MONTH IS TH Where did the decade go? I can still vividly remember picking up the very first issue of this magazine when it hit the stands and feeling that LEGO fans deserved a publication that would take them deeper into the hobby than ever before. Without wanting to hit the self-congratulatory button too early, I am confident that we’ve achieved that mission. As the first editions of this magazine were published, LEGO Ideas had just started to demonstrate how the fan-driven platform could lead to one-off sets based on beloved movies… and here we are with a holiday favourite finally delivered; The Nightmare Before Christmas. We hear from the team behind the set this month. By contrast, it feels like City has been around forever, although there was of course that awkward blip after Town, when the LEGO Group offered up World City… yikes. There’s no risk of that kind of weirdness again, as Design Manager Chris Stamp makes clear in a conversation about the work he is doing to elevate the classic theme. Thinking about what else was going on a decade ago, The LEGO Movie arrived in cinemas to tremendous success. That thought crossed my mind back in August, as I sat down in a screening room with one other journalist and a security guard. I was there to watch Piece by Piece, the new LEGO movie that’s coming to the big screen. It’s a strange experience stepping out into the light as the credits roll unable to discuss it with anyone. This film was a real head scratcher when it was announced, no matter how big of a Pharrell Williams fan you are, and I’m still scratching my head. Once you’ve hit the cinema to see this entirely unique animated feature, do get in touch and let me know what you make of it (even if you entirely disagree with my review). Bringing this magazine to LEGO fans for the past decade has been the absolute pleasure of the Blocks team and I; thank you for your support. As great and convenient as quick form online content is, in my view there’s nothing that beats getting comfortable with a magazine where you can delve deep into the detail. While we have achieved my goal of delivering the most comprehensive guide to the LEGO world there is, you ain’t seen nothing yet. We’re not just thinking about the next month or even the next year – we have big ambitions for the next decade. That’s for another day though! In the meantime, enjoy Issue 120… Leg godt! GRAHAM E. HANCOCK Editor graham@blocksmag.com INSIDEINSIDE LEGO SET REVIEWS INSIDE STAR WARS SKELETON CREW • THE LEGEND OF ZELDA MARVEL • DESPICABLE ME • MCLAREN P1 • AND MORE W ha t a W ha t ha t a Nig ht ma re... PIECE BY PIECE PIECE BY PIECE Bringing PHARRELL WILLIAMS' LIFE to the screen – IN BRICKS INSIDE FORTNITE INSIDE FORTNITE how designers adapted the game's icons as minifigures WINWIN THE EPIC NEW LEGO THE EPIC NEW LEGO FORTNITEFORTNITE BATTLE BUS BATTLE BUS .4 9 // £ 6 1 2 0 I S S U E SUBSCRIBE TO BLOCKS Get Blocks early every month with a great value subscription package. You’ll save money, be entered into a new prize draw every month and get access to our full digital archive. Browse the different options at blocksmag.com. 67 WELCOME What we’ve been building… Phil has been using his photography know-how to get the perfect spooky shot that captures the whimsy of The Nightmare Before Christmas, focusing on Jack and Sally standing atop the iconic Spiral Hill. After a game of crazy golf at LEGOLAND Windsor Resort, Graham spent time putting together a brick course to send a ping pong ball down. It took some trial and error before it made it to the hole. Geneva has been building a micro model of the impossibly picturesque Neuschwanstein Castle, located in Schwangau, Germany. In addition to actual plant pieces, she has used Forest Guardians hats as trees. At LEGO House, Anthony represented his inner feelings at Mood Mixer. Either that, or he built a silly face. Once he’d built it, brick magic brought the character to life. Blocks | 3