Outpost Productions caters to a wide audience of Geek Pop Culture in Malaysia recognising that geeky fans are often passionate on not just one but multiple fandoms. In our ideal world, Star Wars fans and Trekkies peacefully co-exist. Same with comic book geeks who love both Marvel and DC. We publish geeky content here and support local pop culture events with fan engagements and coverage. MTFBWY and Live Long & Prosper!
After successfully saving their kind from the evil President Business in The LEGO Movie 3 years ago, the producers thought it would be a good idea to make another movie to tell the hero's tale, of how he's not just an ordinary guy but an orphaned minifig, growing up alone with no mentor. Enter the LEGO Batman Movie.
The LEGO Batman Movie (2017)
Some say Batman's a vain and selfish vigilante who longs nothing more than his vanity. And the fact that Bruce Wayne lives in his attic gives him extra flare and bragging rights and ego. Check out the trailer below:
However, with the addition of his adopted son (while drunk at a gala), Dick Grayson, Batman has to deal not only with crime & the Joker, but an overly enthusiastic, excited and loud sidekick who looks up to Batman as his dad and care giver. Talk about saving the world AND yourself from going BAT-$#!+ crazy!
Meet the "cast" of this new LEGO movie:
And Batman's arch-nemesis... NOT! (see trailer)
To understand more about the upcoming movie blasting into local cinemas this Thursday 9 February, watch the Behind-The-Bricks featurette narrated by Batman himself:
The Outpost Movie Recon Team (M.R.T) has found many goodies worth checking out if you're a fan of both LEGO & Batman (Duh!). First check out the official LEGO toys:
LEGO seems to have gone all-out releasing at least 13 building sets for this movie! Batman himself gets a playset of the Batcave (70909, RRP RM529.90) and a new Batmobile (70905, RRP RM299.90) plus what looks like a new flying machine called the Bat-Scuttler which looks like a mecha bat (70908, RRP 399.90).
Will this Batmobile be the next fan favourite?
Each of his villains like Joker, Penguin, Clayface, etc. receive their own building sets, usually based on a vehicle. They also come together in a massive playset of the Arkham Asylum (70912, RM799.90) available exclusively from Toys R Us in Malaysia.
Special launch event at Toys R Us for this exclusive LEGO Batman set.
Arkham Asylum (70912) contains lots of cute mini-figs.
Huge LEGO display of the Batman sets during the Toys R Us launch event.
The Bat-Scuttler (70908) looks pretty mean!
Penguin's ride is pretty classy: the Artic Roller (70911, RM179.90)
LEGO Batman also offers a series of blind-pack mini-figs with 20 variants of the cute characters to collect. However they are priced quite significantly higher at RM19.90 per pack compared to RM12.90 for the regular series. Happy "tikam"!
Whilst the Outpost M.R.T. does not endorse any particular retailer, if you are going to buy these toys anyway then consider doing so at the official LEGO Batman Movie Event now on at Mid Valley Megamall, East Atrium.
Buying directly at this event will entitle to a number of LEGO freebies depending on the amount spent. Firstly any purchase of of a LEGO Batman set will receive a sorta black flying vehicle inspired by the Dark Knight. We kinda think it looks like a MyVi with wings! However an assembly guide is not included with the bricks as purchasers seem to be encouraged to build them on-the-spot referring to laminated instructions (not to be removed).
This mini-build LEGO some free with any LEGO Batman set purchase.
Purchases over RM150 then receive an exclusive polybag (30523) of The Joker Battle Training. In addition, purchases over RM200 of any LEGO product receives a Limited Edition Year of the Rooster building set (40234). Considering the price of LEGO nowadays, it doesn't take more than 1 or 2 sets to exceed the threshold to receive all 3 of these goodies FREE! Toys R Us members will also collect points for their purchases.
Rooster, a potential new "bird" sidekick for Batman?
For those serious LEGO collectors, different giveaways seem to be offered by other retailers, such as this Phantom Zone polybag (30522) from Box of Bricks:
Anyway if LEGO is too pricey for the wallet, try winning some instead from these online contests by our local cinemas. Firstly GSC Cinemas has a fairly straightforward contest for their online members offering polybagged mini-figs, kids tshirts and more:
There will also be a "pop-up" store at GSC Pavilion KL this weekend from 9 February near the cinema.
Both MMcineplexes and Premium-X Cinema is offering similar merchandise up for grabs on their respective social media channels:
Over at MBO Cinemas, they are offering a LEGO Batman edition card for their All-Star membership (free). They are also encouraging cosplay of LEGO Batman movie characters and giving away building sets for submissions posted to Instagram. Good luck with that since we have hardly seen any LEGO cosplay locally!
Coming back to that official LEGO Batman Movie Event at Mid Valley Megamall, our on-ground recon has identified more activities for fans and families. Catch LEGO Batman & Robin live at any of the 5 schedule appearance sessions daily.
Dab! #CloseEnough
LEGO Batman & Robin with excited fans
Here's what else to see at the event located at the East Atrium just outside Aeon and Uniqlo and below Toys R Us.
Mid Valley Megamall, East Atrium, ground floor from 6-12 February 2017.
Special play area for kids (and adults?)
This Batman is up for selfies.
Bat's alternative attire.
Mini-stage screening movie trailer and clips.
The movie building sets are displayed to woo kids to empty their parents' wallets, or "poison" adults fans of LEGO. Courtesy of LOM LEGO User Group Malaysia, these sets have been setup as a fantastic action diorama with the respective movie vehicles and mini-figs arranged in action.
The Master Builders has even stretched their creativity to assembling 25 custom-build mini-dioramas depicting all forms of LEGO Batman inspired setups. Here's a only a sampling of the LEGO builds and do go see for yourselves the rest. Some are really LOL scenes!
25 LEGO Batman inspired mini-dioramas by members of LOM LUG Malaysia.
Robin, Batman and Joker playing arcade machine games.
The Penguin has Batman on ice.
Joker Coffee anyone?
For the photogenic, a free photo booth is available for instant pics with the LEGO Batman movie backdrop. But if you're more of a closet fan, like Batman with leaving his home, here's something for you too!
Free pics here.
Actual loot from the event including free photos.
#LEGOBatmanMovieMY#BuildSomethingBatmanMY
Remember, you can always be yourself... unless you can be Batman!
LEGO Batman Movie in cinemas nationwide 9 February 2017.
Disclaimer: LEGO, Batman and other trademarks are copyright to The LEGO Group, DC Entertainment, Warner Bros., and their respective owners, referenced here for fan service announcements without intent to infringe.
Unless you've been stuck in a hobbit
hole lately, most movie fans by now should have been hit by the
mega-marketing campaign for “The Hobbit: The Battle of Five Armies”. This 2 hour 25 minute fantasy movie concludes the
cinematic trilogy by Sir Peter Jackson of J.R.R. Tolkien's “The
Hobbit” fantasy novel for children originally published in 1937.
From Academy Award-winning filmmaker Peter Jackson comes "The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies," the third in a trilogy of films adapting the enduringly popular masterpiece The Hobbit, by J.R.R. Tolkien. "The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies" brings to an epic conclusion the adventures of Bilbo Baggins, Thorin Oakenshield and the Company of Dwarves. Having reclaimed their homeland from the Dragon Smaug, the Company has unwittingly unleashed a deadly force into the world. Enraged, Smaug rains his fiery wrath down upon the defenseless men, women and children of Lake-town. Obsessed above all else with his reclaimed treasure, Thorin sacrifices friendship and honor to hoard it as Bilbo's frantic attempts to make him see reason drive the Hobbit towards a desperate and dangerous choice. But there are even greater dangers ahead. Unseen by any but the Wizard Gandalf, the great enemy Sauron has sent forth legions of Orcs in a stealth attack upon the Lonely Mountain. As darkness converges on their escalating conflict, the races of Dwarves, Elves and Men must decide – unite or be destroyed. Bilbo finds himself fighting for his life and the lives of his friends in the epic Battle of the Five Armies, as the future of Middle-earth hangs in the balance.
Preceded by “The Unexpected Journey” in 2012 and then “The Desolation of Smaug” in 2013, “The Battle of Five Armies” jumps right off from the preceding movie's cliffhanger. The main cast returns #OneLastTime with Martin Freeman as Bilbo Baggins (plus Sir Ian Holms as elder Bilbo), Sir Ian McKellan as Gandalf, Richard Armitage as Thorin Oakenshield, Luke Evans as Bard and special guest stars Orlando Bloom as Legolas, Cate Blanchett as Galadriel, Hugo Weaving as Elrond, and the venerable 92-year old Sir Christopher Lee as Saruman the White. Check out the full cast from the official website for The Hobbit.
Speed challenge by naming all 13 dwarves in fastest time!
Now with the release of “The Battle
of Five Armies”, movie fans can relive the adventure as a 6-part saga much like Star Wars Episodes I to VI. Note that the Hobbit
prequel trilogy takes place around 77 years prior to primary events
in the Lord of the Rings Trilogy; check out timeline of the history
of Middle Earth at lotrproject.com.
The Hobbit: The Battle of Five Armies
kicked off in Malaysia with the movie Premiere at TGV 1 Utama
cineplex on 16 December 2014. Invited guests included local
celebrities, movie fans, contest winners and costumers representing
characters from The Hobbit and Lord of the Rings; photos below credit
Potter SamLeong:
Left to right: Arwen, human townsfolk, Legolas, Tauriel, Galadriel, Bilbo, Frodo, Thorin
In addition to these special
screenings, Malaysian fans had the opportunity to experience The
Hobbit movie trilogy marathons by GSC and TGV Cinemas. The cumulative
8-hour screening time was no deterrent for movie goers with brisk
ticket sales selling-out cinema halls faster than Radaghast's Rosgobel
Rabbit sleigh.
Despite the blockbuster appeal for this
final chapter of The Hobbit Trilogy, finding official merchandise is
fairly scarce. Nevertheless, the Outpost Movie Recon Team (M.R.T.)
has uncovered the following “precious” artifacts for fan service:
Firstly amongst the movie channels, TGV
Cinemas is retailing their “Magic Cold Changing Tumbler” for
RM24.90. Watch this video to see the "magic":
Furthermore, TGV is offering movie
goers the chance to visit Middle Earth, New Zealand via their Watch &
Win campaign. Customers purchasing tickets for The Hobbit: The Battle
of Five Armies via online or mobile app until 31 December may
participate to snag this vacation package for 2 worth RM20,000, or
hampers of movie premiums.
Meanwhile GSC Cinemas is offering
similar assortment of movie premiums via their online contest for
website customers until 7 January 2015. Polish your slogans for
better chances to win the tie-breakers.
MBO Cinemas is has also been making
available these premiums to their ALLSTAR card members, offering the
chance to win different merchandise each week until year end. Join the last round kicking off today with a long-sleeve V-cut jersey up
for grabs.
In addition, MBO has more exclusive
premiums up for bidding using ALLSTAR points. Find out how to earn
bid points and the bidding process at the MBO website store.
Finally, MBO Cinemas & MP Travel &
Tours are offering the chance to visit Middle Earth as well for
customers purchasing any Share Packs (movie + popcorn + drink combos)
by 31 December 2014. The 7 day / 5 night package to New Zealand
includes visits to Hobbiton and Weta for 2 pax worth RM16,000. Find
out more at the MBO website promotions.
So for those lucky winners-to-be off on
their adventure to New Zealand, hope they will be flying Air New Zealand for additional Middle Earth fan engagement:
This guide may also be of value for all travelers to Middle Earth (sighted at Borders bookstores for RM89.90):
Apart from the cinemas, GenYes.MY has online contest with movie
passes and premiums up for grabs. Join quickly as the contest closes 24 December 2014.
Official movie books for The Hobbit:
The Battle of Five Armies comprise the Visual Companion, Movie Guide
and Chronicles: Art & Design. Fans of “behind-the-scenes”
will find more value with the latter 2 books offering peaks into the
production of the movie.
Grab the original novel by Tolkien and compare against the movie version.
These books should be available at
major local bookstores plus some available via MPH online.
Although the mass market action figure
license for The Hobbit seems to have lapsed after the first two
movies, buidling toys are still running strong with LEGO releasing
sets from The Battle of Five Armies. Some of these were in face
somewhat spoilery for the movie being released to mass market some
time in advance of the movie release.
Recreate the Battle at Dol Guldur when Gandalf is captured...
... ending with an epic battle between the White Council and Ringwraiths.
Various LEGO sets available of the major locations from the movies like Erebor, Laketown, Dol Guldur, etc.
Make your own Hobbit hole with the Bag End set.
The Fellowship of the Ring gathers in Rivendell.
Check-out the various sets available at the official LEGO website to recreate the epic battles, or alternate takes like "The Aggravation of Smaug". Even non-LEGO collectors could be
entertained by these cute mini-fig videos.
Collectors of novelty items may be
enticed by these equally cutesy vinyl figures from Funko POP! So far
Bilbo (invisible), Gandalf, Legolas, Azog and Thorin has been
released under the preceding movie, The Desolation of Smaug, with an
oversized Smaug being released for this final chapter.
Gandalf the Grey POP! Movies vinyl figure from Funko (Ringwraith not included).
Head over to the official Funko website
to check out the rest of these figures and look out for them at
specialty retailers in Malaysia stocking POP! Vinyl figures such as
Borders bookstores.
For
our valued readers and Outpost fans, the last #OutpostGiveaway for
2014 will be an LEGO minifig of Gandalf the Grey from The Hobbit.
The last #OutpostGiveaway for 2014
Just
follow the instructions in the form below and submit for chance to
win!
Best
Wishes for a Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!
Disclaimer:
The Hobbit, Lord of the Rings and other trademarks are copyright to
JRR Tolkien, Warner Bros. Pictures, and their respective owners,
referenced here for fan service announcements without intent to
infringe.
