122334 Alan with Dino Skeleton LEGO Review - Jurassic World, 2023

Rare as a fossil, but just as cool!

TL;DR:

• Original Price:  Magazine GWP
• Pieces: 35
• Minifigure(s): Dr. Alan Grant
• Sticker Sheet: No
  
• Pros: Creative part use, cute dino-diorama
• Cons: Limited availability (3 European magazines only), no instructions included

Assembly: 

• Interesting Techniques:
• I like the simplicity of using the small fence piece for the structure of the skeleton, evocative rather than accurate.

• Interesting Pieces:
• Using a blaster with studs on sides, bottom, and front—inverted—for the dinosaur's skull was a great little detail, and makes for an economical use of parts, essential in such a tiny build.

• Play Features: 
  
• The front of the hillside opens up to reveal the fossil hidden within. I appreciate the little details of horn and spike and tail that stick out form behind the "rock" and clue in the famous archaeologist that there's something hidden within, much like in real life.

• Pain Points:
• The bag didn't come with instructions (likely printed in the magazines themselves), necessitating finding them online; not a major difficulty, but worth noting. 

• Overall:  This is a cute little set, and well worth the $5 or $6 price on the resale market. Though it doesn't look like anything particularly special, the blue shirted torso is actually rather rare, being used only for Dr. Grant minifigures in this polybag, the Giganotosaurus & Therizinosaurus Attack set, and a book, leaving this polybag the cheapest way to obtain the minifigure...short of buying him separately. The build itself is rather simple, which means that it could be replicated or modified by anyone with the instructions (or even a good photo); also the lack of instructions should be borne in mind by anyone considering getting this as a gift, which otherwise it would be perfect as. 

Score (out of 5 🧱):

• Price: 🧱🧱🧱🧱
• Process: 🧱🧱🧱🧱
• Presentation: 🧱🧱🧱🧱🧱
• Play: 🧱🧱🧱
• Pieces: 🧱🧱🧱🧱

• Total: 🧱🧱🧱🧱

Official Instructions: on Brick Owl