So as obvious as it is, I have to start with: “GREAT SCOTT”. Ok. now that I have that off my chest, welcome to the Back to the Future (BTTF from here on out) Time Machine (10300) review! This iconic vehicle needs little in the way of introduction. Even if you’re not familiar with the films overall, you will no doubt recognize this car. And to catch up a bit, check out the reveal article.😁 This is a great piece of 1980’s nostalgia and without question one of the most famous movie vehicles, well, ever. To celebrate the film trilogy, The LEGO®️ Group brings us an all new DeLorean DMC-12 model with tons of details, easter eggs and references. Grab your hoverboard, keep the plutonium handy and let’s go.
NOTE: This set was provided by The LEGO® Group to True North Bricks for review. This does not guarantee a favourable review and all opinions are my own. For a breakdown of the rating system, please click here.
SET SUMMARY
- NAME: Back To The Future Time Machine
- SET #: 10300
- THEME: 18+
- COST: $219.99 CAD
- BRICK COUNT: 1872
- MINIFIGURES: 2 (exclusive new prints)
- RELEASE DATE: April 1, 2022
- OF NOTE: Lightbrick, display plaque, 3-in-1 builds
QUICK REVIEW
- VALUE: 83% (average/good values for cost-per-brick and cost-per-minute)
- BUILD: 94% (fantastic build with great details and techniques, display needs some work)
- MINIFIGURES: 92% (exclusive to this set, amazing details and printing on both)
- ENTERTAINMENT: 90% (big draw for AFOLs, collectors, MOC makers and fans of the films)
- OVERALL SCORE: 90% (a fun build with great details & minifigs that makes a nice display set)
VALUE: 83%
The BTTF Time Machine (10300) retails for $219.99 in Canada. With 1,872 pieces to build with, this translates to a cost-per-brick of $0.12. The average for our sets reviewed to date is just above $0.13, so this nets us a solid score of 87% based on brick count. This is a decent sized set at this price and I was expecting it to be more expensive. Thankfully it sits at a decent price point and good ‘bang-for-your-buck’.
I built the BTFF Time Machine (10300) in just over 4 hours, or 249 minutes. I also tried to go back in time to start over when I flubbed up a section, but turns out I don’t have that ability. . . yet. In either case, it was a good, solid amount of time that I split over a few days of filming. The average cost-per-minute for sets to date is $0.84 for an 80% score. The Time Machine comes in close to that at $0.88 and a score of 78%. Averaging out two scores together, we get a final value score of 83%.
BUILD: 94%
The BTTF Time Machine (10300) is packaged in a standard 18+ box with a predominantly black background and greebling border. The box itself is on the smaller side, which, no issues. But I am surprised to see push-in box tabs at this price point….hmm. The images are big and bold and very clear. No mistaking this on the shelf. Inside the box you will find 13 numbered bags (three numbered 11), A bag of tires and cables, a small sticker sheet, a light brick and a 299 page instruction book.
The build itself was a lot of fun. There are several steps ranging from simple to relatively complex. The usual repetitive sections pop up as this is a symmetrical design, but nothing I would label as tedious or boring. Bags 1-10 create the overall structure minus the wheels and final engine/rear details. Three bags are marked 11 and each one finishes one of the three distinct versions of the car from each film. Some parts need to get reused though so you can’t keep each component ready-built to swap out. It’s an odd choice as there aren’t that many parts needed to do so. Ultimately you would pick your favourite model for your display, so it’s a minor nitpick. The final result is also super sturdy.
“… why not do it with some style?”
The technic frame is exactly what you expect; complex but really effective. Getting it right will make sure you get those sweet folding wheels for flight mode! The red bar underneath the chassis snaps to one side to rotate the wheels down. This is achieved with tried-and-true rubber bands and technic axles. Because of this, there is no steering function so you can ‘drive’ the car. But who needs to drive when you can fly right?
The details in the rear/trunk area are amazing. I really love the silver lacquered elements overtop trans blue pieces to show the added ‘piping’ that Doc Brown put on. The changeable license plates are a nice touch (again, with stickers) but I do find it hard to chance them out. A window frame is used to hold a clear pane, and while it’s a genius bit of parts use, it’s really in there. So be ready with an xacto knife to get it out. A brand new windscreen element has been created for this set as well. This will no doubt be of great use for car MOC makers, it’s a great size. So very 80’s.
“What The Hell Is A Gigawatt?”
The changes made for each version aren’t dramatic, but definitely screen accurate. I am keeping mine in the OG configuration as it is the sleekest and most nostalgic. Mr. Fusion is so funny as a prop and it’s recreated really well here complete with banana and pop can. Marty’s hoverboard is a sticker element, but honestly, who cares – it looks so good. And I never thought i would write: “That box of plutonium is really well done”. Fun times. Both accessories are stored under the hood. The light brick is a nice addition and lights up the very crucial flux capacitor. Push down a small axle piece in the rear of the car and let there be light. A transparent sticker labels the window element, and a hook piece inside represents the rotor. Superb stuff all around.
Back to the . . . drawing board?
Ok. Time to express a bit of disappointment in a couple of areas. The gull wing doors are awesome and accurate and look pretty dope when open. The issue is….they don’t stay open. They are so heavy that they will immediately begin to close again. I double-checked my steps and I’m 99% certain I didn’t miss anything. But I am going to assume this will be a problem for a few people. The doors attach with simple technic pins, not ratchets or clips. So while this doesn’t ruin the experience, it does stand out because it’s the doors! It would be cool to have them stay open for display. In the end I am not mad at it. But I am mad(ish) at …..
….The display stand. It’s disappointing. I get that most of the energy did (and should) be in the vehicle build. But making something “UCS Style” comes with certain expectations. Namely, a bit more effort in displaying the info plaque and totally amazing minifigures. Here we get a much smaller sticker (which is fine) on a sloped brick on a 2×16 plate. Marty and Doc only have a stud’s width separation and you can’t stand them side-by-side. It’s not ideal. I’m surprised it’s this basic given all the attention to detail elsewhere. A few jumper plates and a longer base would make all the difference. Which I will do myself so ultimately I can’t be tooooo upset. I will take off some points. But this is an otherwise near perfect build and gets a super score of 94%.
MINIFIGURES: 92%
With only two minifigures and over 1800 pieces, the BTTF Time Machine (10300) has a brick-to-minifig ratio of 936. Using our traditional rating system, this translates to a score of, well, zero. But since many an 18+ set of this type doesn’t come with minifigs, I’ll ignore this portion and just focus on scoring the figs overall. They’re a fun and smart inclusion here and are darn-near perfect. Great minifigs get a great score of 92%
Doc Brown and Marty McFly are immediately recognizable. Each figure is modeled on the character’s look from Back To The Future: Part II. Both have very detailed torso, leg, and face prints. There’s great alternate expressions as well – Doc’s face is pretty spot-on. The back torsos are very minimal, but that’s more than forgivable given the detailing on the front. The real highlight is the wrap-around printing on Marty’s feet. Nike Air Mags?! Are you kidding me? Hands down one of the best details ever printed on a minifig. Some points are lost because neither fig has any accessories.
Marty and Doc made their minifigure debuts back in 2013 with the very first brick-built time machine. The DeLorean Time Machine (21103) Released under the LEGO®️ CUUSOO theme, which became LEGO®️ Ideas. These initial minifgs are based on the first film and still look great. They don’t have leg printing however, so they are less detailed. Both figs were reused in LEGO®️ Dimensions Level Packs: Marty with a teeny DeLorean and Doc with a teeny train.
ENTERTAINMENT: 90%
The BTTF Time Machine (10300) has entertainment value for nearly everyone. AFOLs will absolutely love the build experience and the final result. The finished model is highly detailed and screen accurate. Collectors will no doubt love putting this bad boy on display in their collection. Like many an 18+ set, it’s going to look wonderful on a shelf. The instruction manual provides some bits of trivia along the way, giving fun insights into the car and the film’s production. If you love the film series, you will love this car, trust and believe 😁
The DeLorean’s 3-in-1 design adds a small amount of repeat enjoyment, but only just. You can modify the build every so often for a new display item. No total rebuild required here. I also think there’s decent play potential in recreating scenes, especially with young builders. I doubt the car can take too much rough-housing, but she’s still a sturdy build and kids will enjoy it. MOC makers will also love the new pieces like the sloped bricks and windscreen. There’s lots of potential in these new parts for sure.
My one ask would have been for a display stand for the plaque and figs. Having the car in flight mode on a stand would look so great, but alas, not this time. As it is, there is a bit of a ‘tacked on’ feeling with the minifigure display. I have already mentioned how basic and small it is. Adding a proper display base – similar to the 1989 Batmobile (76139) -would tie it all together. Small gripes aside, this is a wickedly fun set and it’s nets a great score of 90%.
“Where we’re going, we don’t need roads”
The BTTF Time Machine (10300) is long overdue larger-scale set from an awesome IP. Fans have been eagerly awaiting a new and improved DeLorean for a while. From very humble beginnings, we now have a model packed with detail and sweet, updated minifigs. It’s not without issues however thanks to the heavy doors and overly simple minifigure display. But they’re not unfixable and they’re certainly not dealbreakers. Most collectors will absolutely love this set. It’s also a heck of a gift for the time-travellin’ fan in your life. The total score is an awesome 90%.
And that is that friends. What are you thoughts on this latest set? Would you travel back in time to get this once it sells out? Are you a big fan of the franchise? Do you have the original CUUSOO or Dimensions sets? Please drop some comments in all the usual spots and let us know. Have fun building and as always, keep on brickin’. 🧱
-Frank
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