Review: Lego Minifigures Series 2: Skier and Mime

Posted by Lindsay

Somehow a LEGO store opened in NYC in early July, and we hadn't been yet.  We must be slipping. 

We did finally visit, and picked up a couple blind-packed minifigures while we were there.

So no, we didn't pick these out.

Yes, we know that some nice people have decoded the UPCs so you can know what's in the packs, but we didn't hunt down the info.

I have a long personal history with minifigures, so I understand why they are gaining ground as collectibles.  I mean, they're so versatile, so simple, and quite adorable. 

However, I also understand why other people look slightly askance at collecting minifigs as if they were action figures.

Appearance and Construction:  9/10

Lego guys are so stylized and so standardized in construction that I would be very surprised to find any flaws here.

Both the Skier and the Mime have crisp clear designs, strong colors, and snap together easily.  Little tiny paint slips appear in close-up, but are invisible in person.

I think the faces are a smidge over-designed.  I would prefer a simpler look there, but your mileage may vary.

Packaging and Accessories: ---

The packaging is super simple.  Just a bag.  As I said, these are blind packed, so unless you note the cheat sheet that's been floating around, you'll get a random figure.

Since the figures themselves break down into parts, I'm counting everything besides the torso/arms, legs and head as accessories.

They each come with a small pile, but I didn't feel like I could award points here, because accessories are essential to a simple modular figure like this.  If they were a little cheaper, or came with one more thing, then maybe.  It's right on the edge.

The Skier comes with a cute hat, a pair of skis, a base and ski poles.  He actually comes with three ski poles, which seems like an accident.  The pieces snap on easily and firmly.  He can either stand on his base or his skis, not both.

The Mime comes with a hat, a base, and two extra (three total) heads.  Each head has a different expression.  It's a pretty cute gimmick.

Each pack also includes a sheet that has a picture of the whole line, and on the reverse, a simple diagram that could be called "how to assemble a Minifig".

Play and Display: +1

Like all minifigures, they are both completely interchangeable, and have the standard Lego joints: posts at shoulders and hips, removable head works like a cut. 

Lego figures are highly poseable for their size, and very flexible for display, since they work with all other Lego pieces.  The options are literally endless.

They fit right in with existing sets, of course.  For comparison, here's one of the new figures next to one from the 80's.

The only flaw, if you can call it that, is that as shiny new figures, some joints, especially the wrists, are a little tight.

Price Tag and Final Analysis: 10/10

These are really well made.  I wouldn't expect anything less. 

But at 1.99 each at the Lego Store, and blind-packed, these guys felt more than a little pricey. 

Not compared to similarly sized PVCs, but still... 

On the other hand, that only feels pricey until you find out they are 3.50 each at Toys'R'Us.  $3.50!

That is way too much for little guys; suddenly the Lego store sounds completely reasonable.  

If you like the little guys, but don't need the big building set to go with them, (for example if you want to decorate your desk), these might be a good choice. 

However, I would shop around, or consider looking online for equally cute, cheaper older figures.

Of course, this has rekindled my love of Legos, and while looking into refilling my minifig ranks from eBay, I've discovered that there is a sizable population of Lego Minifig customizers.  I really should have guessed that. 

To see my (non Lego) customs, stop by The Blue Fairy's Workshop.  Or for more reading, try The Blue Fairy's Bookshelf.