Here we go!
So the 4+ mech is abombnidable. The techniques are awful, the minifigure's just an average lame Jay figure, and there is nothing even slightly cool about it. Having said that, I think you managed to make an excellent video despite the set. That might be because the majority of the film mercifully did not contain the mech, but I also did like the brickfilm. I was a little confused at the start, but then I figured out that of course, it's an old point-and-click computer game. I knew the type, although I've never played one (I tend to stick to classics such as Donkey Kong, Duck Hunt, and the original Mario all on the Super Nintendo, those were the days!). It was actually a lot of fun to watch, so thanks for making it! Oh, and a sidenote, I do actually like the bad guy for this set. That's the one ok element to this horrible product. We should do a contest where good brickfilmers have to try to animate 4+ sets, I'm sure the results would be hilarious. And, contrary to other comments, I did really like your commentary. My condolences for being lonely in Episode 2.
On to Episode 2! How the stinking SHAC could you do something like that to your LEGO pieces! How?! Even though I admit that animating boats in the mud is a great funny idea, I am still shocked at the callous cruelty shown to your poor LEGO bricks. I hope you at least washed them off afterwards, and gave them some monetary recompense for the trials they had to endure at your hands. Mine gosh. Animating LEGO in the mud, ugh! Anyway though, the set is really cool. This new theme is really quirky, wacky, and interesting, and if you look at some of the YouTube and other site LEGO forums, it's a very controversial topic. For example, all of my die-hard super LEGO fan friends despise the new headband hairpieces, but I kind of like them. However, I do understand why someone would not like them, as that sort of headband does look somewhat odd on guys. But, since I don't have any, I'd love it if you could post some pictures of the hairpieces on other minifigures, like you were talking about in the review. About the actual minifigures themselves, I love the islanders, and the slightly video game-ish style of the decorations and tribal ornaments. However, didi you notice what look like bloodstains on one of the islander's masks? . I don't know anything about the story, but it would be really cool if someone made up their own, and there's definitely enough material for someone to build a pretty expansive world. As for the ninja, their bodies are kind of generic and similar to many of their others in other previous themes, reinforcing the fact that I usually only ever buy Ninjago sets for the bad guys. The Ninja's heads are good, though, and Jay and Kai's heads could be used for a lot of different minifigures in a wide variety of brickfilms. The ninja's weapons are somewhat confusing, I wasn't expecting a robot to use a bow, and the abundance of machetes. It makes sense for people in the jungle to have machetes, but there's no need for them to be gold, and I'm not sure what they're doing on chains. Seems a bit violent. Even though some of them don't make much sense, the weapons are still cool. I really don't like Zane's hair, however, as it's not a very visually pleasing piece, and since it's metallic colored, I can't really use it for any other minifigures. However, maybe I can try to incorporate it creatively into a MOC or something. The boats are very cool. I'm not the biggest fan of Kai's catamaran, but it's well built, however, I love the Islander's boat. It's got so many great little details, and the new dark transparent blue bolts of the spring shooters are sweet. There are a couple big fat honking prefabs that are pretty terrible, but besides from that I really like all the colorful unique parts it comes with. The sails for both boats have interesting designs as well. Overall, it's a very nice set, and a great resource for the Islander minifigures and unique pieces, but overpriced.
Completely and utterly skipping episode 3, let's get on with discussing the set. The motorcycle is an interesting build. You were right when you said that LEGO motorcycles are very classic, however, I definitely think that TLG can and have gone wrong with different motorcycle models, but this set is pretty solid. I'm also a fan of the color scheme. The horns on the front wheel also has a great look, if a little bad guy-ish. The sail is a cool shape, but I'm not big into the designs on it. By themselves, the different symbols look nice, but when you put them together, there's way too much going on, and it's crowded and weird. Out of the hexagons, sci-fi script, and big Japanese-esque symbol, they probably should have just stuck with the big symbol and the contrasting sand green and white colors, I think it definitely would look better. For brickfilming, propping it up would be difficult, especially if you were making it drive, so I would probably say the second set was the best for animation, as long as you've got a big ocean (or a river of mud, if you're in the cruel mood). As for the minifigures, Nya is pretty good, however it's a little frustrating that out of all the ninja, the one minifigure they chose not to have the headband was the one it would probably have looked the best on. But she still looks decent. I'm not quite sure what I think of Lloyd's minifigure. His suit has some cool designs. His head, on the other hand, is fairly weird. He's got the face with the green eyes that he's had since the LEGO Ninjago Movie came out. I do think it's somewhat weird that LEGO abruptly changed his eyes, but hey, it's their products. The green streaks on either side of his face were a cool idea, but they made them a little too neat, straight, thick, and bright. They kind of crowd his face, and overall, it's not a great look, but the minifigure is OK I guess. Rumble Keeper is awesome. Hands down stinking awesome. I'm thinking of getting this set, but even if I don't, I'll probably BrickLink his figure (finances permitting). I really like everything about him, from his bamboo hat to his shield. This set is very reasonably priced as way. The storm amulet is actually a very neat piece, and similar to the Atlantis keys, and both could be used as cool decorations on a variety of things. The white spear is a little odd though, is it made of bone? I do really want to find out the story (it might be in the obscure corners of LEGO.com), because it seems to me that reading from the LEGO catalog set descriptions, that the Ninja have invaded the native's island, and are seeking to destroy them, sink their ships, and steal their storm jewelry. Not sure who I should be cheering for here. Does LEGO have shady designs? Anyway, one more thing before I go, I believe the natives are generally as a whole collectively called the Keepers, and I bet it has something to do with the fact that they are trying to protect the storm amulet. The masked villager is called Thunder Keeper, so it makes sense that Rumble Keeper might follow. Well, thank you so much if you read all the way down this review, and even if you didn't, at least you read this. These are my opnions of the three sets you've reviewed, Rio, and the brickfilms you've made. Or at least the first 2. Actually though, the third was funny at parts, and if you try to ignore the wierdness, it's pretty good, despite the fact that there's not much animation. The new Ninjago theme is very solid, and one of the best in recent years, even if it does have a dubious story. Thanks, God Bless,
Sincerely,
Puskov
"Whatever that thing AquaMorph said about french kissing that's always in people's signature"
Married? Solder you balls now.