This set took me by surprise—I didn’t expect it to arrive so soon! If you’ve been following my content, you probably know that aside from trains and modular buildings, I have a big love for dinosaurs. Since LEGO released the T. rex skull just last year, I wasn’t expecting to see a full-body version so soon. Let’s take a closer look at this massive and detailed set.
Minifigures
As always, let’s start with the minifigures. This set includes Dr. Alan Grant and Dr. Ellie Sattler, both of whom have appeared in previous sets. They are dressed just as they were in their first scene from the 1993 movie. Each minifigure features dual facial expressions, and I especially love the alternate faces with those iconic ‘90s sunglasses—a fantastic nostalgic touch!
The Base
Now, moving on to the base. On the left, there’s a small archaeological site where you can position your minifigures. It reminds me a bit of the dig site from the Triceratops set. There’s also a recolored vine piece in tan, representing a fossilized part of the dinosaur, though I feel it was executed more effectively in the Triceratops set.
The set features three rock formations—two supporting the legs and a third providing additional stability. I really enjoyed building these, as they reminded me of the vault section from the Gringotts Bank set. Beyond their structural purpose, these rocks also hide a few surprises.
One of the standout details is a fossilized mosquito, a signature element in these fossil sets, just like in previous releases. If you’re wondering why a mosquito is always included, it’s because in Jurassic Park, scientists extract dinosaur DNA from mosquitoes trapped in amber. To complete the DNA sequence, they use frog genes, which later enables the dinosaurs to reproduce unexpectedly.
Scattered throughout the rocks, you’ll also find several geode pieces, which seem to represent trilobites. At the front, there’s a small hidden section that, when removed, reveals a printed 4×4 tile featuring a T. rex skull fossil.
At the base, there’s a printed plaque similar in design to the sticker used in the T. rex skull set. Interestingly, the plaque and minifigures can be detached, and LEGO even included extra tiles on the back of the plaque to cover the empty space when it’s removed. Personally, I prefer displaying it with the plaque, as it makes the whole build look like a proper museum exhibit.
The entire dinosaur fossil is supported by two columns. According to the instruction manual, if you need to transport the model, you should hold it by these columns. While they feel quite thin in hand and could have benefited from a more solid grip, they are surprisingly stable and allow for safe transportation.
The Fossil
Now, let’s talk about this beast. This is one of the largest LEGO sets I own in terms of sheer size, and it looks absolutely stunning. It measures an impressive 105 cm (41.5 in) in length and stands 33 cm (13 in) tall.
While I appreciate the inclusion of minifigures, their scale compared to the T. rex feels off. If the T. rex is 33 cm tall in its running position, the minifigures should realistically be at least twice their current size to match scale. Now, let’s break down this fossil from head to tail.
Skull
Comparing this skull with the previously released T. rex skull set, I have to admit I feel a little let down—the upper portions are almost identical. The biggest change is in the lower jaw. The original skull had just two fixed positions, whereas this new version uses two ball joints. While this allows for more flexibility, the design feels a bit clumsy, as the front of the jaw isn’t securely attached and can shift slightly from side to side.
The skull connects to the main body using what appear to be new LEGO pieces. These hold the skull surprisingly well, providing a secure connection and allowing for multiple positioning options, though they feel quite rigid at first.
Ribcage
The ribcage is one of the most impressive parts of the build, making excellent use of various LEGO elements. The vertebrae on top are especially well-designed. But let’s pause here, because LEGO included a hidden surprise in the build.
During construction, you’ll come across a tiny LEGO frog, which isn’t visible once the model is complete. If you’re unfamiliar with Jurassic Park, this might seem random, but it has a deeper meaning—frog DNA was used to complete the dinosaur genome in the movie. Even better, the frog is seated behind a LEGO steering wheel! I usually don’t care much for LEGO’s little jokes, but this one is perfect.
Moving further back, the ilium and pubis bones provide some flexibility, while the highly detailed hip section is a joy to look at.
Legs
Now, let’s take a closer look at the legs. To me, these are the least fossil-like parts of the set, but they still incorporate some interesting building techniques. However, they are fixed to the base. While they connect to the main body using ball joints—suggesting they could allow for movement—there’s no articulation. The only movable parts are the toes, which, to be fair, look quite good.
Tail
Finally, let’s talk about the tail. For many, this might be the most disappointing part of the set. Personally, I feel the same way. It’s built in five separate sections, allowing for only minimal sideways movement, so while you can adjust the pose slightly, it’s quite limited.
While each section has some variation, they feel overly blocky and lack the sleek, natural flow of a real dinosaur tail. This is definitely the first thing I plan to modify. Additionally, I wish LEGO would recolor some of the Technic pins to better match these fossil sets—the light bluish-gray stands out too much.
Final Thoughts
If you’re considering adding this set to your collection, it comes in at $250, €250, or £220, with a total of 3,145 pieces and includes two minifigures along with three instruction manuals. The first manual provides background information about the skeleton and details on how to transport it.
This set isn’t sponsored, but if you’re thinking about picking it up (or any other LEGO sets or products on Amazon), please consider using my affiliate links—it’s a great way to support the channel, and I truly appreciate it!
When fully assembled, the model looks absolutely incredible. However, I do wish the design allowed for more movement—the fixed position limits posing options. A standing display option would have been great, as the current design takes up quite a bit of space.
Building Experience
I was initially worried that the build might feel repetitive, but to my surprise, I genuinely enjoyed it! There were several pieces I had never seen before, which was a nice touch, and the entire build took me about six hours to complete.
Overall, this is a unique set that doesn’t compare to anything else LEGO is currently selling. My biggest criticism is the lack of refinement in the tail design and the fact that the skull is nearly identical to the previous release. Honestly, if LEGO knew they were going to release this version, they probably shouldn’t have released the previous one—it feels a bit like a cash grab.
That said, which of the currently available fossil sets is your favorite? Let me know in the comments—I’d love to hear your thoughts! If you enjoyed this review, please like and subscribe—it really helps out! Thanks so much for reading, and until next time, happy building!
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