Review: Lego Ghostbusters Ecto-1 (21108)

It’s hard to believe that it’s been 30 years since Ghostbusters was released.  But truth, as they say, is truth.  To commemorate the 30^th anniversary, Lego Ideas (formerly known as Lego Cuusoo) earlier this summer released set 21108, the Lego Ghostbusters Ecto-1.  

Your friendly neighborhood jman bought the set shortly after it’s release, and as I have the tendency to do, I’ve been sitting on it (not literally, of course) since then.  Backlog of work, what can I tell you?  Well…I finally made the opportunity to put the set together, recently.

And…?!?!?

I’ll tell you all that in a moment.  A little background about the set is first called for. Whenever I put together a decent size set, I’m always amazed how the designers at Lego create the set.  It still amazes me how they can look at a bunch of bricks and say:  Yea.  Ecto-1.  Although, this time, the credit for the design goes to Brent Waller.   A big fan of all things Ghostbusters, Brent Waller’s design of the Ecto-1 made it through Lego Idea’s fan vote, then its approval process.

Now that we’ve got the pleasantries out-of-the-way, it’s time for the brass tacks.  The Ecto-1 fun set and an equally fun build.  It comes with the four Ghostbusters themselves:  Ray, Peter, Egon and Winston.  I believe that Brent Waller’s original submission included Slimer (don’t quote me on it, though).  Unfortunately, as much as a cool addition that little green ghost would’ve been, he’s not included.

The set comes in a nice, heavier cardboard box.  I point this out because I find that the Lego Ideas boxes seem a bit more sturdy than their mass-produced counterparts.  I’m not sure why that is, but it’s a nice touch.  As is the instruction book, that is very much like a “book”.  Perhaps both are aimed more at the adult collector then the child player.

Which brings me to the price point.  At $49.99, it’s a little on the pricey side, but…by it’s very nature, it’s kind of expected.  Between the license fee and the limited production run, you’ve got to think a set like this is going to cost more.  Still, when compared to other sets with similar amounts of bricks, the price isn’t too bad.

So.  Is it worth it?  Hell yea!  Well…with one caveat, that is.  If you’re buying the set for yourself…then Hell yea!  If you’re thinking about buying it for a child, then…probably not.  This kind of set really isn’t for the little kids.  Although not quite the size and scope of the Lego UCS (Ultimate Collector’s Series), it’s definitely got that feel to it.

And with the Ghostbuster’s firehouse headquarters getting the mandatory votes needed to make it to the approval process, you’re totally gonna regret it, if you don’t have the Ecto-1 to park along side it.

UPDATE: If you want to score one of these exclusive, limited edition sets, you are still in luck.  They can still be picked up over at Amazon, and you can also mozy on over to eBay and find the Ghostbusters Ecto-1 set, maybe even for a sweet deal.