Friday 1 August 2014

LEGO Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Turtle Van Takedown Set 79115 Review

It's here - the new Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles LEGO sets are out. Darker and more moody, they're completely different to those which came before. Based on the new movie due out in October this year, there's nothing 'cartoon' about these minifigures.

LEGO Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Turtle Van Takedown Set 79115 Review


LEGO Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Turtle Van Takedown Set 79115 Review pack shot

We're big fans of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and have quite a few sets now. We've previously reviewed the T-Rawket Sky Strike and Karai Bike Escape and last year we reviewed the Turtle Lair Attack. The new releases reflect the gloom and dark that Shredder has caused to descend on New York City.

LEGO TMNT Turtle Van Takedown Set 79115 Review Minifigures
LEGO TMNT Turtle Van Takedown Set 79115 Review Minifigures rear

The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles themselves have had a complete makeover. They're meaner and more 'grown up'. My 5 year old took it in his stride, he thinks that they look different because they're older now, and aren't teenagers any more. He may have a point....

LEGO TMNT Turtle Van Takedown Set 79115 Review Minifigures old turtle and new movie turtle compared

The head shape, colours, decoration and shells are completely different - so much so that at first I was convinced I'd accidentally put the shell on upside down! The only thing the same about original and new Michelangelo is his nunchucks...

LEGO TMNT Turtle Van Takedown Set 79115 Review Minifigures old turtle and new movie turtle shell compared

The build is stunningly easy. The Turtle Van Takedown set has a recommended age range of 6-12, and that's right. This is a great set for a younger builder. 

LEGO TMNT Turtle Van Takedown Set 79115 Review bags in box

The Turtle Van Takedown set has 368 pieces, in 3 numbered bags with 2 books. Book 1 and bag 1 complete the accessory pieces (barricade and 'stretcher') and 2 minifigures - Michelangelo and a Foot Soldier.

The 'stretcher' (sic) has mechanical arms to entrap the Turtle and hold them prisoner, and is really nicely designed. The barricade though is a lovely item, with a moving barrier, spotlight, gas bottle and a great camera. It also has an 'exploding'capability using a trigger at the back to knock over the tower.

LEGO TMNT Turtle Van Takedown Set 79115 Review bag 1 stretcher and foot soldier michelangelo
LEGO TMNT Turtle Van Takedown Set 79115 Review bag 1 stretcher and foot soldier

Bag 2 sees the main vehicle build and the other 2 minifigures - Raphael and Vern. The Turtle Van is a really very straightforward design which is incredibly rigid and strong right from the start.

LEGO TMNT Turtle Van Takedown Set 79115 Review base of vehicle
LEGO TMNT Turtle Van Takedown Set 79115 Review vehicle build

 Just a glimpse into my life behind the close up shots - these are the conditions under which I have to work. It's frankly surprising any build is actually completed before they run away with half of it!

LEGO TMNT Turtle Van Takedown Set 79115 Review vehicle build children helping
LEGO TMNT Turtle Van Takedown Set 79115 Review vehicle build raphael and michelangelo in van

By the end of bag 2 the Turtle Van has a very similar roof construction to the Simpson's car - with large doors and a pretty solid open rectangle. It's great for accessability and ease of play.

LEGO TMNT Turtle Van Takedown Set 79115 Review vehicle build roof struts on

The side doors and roof are in bag 3, along with the extra detail and accessories for the van.

LEGO TMNT Turtle Van Takedown Set 79115 Review vehicle build roof and side doors
LEGO TMNT Turtle Van Takedown Set 79115 Review vehicle build front grill and radiator

The Turtle Van has all the grace and strength of a house brick. It's incredibly solid and absolutely brilliant for play. Any 6 year old can throw this around and use it as a 'truck' and it's going to stay together.

LEGO TMNT Turtle Van Takedown Set 79115 Review vehicle build side angle

The roof section is completely loose and doesn't attach at all, making it incredibly quick to remove and user-friendly. The doors fold inwards very slightly, so friction and gravity hold them shut and there's nothing fiddly about opening or closing them.

Although we obviously haven't yet seen the new TMNT movie, you can get an idea of what scene will be played out with this set, and the moving parts on the Turtle Van really fire the imagination. The ladders on the front can tilt downwards, and the winch can be used for a multitude of  wrecking jobs.

LEGO TMNT Turtle Van Takedown Set 79115 Review vehicle build side angle
LEGO TMNT Turtle Van Takedown Set 79115 Review vehicle build overhead angle

On the roof and inside the opening side doors are flick fire missiles, and the van has a rotating satellite dish on the roof, and a fabulous computer inside.

LEGO TMNT Turtle Van Takedown Set 79115 Review laptop PC
LEGO TMNT Turtle Van Takedown Set 79115 Review scene

This is a lovely set, it's a great van and the playability is massive. It's ideal for a younger builder as it's really quick and easy to build, and the van takes shape so swiftly and with such familiarity that it's satisfying throughout.

LEGO TMNT Turtle Van Takedown Set 79115 Review scene turtle imprisoned in stretcher

The LEGO Turtle Van Takedown set 79115 costs £39.99 and is available now from the LEGO Shop and online at LEGO.com. It is a full playset, it has a movie tie-in, and it is loads of fun. I feel it offers fair value for money and could be a big hit with LEGO and Turtles fans, let's hope the movie does well upon release in October.

We were sent our LEGO for review. 

21 comments:

  1. Wow - my son would love this so so much!

    Ashleigh

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  2. I find reading your reviews so useful. I have five grandchildren between 18 months and eleven years and the reviews help me in knowing what to buy for presents for the older four. They can never have too much Lego.

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    1. That is such a lovely thing to say Barabara, thank you so much! :)

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  3. Know a special little boy who would really love this set loves Ninja turtles anything to do with them so cool!

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    1. My boys love the TMNT - but so did my big boys, and my brother. It must really capture something special :)

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  4. this looks so cool, my husband loves all this stuff - lindsey bluff

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    1. It makes an easy Christmas and Birthday gift for the man who has everything! :)

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  5. That could easily be the coolest Lego vehicle I have ever seen!

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    1. Hahaha - it is pretty darn awesome. I rate it very highly among vehicle sets :D

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  6. Amazing and they are back too!!

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    1. They certainly are. 20 years popular - there aren't many brands who achieve that really :)

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  7. I've got a little TMNT fan at home who'd love these, but to be honest, I prefer the old ones!

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    1. I prefer the cut old ones too - thenew ones certainly aren't cute!

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  8. Ah, Bud has a new love and it's definitely the turtles. I think he'd love this set. We're very excited for the new film, just hope it's suitable for him to watch!

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    1. It's going to be a PG-13 I think, so it all depends just how easily scared he is :)

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  9. They really are a lot different aren't they. I still think my son would love them - he is already excited about the new film!

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    1. Mine are. They're so different, they're really different characters all together. I think it'll be reflected in the movie :)

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  10. my son is 4 he's obsessed with ninja turtles shame he's a bit young for this xx

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  11. Now i have an idea what to get the children for xmas :) FAB!

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  12. I love Turtles and I love LEGO, this is my dream come true! The van looks brilliant and the turtles are so cool! Might ask for this for Christmas for myself heehee!

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