We thought the winner of the LEGO Ideas third review in 2021, the LEGO Motorised Lighthouse by Canadian LEGO Ideas member Sandro Quattrini, is high on details. But the final version, tweaked by the LEGO design team, has even more details in it.
The LEGO Ideas Motorized Lighthouse (21335) is more sculpted and is overall taller than the original design. The accompanying lightkeeper’s cottage, as well as the precipice of the rocky island on which it sits, is also more elaborate.
However, for some reason, LEGO decided to reduce the height of the rocky outcrop which is a shame because part of the allure of Sandro’s original design, IMHO, is the steep precipice. It gave the model a forsaken vibe. You know, like it is still functional but it is kind of dilapidated.
In the original design, Quattrini also proposed a couple of micro Minifigures making a diorama-grade model. The final version, however, is not. The 21335 is the opposite of lack of life and rundown; it is beaming with life with two regular size Minifigures, the Lighthouse keeper, and a sailor, as well as seagull and cat figures.
The lighthouse keeper’s cottage is grander and has a cozy interior complete with a glowing fireplace – courtesy of light brick. The entire back of the lighthouse structure can be removed to reveal yet more details, including the winding stairway to the top of the lighthouse.
At the top are a motorized rotating light and custom-designed Fresnel lens elements. Those are not it. While the rocky outcrop is now shorter than I would have liked, it is loaded with sculpted details, decorated with sparse vegetation, and remnants of manmade stuff like a buildable rowboat, an anchor, an old barrel, and even a treasure chest loaded with “jewels”.
TBH, I am less excited about the final version. It just felt like there are too many things going on that take away the magic Sandro’s original design had. But hey, that’s just me. If you love what LEGO has done, do look out for the LEGO Ideas Motorized Lighthouse (21335) which will be dropping on September 01, 2022, for US$299.99.
Images: LEGO.
