LEGO Scaled-Up LEGO Minifigure (40649) Review

When it comes to LEGO Minifigures and anything related to them, I go nuts. I’m a big Minifigure kinda guy and love collecting them, from the official CMF range to custom printed (onto genuine LEGO) ones.

So when LEGO announced the Up-Scaled Minifigure (40649), I knew I had to grab it, build it and display it along side the LEGO Harry Potter and Hermione figures of the same size. There is one buildable figure that still alludes me, the LEGO House Pirate exclusive, one he’ll be mine!

Having built today’s review live over on our Instagram channel, it took two parts, you can go back and watch the streams at your pleasure and see how it all comes together. In the meantime, we hope you enjoy this review of the Up-Scaled LEGO Minifigure (40649).

The Box & Contents:

This box is different to others as it opens with a hinge on one side, which I really like. It’s like LEGO have graced us with a box then not only looks the part but you can also build inside of. The majority of LEGO Ideas sets come in these boxes so it’s especially nice to see them dished out to other themes.

On the front you’ll see the set itself taking centre stage, on the reverse is the set but in different positions, including the up-scaled Minifigure sitting down. This shows off the play features included and a diagram of the size.

Inside you’ll find 5 numbered bags and an instruction manual. For a set that retails for £44.99 there does seem to be a lot of parts, colourful parts to be precise. There are 654 pieces included, ranging from nice sized Blue and Red bricks to smaller parts, oh and don’t forget the Blue Dome element.

The instruction manual is a decent size too but still thin enough to be of the ‘stapled’ variety, as opposed to the fixed type. They are larger than usual which is a good thing, making them more user friendly and comfortable to read.

The Build:

Bags 1 & 2 construct the torso and hip sections, building up the torso with Red bricks and larger pieces. The slopes on each side are created rather easily with the inner workings doing all the work. Technic bars and plates hold the slopes together and also leave holes and bar ends exposed ready for the arms and legs to be attached later in the build.

Bags 3 & 4 add the legs and arms, these sections are a little repetitive but with little changes being mirrored (left & right).

The arms are small but do comprise of a surprising amount of parts. With a hinge plate creating the elbows angle, topped off with Red pieces to match the torso. The Yellow hands are added and finally starts to look like a Minifigure, with the crab like claws.

The legs are again the same but mirrored, making the build process go somewhat quicker, if you keep in mind it’s in reverse of course. Building up each leg with Blue bricks, plates and again some Technic elements to hold it all together once attached to the body.

Along the toe areas are a row of bare studs, this isn’t a problem but perhaps placing Blue tiles along them are in the cards, just to make it more polished.

Bag 5 makes the head and hat and ultimately finishs off the set. Using roughly the same techniques as previous up-scaled Minifigures (Harry Potter and Hermione) the head comes together nicely with help from large curved pieces and smaller angled elements.

Thankfully there no are stickers in this set, the three printed pieces are basic control designs which surround the Minifigure inside the hat.

Pop all the body parts together and you have a fully fledged and up-scaled Minifigure, that not only looks great but actually functions just like a regular sized one!

Inside the cap is where the Minifigure sits and controls the bigger one. I love this idea and the fact that LEGO have included it is amazing, it really adds to the overall set and playability of it.

Next up well review the Minifigure itself, the inspiration behind this up-scaled one.

The Minifigure:

This happy little chappy encapsulates what LEGO is all about and the feeling you wmget when building it. His smiley face says it all. Sporting the exact clothes the up-scaled one has in is what makes it so good – little baby, big baby, that past trend on Tiktok comes to mind. 

The Red torso, Blue legs and Blue cap are all there but in proper Minifigure scale. Granted there’s not much to say about him in general apart from is truly a sweet and happy little chap.

He’s the cherry on the Minifigure cake! 

Thank you for reading our review, we hope you’ve enjoyed it and has inspired you to grab this bueaty of a set. For AFOLs (adult fan of LEGO) it pays homage to the humble Minifigure and looks great on display, to younger fans it hold so much playability and can hold up to a few knocks.

Do you have this set? What do you think of it? Let us know via the comments section below.