It’s Batman Week at True North Bricks! We’re celebrating International Batman Day which takes place on September 17 this year. So far, we’ve seen Frank’s collection of Minifigures from the LEGO® Batman Movie, the Jim Lee Batman collection based on the comic books, and the Batmobile Tumbler from the Dark Knight Trilogy. Today, we jump to a more recent imagining of the Caped Crusader with a review of the Batman & Selina Kyle Motorcycle Pursuit (76179) from The Batman.
NOTE: The LEGO® Group provided this set for review. However, the provision of products does not guarantee a favorable review. True North Bricks’ usual rating system applies (click here for more information).
MOTORCYCLE PURSUIT SUMMARY
- NAME: Batman & Selina Kyle Motorcycle Pursuit
- SET #: 76179
- THEME: DC Comics Superheroes
- COST: $19.99 CAD
- BRICK COUNT: 149
- MINIFIGURES: 2
- RELEASE DATE: October 9, 2021
MOTORCYCLE PURSUIT QUICK REVIEW
- VALUE: 80% (Fairly average set in terms of cost/brick and cost/minute.)
- BUILD: 75% (Satisfactory but simple design.)
- MINIFIGURES: 99% (Amazingly detailed characters.)
- ENTERTAINMENT: 70% (Tired concept without much draw for adult collectors.)
- OVERALL SCORE: 81% (Good set.)
BATMAN AND SELINA KYLE MOTORCYCLE PURSUIT REVIEW
VALUE: 80%
Motorcycle Pursuit costs $19.99 in Canada. As the smallest of the 2021 Batman sets, it includes 149 bricks. The resulting cost/brick is $0.134 CAD. That is pretty much average for a Superheroes set. Additionally, it represents an average value compared to LEGO® sets in general. I rate the cost/brick at 81%. Being only 149 pieces, Motorcycle Pursuit also represents a short build. I put it together in 24 minutes. Consequently, the cost/minute of build time was $0.83. For a Superheroes set, that is satisfactory. However, I have gotten more build time for my hard-earned loonies with other sets. Compared to LEGO® sets in general, the cost/minute is average. Considering both these comparisons, I rate the build time at 79%. Averaging this with the cost/brick score gives an overall value grade of 80%.
BUILD: 75%
The Motorcycle Pursuit builds are all small and simple. As the name suggests, you assemble two motorcycles. However, the set also includes a small Bat-signal. Of the 149 bricks in the set, seven parts appear in fewer than five sets. Of those, five are Minifigure parts. The other two consist of a wheel fork and a 3×3 round tile that glows in the dark. Incidentally, the glow in the dark piece is part of the Bat-signal build, which I thought was a neat touch.
The other rarer piece in the set, the wheel fork, serves as the attachment point for the motorcycles’ wheels. The piece really does make connecting the rims to the bike much easier. The bikes themselves are okay designs. Both are more realistic that previous Batman motorcycles we have seen. That is fitting considering the more realistic vibe of The Batman film. I am not particularly amazed by anything in this build, but I certainly do not dislike it either. It is a satisfactory but simple design. I rate the build at 75%.
MINIFIGURES: 99%
Motorcycle Pursuit includes two Minifigures. Both are unique to the wave of sets based on The Batman. However, neither is unique to this set. In fact, you can acquire both by purchasing the Batcave – The Riddler Face-Off (76183) set. Batman also comes with the Batmobile – Penguin Chase (76181) kit. With that said, they are nice Minifigures. Both come with front and back printing, as well as double-sided faces. Additionally, Batman features a fair amount of leg printing, and he comes with a second double-sided head and hairpiece for a more Bruce Wayne look. In terms of accessories, you get a motorcycle helmet, two Batarangs, a grappling gun, a chain, a couple of red diamonds, and a crate. Despite the redundancy, the great detailing and accessories easily earn these minifigs 100% for design.
Two Minifigures in a 149-piece is actually a really good offering. It is not the best I have ever seen, but it is close both for the Superheroes theme and for LEGO® sets in general. I rate the brick/fig score at 99%. Averaging this with the design grade gives and overall Minifigure rating of 99%. My only complaint is that I wish Selina Kyle came with her burglar mask from the movie.
ENTERTAINMENT: 70%
It seems as though LEGO® Batman and Catwoman are forever meeting up on motorcycles. We have already seen:
- The Batman Dragster: Catwoman Pursuit (7779 from 2006 in which Batman raced a dragster, which I never even knew he had, after a motorcycle-riding Catwoman.)
- Catwoman Catcycle City Chase (6858 from 2012 in which a gliding Batman pursued Catwoman on a motorcycle.)
- Catwoman Catcycle Chase (70902 from 2017 in which Batman took the night off and sent Robin and Batgirl after Catwoman’s motorcycle.)
- Batman and Selina Kyle Motorcycle Pursuit (76179 which we are currently reviewing.)
To be fair, Catwoman also appeared in three Batcave sets (76052, 76122 and 76183), as well as one Arkham Asylum kit (70912) and a Mighty Micro (76061). However, it is safe to say the motorcycle thing’s been done. 44% of all Catwoman sets include her on a motorcycle… I feel like Catwoman sets need a breath of fresh air. If you consider the three Batcave sets as well, Catwoman has really only appeared in three different concepts: motorcycle, Batcave, and asylum. I’m ignoring the Might Micro set here because that minifig had ridiculous stumpy legs. I know the motorcycle thing was prominent in The Batman… but in LEGO® form, I wish designers had given us something a little fresher.
Additionally, both of these Minifigures also appear in the Batcave set from the same wave. Consequently, if you are collecting all The Batman Minifigures, you will probably skip this smaller set entirely. From a collector’s perspective, Batman & Selina Kyle Motorcycle Pursuit is a tired concept with not much draw. I know I will not keep these motorcycles built.
With that said, the set is an inexpensive way to acquire Batman and Catwoman. It also allows younger fans to play through movie scenes. As a small treat for kids, the set is a decent offering with some play potential. As a parent, this kit will not pull too hard on your purse strings while still bringing something fun to the table for your kids. I rate the entertainment score at 70%.
OVERALL SCORE: 81%
Batman & Selina Kyle Motorcycle Pursuit is a good set. It is a good value overall, and the Minifigures are amazing. My major complaints involve the overall concept of the set. We have seen the Catwoman motorcycle idea too many times before. Additionally, while the minifigs are really nice, they do not add anything special for collectors of this theme. Motorcycle Pursuit is a great and inexpensive playset for kids though. What do you think? Let us know in the comments below or reach out on social media.
Until next time,
-Tom
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