LEGO Despicable Me 4 Brick-Built Gru and Minions (75582) Review

What's Included

The generous 839-piece count delivers six distinct character builds without a single traditional minifigure, emphasizing sculptural construction over conventional play elements. Gru dominates the ensemble at approximately 11 inches tall, constructed primarily from black and gray elements with strategic use of tan pieces for his distinctive bald head and flesh-toned hands. Five unique Minions accompany the supervillain, each measuring roughly 3-4 inches tall with individual accessories defining their personalities. Carl sports red siren lights, Jerry clutches a teddy bear, Tim strums a ukulele, Dave wears a grass skirt, and a fifth unnamed Minion serves as the mechanical heart of the rotating base. Notable specialized elements include printed eye tiles (though frustratingly supplemented with stickers), various musical instruments, and colorful accessories that add visual pop against the yellow bodies. The rotating platform utilizes Technic gears and axles seamlessly integrated into a stage-like base decorated with trans-blue water effects. Instruction clarity proves exceptional across the 200+ page manual, with careful attention to symmetry and color differentiation preventing common building errors.

Building Experience

Construction unfolds across approximately 3-4 hours of engaging building that showcases clever techniques without overwhelming complexity. Each Minion builds identically from the waist down, establishing yellow cylindrical bodies through stacked bricks and curved slopes, before diverging into unique upper sections that define individual personalities. The repetitive foundation actually enhances rather than detracts from the experience, creating rhythm while allowing builders to appreciate subtle variations. Gru's construction proves most technically interesting, utilizing sideways building techniques via bracket elements to achieve his characteristic pear-shaped torso. His articulated arms employ ball joints hidden within the shoulders, enabling expressive posing without visible mechanical elements. The rotating platform assembly represents the set's engineering highlight, concealing a trio of splat gears beneath a decorative stage that perfectly balances smooth operation with visual appeal. Sticker application unfortunately mars an otherwise pleasant experience – all Minion eyes require precise placement of curved stickers that prove challenging even for experienced builders. The final assembly stages bring genuine satisfaction as characters take their positions, transforming loose components into a cohesive display scene.

Character Design Excellence

The brick-built approach succeeds spectacularly where minifigures fail, capturing Gru's unique proportions through careful part selection and innovative construction. His elongated nose achieved through sideways tiles, distinctive striped scarf rendered in printed elements, and perfectly proportioned limbs create instant recognition without requiring specialized molds. The poseability extends beyond simple arm movement – individual fingers can be adjusted, allowing for pointing, waving, or his signature scheming hand positions. Each Minion demonstrates remarkable personality despite sharing core construction, with Dave's hula outfit utilizing actual fabric-like plastic pieces, Carl's megaphone adding authoritative presence, and Jerry's teddy bear providing emotional depth. The use of interchangeable eye tiles enables expression changes, though the sticker application remains problematic – poorly aligned eyes immediately compromise the entire character. Color accuracy proves exceptional throughout, matching animation models with appropriate yellows, blacks, and strategic accent colors. Scale relationships between Gru and his Minions feel properly proportioned, creating believable character dynamics that enhance display appeal.

Rotating Display Innovation

The mechanical centerpiece transforms static display into kinetic entertainment through ingeniously simple engineering. Rather than employing a basic crank handle, designers integrated a seated Minion as the rotation mechanism, maintaining thematic consistency while providing intuitive operation. A long Technic axle runs through this controlling Minion into the base, connecting to splat gears that translate rotational motion into smooth circular movement. The platform supports four standing Minions on detachable circular plates, enabling repositioning and customization of the display arrangement. Rotation remains surprisingly smooth despite the weight distribution challenges of asymmetrical characters, though occasional prop collisions between adjacent Minions require careful positioning. The mechanism's exposed nature invites modification, with builders already documenting motorized versions using Power Functions or Powered Up components. The stage decoration surrounding the mechanical elements features trans-blue tiles suggesting water or ice, adding visual interest without overwhelming the characters. This balance between function and aesthetics exemplifies thoughtful design that prioritizes both display appeal and interactive engagement.

Display Presence

As a shelf centerpiece, the set commands attention through vertical presence and character variety rather than footprint, measuring approximately 11 inches tall while maintaining a manageable base diameter. The elevation of Gru above his Minion entourage creates natural visual hierarchy that draws eyes upward, while the surrounding characters provide colorful contrast against his monochromatic outfit. Natural lighting plays beautifully across the varied textures – smooth tiles on Gru's head catching highlights while the Minions' curved surfaces create gentle shadows. The modular nature enables display flexibility, with Minions functioning independently when removed from the base for desk decoration or alternative arrangements. Photography enthusiasts appreciate the set's photogenic qualities, with the rotating feature enabling dynamic shots and the character expressions reading clearly even at distance. Dust accumulation proves minimal thanks to smooth surfaces and limited exposed studs, though the fabric elements on Dave's hula skirt may require occasional attention. When positioned among other animation-themed LEGO sets, this stands out for its sculptural quality and character-focused design rather than environmental recreation.

Value Analysis & Investment

At $54.99 for 839 pieces, the set achieves an exceptional 6.6 cents per piece, dramatically undercutting typical licensed set pricing. Historical data reveals remarkable price stability with minimal fluctuation between $50-55 across major retailers, suggesting strong demand despite lacking traditional play features. European markets show similar patterns at €52-54, maintaining value despite regional pricing variations. Current average selling prices of $52.95 in the US and €51.93 in Europe indicate readily available stock with minimal markdowns needed to move inventory. Sales rankings averaging 8,972 with a best position of 85 demonstrate solid but not spectacular performance, appealing to a dedicated collector base rather than mass market. Review counts peaking at 81 with averages around 50 suggest engaged purchasers willing to share experiences. The parts value alone justifies purchase, with nearly 840 pieces including specialized elements, printed tiles, and unique accessories commanding strong secondary market prices. Investment potential appears moderate – while unlikely to appreciate dramatically, the set's reasonable pricing and evergreen character appeal should maintain value post-retirement. For builders seeking maximum piece count per dollar, this represents arguably the best value in the entire Despicable Me lineup.

Editor's Verdict