### EXPLORING THE SHADOWS: THE ENIGMATIC ALLURE OF LEGO'S BARAD-DÛR

In a world where creativity is the hero and cinema is the light side, Lego and its latest offering, a massive Barad-Dûr set from the Lord of the Rings series, has taken on epic proportions. With a maniacal yet, undeniably, impressive look to its almost three-foot height, this set is a significant endeavour, a monumental piece of inspired design, a delight and challenge waiting for fans and builders. Yes, it’s big, and yes it has some exclusive elements, though there are some flaws. But enough of that: let’s take a peek behind the doors of the Dark Lord’s fortress and delve into its shadows.

#### DISCOVER THE FOUNDATION: BUILDING THE BASE OF BARAD-DÛR

The epic base, which alone takes almost half the pieces in this Lego set, is a pivotal feature of this representation of Mount Doom, comprising the ominous and unmistakeably orange-red-and-brown edifice of molten encircling lava moat that ringed Sauron’s citadel. This primacy of base in any Lego model is the most fundamental pedagogical imperative of the kit. It is here where the builder begins, and the sense that ‘epic’ has pervaded play from start to finish is palpable, essentially baked into this model’s creation.

#### A TOWER TO REMEMBER: THE DESIGN AND FEATURES OF BARAD-DÛR

Higher still, the tower itself is incredibly engineered, with nods to the rugged aesthetics of the films: rocky detailing and Sauron’s baleful, flaming eye. There’s also an LED light brick so that Sauron can actually shine his evil stare right back at you. This is a great time to sneak about a little, clambering into concealed spaces and discovering marvellous feats of brickwork. Here, in a way that only Lego can, form and function become one.

#### THE GUARDIANS OF THE TOWER: MINIFIGURE MAGIC

But what is an epic build without its characters? Sam, Frodo, Gollum, Gothmog, Sauron and the Mouth of Sauron are all included, each with a unique story to tell. The set also includes four minifigures converted into orcs, as well as an exclusive Wraith of Angmar (aka a Nazgul) minifigure in ancient Sauron armour, and a Fell Beast set.

#### A BUILDER'S JOURNEY: THE CONSTRUCTION EXPERIENCE

This limits the accursed citadel to a relatively simple assembly of straightforward parts, subdivisions and stages that lead from stylobate to spires, making Barad-Dûr accessible for builders of humble capacity who perhaps delight simply in the feel of an unwieldy block in hand, and not daunted by whatever challenges might await within. On the other hand, if you are someone who insists on consistency between what you see from the outside and what you see on the inside, the interior here may not be to your liking. I for one have no interest whatever in climbing an enormous series of scaffold tiers.

#### BEYOND THE BRICKS: PRICING AND VALUE

Priced at $460, the Barad-Dûr set occupies the mid-tier of Lego’s expansive line of sets that exist at the scale of a human being. It doesn’t quite compare to the Rivendell set, at least not in terms of minifigure variety and sheer piece count. But as a self-contained ziggurat of a thing, it sizes up just fine. It’s a value proposition that hovers somewhere in between the amount of content and the historical stature of the build itself.

#### CATERING TO THE FANS: THE TARGET AUDIENCE

It’s obvious who Lego has had in mind when devising this set: anyone old enough to have enjoyed the films yet young enough to be obsessed by the nastier side of Middle-earth. From the front, the set looks fantastic. The back is a little sparse and the less detailed interior a bit of a let-down. Adult collectors will need to know that, but this is nevertheless a model demanding respect, like the Dark Lord himself.

### UNVEILING THE ESSENCE OF DISCOVERY

Each Lego brick represents a story, a world, a memory. The Barad-Dûr set captures that notion of discovery. Builders open the set, ready to go on a journey into the heart of their beloved Mordor. They’re ready to learn, ready to discover, and to move in the diorama of things. It’s by no means for everyone, and it’s far from being Lego’s best-selling set. Not everyone wants a dark fantasy theme — and not everyone wants to pay the entry price of $350. However, it’s a step forward for a company that is committed to bringing beloved worlds to life. Take your journey. Make the set. Find yourself in the shadow of Barad-Dûr.