Tuesday, January 14, 2014

Cuusoo Review

Pick of the Week

Antigravity Armored Raider
by Tiler

One of the fun things about Cuusoo is every now and then I learn a learn something about the vast "geek" culture that is out there.  This project is inspired by the series Maschinenkrieger ZbV 3000.  Turns out I have been a fan of Maschinenkrieger ZbV 3000 for a long time but I had not idea what it was.  I had scene the art before on the internet but I had not realized it was a cohesive storyline.

Independent of that, I really like this design.  It is a classic theme for Lego, some kind of single piloted sci-fi vehicle but this one takes some new approaches.  There are some sleek geometries inter-playing curves with sharp edges.  I really like the how the sleekness of the craft is counterpoised with the extreme greeble at the rear of the vehicle.   

Honorable Mentions


ITER Fusion Reactor Segment

Of the high-end science models, a relatively popular Cuusoo subject, this is probably my favorite to date.  Well, I should add "immobile" to that descriptor.  The Curiosity is of course a technical marvel, but I am really thinking of the "instalations" here.

I like this one so much because there is a lot of technique to appreciate.  Additionally, this is an interesting and compelling structure.

I also applaud AndrewClark2's creativity in presentation.  Every now and then you see some new trick on Cuusoo and Andrew certainly has a great one.  Many project creators have difficulty dealing with the image quality limitations on Cuusoo,  Andrew basically divided one "tall" image into three stacked images.  Looks great, works great!

The Dark Crystal - Journey of Jen

Wow, if you know Dark Crystal, this is a really impressive piece.  Well scaled, great content, impressive recreations of key characters...I immediately shared this with my puppet loving friends.  Unfortunately, Dark Crystal does not have the fan base or recognition of the Muppets.


Radagast’s Rhosgobel Rabbits
 
Certainly one of the more unique approaches to LotR.  This is even more unique in that there is an accompanying animation, quite fun with great production value.  

Personally I love the rabbits.  Reading the comments many however do not share my opinion.  Under the new restrictions preventing project creators from suggesting new elements, there is not much to be done about this, unless you want to go with the Friend's bunnies.


Notables

LADEE
by arasca
Very popular last week on Cuusoo.  The design seems a be a bit dull to me.  On technical merit the design does not seem to sturdy either.  That being said, these factors should not overshadow a great concept.  Community is critical to getting support on Cuusoo and there appears to be a lot of people that like this LADEE. 
Great Explorers
A spectacular mini-scale ship.
Batmobile
For some reason the "Keaton" era Batmobile has had a surge of publications on Cuusoo.

This is certainly my favorite to date. 
Black Fenix - transport ship
This craft is a nice addition to the Galaxy Command series on Cuusoo.  This really looks like it could take a hit.





The HUNTER - Galaxy Command
The Gryphon used to be my favorite Galaxy Command vehicle but I think this "Hunter" is a more interesting design. It reminds me a bit of flying fish, in a good way.  I think the back tail could use some alteration. 
LEGO Sports, Bowling Edition
Very nice.
Hunger Games - Tracker Jacker Escape
by j.ortiz
Fundamentally I don't care much for Hunger Games.  Part of it might be generational but the biggest part is that I am a parent.  I really liked Battle Royale when it came out (before being a parent) but now, the idea of a story where kids run around killing kids has 0 appeal to me.  I understand it has value as a tale of people overcoming their oppressors and all that, I am saying that a basic element of the premise is something I choose not to consume at this point in my life. 

That being said, even if I loved Hunger Games I cannot see Lego making this set.  There are sets that emphasise a vehicle or creature.  There are sets that establish a undefined conflict.  There are some sets that evoke a specific but loosely bordered event.  The movie/book based sets however usually are intended to either present, or even role play a specific scene...Well, here is the scene this project concept is intending to recreate:

A child is in a tree and a group of other children, who have trained for years to kill other children,  have hunted her down with the explicit intent to kill her.  Unable to kill their victim outright the children set up camp at the base of the tree. Thankfully the hero finds a hive of lethal insects in the tree and, while her enemies are sleeping, she attacks her would be murderers with the killer wasps, killing two of the children out-right and causing the others to flee.  Unfortunately, our hero is stung as well and suffers from intense pain and hallucinations.  Yay!  What a fun scene to immortalize in Lego!  And don't forget, this is all a sport, for the amusement of the watching public!

There is nothing inherently wrong with the fiction of Hunger Games...this is a very old story in fact...Hero gets trapped and the Hero not only finds a way to escape but even turns the tables on their would be assailants.

I know I just explained I don't have an interest in Hunger Games but to make sure to put this into perspective, I love comic books, but I would be aghast to see on Cuusoo just projects as "The Wayne's Alley Detour", "The Flying Grayson's Final Flight", or "Uncle Ben's Last Lesson."  Sure, these events all have huge importance in well known comic book characters, but that does not mean there needs to be a Lego set in which you can re-enact the moment in which Bruce Wayne becomes an orphan.  

Literary value or not, I just can't imagine this scene becoming an official Lego set.


Ewok Micro Village
Tons of Ewok villages littered Cuusoo before the actual Lego Ewok village was announced.  When I saw this I thought WHAT?  another one?  But this is actually a very well done micro-build of the Ewok village.  

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