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Subject: 
4x2ReVu: 7947 Prison Tower Rescue
Newsgroups: 
lugnet.reviews
Date: 
Tue, 6 Jul 2010 18:40:42 GMT
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Shondra Forsten is a woman not to be taken lightly. With the not-so-shocking news that her jerk of a step-father had no intention of paying her ransom, she decided to take her fate into her own hands. The first unsuspecting guard took the full force of her shove to go sprawling backwards down the rickety staircase, his partner took the newly-swiped dagger under the ribs and also went down the stairs, but with a little less howling.
Four remaining guards heard the scuffle and came running from the ground floor, bearing arms and nasty looks. She swung herself up to the roof of her cell and really had no other recourse but to tip the boiling pot of molten lead over backwards to run down the inside of the castle, smashing through parts of the double-stairway and setting ablaze whatever rotted wood remained from the initial downpour of fiery death. Now she realizes (perhaps too late) that she’s set fire to her only path of escape.
Soon the entire base of the tower is a blistering inferno. Dragon guards scramble in all directions to the surrounding woods as Shondra continues a last-ditch search of the smoke-filled parapet for any final options . . .


The 7947 is comprised of a five level tower in basic black and brown with some grey and green highlights. The first floor is basically a gateway with portcullis. From the outside and facing the gate, there’s a stairway to the left that goes up to a second level. This can be blocked off by a lowered ladder/gate (not the most effective way to block an entrance, but probably the easiest way using only a few pieces). Once inside the structure, the first floor is pretty bare except for a small ‘lantern’ (clear 1x1 cone with a flame coming out). The second level, accessed only via the front door stairway, features a pyramid staircase that leads to the opposite side second story landing. The peak of this pyramid is a very small landing that gives access to a ladder leading to the fourth story prison cell. There’s a third story parapet with a mini catapult and the winch for the portcullis but no access is provided for this brief landing. The fifth and final story of the tower is an open parapet with a pot of boiling oil (including molten fiery flame assembly) that tips to dump out the front of the castle on any unwary intruders. The fortress is otherwise decked out with torch sconces, dragon shields, latticed windows and two green (very cool) dragon/gargoyles.

Figures included in the set are a white horse with a ‘royal’ printed barding blanket and head armor (featuring a golden horn), princess in white, two red knights and two green knights and a light grey mouse. There is a small assortment of weapons (swords, spears and a poleaxe) and a treasure box with some gems and a chunk of gold. Notable minifig accessories include two bucket helms and a beautifully preprinted breastplate for one of the red knights.

Overall I’m pretty impressed with this set. For only about 350 pieces it makes a great fortress. I particularly like the black and brown color combinations (with a few molded ‘wood’ elements). Something about the particular colors almost looks like the fortress started out as an inn and ended up turning into a fortress. Comparing this castle to the other sets in the theme (good guys get basic light grey castles) I very much hope we see at least one or two more structures for the bad guys (if not a totally blown out castle of their own!).

Where there’s obvious use of the ‘juniorized’ pieces (ladders, 1x6x1 pillars, walls), they’re put to good use that make the structure larger than it would have been without use of these pieces. I particularly like the way one of the stairways is ‘beefed’ up for the first level by simply adding a 1x4 grey brick to each step--giving the appearance of a stone (rather than just wooden) stairway.

I paid about $50 for this set and though I might normally complain about the piece count for such a price, I’m pleased with the final model. I do have to say that the larger/heavier boxes Lego sets are coming in lately don’t fool me. I know (and wary consumers should be aware) that actual product only takes up about 50%-60% of the box space.

!!! 4x2ReVu Stats !!!
Rating: Six out of eight studs.
Pros: Great structure that has some interesting alternate model possibilities (like an inn or tavern).
Walletwise: $50 for 365 pieces.
Date: 7/4/10



Message has 2 Replies:
  Re: 4x2ReVu: 7947 Prison Tower Rescue
 
have to add a quick comment here. i was playing around with the pieces of this set last night to look at alternate possibilities and remembered the new 2x2 facet pieces in this set (which i didn't mention in the review). they look like this: (URL) (...) (14 years ago, 8-Jul-10, to lugnet.reviews, FTX)
  Re: 4x2ReVu: 7947 Prison Tower Rescue
 
(...) ended up throwing together a (URL) model out of this set. i was in a bit of a rush with it but perhaps there's enough inspiration here to get other builders started on their own alternate model. ..jg (14 years ago, 13-Jul-10, to lugnet.reviews, FTX)

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