Review: 43237 Isabela's Flowerpot
Posted by CapnRex101,Of the many adult-oriented sets produced since 2020, the celebrated Botanical Collection has achieved particular success. The range includes some wonderful sets and has clearly influenced 43237 Isabela's Flowerpot, which looks fantastic too.
While the flowers are attractive and reminiscent of those in 10311 Orchid, the titular flowerpot is perhaps even more striking. Its pink colour is obviously very vibrant, the woven texture looks good and there is even an interior, where the exclusive Isabela mini-doll resides!
Summary
43237 Isabela's Flowerpot, 641 pieces.
£39.99 / $39.99 / €44.99 | 6.2p/6.2c/7.0c per piece.
Buy at LEGO.com »
Isabela's Flowerpot is innovative for the Disney theme and looks beautiful
- Varied flowers
- Excellent flowerpot design
- Appealing colour scheme
- Flowerpot interior is fun
- Unique Isabela mini-doll
- Unattractive from the back
The set was provided for review by LEGO. All opinions expressed are those of the author.
Mini-doll
LEGO has produced several Encanto sets and Isabela previously appeared as a micro-doll in 43201 Isabela's Magical Door. This is her mini-doll debut, however. The black hair component was designed for Pocahontas, but works quite nicely for Isabela, with a decorative pink flower attached on one side.
Flower designs continue on her dress, again corresponding with the character's appearance in the movie. Shorter sleeves would have been ideal, but the colour scheme and printing are both accurate and I like the use of metallic silver for certain flowers, as this colour is often associated with magic in Disney sets. Isabela should fit perfectly into 43202 The Madrigal House.
The Completed Model
Although this model is stylistically similar to those in the Botanical Collection, it is substantially smaller. The tallest plant reaches a height of 24cm, whereas 10311 Orchid measures 39cm in height, for instance. Nevertheless, I think the flowerpot and its contents are a reasonable size for display and I like the variety of flowers, which are clearly not supposed to be as realistic as flowers from the Botanical Collection.
Moreover, the flowerpot has received significant focus, more so than in the Icons range. Pink tiles and curved slopes are combined to exceptional effect, duplicating the texture of a woven basket. I love how the sections interlink and the small gaps between the sides look completely natural, while the curved slopes do create a fairly continuous round shape.
This curve is interrupted at the rear, where a couple of Technic beams are found. The lavender 2x3 tiles and vibrant coral flowers provide some detail, but this section of the model looks quite awkward, even so. While the Technic beams serve an essential function as hinges, maybe they could have been better integrated.
Nevertheless, the opening function works well, revealing Isabela's room inside the flowerpot. I think there was an opportunity to go further with the floral details in here, but perhaps focusing on furnishings was sensible, thereby contrasting with the exterior. However, a clip to secure the two halves when closed would have been a welcome addition.
The interior is overwhelmingly pink, comprising four shades of lavender and pink pieces. The tan elements are thus a helpful presence, including a stickered panel behind the bed. Further stickers form flowers on the walls and another sticker is applied on the bed, which is designed with a 1x2 foot plate at one end, so Isabela can lie down.
More space is available on the other side, although plenty of detail continues. The candle is likely inspired by the Miracle Candle featured in Encanto, while the green pumpkin depicts a cactus, accidentally created at the start of Isabela's song in the film. The stickered painting of Isabela and Mirabel hugging, meanwhile, is based on the conclusion of that song.
Medium nougat plates are used on the surface of the flowerpot, at the same level as its edge, which looks slightly odd. Fortunately, this is not particularly obvious because so many flowers cover the soil, including a bigger version of the round cactus shown above. The spines on this cactus look superb and I like the vibrant coral leaves forming flower petals. A pinwheel is also supplied, presumably borrowed from Mirabel.
The two orchids are essentially identical to those from 10311 Orchid, as their stems consist of dark green Technic pieces, topped with grass elements. Moreover, the flowers are constructed in exactly the same way as their Icons equivalents and they look stunning, especially given their lavender colour, which is new.
A few lavender buds are also included on the stems, represented by 1x1 swirl elements. Much like the flowerpot, the flowers are evidently not designed to be seen from the back, but none of the colours appear out of place, at least. In addition, viewing the orchids from behind shows the Technic axles supporting them. These axles blend with the stems, so they are relatively subtle.
Overall
43237 Isabela's Flowerpot is an unusual addition to the Disney range, but an impressive one! The flowers are almost as detailed as those from the Botanical Collection and the flowerpot is much more intricate. In some respects, I actually prefer this model to the more realistic flora of the Icons theme.
The space inside is interesting as well, including some memorable details from the movie and providing play value with the mini-doll. In fact, the main issue with this model is its appearance from the back, but even that is understandable, given the need for hinges to access the interior. The price of £39.99, $39.99 or €44.99 feels a little too expensive compared with the Botanical Collection, but that is testament more to their usual excellent value, than poor value here.
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24 comments on this article
What else can I do except pick up this set?
(I probably won't but I just had to make that joke)
@Zink said:
"Interesting that the botanical collection is branching out into other themes. What comes next? Some alien plant for Star Wars? A magic plant for Harry Potter? Groot in a pot for Marvel, would be the obvious one. Something more abstract for one of Legos original themes? What plant would represent the Lego City fire department?"
A fire lily?
Where is my Luisa's Donkey set?
I just want the little ice cream swirl.
Some sort of detachable covering could conceal the hinge, just need a few extra pieces of pink and red wicker...
Other ideas might come to mind but that's the first one I can think of.
@MisterBrickster said:
"Where is my Luisa's Donkey set?"
Are you going to put some surface pressure on Lego?
Didn't like it on the initial reveal, still not convinced now. The choices for the flower colours just feel off, but I like the designs. The pin-wheel/windmill seems out of place, and the pot is ugly, even without the design bodge of the technic beams.
Also, not sure who this sets for? As a botanical fan, it doesn't appeal to me, and if its for Encanto fans, Isabela was one of the least popular character with her dolls being long term shelf warmers... Yes, I know its because she was the plant power person we get this weird crossover, but it still seems rather limited appeal.
In comparrision take the Mario Piranha plant, which has large appeal to both Mario and botanical fans. Or, as mentioned above... if they did a potted Groot, or maybe some weird Dagobah vine for Star Wars. I do believe that the Sarlacc is technically a plant, unless I'm misremembering my lore...
Candle... Enclosed space... Carbon monoxide... Sleep well Isabela...
Both a display and playable set, my daughter would love this !
@MisterBrickster said:
"Where is my Luisa's Donkey set?"
That would be awesome!
With donkey-unicors, Titanic and a micro Madrigal-house.
Shield in lavender nice
@GrizBe:
One member of my LUG made the house, so he’ll probably be interested in adding the full-size minidoll to it. So that’s one sale.
What a coincidence. Just collected it today, because I ordered it on a site few days ago. I am only getting it because of the minifigure, the set itself doesn’t interest me. Only seen Encanto once.
The flower pot doesn't pair great with the flowers.
It's a bit wobbly for my taste due to how the angled sections of the basket weave kind of hang by a single stud. I also find the color choices a bit too "in your face" with the excessive use of Magenta and Dark Pink on the inside and the Coral. Adding some variation with Orange/ Reddish Orange would have been nice as would have been some Dark Turquoise leaves for some of the small flowers. Conversely, the interior could have been toned down with some other colors. Other than that it's a nice idea, it just feels a bit unpolished.
@Zink, @GrizBe : They did a potted Groot, although it is a Brickheadz: 40671.
@Zink said:
"Interesting that the botanical collection is branching out into other themes. What comes next? Some alien plant for Star Wars? A magic plant for Harry Potter? Groot in a pot for Marvel, would be the obvious one. Something more abstract for one of Legos original themes? What plant would represent the Lego City fire department?"
Yes, please! Give this person a job at Lego, immediately.
You see. this is the kind of creative, out-of-the-box thinking that we need around here. What do the rest of you do, anyway?!
The latest season of Bad Batch would do well with the Sarlacc tenticle plant. Likewise, Harry Potter could do with a proper greenhouse. Great idea.
Although it's great to have orchids in a different colour scheme from those in 10311, I don't recall orchids being featured at all in the movie, so it's weird to have them in centre stage here (and with such short stems!).
Also, I'd prefer that the pot / woven basket be in a more neutral tone (ideally tan) so it doesn't clash with the various colourful flowers on top.
@PurpleDave said:
" @GrizBe:
One member of my LUG made the house, so he’ll probably be interested in adding the full-size minidoll to it. So that’s one sale."
Fair enough then. Forgot about the wanting to have complete sets compulsion we humans have.
@TheOtherMike: Was hoping for a more organic looking potted Groot.
@GrizBe: Hence my disclaimer. I wouldn't mind such a thing either, but I do want that Brickheadz.
@GrizBe:
I mean, there's always dropping 76217 into 76251...
Regarding Encanto, he really liked the movie. I don't know offhand if he designed the house himself, or if he downloaded someone else's design, but I do know that he's been trying to represent as much of the family as possible, and her room gets pointed out to a lot of kids because of the eruption of flowers spilling out of it.
@Zink said:
"Interesting that the botanical collection is branching out into other themes. What comes next? Some alien plant for Star Wars? A magic plant for Harry Potter? Groot in a pot for Marvel, would be the obvious one. Something more abstract for one of Legos original themes? What plant would represent the Lego City fire department?"
A Mimbulus Mimbletonia would be awesome actually. Maybe I should just design my own though.
@PurpleDave said:
" @GrizBe:
I mean, there's always dropping 76217 into 76251..."
Hmmm... now theres an idea....
Was already thinking of seeing if I could build a Sarlacc into a Stormtrooper helmet.
As for Encanto... Okay, thats pretty cool what your friends doing. I retract my initial wondering what the set was for and hope he can get everyone properly represented in time.
@GrizBe:
Hmm, it seems this is only the third character to be represented in full minidoll form, after Mirabel and the Abuela. Antonio actually works as a microdoll, but I know he's got Luisa represented as I helped him with the clear parts needed to hold a horse over her so it looked like she had picked it up with one hand. Now that I think on it, I kinda want to say he had Isabella represented as well, because I think she's ended up on a list of things to look for at least once.