LEGO section. Will there be another opportunity to get hold of the cancelled LEGO Games?