It’s hard to believe, but it’s been 20 years since LEGO started making Batman sets! They’re releasing multiple Batman sets this year to celebrate, and one of the biggest of these is the Batmobile from Tim Burton’s Batman Returns. I previously reviewed the LEGO 1989 Batmobile, so how does this one stack up?
What Is the LEGO Batman Returns Batmobile?
The LEGO Batman Returns Batmobile, set #76355, is a 2,269-piece LEGO set that includes only 1 Minifigure – that of Michael Keaton’s Batman. When completed, the Batmobile is 4″ high, by 17″ long, by 6.5″ wide.
The Batman Returns Batmobile retails for $229.99 and is available at your local LEGO store or at the LEGO website.
There is only one instruction book for the build. The first few pages of the manual are information about both Batman Returns and the design of the Batmobile set.
There is also a single, small sticker sheet consisting of just 2 stickers. This is a welcome change of pace from most of the LEGO sets I’ve been building recently.
LEGO Batman Returns Batmobile – The Minifigure
The set only contains a single minifigure, that of Batman. However, LEGO has redesigned the cowl piece, giving a much more screen-accurate look to the figure. You’ll build the minifigure during the first bag of the build.
LEGO Batman Returns Batmobile – The Assembly
There is a memorable scene in Batman Returns where Batman has to fit through a narrow alley. He flips a switch, and the sides of the Batmobile come off, revealing the slender Batmissile which barely fits through the opening. The build of the LEGO Batmobile has 3 parts: The Batmissile, and the two sides of the Batmobile which will join with the Batmissile to create the Batmobile in its entirety.
The Batmissile
Here is the completed Batmissile. Well, mostly complete as there are a few other small pieces that you’ll add on to it when the Batmissile separates from the rest of the Batmobile. You’ll build those parts in the next phases of the build.
There are a couple of Easter eggs that you’ll incorporate into the set during construction of the Batmissile but will remain hidden once the build is complete. The first is the Penguin’s transmitter, which in the movie allowed the Penguin to take control of the Batmobile.
The other is a 20-year commemorative brick, celebrating 20 years of LEGO Batman sets.
The Batmobile Sides
The two sides of the Batmobile are mirrors of each other in both looks and steps of assembly.
Here’s the right side connected to the Batmissile:
During the construction of each of the two sides, you will have to rotate a spring-loaded piece attached to a piston into a horizontal and locked position. This was a singularly frustrating process each time I had to do it, and took me several tries to get it into place without LEGO pieces flying off or bricks pulling away from the frame.
It was actually even harder to get the piece into place on the left side, as the spring on that piston seemed even stronger than the one on the right side. Just trying to get what should have been a simple step done added probably an hour total to my build time, and the uttering of several words unfit for print. But eventually, both sides looked the same as the illustrations:
Here’s the construction of the other side of the Batmobile:
And here’s with the left side attached as well:
LEGO Batman Returns Batmobile – Features
You can pop off a couple of panels and raise the machine guns of the Batmobile:
Unlike the now-retired 1989 Batmobile set, this is an entirely manual process. It can also be a little tricky reaching in and pulling up the machine guns; a set of tweezers will really help.
The cockpit slides open, just as it does in Batman and Batman Returns.
And of course, the big feature for the set: You press in a piece on the back of the Batmobile to eject the two sides, revealing the Batmissile. Here’s a photo from LEGO demonstrating the process:
Sounds great, right? The only problem was that I could never get it to work! I tried it several times, and the mechanism just wouldn’t deploy, no matter how hard I pushed. I suspect it’s related to the issues I had with the spring-loaded pieces on the sides. It also may be that the sides of the Batmobile attach too securely to the Batmissile, or a combination thereof. But is was a real letdown.
Still, you can manually separate the sides easily enough just by pulling them away from the Batmissile. Once you do that, you have two more steps to create the final look of the Batmissile. First, you remove a couple of panels from the interior of each side and attach them to the Batmissile. And you then take some previously constructed pieces, which you store in the Batmobile’s engine compartment, and attach them to four of the wheels of the Batmissile.
LEGO Batman Returns Batmobile – Final Thoughts
This is the first time in a long time that I’ve been frustrated with a LEGO set. I spent so much time trying to get those spring-loaded pieces into their proper position, only to still have the functionality not work in the end. I suspect that slightly looser springs would have helped, and it’s even possible that I could loosen up the springs given some time working on them. But a LEGO set should go together straight out of the box, and not need extra work during assembly.
Of course, how often are you going to play with that Batmissile separation feature, anyway? Yes, if it works for you, you may show it off to a friend or two. But here’s the other issue: this is not a set built for play. The entire build is a bit fragile, and pieces can shift or fall off if you’re not careful handling the Batmobile. For example, the spokes on the exhaust get out of position with the slightest bump. It’s not hard to put them back into place, but obviously this is not a set designed for children to get rough with.
Aside from the previously mentioned frustrations during the build, the rest is pretty straightforward, though there is a fair amount of Technic, um, technique used in the assembly. This is an 18+ set, and it’s definitely for more experienced builders. The pieces are also about 90% black, so be prepared for that if you want to make a Batmobile.
I have to restate that there is only one minifigure included in the Batman Returns Batmobile. The 1989 Batmobile included not only Batman, but Vicki Vale and the Joker. It would have been nice with this set to have also included The Penguin and Catwoman from the movie. On the flip side, this is also a new and unique minifigure of Michael Keaton’s Batman, and probably the most faithful so far.
All that being said, you’ve still got a good looking Batman Returns Batmobile on your hands at the end of the day. It’s fairly detailed, and will work well as a display piece. And if you love the Batmobile from Tim Burton’s Batman movies, (and really, who doesn’t), then this is also your only current option via LEGO.
For those of you that already have the LEGO 1989 Batmobile, should you get this set? Appearance-wise, the Batmobile from the 2 Tim Burton films is the same. The LEGO 1989 Batmobile is a bit more detailed than the LEGO Batman Returns Batmobile, but it’s also a larger, more expensive set. The Batmissile is introduced in Batman Returns, so if you’re a completionist and/or want to display the Batmissile, you’ll want to pick up the Batman Returns Batmobile. And the new Batman minifigure certaainly sweetens the pot.
As you can tell, I have mixed feelings about the Batman Returns Batmobile. I already have the 1989 Batmobile set, but was excited to have a new set where you get the Batmobile, but it also converts to the Batmissile. However, I experienced frustrations with the build. I was never able to get the conversion feature to work, and had to simply manually remove both sides of the Batmobile instead. Ultimately, I can’t really recommend this set, nor can I tell you to steer clear of it. The LEGO Batman Returns Batmobile is a flawed set that will nevertheless be a great display piece for many lovers of Batman and the Batman films.
For more information or to make a purchase, head to the LEGO website.
LEGO sent a set for evaluation, but had no input into this review.
