Review: 70421 El Fuego's Stunt Truck
Posted by CapnRex101,Monster trucks seem inherently appropriate for ghoulish possession but 70421 El Fuego's Stunt Truck instead features equipment for ensnaring ghosts. This model looks somewhat bland when compared with others from Hidden Side but the suspension mechanism is interesting.
Furthermore, this set contains some marvellous minifigures, including two bikers and the daring El Fuego! Certain visual similarities between this model and 70907 Killer Croc Tail-Gator also bode well, especially because that is among my favourite sets from The LEGO Batman Movie.
Minifigures
This rendition of Jack Davids wears an attractive white jacket with a matching hood component. Red streaks are printed across his shoulder and the same design appears on his cap. This double-sided head looks perfect too, including cheerful and frightened facial expressions, while the legs include stitched pockets beside a metallic silver tag that presumably belonged to Jack's dog, Spencer.
Douglas Elton appears in three Hidden Side sets but this minifigure depicts his courageous alter ego, El Fuego! The green overalls include tremendous detail, especially across the legs where some tools are kept alongside a starry cloth. Moreover, the same target symbol is printed on Douglas' shirt and helmet while his head seems fairly similar to Jack's, featuring a smile on one side and an alarmed expression on the other.
Spencer accompanies the heroes and is the only consistently visible ghost within the Hidden Side range. This dual-moulded component comprises white and trans-clear plastic which have been combined beautifully, generating an ethereal effect. I love this design and the element appears extremely smooth, interrupted only by the pronounced tail.
Two bikers are included, the first of whom is named Dwayne. This minifigure features a black leather jacket which seems appropriate and I like the metallic silver chains connected across his chest. These continue onto the legs which look brilliant and Dwayne's bearded head has only previously appeared in three Mountain Police sets so its return is welcome.
Both minifigures belong to the same 'Hares of Havoc' motorcycle gang but Joey wears an exclusive sand blue jacket. They share identical legs and helmets but appear sufficiently different in my opinion and I appreciate the consistent hare-shaped details that are evident on each character! Joey's head is not double-sided which is surprising, especially given the bikers' impending predicament.
Dwayne and Joey have both fallen victim to ghostly possession, hence their standard heads can be replaced with trans-neon green alternatives. The petrifying facial expressions look magnificent and I love the unkempt beard around Dwayne's neck. Joey, meanwhile, includes enormous wings which are only otherwise available in 70425 Newbury Haunted High School. These minifigures carry a spring yellowish green revolver and a red crowbar.
The Completed Model
An unusual three-wheeled motorcycle is provided for the bikers. This model is constructed around an interesting linear actuator mounting which is remarkably effective and I like the Technic gears fixed on each side, although the axles around the front wheel seem rather awkward to me. In addition, the rear section appears unnecessarily blocky when compared with the streamlined front.
That has enabled the designer to include enough space for two minifigures which is pleasing but the large rear wheels are excessively wide. The decorative flame designs are formed using stickers and look nice, although the resulting two-dimensional headlight could certainly have been improved. For that reason, I am somewhat disappointed with this motorcycle.
Fortunately, the larger vehicle appears considerably more impressive. Its substantial wheels provide ample ground clearance for crossing uneven terrain and El Fuego's truck measures 17cm in length so looks appropriately intimidating beside the minifigures. Moreover, the combination of red bodywork with green highlights is delightful, corresponding precisely with El Fuego's distinctive clothing.
Pearl silver elements are distributed across the model as well, most notably around the radiator grille and behind the trans-clear headlights. The exposed engine air intake looks good and the angled ends of the bumper line up neatly against the neighbouring bodywork. Stickers on the bonnet and number plate provide additional detail.
Further stickers are applied on either flank, corresponding with those on the bonnet. The consistent lightning bolt designs look superb and I like the reddish brown highlights as well. However, the doors cannot open which is slightly disappointing, particularly since there would have been adequate space for hinges beside the light bluish grey door mirrors.
Removing the roof reveals seats for two minifigures inside. These are simply formed using tan jumper plates but occupy an important role. Furthermore, the controls look great, comprising a steering wheel, an excellent printed dial and a central console which includes a switch for boosting speed. You can also position additional minifigures behind the cab.
This section of the vehicle is predominantly occupied by an elaborate device for corralling ghosts and appears suitably outlandish. Dark bluish grey gears are employed to outstanding effect here and I like how the colour wheel has been integrated between them. Turning these gears reveals black, medium azure, yellow and vibrant coral Technic connectors that trigger actions within the Hidden Side app.
Click hinges are ingeniously situated around the colour wheel, ensuring that each colour remains in position while El Fuego's stunt truck is moving. The enormous dark azure cannon stands out against the rest of this model but appears consistent with 70422 Shrimp Shack Attack and 70423 Paranormal Intercept Bus 3000, both of which include similar dark azure weapons that were created by Professor J.B.
Four trans-red 1x1 half circle tiles form brake lights and they look remarkably realistic. The suspension mechanism, on the other hand, is unusual. Lowering a flap behind the rear wheels will cause the truck body to rise while its chassis remains parallel with the surface underneath. A single shock absorber is hidden between these sections of the model, providing the ideal spring tension.
Releasing the shock absorber also changes the appearance of the vehicle quite dramatically, creating an aggressive forward rake! I think the model looks even better with this stance, although raising the truck bed exposes some colourful Technic elements inside the chassis. In addition, a lime green brick is hidden behind the suspension release flap. I had expected this to interact with the Hidden Side app but its purpose remains unclear at the moment.
Overall
70421 El Fuego's Stunt Truck is probably my least favourite of the six Hidden Side sets which I have assembled. The absence of transformation functions is rather disappointing and I think these models seem bland when compared with others from across the theme. The motorcycle is particularly lacking in detail, relying almost exclusively upon stickers.
However, this set offers excellent play value and the stunt truck suspension is enjoyable. I am equally satisfied with the ghost-catching equipment positioned towards the back and the minifigures are great, maintaining the high standard established within Hidden Side. The price of £34.99 or $39.99 seems fairly reasonable but I would suggest focusing attention upon the smaller sets or 70422 Shrimp Shack Attack which are comparably priced.
I hope you have found this review informative. Let us know by liking this article and share your opinion of the set in the comments.
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28 comments on this article
Also my least favourite of the Hidden Side sets.
Great review. Concurs with my impression looking at the box. Probably one to pick up on discount if you’re a completist?
Looks interesting...
I think the problem with this set is that it doesn’t seem to have anything to do with the key themes of...er, the theme, like spooky, broken down buildings or school environments. It’s just kind of...there, and while I don’t think it’s a bad set it’s a tough sell when we got something very similar not that long ago.
These monster truck esque sets never do well, always see them on discount. The LBM killer croc set, the LM2 one with Emmett and wyldstyle, now this.
"Hares of Havoc" sounds like the type of motorcycle gang that should have appeared on the Dukes of Hazzard.
The set is not good, but the ghost in the game is incredible.
This is the only set I’m skipping in this wave
Love the "Hares of Havoc" with their goofy bunny skull logo!
I've seen a lot of people disappointed in this set, but I think that speaks less to this set being low quality and more to the overwhelming originality and great design of the rest of the theme. Beside all those unique "haunted" sets, this one is just sort of there—a pretty cool beefed up pickup that nonetheless feels a lot like vehicles we've gotten in other themes.
That said, there's a lot of cool things this set does as well. The adjustable spring suspension is a neat feature, and the click hinge-based "locking" color wheel is a neat variation on the more samey turntable-based color wheels from other sets. For the little motorcycle, i also love how far that linear actuator housing goes to define its form in a unique way as well.
I'll admit that even for me, this set is near the bottom of my Hidden Side wishlist (just above the lab with its total lack of unique figs). But I could see myself getting it if the theme's media ends up wowing me enough to make me want to collect a wider variety of the sets (and especially if Mr. Elton/ El Fuego turns out to be a really fun character like so many past scene-stealers in themes like Ninjago).
It's a little too big for its own good. Maybe if it was downsized around a 30-ish set.
The umpteenth LEGO monster truck and not even a good one. Doesn't look like it belongs to the Hidden Side theme much. Easy pass.
Might need to B&P or BL those biker torsos. Look nice.
Third 2019 "car" to use jumpers to seat two minifigs side by side, well done Lego! I especially like how the steering wheel is mounted straight in front of the driver, similar to 70829.
lovin' the bikers. shame like you said about the headlight.
My absolute favorite hidden side set I will definitely try to pick this one up.
Cool that I know I’m not the only one who saw the similarities between this and the Killer Croc Tail-Gator.
The most shocking thing about this review was learning that 70907 was one of your favorite TLBM sets. This makes me deeply question your review criteria, hahaha. I loathed that set, buying it only to get Tarantula. It was an okay build at best, and was wildly over priced. Everything about it (save that amazing Tarantula minifig, and the printed eight ball part) just screamed "buyer's remorse" to me. :p
This set does look good though. That's to be expected though, being a first wafe HS set. They're all top notch!
Yeah, I think this one is an easy skip.
@Klinton77 - 70907-1 Killer Croc Tail-Gator remained on display for longer than nearly any other set from The LEGO Batman Movie, hence I consider it among my favourites. I believe it epitomises the essential characteristics of Killer Croc, potentially better than any of the other vehicles belonging to villains from the film.
The set was certainly too expensive but I think that becomes increasingly irrelevant for any LEGO set as time passes. There are myriad sets which offer superb value that I have almost entirely forgotten about while others which were perhaps overpriced remain on prominent display today.
I'm probably gonna pass
Interesting set because the pick-up. Changing that wheels, smaller, and will be nice addon to City theme.
I agree that bike isn't well designed, it doesn't feel right.
Love the minifigs!
P.S. About Tail-Gator, here's original design made before movie and set
https://www.flickr.com/photos/152191555 @N04/32375475113/in/photostream/
If you added screenshots/photos of the app to these sets it would be great.
Im not in too hidden side, but this looks cool, just surprised no one mentioned that the bikers had a pistol. Im fine with it but it doesn't really match Lego's standards.
Although I don't really like Hidden Side, I can see what makes the good sets popular, and I can't see any of that here unfortunately. And I normally like monster trucks.
I personaly like the motorcycle. The only thing i would change is the front. To be brickbuild
hardly knew this existed tbh
I don't mind when some cars are bigger than usual, but this truck and the Hidden Side school bus are really out of proportion... unless Lego plans to reintroduce the old Technic figures
I think there's a secret challenge going on amongst LEGO Designers to keep coming up with car wing mirrors...