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    Discuss This Story
    Set Review: 76020 Knowhere Escape Mission
    ReviewSunday, September 7th, 2014 at 11:35pm by Benjamin, BZPower Reporter

    I was really tempted just to say “I am Groot” as the whole video and review.

    Marvel Studio's latest film Guardians of the Galaxy is still doing well at the box office, and with characters like Groot and Rocket Raccoon that is no surprise. In today's set review of the Knowhere Escape Mission, we see their LEGO counterparts as they reenact a key scene from the movie while fighting some formidable bad guys. Watch the video and read the review to see what is so great about this playset, and say it with me: I am Groot!

    The set itself is $40 USD and has 433 pieces. That is less than ten cents a piece! Plus it is a licensed set with four characters. Considering all those factors and then pricing this at $40 is a great deal! (Compared to the $50 X-Men Jet with 336 pieces. Still has cool figs though.)

    Presentation
    From the design of the box to the instruction manual, these are the first things you see before building the set.

    Box front Box back Pieces

    The box front it flashy, with lots of action while it shows off the minifigs. All the important information is there too, like the logos, set numbers, piece count, name, and age recommendation (ha!). The back further explores all this set can do, from trap doors to throwing around trans-yellow barrels. We also get a glance of Rocket with a big gun, as he is known to have. The pieces come in three bags, as well as with a sticker sheet which I will not be using today.

    Building
    Half the fun is had building the set. How fun is it to build and how easy or challenging is it?

    Groot built Murky water Part one done

    I am Groot! The King from Planet X really shows his size as one of the first things built, including ten points of articulation for the limbs. Unfortunately his neck does not turn, nor do his ankles, so his expression is limited as are his leg poses. Following the build is a portion of the yellow-liquid pump system. Nebula shows up too to get in on some of the action.

    Pod base More pod Pod done

    Next up comes the mining vehicle Rocket flies around in, chasing after the Orb and the baddies. It fits a minifig perfectly and has some playability with the grabbing hands.

    Rocket and liquid It is coming together

    Things start to come together with Rocket's small fig and big gun all being built, as well as another, larger portion for the murky water.

    Launcher Top hideout Cannon time The whole set

    Rounding out the building experience includes some traps and structures for the baddies to utilize and the good guys to destroy. More of this looked at in the Playability section.

    Set Design
    Now that the set is complete, we can critique how it looks from every angle. New or interesting pieces can also be examined here.

    Cool pieces New missile

    New and interesting pieces include some light, pastel blue pieces (along with some other blue varieties), some neat brown pieces for Groot and some transparent pieces which I look forward to using. The new spring-loaded missile is included as well, which is fun to use (see the video).

    Pod front Pod back

    The little pod for Rocket to fly around in is cool too, which has the grabbing hands up front and some sort of bomb-dropping chamber in the back. Just more play features!

    Groot front Groot side Groot back

    Finally, Groot holds his ground with his size. His legs and torso come pre-printed with a leaf and wood design. His articulation is great for striking fearsome poses or balancing Rocket on his arm (see Playability), while his hands can grab a variety of things.

    Figs front Figs back

    The standard figs are cool too. A Sakaaran comes with this set, just like the other two, and sports a reversible head and cool body armor. Rocket has a tail inserted between his torso and legs, kept in with the pegs from the legs. Nebula has her space suit and other details, like her metal arm and facial implants, detailing her fig.

    Playability
    The other half of the fun is in playing with the set. How well does the set function and is it enjoyable to play with.

    Structure front Structure back Trap door

    There are numerous features to this set that give it reasons not to be overlooked with all the other LEGO sets. Up top, the Sakaaran can position his cannon, but when the dish below is pushed the whole structure will fall over taking him with it! The whole top base also has a trap door triggered from the back, catching the baddie in the murky water below. Finally, there is a little catapult in the smaller yellow-liquid basin to fire barrels up at him. The whole play value makes this set really fun.

    Buddy up

    Though a balancing act is taking place, Rocket can sit on Groot's arm to show just how good buddies they really are.

    Final Thoughts
    Once it's all said and done, how does the set stack up? Should I get it?

    Pros
    What's to like?

    • Great play value.
    • Good price.
    • Rocket Raccoon fig and tail.
    • I am Groot!

       

    Cons
    What's not to like?

    • Not as impressive as a spaceship at first glance.
    • Groot can't turn his head.

    What I really love about this set is how much of a playset it is. All LEGO sets (well, most) are supposed to have some sort of play feature, of course, but this really feels like a scene from the movie with all the right parts to have a fun time. Two iconic heroes conflicting with two great bad guys, along with some cool vehicles and weapons. On top of that, there are some clever play features integrated into the scene, taking some liberties compared to the movie, all of which add more fun and play value to the set.

    Hinkle
    'I am Kevin!

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