Just like Space, Star Trek was one of the final frontiers for the LEGO Group’s ever-growing stable of iconic IP partners. Last year, the U.S.S. Enterprise from Star Trek: The Next Generation became the first-ever LEGO® set inspired by Gene Roddenberry’s long-running sci-fi series. Now it’s time to board the U.S.S Enterprise from the original series, as Star Trek celebrates its 60th anniversary. But the ability to explore strange new worlds is only possible with the heart of the ship – the Bridge – which is the focus of the latest LEGO Star Trek set. The U.S.S. Enterprise NCC-1701 Bridge features the iconic central command room, where Captain Kirk and his crew can seek out new life and boldly (or boldy) go where no man has gone before. Ahead of its release next month, here’s a closer look at the Star Trek: U.S.S. Enterprise NCC-1701 Bridge set.
Product Details
Set Name: Star Trek: U.S.S. Enterprise NCC-1701 Bridge | Set Number: 11385 | Pieces: 1701 | Theme: Icons
Instructions: Paper booklet + Builder App | Stickers: sheets x 2 | Minifigures: James T. Kirk, Spock, Nyota Uhura, Hikaru Sulu, Leonard McCoy, Pavel Chekov, Christine Chapel & Montgomery Scott
RRP: £159.99 / 179.99€ / $199.99 / 299.99AUD / 269.99CAD
Availability: LEGO Stores, LEGO Online & LEGO retailers
The Build
Much of Star Trek’s action is focused on the bridge of the various ships used to explore strange new worlds. Even across different generations of Star Trek, the bridge has remained largely the same. Of course, for a show made in the 60s, it has a certain aesthetic. Delightfully, that results in a rather kitsch appearance.
The bridge is mostly grey but is decorated with light purple and dark orange elements, which really evokes the era when the show was made. All of the set is made up of smaller sections which are combined to create the iconic configuration of the Enterprise’s bridge. So you’ll build the transporter room, Comms screen, door to the bridge and the command deck separately from the main bridge surround. But even this is mostly modular. Each of the wall panels, which are home to control panels and screens, is built separately and clipped into place. So are the sections of the floor. This gives the set a unique build experience.
The detailing on the control panels and screens is achieved via a mix of printed elements and stickers. Although I understand why some pieces require the use of stickers over print, some pieces, such as the larger screens, should have been printed. Applying a sticker to a larger surface can easily result in misalignment or air bubbles. This is way more noticeable on a larger surface.
The sections which are attached to the main section of the bridge offer fun nods to moments from the show. This is especially the case with the Transporter Room. This is where various members of Starfleet are teleported to planet surfaces or other ships. The effect of being transported is achieved via two rotating panels. A minifigure can be stood on the plate, and a wheel behind the Transporter Room can be turned to flip the panels. As you’ll notice, there are several panels featured here, which have a shiny finish. These are all stickers, but they do look quite cool. The Transporter Room is also home to another Easter Egg from the show. There’s a panel just to the right of the Transporter deck; this hides a couple of Tribbles, the furry alien creatures which take over the Enterprise.
The second separate section isn’t as exciting as the Transporter Room but does have another working function. The doors aboard the Enterprise famously slide open when approached by crew members. This was still a relatively new invention when Star Trek was first broadcast, so it played on the show’s futuristic setting. In reality, they were simply opened by a couple of stage crew. A similar effect is used here, with a small lever used to part both doors at the same time. Once complete, this doorway section is clipped into the back of the main bridge section.
The final section built is the ship’s most important area – the command bridge. The central point of the bridge is where Captain Kirk sits along with his command crew. This includes the captain’s chair and the control desks for Mr Sulu and Chekov. Similar to other areas of the bridge, the control panels use a mix of printed and stickered elements. One of which is home to another hidden Tribble. Once complete, this section clips into the middle of the bridge. Although it’s not as secure a fix as other sections, you’ll need to be careful when moving the set around. It would have been nice if the bridge had been mounted on a base similar to the diorama-type sets seen in Star Wars, Jurassic Park, and Indiana Jones.
The lack of floor makes this last section feel a little redundant. It’s a wall panel, which features a weapons wall on one side and the bridge’s large communication screen on the other. Despite being a small part of the overall set, it’s great fun to build, and even though it’s a sticker, the screen, featuring a Klingon minifigure, looks great. Now the screen is always positioned in front of the captain’s chair. Although it can be placed here, there is no fixed point, so it feels like a random wall.
Overall, I like that various sections of the ships have been included in the set, beyond just the bridge. The Transport Room and door to the bridge do push the set more towards being a playset, but despite which age group it’s aimed at, who doesn’t like to pretend they are operating the Transporter bay or finding hidden Tribbles?
The Minifigures
The set includes 8 minifigures inspired by the main cast of characters from the original series; these include Captain Kirk, Spock, Uhura, Mr Sulu, Doctor McCoy, Chekov, Christine Chapel & Scotty. Despite there being 8 different characters, the base of most of the minifigures uses the same torso and legs. Kirk, Sulu and Chekov sport a yellow Starfleet uniform which represents those in command and those at the helm of the ship. McCoy and Mr Spock feature light blue uniforms to note their connection to Starfleet’s science and medical roles. Scotty includes a red uniform, worn by Engineering (and cannon fodder, if you aren’t a named character). The same coloured uniforms are also worn by Uhura and Christine Chapel, but as female crew members, their uniforms are slightly different, with a little more detail on the torso and dual-moulded legs.
The characters have great face prints, especially Spock, whose two expressions are basically the same. Spock also includes a new hair piece to truly represent his Vulcan side. The characters also include various accessories; some of these are brick-built, but a new phaser element has also been created, with four of these new pieces included in the set.
The Verdict
One thing I enjoyed most about the set was the build experience. It uses some really interesting build techniques to help showcase the Bridge’s unique, retro appearance. I was less a fan of the many stickers. I understand the use of some, namely the shiny ones used in the transporter room. But as many of the stickers were quite large, getting them applied straight and without any bubbles is quite tricky. Thankfully, some details are printed, but it would have been nice if things like the ship’s screen and some of the larger panels were also printed. The minifigure line-up makes sense, and I like that all of the main cast has been included. It would have been nice if a stand to display them was also included, especially as this set is part of the show’s 60th anniversary. When the set was first revealed, the main complaint was that it looks like a playset, and to a certain extent, it is a playset. It features several ‘play’ features and plenty of accessories to kit out the crew of minifigures. It would have been great is the set was similar to the diorama displays, but that would result in a smaller, less detailed take on the bridge or a comically oversized display base. Decide for yourself when the latest Star Trek sets beam into stores on September 1st.
The LEGO Group provided this set to BricksFanz.com for review purposes. The thoughts in this review are those of BricksFanz.com and do not reflect those of the LEGO Group or Paramount. Providing the set for free does not guarantee a favourable opinion of it
