When Lilo & Stitch was released in 2002, it sort of passed without much fanfare. It did well at the box office but it’s never felt it reached the same prestige as other modern Disney classics such as The Lion King, Aladdin or Beauty & the Beast. Despite that, Stitch has gone on to become of one Disney’s most beloved characters. The mischievous alien experiment has appeared in both of the Disney Minifigure series and most recently inspired a buildable character. Next month Experiment 626 returns and this time he’s brought along a few friends. Here’s an early look at the Lilo and Stitch Beach House set.
Product Details
Set Name: Lilo and Stitch Beach House | Set Number: 43268 | Pieces: 834 | Theme: Disney
Number of Bags: Bags x 6 | Instructions: Paper booklet + Builder App | Stickers: sheet x 1 | Characters: Lilo, Stitch, Nani, David & Mr. Bubbles plus Scrump
RRP: £79.99/$89.99/89.99€/149.99AUD/119.99CAD
Availability: LEGO Stores & LEGO Online from March 1st
Later this year Stitch returns in a live-action remake of the cult 2002 classic and will introduce a new generation to Experiment 626. But the set is inspired by the original animated feature. Set in Hawaii, the film centres around a pair of sisters who adopt a ‘dog’. Expect their new pet is a dangerous experiment created by Dr Jumba, which crash-landed on Earth. Much of the film is based in Lilo’s house which she lives in with her big sister and guardian, Nani.
As Stitch escapes the United Galactic Federation he steals a police cruiser, a red one. The version features in this set is much smaller but features elements of the one shown in the film. There is sticker detail on the front of the ship and a pair of engines clocked to the rear. These make great use of cupcake cups for the boosters.
The set is based on the rebuilt version of the house after the original was destroyed during Stitch’s face-off with Jamba and Pleakley. The LEGO version seems a lot more blue in colour than it was on screen, but the rest of the exterior is a much better match. I particularly like the use of the classic crisscross lattice plates for the under section of the house. There is also a nice amount of greenery featured around the house, along with other details such as a pair of surfboards.
Although the exterior of the house is inspired by how it looked towards the end of the film, the interior is mostly inspired by earlier visits to Lilo’s house. Across the house’s two floors, you’ll find four rooms. On the ground floor is a sitting room complete with Lilo’s record player and neat little chaise longue seat. Over the opposite side is the kitchen with a fridge sporting Lilo’s informative artwork. Oddly, there are two appliances, one of these was famously replaced due to Lilo’s climbing into a tumble dryer, so it became a cubbyhole covered by a pizza box.
Upstairs you’ll find Nani’s bedroom, which features a small bed and some artwork on the wall. Across the way is Lilo’s room, which features another little bed and a wall of photographs, showing off Lilo’s love of taking snaps of family and tourists. You’ll find other things related to moments from the film, including the pineapple box Stitch refuses to sleep in and the Ugly Duckling book, hidden in the dome section added during the houses repairs.
Lilo and Stitch have both appeared in minifigure form before. Stitch was included in the first series of LEGO Disney Minifigures. Lilo was one of the character features in the Magic of Disney Ideas set. Despite the previous outings, both characters are unique to this set. Stitch is a more vibrant blue than his previous version and Lilo has swapped out her dress bottoms for small legs. Lilo’s stuffed toy, Scrump is also featured in the set. This uses the body element of the Dreamlings from DREAMZzz sets
The three other minifigures are all unique. They include Lilo’s sister Nani, David and Mr Bubbles. Nani and David are great representations of their animated versions. They both have great alternative expressions, especially David, who also includes a pair of fire sticks. Although I can’t help seeing a really cheerful and buff looking Ned from the Spider-Man sets. Unfortunately, Mr Bubbles hasn’t made the transition to minifigure-form as well as the others. Of course, the character was a heavy-set chap in the film, but it’s the face which feels off. It has weird ‘Clone Wars’ vibes. I suppose it does capture the character’s serious demeanour, but it still looks a little odd.
Stitch is a beloved character and I’m glad the original film is inspiring more LEGO sets. Better still, it’s nice to see a Disney set which features minifigures. It’s a nice reflection of the film, even if the house it’s based on is only featured on screen for a few moments towards the end of the film. Inside captures key parts from the house, tied to beloved moments from the film. The interior details offer plenty of fun little nods to the film. Overall, this is another great Disney set and perfect for fans of the film. The LEGO Disney Lilo and Stitch Beach House set will be released on March 1st and can be pre-ordered now.
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The LEGO Group provided this set to BricksFanz.com for review purposes. The thoughts expressed in this review are those of BricksFanz.com and do not reflect those of the LEGO Group or Disney. Providing the set for free does not guarantee a favourable opinion of it.
