While I was waiting for my iPod to charge up the other day, I decided to do something different. Instead of playing games, I decided to write about something that I have been thinking about a lot these past few days. Specifically those licensed sets Lego has released or is about to release: Back to the Future, Ghostbusters, Simpsons, Dr. Who, Big Bang Theory, and Scooby Doo.
I have seen so much excitement towards these sets on Instagram that it has made me feel weird that I don’t feel any of that excitement myself. I even wrote about it on a friend’s picture as a comment, which I will repeat here:
“I only saw “Back to the Future” last year, and the only reason I watched it was because it got turned into a set and all the Lego community was so excited about it. Me? I was bored. I just couldn’t see what the fuss was all about. Thankfully, I made it till the end without sleeping, but by that time I was sure I was never getting that set.”
The only thing I remember about Ghostbusters is the theme song with the catchphrase “Who ya gonna call?”. Frankly the movie wasn’t that memorable. The Simpsons… gosh… as much as I love animation of all sorts, I just never warmed up to that family. The jokes seem cheap and I have never understood why people loved it so much. Maybe it’s a culture thing? As for Dr. Who – I stumbled upon it as I was going through the channels, and could only bear it for 15 minutes. It was THAT bad. I have never seen Big Bang Theory so I can’t comment on that one. Scooby Doo has the same level of stupidity for me as The Simpsons. In my opinion, it may be one of the worst animated series of its time.
Now, that brings me these questions: How and why? How is almost everyone in the Lego community so excited about these series and why am I not??! I get that everyone has different interests, that’s why there are so many different themes. I may like pirates and someone else likes space, or ninjas and so forth. But whenever the subject of one of the themes mentioned above comes up, everyone is like “Oh my God! I can’t believe they are really making this into a set!!” And that’s about the only thing I share with others: “I really can’t believe they are making that into a set!!”
I love anything related to Lego, so why do those new sets have no effect on me? Why don’t I get even a little bit excited? And don’t give me the “You’re getting old” excuse because I’m fine purchasing other sets and mini figures. I spoke to my father who is also a huge Lego and movie fan and neither of us was able to come up with any logical reasons.
I wish I could give you a conclusion, but I simply don’t have one; I wish I did. I would welcome your thoughts on this subject. Is there anyone else in our Lego community who feels the same way? I hope so. Otherwise I’m just one strange lady who’s babbling about stuff…
Pinar
PS: Special thanks to @ryanbabylon2929 for the inspiration and @lego_86 for getting me to confess 🙂
One must maintain a little bit of summer, even in the middle of winter – Henry David Thoreau
Interesting questions, Pinar. A few scattered thoughts I got when reading:
I like Big Bang because no matter what happens in that show I usually know someone who’s been there, done that.
Ghostbusters was one of the few movies I had on tape so I watched it A LOT, and the Ecto 1 set brought back a lot of memories, so I got it just to have it on my shelf and let it bring back memories of a happy childhood.
It’s been a while since I watched BTTF but it’s one of those movies a lot of friends have watched so we can use references as conversation shortcuts.
And finally, most of my fandoms are based on other fans and not the item itself. I have a lot of wonderful friends and the main thing we have in common is we like Star Wars, and that makes me like Star Wars a lot more than only the movies would merit.
I guess what I wanted to say is it may not be about the thing you like, but who you like it with.
I think it’s because you’re *getting* old.
Or at least that’s what I’m going to assume for the remainder of this post anyway 🙂
Ghostbusters was released in 1984, Back to the Future 1985. I was a teenager when they came out, and they were (are still) awesome! Soundtracks, posters, merchandise, “This man has no dick.” Huey Lewis and The News!
Nowadays we’re inundated with media, social networking, promotion and information on demand. Back then it was very limited in comparison. So blockbusters had that much more of an impact. At least for me they did.
Dr Who and Scooby Doo have been around since the 60’s and on-and-off to the present day. So there’s plenty of opportunity to appeal to a large fan base.
That’s what these licenses do, tap into the pre-existing fan base. So if you’re not a fan, you’re not going to get the same reaction to the combination of the best things in the world.
I think that a large part of the attraction of Lego to an AFOL is nostalgia. So any license that re-enforces this has an additional attraction. Combine this with social media driving the need to ‘like’ and be part of a group and you get the ‘fuss’ that you’re seeing. It could also be that these are (mostly) fan submissions. So there’s the ‘getting famous’ draw to them as well.
When it comes down to it, we’re all different. Your opinions are different from mine, and that’s great 🙂 I’d hate it if we were all the same. Maybe rather than say ‘I don’t get it’ for the these licences, you should let us know which licenses you’d like to see instead?
Mike.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts Pinar! I would say most of the excitement among the AFOL community about these new sets is driven purely by nostalgia for their beloved movie/TV/cartoon characters and objects. I agree that, when taken out of context, like watching Back to the Future 30 years after it first screened and wowed the world, some of these shows come off as boring, or simply don’t translate into the world we live in now. But man, back in 1985, that DeLorean was the coolest thing ever! Who wouldn’t want one?! So it makes sense that all those kids who grew up lusting after the DeLorean and who also became AFOLs would be super excited to own their very own DeLorean, and build it out of LEGO!
I don’t think it matters what the quality of the content or production is for those shows. I think it’s more about having experienced them at an impressionable age and having some significant attachment to those iconic characters/objects that carries on into adulthood. I’m sure I would think Scooby Doo is the stupidest cartoon too if I watched it now, but I loved it as a kid and can’t wait to get my own little LEGO Scooby to make my own stories! And maybe that’s just it, that these LEGO sets provide us a tangible way to play with these beloved characters and create our own “better” scenes with. The Karate Kid is another cheesy movie from the 80’s, but if they made a LEGO Daniel-san and Mr. Miyagi, I would totally buy them! haha!
If these new themes don’t excite you as LEGO sets, I’m curious what you would want made into LEGO then? As for me, the fact that the Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit were LEGO-ized means that I will die happy. Best. Thing. Ever.
Glad to see your guest appearance here Pinar, hope there is more to come (at least, a Part-2) 🙂
I see Mike & Leila have highlighted the most important part, that nostalgia is the main driver behind many of these series. Since Lego itself is the center of our nostalgia for many of us, licenced series “may” add onto the joy. I totally agree.
I also get your point well since the licenced themes have a high tendancy to go out of hand with new additions rapidly growing.
For me, the licenced sets/minifigs are good as long as:
1) I love the theme.
or,
2) they help me in building my scenarios.
#1 is the emotional point of view, not much to say upon. Then there is #2, which in fact is a technical point: It’s a big mess to match the yellows with the flesh! 🙂
So not all series or figs are eligible for me to expand my universe of plastic people. This is where the pragmatic thinking takes the stage:
e.g#1: Stormtroopers are not only sweet, but also are easy to use in any scenario since they are in a uniform, which contains neither yellow nor flesh. I can use them as they are, or use flesh or yellow head chocies for fun! (same applies to Darth Vader & other troopers)
e.g#2: Simpsons are not only originally funny, but also originally yellow! So they are easy to integrate into my existing collection of torsos and other figures. (that fat bellied Homer & swimsuit Marge tells it all!) 🙂
Conclusion: The answer for me is both emotional (nostalgia) and practical (colors & outfits).
And thank you Pinar for opening this topic, and thanks Shelly & Me2 for giving us a place where we can read & write and get to know each other since it is nearly impossible to do on our main playground, IG.
Serhat.
Serhat – one of these days you need to write me a full on blog post! Please start thinking about what you would like to say. Shelly
I was born in ’78. I grew up in the 80’s watching BTTF and Ghostbusters. I loved the movies back then – still do. Of course i wanted the lego sets because it made me feel ‘young’ again but it also did another thing, it helped me connect with my niece and nephew by watching the movies that brought back my childhood. And if they do a lego Karate Kid set i would buy it too. I’m hoping for a Goonies set first though! Emm
A Goonies set would be very cool. I think Lego knows what it is doing with these nostalgia based sets. They are great to share and connect with the next generation. I am glad you are connecting with your niece and nephew, a very special experience for you both! Shelly
I definitely smell what you’re stepping in. I’d like the bttf delorian, but just because its an ideas set. I used to be a dr who fanatic, but have no compulsion to get any of the new sets. And as I said to Shelly yesterday, mystery mobile gag me with a spoon. Maybe I’m just salty that lego is discontinuing my beloved Galaxy Squad line, but I feel lego needs to focus on quality sets, not quantity of sets. Anyway, congrats Pinar on the guest blogging!
Gordon,
Damn LEGO for discontinuing Galaxy Squad! My favorite line behind CHIMA! I love all the explorers and their little space ships. I love the color combination and I really love those bugs. Some of the sets have been pretty kick ass; yup Galaxy Squad will always be my favorite space series. <3
Shelly
Once of these days I will have to get an army of bugs and do an "on the bounce" photo right out of Starship Troopers!