The LEGO Dinosaur Fossils: Tyrannosaurus Rex set, a LEGO Store exclusive, is a breathtakingly ambitious build. Its sheer size is immediately striking; this is a meticulously detailed 1:12 scale model of a real T-Rex. Upon closer inspection, the intricate detail becomes even more apparent: the ribs, constructed with varying lengths to convincingly create a rib cage; the clever use of dark bricks to simulate shadows, highlighting the light-colored "bone" bricks. Despite its complexity, the build is surprisingly straightforward, making its impressive intricacy all the more remarkable.
LEGO Jurassic World Dinosaur Fossils: Tyrannosaurus rex
$249.99 at LEGO Store
My childhood fascination with dinosaurs was ignited by the imposing T-Rex skeleton at the American Museum of Natural History. Years later, Ray Bradbury's "A Sound of Thunder" solidified that awe, describing the creature as: *"It came on great oiled, resilient, striding legs. It towered thirty feet above half of the trees, a great evil god, folding its delicate watchmaker's claws close to its oily reptilian chest. Each lower leg was a piston, a thousand pounds of white bone, sunk in thick ropes of muscle, sheathed over in a gleam of pebbled skin like the mail of a terrible warrior."*
Like many, I initially envisioned the T-Rex in the classic upright posture:
However, scientific understanding has evolved. The T-Rex, contrary to popular depiction, didn't walk upright with a dragging tail. Its posture was more horizontal, with the tail acting as a counterbalance:
The discovery of "Sue," the most complete T-Rex skeleton ever found (90%), revolutionized our understanding. The presence of *gastralia*, small bones lining the belly, revealed a much heavier creature than previously imagined—nine to ten tons, not five to seven.
Compare this to the leaner depiction in the 1993 film *Jurassic Park*, reflecting the outdated understanding of the time. Today's accurate depiction, based on Sue's bones, showcases a chubbier, more robust T-Rex:
The LEGO set accurately reflects this updated understanding, showcasing the horizontal posture. While it omits the *gastralia*, the ribcage suggests a "barrel-chested" build, departing from the leaner depictions in fiction. The forward-facing arms align with the current Sue display at the Field Museum.
The 25-bag set is built in stages: the stand, backbone, neck, legs and hips, ribs, arms, tail, and finally, the head. Legs and torso are fixed, but the arms, head, and tail are posable. At nearly three-and-a-half feet long, it demands a prominent display location – a wide surface like a dresser or coffee table is ideal.
While technically part of the LEGO Jurassic Park franchise, the inclusion of Alan Grant and Ellie Sattler minifigures feels somewhat forced. The set's name, "Dinosaur Fossils: Tyrannosaurus Rex," lacks a direct movie tie-in, and instructions even allow for detaching the minifigures and placard. This suggests the Jurassic Park branding is largely superfluous; the set's size, scope, and price point make it a compelling purchase irrespective of the franchise connection. It's a magnificent build, comparable to the LEGO Titanic, standing on its own merit.
LEGO Dinosaur Fossils: Tyrannosaurus Rex (Set #10335) retails for $269.99, contains 3011 pieces, and is exclusively available at the LEGO Store.
More Sets From LEGO Jurassic Park Collection:
LEGO T. rex Skull
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LEGO Jurassic Park Visitor Center
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LEGO Triceratops Skull
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LEGO Little Eatie T Rex
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LEGO Creator 3 in 1 T. Rex
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