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Set #: 5857
Theme: Belville (with a dash of Orient Expedition)
Set name: Safran's Amazing Bazaar
URL: http://guide.lugnet.com/5857
Ages: 5-10, 92 pieces, 1 figure. (C) 2003
Price: AUD 39.95 Shop@Home (check S@H for prices in your local currency)
An Indian (or Middle Eastern) woman runs a shop with pets, perfumes and
food, in a riot of colours!
Remember to wear your sun glasses!
RATINGS (Scale: Must-Have Excellent Very-Good Good Fair Poor)
Set: Very-Good / Models: Fair / Playability: Excellent
DECALS? None
SPECIAL FEATURES/COMPATIBILITY
None. Battery-free, noise-free, flashing-light-free, non-programmable.
SET DESCRIPTION
The model is for an outdoor stall set in some Indian (substitute Middle
Eastern, Oriental, as you will) market. Safran, an Indian woman, sits on a
cushion in a tent with a onion dome roof under the shade of a magic carpet.
Around her are her wares: pets, perfumes, and food. The set is an absolute
riot of colours: predominantly dark pink, orange, and purple in the major
construction pieces, plus many other colours used in the accessory items.
SPECIAL ELEMENTS
The set features the new large half onion-dome also seen in the Orient
Expedition sets but in dark pink. All other pieces look familar elements,
although some may not have been produced in these colours before. The Safran
figure is new (note this is one of the larger Belville articulated figures
which can be posed quite realistically but does not come apart); there is
hole in the top of her hair to add hair ornaments etc. Unlike our normal
asexual minifigs, Safran is a well-developed young lady. As they say in the
movie "Bend it like Beckham", Safran has mangoes not mosquito bites.
Although not new, I know many people will be thrilled to see food items like
baguettes, croissants and fruit available again.
There are three fabric elements: the magic carpet (patterned with frill
edges), the cushion (gold on one side, striped pink/orange on the other
side), and Safran's skirt (pink with a diamond). I think the cushion is
particularly attractive.
IMPRESSION
I love this set and will probably buy more for the fantastic selection of
parts and colours it contains. No doubt there will be a glut of Safran's and
cushions on the after-market.
Set Rating
I think most people will be buying this set for its parts and not its model.
However, the large orange screen and turret/tower are very much "Belville"
scale and may not be the most useful for other themes (lame parts contest
elements?!). However, the onion dome, arches, lamp posts and accessories are
sure to prove popular with Townies. And if you want to enliven any models
with some non-standard colours, this is the set for you.
Model Rating
Like most Belville sets, the model itself is a simple one with the emphasis
on the accessory items.
Playability Rating
This set seems to have enormous playability for its target market; it's a
good-looking set. Children (especially girls) do love to play "shop".
Likes/Dislikes
I dislike the larger construction parts. I love it otherwise for its parts
and colours.
Scale
The set is built to Belville articulated-figure scale.
Errors
I did not see any errors in the set. The instructions were very simple as
the model itself is quite simple.
Extra Elements
I do not recall any extra elements.
CONCLUSION
I would absolutely recommend this set for its parts and its colours, even if
Belville isn't usually your theme.
REVIEWER INFORMATION
Review Written: 12 March 2003
By: Kerry Raymond
Age: 43
Favourite Lines/Themes: System/Town (not usually a Belville enthusiast)
--
============
Kerry Raymond
kerry@dstc.edu.au
Proud to be LUGNET Member 599
www.lugnet.com/people/members/?m=599
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