LEGO's announcement of a Shrek-themed set sparked an unexpected excitement in me, despite its unassuming appearance. This plastic brick homage to the beloved DreamWorks movies is more than just a toy; it's a nostalgic journey through my childhood humor and music taste. Building this set was a delightful challenge, with each piece carefully crafted to capture the essence of the iconic characters. The set, retailing for $129.99, includes 1,403 pieces and took me a couple of days to complete, mirroring the length of the first three Shrek movies. It's marked as an 18+ set, and I found it to be one of the more intricate builds I've undertaken, with small and intricate details. The building process begins with the Puss in Boots minifigure, which, while smaller than Shrek and Donkey, is an impressive addition. The only slight criticism is that the face doesn't entirely resemble Puss in Boots, but the accessories make up for it. The set then transitions to building Donkey, with a focus on his colorful insides and symmetrical design. The next stage is Donkey's head, which features a movable lower jaw and ears, adding to the set's realism. The ogre of the hour, Shrek, is a bit of a mystery to build, with a unique sequence that requires careful attention to detail. The set's inside uses predominantly red and pink bricks, which, while offering variety, makes the build feel slightly graphic. One of the most tedious tasks is placing 22 one-slot round pieces in a perfectly symmetrical pattern, but it adds to Shrek's tunic's texture. The final step is building Shrek's arms and hands, with a tiny detail that almost caused me to break the set. Despite some minor issues, the set feels like a real statue, with both Shrek and Donkey having decent mobility in their heads and limbs. However, the set's aesthetic appeal is limited, and it's more about the connection to the beloved movie franchise. Overall, the LEGO Shrek set is a delightful challenge for fans of the movies, offering a nostalgic journey through the iconic characters and their memorable moments.
