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The Lego DC Batman 1989 Batwing model is faithful to the movie

Lego Batman 1989 Batwing. (PHOTO: Lego)
Lego Batman 1989 Batwing. (PHOTO: Lego)

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By: Paolo Lacuna

Without a doubt, the 1989 Batman movie with Michael Keaton was one of my favourite movies of all time. I remember seeing that movie as a kid, in awe of the amazing designs of the Batmobile and the Batwing. And till today, I feel that the 1989 Batwing was the best designed and most iconic Batwing in all of the Batman movies thus far.

Together with Warner Bros Consumer Products and DC, the Lego Group launched the iconic Lego DC Batman 1989 Batwing. When Lego Group reached out and asked if we wanted to review it, I immediately said yes, and jumped at the chance to build it.

I’ve always loved building Lego projects, and with this one being the iconic 1989 Batwing, it was a chance to put together two things that I love.

The box arrived at my doorstep, and it was massive. I clearly underestimate the 2,363-piece Lego DC Batman 1989 Batwing set. Overly ambitious, I recruited the support of my ten-year-old daughter and my three-year-old son, completely ignoring the recommended age of 18+.

But I believed that Lego projects are best enjoyed as a family, and I thought I could manage the kids well enough for us to finish the projects within the day. Nope. It was a full weekend project, with constant redos and rebuilds and slight heart-attacks when the young toddler runs off with a handful of bricks. Collectively, we spent nearly 12 hours finishing the whole kit. And it was glorious.

Once finished, the Lego DC Batman 1989 Batwing is huge - measuring over 11cm high, 52cm long and 58cm wide. Technics parts support the interior, ensuring stability of the wide bat-like wing span. It’s beautifully designed and quite faithful to the movie.

There were many moments during the build that I had to stop, hum the Batman movie theme, and admire the level of detail that Lego has included in this kit. A silhouette of the Joker can be seen on the targeting screen inside the cockpit, bringing me back to that scene in the movie. The poseable flaps and the removable canopy just adds to the playability of this kit. The intricate details of the gatling guns and missiles just open up your imagination.

Lego Batman 1989 Batwing. (PHOTO: Lego)
Lego Batman 1989 Batwing. (PHOTO: Lego)

This kit also includes a special brick to allow for wall mounting. To access this brick is also quite fun. Opening the “Bat Engine” reveals two tiny plastic crowbars. You use these as tools to open up access to the wall-mounting brick from the cockpit seat.

Lastly, the kit also includes mini-figures that any Batman fan will love. Of course, there’s the Batman - with the same one-piece cape, and cowl design from the 1989 movie, complete with two Batarangs; A boombox henchman; and finally, a tuxedo’d Joker. This is the first time I’ve ever seen a mini-figure with a non-plastic part. The Joker mini-figure had fabric coattails. Just amazed at this level of craftsmanship from Lego master builders.

If you are a fan of the 1989 Batman Movie, this is definitely a kit you should get. It’s available at the Lego Certified Stores in Singapore, with a retail price of S$349.

To shop for other Lego sets, go to Lego's official LazMall.