Introducing LEGO 70840 Welcome to Apocalypseburg – the largest LEGO Movie 2 set (for now!)

January 5, 2019 | 9

Prepare for The LEGO Movie 2 in ultimate style with LEGO 70840 Welcome to Apocalypseburg, a massive 3,176-piece playset.

This gargantuan model, which features Apocalypseburg, the apocalyptic wasteland town that we find housing the characters from The LEGO Movie in the many trailers that we’ve seen of The LEGO Movie 2.

This set is due to be released exclusively on LEGO.com and LEGO Brand retail stores on 16 January 2019, which is about 11 days from now – just in time for The LEGO Movie.

Update:Now that the LEGO.com links are live, it’s saying that the release date for Welcome to Apocalypseburg is 1 February, so I think that 16 January is your typical VIP early access. Awaiting LEGO to confirm this detail.

Regional pricing is as below:

• 70840 Welcome to Apocalypseburg [US] – US$299.99
• 70840 Welcome to Apocalypseburg [AU] – AU$499.99
• 70840 Welcome to Apocalypseburg [UK] – £279.99
• 70840 Welcome to Apocalypseburg [EU] – €299.99 (regional EU pricing applies)
• 70840 Welcome to Apocalypseburg [CA] – CAD$399.99

First of all, this set looks like a heap of fun. It’s styled in the same vein as Ninjago City – a massive playset which promises an ‘epic 360 degree play experience’.

This sprawling model includes section of the Statue of Liberty with a chill-out room in the head, café, Scribble Cop’s office with a chair-kicking function, armory, barber’s/tattoo parlor, Lucy’s hideout, Fuse’s workshop, rooftop diner, gym, spa, lookout platforms and loads more!

It’s also quite large, measuring over 20” (52cm) high, 19” (49cm) wide and 12” (33cm) deep.

Apocalypseburg, which seems to be heavily influenced by George Miller’s Mad Max is set around a collapsed Statue of Liberty setand features a ragtag group of structures constructed in and around the ruins.

This seems to be the place that the heroes of The LEGO Movie 2 take refuge in after the first movie, and it’s an interesting contrast to the happy, clappy, sunny vibes from Bricksburg, where The LEGO Movie 1 takes place.

The set boasts a whopping 12 minifigures: Emmet, Lucy, Batman, Scribble Cop, Harley Quinn, Green Lantern, ’Where are my pants?’ Guy, Larry the Barista, Chainsaw Dave, Mo-Hawk, Roxxi and Fuse.

It’s a neat bunch of characters, with the highlights being Harley Quinn, who is dressed in her Suicide Squad outfit, and also a rugged Green Lantern.

Rounding out the cast are BDSM Mad Max-inspired minifigures from Bricksburg, except that they’re now all super tough, with tattoos, harnesses, skulls and makeshift armour.

Dave was the Surfer, Larry is still a Barista, but with a cool breathing apparatus and Where Are My Pants Guy is still pantless, but looks absolutely menacing.

The set is teeming with details and different areas for the minigures and looks to be packed with tons of interesting references. I think the designers have done a great job matching the setting from the movie, including the scene where Lucy and Emmet are on the lookout at the torch.

Life in Apocalypseburg is pretty tough as you’ll see in a few close-up shots of the interiors, where citizens routinely do tings like grab Coffee, get tattoos, and also do the dishes.

70840 Welcome to Apocalypseburg looks like a winner in my eyes, and will be suited for a large variety of age groups.

I do think that’s it’s a little on the pricey side, costing as much as Ninjago City which has almost 2,000 pieces more. Hopefully this goes on sale at a decent price.

A HUGE, HUGE omission is the presence of Sewer Babies! Why aren’t there any Sewer Babies in this set!? LEGO are probably saving them for the second wave that’s coming mid-year, but this was a HUGE missed potential!

For me, the main draw is the displayability and play features attached. It looks like there’s a ton of roleplay potential, acting out your favourite parts from the movie.

The minifigures are also quite fun, with the Suicide Squad Harley Quinn being a very clever addition to convince fans to pick it up.

That’s my thoughts on 70840 Welcome to Apocalypseburg. I’ll try and secure this set for a review – fingers crossed!

Would love to know what you think of this set in the comments, let me know if this is something that will appeal to you!

70840 Welcome to Apocalypseburg will be available on LEGO.com from 16 January 2019 onwards.