Well, here we go with yet another Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone Lego review. Hopefully I am not boring you all to death with these reviews but I am just too excited about the new series from Lego as well as the fact that Epinions actually managed to get them on the site a month after they were released. Not bad considering there are about 200 other sets that they completely overlooked – even after I sent them the names, photos and Lego web pages. Oh well…..

Much controversy has come from the correct name for this set. This can be attributed to a few mistakes all across the boards – Lego neglected to make the necessary changes to a few production lines and some boxes were shipped listed as Snape’s Classroom while other – the most recently shipped one – were called Snape’s Class. At the present moment the correct name according to the Lego website is Snape’s Class so if you happen to see one of the ‘incorrect’ boxes you might want to pick it up and hold on to it. There are a small group of Lego collectors that specialize in sets with typographical errors, revised or omitted pieces and first edition sets with box errors.

Be sure not to confuse this set with Hogwarts Classroom [4721].

When built according to the Lego design in conjunction to the complete castle theme it is in the lower gallery, fourth from the left. It sits directly under set 4709 [Hogwarts Castle] and serves as not only a classroom but as a hidden passage to the back of the structure. If this sounds confusing, you can see the completed castle compound on the back of any Harry Potter Lego box or at the Lego website [www.lego.com]. You can also see one of many photos at http://www.lego.com/harrypotter/products/products.asp?id=harrypottercollection.

Snape’s Classroom

Filled with tiny little bottles of magic potions and spell books, the classroom is multi functional and can be built in a variety of different ways. The building is broke up into two sections, the classroom and the cauldron room. Depending on how you build it you can have the two structures completely attached, attached with a hinge or completely separate from one another. The boys decided to build it and use the spider web as a gateway for both sections but a long flat Lego piece would work the same way.

When you first see the Snape’s Classroom lay out you are immediately drawn to the number of arches on the top of the scene. This allows you [or a child] to have a lot of variation in the design of the room / rooms. For me, these arches are a great way to change the complete look of the structure but still have it be able to fit into the completed castle design.

Classroom

The larger of the two rooms, it is filled with a ton of small pieces as well as a bookshelf. The bookshelf / bookcase / potion keeper is stenciled and has a fair amount of detail but it’s still just a flat painted surface. For me, I would have rather had a nice two or three shelved piece but that would have taken up a lot of space in the room. In the back of the classroom there is a brown door, complete with key, which opens outward to the back of the structure. This is a great piece for this series since it is it detailed to fit them overall theme. There are also pieces that can be used as a small table but I found other more interesting uses for them. You can also choose to elevate the table by adding a few of the tube like Lego pieces under it. This makes it look a little more like a table and a little less like a speed bump.

Cauldron Room

Sitting to the left of the classroom [when built according to the instructions] is a small square room complete with creep spider web and yellow neon see-through spider. The web can be places in front of or behind the cauldron or used in other parts of the scene. It is extremely easy to move from place to place and doesn’t lose its tension if moved around a lot. The top of the room is embellished with a green roof tile that can be stationary or lifted up and down. The use of the black, light and dark gray bricks around the front of the room is also a very nice touch.


The Figures

Previously reviewed in the Chamber of The Winged Keys, this set includes both Harry Potter and his friend Ron Weasley. Harry comes with a gray magic wand, uniform stenciled on the breastplate and some early sets also come with a cloth backpack [these were eliminated from most sets due to a lack of durability]. Ron has the same funky hair as well as that cool purple outfit. Sorry for my lack of enthusiasm while reviewing the Lego figures but this is the fourth review and there’s only so many ways to describe them without getting repetitive.


The Little Extras

As I’ve said about 50 times so far, what really make a set complete are the small little extras that give a set depth, added replay value and make it worth the price. Snape’s Classroom is literally jam packed with these types of pieces – but some of them need just a little work to keep them in tip top shape.

Cauldron

A nice size for making a brew – but a little out of proportion to the Lego figures. The top of the pot hits the mid section of the figure so if this were real life you would be looking at a cauldron that is about three to four feet high. The cauldron also comes with a yellow scooper that also doubles as a stirrer. The cauldron has to handles on the sides to make it easy to carry or for sliding into a holder or stand. There are also four clear orange Lego nubs that rest under the cauldron to simulate a simmering fire. In addition to the potions you could mix, it could also fill it with hidden treasures or gemstones [for safe keeping that is], turned upside down and used as a hiding place for Harry or hung on the wall for storage. The boys played around with it a little and made a small shelf for it and hid the magic book in it along with a few gemstones.

Magnifying Glass

Fully functional for Lego people but not very practical for humans, the magnifying glass adds even more charm to this delightful set. Can be used in a variety of different ways and once it is snapped into a figures hand it doesn’t slip out like some accessories.

The magnifying glass distributed in the United States is either clear blue or clear red, while ones released in Europe are solid black [glossy]. I have emailed Lego asking why this is and have not received and answer at this time. I will update this review when I receive a reply.

Assorted Goodies

Wow. I am still amazed at the cool little pieces that come with this set. The small potion bottles are simply a must have! They are extremely sturdy and have been stepped on [accidentally] a few times and are no worse for wear. They come with small clear colored lids [that can also double as treasure or thrown into the cauldron] and have a wide variety of uses in this scene as well as the entire castle. You also get a goblet that – again – has a lot of uses. The small drinking cup is pretty nice but it is a little hard to get it to snap into the Lego figures hands. As with all the Harry Potter sets, you get some of those cool red flames – except these come with wall mounts rather than standard upright mounts. You can use the flames anywhere so don’t feel you have to use them on the walls near the door. We’ve found that the magic wand, magnifying glass, cauldron stirrer and drinking cup can all be hung on the wall mounts – plus this helps keep these small pieces from getting lost.

As if that weren’t enough you also get two keys, a small mouse [that I swear is really a cat], two room connectors that allow you to adjust the shape of the two sections and a small handful of colored ‘topper’ [the small round pieces that are circular and usually adorn the tops of buildings or are used as treasure].

There are two pieces I will not disclose, they are extremely cool and you’ll be completely taken back when you see them. Hey, I don’t want to ruin the surprise!

Hint: There’s a secret spot under the cauldron for one of the magic books

My Take

I am extremely impressed with this set. Aside from a few small issues I have with the sizing of the pieces, this is an exceptional set for the price tag. I checked at Walmart.com and they are completely sold out of these – with any luck the retail stores will have them back in stock soon. I have found that Wal-Mart has the absolute best price on the Lego sets – new or old. If a set is retailing at $14.99 anywhere else, Wal-Mart usually has it for $12.99 - $13.99. This was the case with the new Lego Dinosaur sets, every other place had them for $3.99 but Wal-Mart had them for $2.99. A dollar might not sound like a lot to most people but if you are buying large quantities of the smaller sets it’s like getting one free set when you buy three.

There I go again, off the topic of the Harry Potter Lego’s. Hopefully you’ll see my passion for these sets [and all Lego’s in general] and know that I review them honestly and aim to provide potential buys with first hand knowledge [another reason to buy them for myself] so you’ll know exactly what to expect should you choose to buy them.

This would be a great introduction to the entire Harry Potter Lego series, it will provide hours of replay value for kids of all ages – but as usual – there are a tremendous amount of small pieces that could be gobbled up by ‘the little people’. Please use extreme caution if play areas are shared by children of different age groups.

The Stats

Set Name: Snape’s Classroom
Family Set: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone
Lego Set: 4705
Number of Pieces: 163
Age Recommendation: 7 - 10
Ease Of Assembly: Easy to moderate
Time Of Assembly: 15 minutes
Cost: $19.99
Retail prices vary from $18.99 - $21.99


As always, thanks for the read!

^V^ Freak ^V^

© 2003 Freak369


Other Harry Potter Lego set reviews ...

Quidditch Practice
Diagon Alley Shops
Hogwarts Castle
Quality Quidditch Supplies
Dobby’s Release





Recommended: Yes

Amount Paid (US$): $19.99
Type of Toy: Blocks
Age Range of Child: Whole Family