This series is about charting how LEGO designing has evolved based, divided into time periods based on observations and trends. Today, we’re in the Blockbuster era, named for the huge movie licenses LEGO acquired in this time period, as well as the influx of new curved parts, ‘busting’ how ‘blocky’ LEGO had to be.
The general pattern of LEGO’s development is to have a period of experimentation followed by a period that makes use of that experimentation. As such, this time period takes the experiments of the previous era and refines them down into iconic features of the modern LEGO visual identity.
This was the genesis of LEGO themes such as Pirates of the Caribbean, Star Wars: The Clone Wars, The Lord of the Rings, Superheroes, and so many more. With these sets from this time there is a feel about them that sets them apart, raising the argument that this was a golden age. Sets in the Blockbuster era paired classic nostalgia with modern accuracy and minifigures. The best of both, you could say.
What do you think about this era? Should LEGO revisit some of these ways to do things?
