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Brick Flicks: 60 Iconic Movie Scenes and Posters to Make from Lego
It's official...there is absolutely no limit to what master modeler Warren Elsmore can create with LEGO bricks He's wowed us with architectural icons from around the globe in Brick City. He amazed us with the wonders of the ancient, natural, and modern world in Brick Wonders. And now, Elsmore takes us to the movies in Brick Flicks, as he recreates iconic scenes from the world's most famous films. Movie fans and LEGO lovers alike will delight in brick-by-brick recreations of scenes from: Raiders of the Lost ArkPlanet of the ApesRockyGreaseKing KongLawrence of Arabia, and many, many othersChapters are organized by movie genre and cover action and adventure, science fiction and horror, drama and classics, as well as musicals and comedy. With more than 100 gorgeous full-color photos of his creations, Elsmore provides commentary on how they were made along with interesting facts about the movies themselves. Readers will also enjoy easy-to-follow instructions for recreating many of the iconic scenes in their own homes.
160 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2014
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55 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
December 9, 2014
I found this a lacklustre Lego book. The title is somewhat misleading in that the content focuses on custom minifigs, rather than Lego built scenes. The compositions were basic and did not hold my attention. To make matters worse, there is a lack of care in the presentation, with photos spread across two pages significantly obscured by the binding. There are far more worthwhile Lego books out there, showing awe-inspiring builds, including Warren Elsmore’s own Brick City. Disappointing.
November 3, 2022
This is a book that recreates movie scenes using Lego. I thought it would be whimsical, lightly amusing and even impressive if the author did it well. Unfortunately, it’s not very good. It relies far too much on customised minifigures created specially for this project, too many of the scenes are not “iconic” (often using extreme close-ups that just don’t look right) and some of the films have already been recreated by the Lego company itself, such as Jurassic Park and Raiders of the Lost Ark - so it leaves the reader asking, “What’s the point?” The descriptions that go along with the films are just plot summaries intertwined with short, gushing reviews that give no information on why these particular films or even these particular scenes were chosen. Sometimes the author provides building instructions for very simple models that are (or are not) part of the movie scene, but any half-clever kid old enough to be watching these movies could work it out themselves. Very disappointing.
July 17, 2019
This book was a lot of fun, with it's recreations of famous movie scenes constructed from Lego pieces. However, some of the scenes come across better in Lego form than others. The recreation of the opening from The Sound Of Music was particularly disappointing.
The addition of instructions for building Lego replicas of some of the iconic movie props and set pieces was a nice inclusion. Unfortunately, the diagrams were compressed for space so that each individual image covered multiple building steps. This sometimes made it difficult for me to sort out how the various pieces were meant to be assembled. Also, the replica alien figure from the film Alien seemed to require a lot of highly specialized pieces.
If you can borrow this book for free from a friend or from the local public library, paging through it is an enjoyable way to pass the time. However, I for one don't feel the need to own a copy.
Did I like it? Yes.
Would I reread it? Possibly.
Would I recommend it? Maybe.
The addition of instructions for building Lego replicas of some of the iconic movie props and set pieces was a nice inclusion. Unfortunately, the diagrams were compressed for space so that each individual image covered multiple building steps. This sometimes made it difficult for me to sort out how the various pieces were meant to be assembled. Also, the replica alien figure from the film Alien seemed to require a lot of highly specialized pieces.
If you can borrow this book for free from a friend or from the local public library, paging through it is an enjoyable way to pass the time. However, I for one don't feel the need to own a copy.
Did I like it? Yes.
Would I reread it? Possibly.
Would I recommend it? Maybe.
October 4, 2015
Warren Elsmore is a world-renowned name when it comes to the LEGO community. The UK-based artist was a fan favorite online for more than a decade before beginning a professional career working with the toys in 2012. His fame has grown with the publication of his first two books, "Brick City" and "Brick Wonders," which both showcase his talent in building cities and structures of his own design, alongside world landmarks both ancient and modern. His third book is this one, "Brick Flicks: 60 Iconic Movie Scenes and Posters to Make from LEGO."
The 2014 book is a natural fit; there's a big geeky crossover between those of us who love LEGO and those of us who are movie buffs. So I picked it up thinking it'd be a home run. I don't think it was that home run I was looking for, but there were a lot of good plays.
The movies are organized into four categories: Sci-Fi and Horror, Drama and Classics, Action and Adventure, and Comedy and Musicals. Each movie gets at least a two-page spread, with full-color photos of a scene (except for a few black and white movies, of course) from the movie, sometimes a movie poster. There's a sidebar that includes the year the movie was made, the director and stars, and a brief synopsis of the plot. Most of them have a little bit of trivia about the movie, and it's enough to make me want to see the movie again. Looking at the list of movies, there are only two I haven't ever seen: "Death on the Nile" and "Lara Croft: Tomb Raider." One of those feels I'm a little embarrassed about, the other I'm fine with.
It's a great list of movies, some truly classic, some cult classics, and some that are just so big that Elsmore couldn't have left them out. But for someone so well-versed in LEGO, the builds are surprisingly uneven. The scene from Hitchcock's "The Birds" is a group of black bird pieces perched on a serviceable but simple jungle gym, which is adequate. The "King Kong" has the ape perched on a great brick-built version of the Empire State Building, with biplanes and the rest of the New York skyline in the background. Love it. But then "Psycho" just has a close-up of a female minifigure, face in mid-scream. Of course, the shower scene is the most famous from that movie, but it doesn't make a good LEGO illustration. If you're going with "Psycho," maybe have Bates Motel at the top of the stairs? Something that makes for a better picture.
There are others where the most famous image is just one person; Ursula Andress in the bikini from "Dr. No," Audrey Hepburn with her cigarette holder from "Breakfast at Tiffany's"...they're cute enough images in LEGO form, but they're not enough to buy a book. My other issue with them is that the book's subtitle leads you to believe that these are things that you, too could build out of LEGO, but in reality, most of the minifigures aren't ones you'd just have lying around the house, or even ones you'd be able to purchase at the store -- you'd need to go to the UK site Minifigs.me and purchase them there, to the tune of about $20 each. They're some great-looking customized minifigures, don't get me wrong. But about halfway through the book, it just started feeling like a commercial for them. There are some fantastic things on their site, by the way, and it's worth looking around.
The other feature of the book is that there are several inset instructions for building your own versions of props, vehicles, and settings from movies. The fire escape from "West Side Story," the police car from "Blues Brothers," the boat from "Life of Pi." Each is small enough and simple enough that you really could build it from pieces around the house.
Other than my issue with the customized minifigure commercial, if you're a movie and LEGO fan, this intersection of the two is enjoyable enough. There are some geeky touchstones like "Blade Runner" and "Tron" that are included, and a few inexplicable exclusions, like "Star Wars." At first I figured "Star Wars" was off-limits because LEGO actually makes those sets, but "Indiana Jones" and "Jurassic Park" are in the book, and LEGO has made those too. Other favorites are the black and white classic films that Elsmore throws in, including "Citizen Kane," the Laurel and Hardy short "The Music Box," and even "A Night at the Opera." Those are ones that I wouldn't have thought to include, but Elsmore does, and that's keen.
The 2014 book is a natural fit; there's a big geeky crossover between those of us who love LEGO and those of us who are movie buffs. So I picked it up thinking it'd be a home run. I don't think it was that home run I was looking for, but there were a lot of good plays.
The movies are organized into four categories: Sci-Fi and Horror, Drama and Classics, Action and Adventure, and Comedy and Musicals. Each movie gets at least a two-page spread, with full-color photos of a scene (except for a few black and white movies, of course) from the movie, sometimes a movie poster. There's a sidebar that includes the year the movie was made, the director and stars, and a brief synopsis of the plot. Most of them have a little bit of trivia about the movie, and it's enough to make me want to see the movie again. Looking at the list of movies, there are only two I haven't ever seen: "Death on the Nile" and "Lara Croft: Tomb Raider." One of those feels I'm a little embarrassed about, the other I'm fine with.
It's a great list of movies, some truly classic, some cult classics, and some that are just so big that Elsmore couldn't have left them out. But for someone so well-versed in LEGO, the builds are surprisingly uneven. The scene from Hitchcock's "The Birds" is a group of black bird pieces perched on a serviceable but simple jungle gym, which is adequate. The "King Kong" has the ape perched on a great brick-built version of the Empire State Building, with biplanes and the rest of the New York skyline in the background. Love it. But then "Psycho" just has a close-up of a female minifigure, face in mid-scream. Of course, the shower scene is the most famous from that movie, but it doesn't make a good LEGO illustration. If you're going with "Psycho," maybe have Bates Motel at the top of the stairs? Something that makes for a better picture.
There are others where the most famous image is just one person; Ursula Andress in the bikini from "Dr. No," Audrey Hepburn with her cigarette holder from "Breakfast at Tiffany's"...they're cute enough images in LEGO form, but they're not enough to buy a book. My other issue with them is that the book's subtitle leads you to believe that these are things that you, too could build out of LEGO, but in reality, most of the minifigures aren't ones you'd just have lying around the house, or even ones you'd be able to purchase at the store -- you'd need to go to the UK site Minifigs.me and purchase them there, to the tune of about $20 each. They're some great-looking customized minifigures, don't get me wrong. But about halfway through the book, it just started feeling like a commercial for them. There are some fantastic things on their site, by the way, and it's worth looking around.
The other feature of the book is that there are several inset instructions for building your own versions of props, vehicles, and settings from movies. The fire escape from "West Side Story," the police car from "Blues Brothers," the boat from "Life of Pi." Each is small enough and simple enough that you really could build it from pieces around the house.
Other than my issue with the customized minifigure commercial, if you're a movie and LEGO fan, this intersection of the two is enjoyable enough. There are some geeky touchstones like "Blade Runner" and "Tron" that are included, and a few inexplicable exclusions, like "Star Wars." At first I figured "Star Wars" was off-limits because LEGO actually makes those sets, but "Indiana Jones" and "Jurassic Park" are in the book, and LEGO has made those too. Other favorites are the black and white classic films that Elsmore throws in, including "Citizen Kane," the Laurel and Hardy short "The Music Box," and even "A Night at the Opera." Those are ones that I wouldn't have thought to include, but Elsmore does, and that's keen.
January 25, 2015
Brick Flicks: 60 Iconic Movie Scenes and Posters to Make from Lego
Warren Elsmore
If you like to see creativity on display with LEGO, Brick Flicks: 60 Iconic Movie Scenes and Posters to Make From LEGO by Warren Elsmore is a treat. I've been friends with Warren and his wife Teresa for years, and I've enjoyed watching them take their love of LEGO from a hobby to a business. This book is one of the latest outcomes of that work, and it's a fascinating look at what can be done with LEGO.
Brick Flicks takes 60 movie scenes and recreates them using regular LEGO pieces. It covers a range of genres, such as sci-fi and horror, drama and classics, action and adventure, and comedy and musicals. Each scene has a write-up about the movie and the LEGO recreation, along with (in many cases) the still image that the scene was created from. Interspersed throughout the book are instructions on how to build some of the smaller props, such as Elliot's back from ET and the neuralizer from Men In Black. To be clear, this does not come with instructions on how to build each scene. That is something you'd have to figure out on your own if you're so inclined.
Two things stand out in Brick Flicks. The first is the extreme creativity in what you can do with LEGO. Warren and Teresa can build just about anything, and they have a full knowledge of all the LEGO pieces and how they can be purposed. The other thing is the photography. In short, it is stunning. The lighting, the angles, the shadows... it's all incredible.
I loved Brick Flicks, and I continue to be amazed at what can be done with those little pieces of plastic.
Disclosure:
Obtained From: Library
Payment: Borrowed
Warren Elsmore
If you like to see creativity on display with LEGO, Brick Flicks: 60 Iconic Movie Scenes and Posters to Make From LEGO by Warren Elsmore is a treat. I've been friends with Warren and his wife Teresa for years, and I've enjoyed watching them take their love of LEGO from a hobby to a business. This book is one of the latest outcomes of that work, and it's a fascinating look at what can be done with LEGO.
Brick Flicks takes 60 movie scenes and recreates them using regular LEGO pieces. It covers a range of genres, such as sci-fi and horror, drama and classics, action and adventure, and comedy and musicals. Each scene has a write-up about the movie and the LEGO recreation, along with (in many cases) the still image that the scene was created from. Interspersed throughout the book are instructions on how to build some of the smaller props, such as Elliot's back from ET and the neuralizer from Men In Black. To be clear, this does not come with instructions on how to build each scene. That is something you'd have to figure out on your own if you're so inclined.
Two things stand out in Brick Flicks. The first is the extreme creativity in what you can do with LEGO. Warren and Teresa can build just about anything, and they have a full knowledge of all the LEGO pieces and how they can be purposed. The other thing is the photography. In short, it is stunning. The lighting, the angles, the shadows... it's all incredible.
I loved Brick Flicks, and I continue to be amazed at what can be done with those little pieces of plastic.
Disclosure:
Obtained From: Library
Payment: Borrowed
April 4, 2015
Edinburgh-based artist Warren Elsmore loved nothing better as a child than playing with Lego blocks.
At 24, he rediscovered his fascination with them and began creating everything from models for the corporate world to mind-blowing replicas of iconic buildings.
This time he’s taken the plunge into the cinema world, using the plastic bricks to recreate more than 60 famous movie images, spanning action and adventure, comedy, sci-fi, westerns and musicals.
From Marty McFly in Back to the Future and Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz to Tony Manero in Saturday Night Fever, Warren has immortalised some of cinema’s most memorable characters.
The book includes interesting facts about each movie and step-by-step instructions for those who want to have a go at building something similar, albeit on a much smaller scale. Highly entertaining.
At 24, he rediscovered his fascination with them and began creating everything from models for the corporate world to mind-blowing replicas of iconic buildings.
This time he’s taken the plunge into the cinema world, using the plastic bricks to recreate more than 60 famous movie images, spanning action and adventure, comedy, sci-fi, westerns and musicals.
From Marty McFly in Back to the Future and Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz to Tony Manero in Saturday Night Fever, Warren has immortalised some of cinema’s most memorable characters.
The book includes interesting facts about each movie and step-by-step instructions for those who want to have a go at building something similar, albeit on a much smaller scale. Highly entertaining.
February 4, 2015
It's cute. I think Elsmore did a great job on some of the recreations, using a lot of imagination and creativity to make these models. For example, recreating the "iconic" image of King Kong atop the Empire State Building is outstanding, from the recreation of perspective in such a confined area, to using a funky mask for Kong. Anyone looking at this model would know right away with the artist did. On the flipside, the recreation for Blade Runner is very weak. It is a close up on a mini fig holding what looks like a huge spliff or a fat pen. It is supposed to be a recreation of Sean Young holding a cigarette. I would have no clue what this is supposed to be without some context. Overall, it is nice to look at Lego art, but this is not anything I would recommend to everyone.
March 23, 2015
(Review copy provided thanks to Allen and Unwin!)
I was, to be honest, a bit disappointed with Brick Flicks. I found a list of films that covered most of the “best films” lists and didn’t indulge in very much diversity with the titles you’d expect but not necessarily hope to see, and the Lego making, which is the reason I actually went into this, was a let down. I am sure the images created would have taken hours, at a minimum, but I yearned for detail and more individuality in each image, rather than lego faces that didn’t always fit and only the occasionally memorable picture. I’m hoping a future edition will include Labyrinth, mind. That would be epic, however it was done.
I was, to be honest, a bit disappointed with Brick Flicks. I found a list of films that covered most of the “best films” lists and didn’t indulge in very much diversity with the titles you’d expect but not necessarily hope to see, and the Lego making, which is the reason I actually went into this, was a let down. I am sure the images created would have taken hours, at a minimum, but I yearned for detail and more individuality in each image, rather than lego faces that didn’t always fit and only the occasionally memorable picture. I’m hoping a future edition will include Labyrinth, mind. That would be epic, however it was done.
January 13, 2015
Loved seeing classic movie scenes recreated with Legos. There was a lot of trivia & fun facts about each movie as well. Who knew Frank Sinatra ?!?! was considered to play John McClane in Die Hard? WTF!
April 6, 2015
There is nothing here not to love! Instructions for fashioning your childhood Legos into scenes of iconic movies. Even if you don't actually own any Legos, this is a great book to rifle through, just for fun. My favorites were Ben Hur and Saturday Night Fever.
January 14, 2016
Quick read, more like a picture book. Has some instructions for a few of the things. Minifigs are all custom so you're not going to find them in the Lego store to make yourself.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews