LEGO Icons 10316 The Lord of the Rings: Rivendell requires nitpicking to find any flaws

LEGO Icons 10316 The Lord of the Rings: Rivendell is just around the corner, but reviews for the set are already out before it goes on sale.

With the sprawling Rivendell going on sale from March 5, 2023 for VIPs and from March 8, 2023 for everyone else, early reviews for 10316 The Lord of the Rings: Rivendell are already published, giving you all you need to know about whether or not to buy the £429.99 model.

The fan reactions to the set so far have been overwhelmingly positive, but it’s time to hear from those who have actually got their hands on the model already.

Here’s a look at what each reviewer had to say in more detail – and what finer points they felt could be improved on 10316: The Lord of the Rings: Rivendell.

— Set details —

Theme: LEGO Icons Set name: 10316 The Lord of the Rings: Rivendell Release: August 1, 2022
Price: £429.99 / $499.99 / €499.99 Pieces: 6,167 Minifigures: 15 (plus six statues)
LEGO: March 5, 2023 for VIPs, March 8 for all

The build stays remarkably faithful to Peter Jackson’s films 

All three reviewers agreed that the enormous build stayed faithful to Peter Jackson’s The Lord of the Rings vision, from the twisted spires of Rivendell down to the ensemble cast of minifigures. Naturally, this is an important feature for the designers to ger right, with an enormous fanbase of Lord of the Rings to make happy.

“The whole model is extraordinarily detailed and accurate when compared with the Peter Jackson films, skilfully balancing earthy colours with verdant foliage,” wrote Brickset in its review.

“When compared to a still from the movie, the attention to detail is evident, capturing the very essence of elvish design in the LEGO set,” agreed Brick Architect.

Some smaller details are left wanting

While the overall impression was positive, there were some smaller details that left the reviewers with some minor criticism. Nonetheless, these points are so minor that it seems like there’s very little to dislike in 10316 The Lord of the Rings: Rivendell.

“The head selected for Arwen is disappointing and I think this character warrants her own design,” writes Brickset. “The white and metallic silver dress looks wonderful though, while Arwen’s Evenstar pendant hangs around her neck.”

“I am having trouble getting them sitting on their chairs, just because it’s hard to reach your hand in there,” LEGO YouTuber Bricksie added. “And they can’t actually clip into their chairs.”

Once again though, this minor detail doesn’t seem to dampen. the LEGO YouTuber’s enjoyment of the set, with the rest of his review overwhelmingly remaining positive.

The unique angles lend 10316 perfectly to display

A common positive element that all three reviewers touched on was how the colours and structure of the build create an impressively realistic set that’s reminiscent of the Elvish city from Jackson’s films.

“The combination of muted dark tan and olive green colours with vibrant trees and roof tiles looks spectacular and I appreciate how different sections of the setting are angled, enhancing its realism. Of course, this configuration also increases the depth of the model,” wrote Brickset.

“What stands out the most for me in this set is its display capability,”  agreed Brick Architect. “You can divide the massive scene into three sections and even further into six standalone displays if desired. The set is visually appealing from every angle with its bright shapes and colours that create a well-balanced blend of density and airiness, capturing the essence of a safe haven built into the woods and mountains.”

Elvish architecture is captured elegantly with LEGO elements

Part of the appeal of Rivendell is the unique architecture that’s only seen in one of the most beautiful Elvish cities. These gorgeous qualities are well-captured by the LEGO designers, as noted by the reviewers.

“The model looks stunning from the front and extensive detail continues around both sides. Elven buildings often forego solid walls in favour of slender columns, flooding the interiors with natural light. That distinctive architecture is immediately recognisable here and I like the archways along the ground floor in particular,” observed Brickset.

“The build itself is highly detailed, with various colours of leaves in the trees and different colours and textures of stone used in the construction of the buildings. One standout feature is the roof technique, which appears to be new and unique to this LEGO set, making the build even more exciting to construct and admire,” agreed Brick Architect.

The updated Rivendell minifigures capture the spirit of well-loved characters

Of course, some of the main appeal to LEGO Icons 10316 The Lord of the Rings: Rivendell is the minifigures that come with the set, covering the entire Fellowship, as well as more elves and dwarves to populate the Elvish city. The designs are relatively close to the original minifigures, but with some modern tweaks to bring them up to date that brought positive words from the LEGO reviewers.

“These figures have been updated with added details to match the current standard of minifigures. At first glance, they may appear to be the same, but this only highlights how well-designed the original figures were,” described Brick Architect.

Bricksie also enjoyed how the elves, Gandalf, and the hobbits all had alternate leg pieces to enable them to sit down, another element of the design that highlights the true attention to detail that went into 10316 The Lord of the Rings: Rivendell.

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— Summary —

Overall, there seems to be plenty to love about LEGO Icons 10316 The Lord of the Rings: Rivendell and all three reviewers that the minifigures, level of detail, and piece count make it worth the hefty price tag. While there were some minor details that the reviewers suggested could be improved upon, this was far outweighed by the positive points in virtually every other area. It seems that finding negatives in the set is tough to do, highlighting that the LEGO Group’s return to The Lord of the Rings certainly came with a bang. You can also check out our detailed review here.

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