GlenBricker's Review: Weekly Cuusoo

LUGs!

A few months ago ReBrick contacted me requesting an interview and asked me to assemble a gallery of picture for them to showcase.

Probably quite to their surprise my gallery was not themed on Cuusoo but instead on one of the newer Lego conventions, run by Lego Fans, Brick Fiesta.

As with any interview a lot of it got condensed (some whole paragraphs into single words) but you can find it here. I say a lot of random stuff in the interview but the core jist is that I was trying to get across is that Lego User Groups (LUGs) are awesome.

Online communities are fantastic, but there are so many people out there in your own communities that love Lego as much, or maybe even more than you do. I am constantly gobsmacked by the artistry, ingenuity, and creativity of my local community and my association with them challenges me to greater works, not to mention that it is just awesome to be able to sit down with a few other people and just talk about Lego.

There are 96 active LUGS in North America with a reported membership of 3,374 (end of 2012) and globally there are at least 150,000 registered members of LUG communities.

You can find a lot of LUGS listed here. Please note the Europe and Asia are on the left side-bar of the page.

Pick of the Week

Ford GT

by TMunz

Not a big surprise this was my pick of the week for a new project as I selected it for my Brickset pick of the week as well. I have showcased new projects on Brickset before but new "picked" them. A silly distinction perhaps but there it is.

I hope nobody minds if I plagarize myself for the following description:

I have rarely seen a car of such complex geometry so well replicated in this scale. This Ford GT is a maze of assorted SNOTs to the point that it reminds me of an Escher staircase.

The level of detail is even more impressive when you realize the doors, trunk, and hood can open.
I think this shot from the rear is actually my favorite angle. The building under the arch, off-angle plates, and use of door elements work together really well.

I have heard some accusations that this build looks a lot like one done by someone else. My response to this would be that any pair of builds, by competent Lego crafters, of the same subject, in the same scale, even in the same color pattern, are bound to have similarities on first blush. If you really look at details though, insurmountable differences will often begin to surface, unique styles of the individuals will shine through.

This is certainly not a case of plagiarism, just two people building similar subjects.

Honorable Mentions

E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial - Return Home

by tjspencer1

I heavily considered making this my pick of the week. So very close.

The set is very well developed without going too overboard. It does not make the mistakes of so many other Cuusoo creators of attempting to recreate a building precisely instead of making a playset.

This is definitely one of those projects that just needs to find its audience. I think many others would have picked this project over the GT, and I would not blame them. I have to admit that my attachment to this film is not as strong as many people I known.

The E.T. head appears to me to be a Ninjago Skeleton head that has been photoshopped to remove the lower jaw. Pretty clever. I wonder if anyone has done this in real life?

MAERSK konecrane

by papatrethel

Very well done train element and a great addition to the Maersk line.

Notables

The King's Castle Keep

by durazno33

A well done Castle. A big issue with castles however, much like your generic space craft of Cuusoo, is distinguishing yourself enough to grab people's attention. Though there are many traditional castles on Cuusoo, Modular Castle is the only traditional looking one to get past 250 support.

My main theory on this is that the core audience for these projects are Lego Castle fans, and they are likely very satisfied with the Lego's regular offerings.

Magnum P.I.

by lrevival

I really appreciated seeing this set as a continuation of the 80's TV line up and I have always had a fondness for Magnum, P.I. The figures and builds are spot on. I am not sure how well this will translate to votes though.

I think the ideal for "Cuusoo 80's" are those that shows and movies that targeted younger audiences at the time. Today's younger adults and parents if you will.

A great set of MOCs to be sure, I am just not sure the audience is out there. Would be happy to be proven wrong and best of luck to the project.

Korean Famous Building in mini modular scale

by daystar