LEGO 77978 Young T. rex Transport Truck Review: A Weak First Trip to The Lost World

LEGO 77978 Young T. rex Transport Truck carries an unusual burden for a 115-piece 4+ set: it is the first LEGO set officially based on The Lost World: Jurassic Park. The $29.99 model launches on August 1, 2026, with a transport truck, a small ATV, Ian Malcolm, Sarah Harding, and a newly molded young T. rex. That combination gives collectors several reasons to look closely, even if the build is aimed at very young children.

In his review, just2good argues that the set does not make enough of that milestone. He praises the dinosaur, the exclusive character variants, and a few printed details, but finds the vehicles too generic, the construction overly simple, and the price difficult to justify. His final score is a high four out of ten, with a recommendation to wait for a sale unless the set is being bought specifically for a child.

Video by just2good. All video rights belong to the original creator.

Featured thumbnail is from the original YouTube video by just2good. All thumbnail rights belong to the original creator.

What Comes in LEGO 77978?

The official play pattern is straightforward. Children build two vehicles, use the ATV and a hot dog on a stick to lure the young T. rex into a cage, close the cage's side panels, and load it onto the truck. The set includes Starter Brick elements, and its 4+ format divides the contents into simple stages so play can begin quickly.

The truck measures more than 3.5 inches high, 6.5 inches long, and 2.5 inches wide. Its removable rear cage gives the dinosaur a secure stud connection, while a small storage area holds accessories including a camera and tranquilizer gun. The driver area includes a steering wheel, a wrench clipped to one side, and a walkie-talkie on the other. The ATV has room for one minifigure and carries the adjustable chain-and-hot-dog lure at the rear.

Those are functional play features, but just2good's criticism is that they do not strongly evoke a specific vehicle or memorable sequence from The Lost World. The transport resembles other simplified LEGO Jurassic 4+ trucks, and the ATV uses the familiar minimal seat-and-steering-wheel approach. For the first dedicated set from the film, he wanted a model that felt more directly connected to the source.

The Young T. rex Is the Strongest New Element

The new green young T. rex is the clearest highlight. Its body carries printed striping from the head toward the tail, and its opening lower jaw provides the main point of articulation. The forearms use two different clip orientations, allowing the dinosaur to hold accessories such as the included chicken leg, while anti-studs under the feet secure it across four studs. A stud on the back creates another connection point.

The tradeoff is limited poseability. The arms and legs are fixed, so the figure cannot be adjusted into a walking, crouching, or struggling pose. That makes it sturdy for younger builders but less expressive for photography and adult displays. Even so, the fresh size and pattern give dinosaur collectors something distinct from a full-grown T. rex, and the figure can easily become the centerpiece of a custom containment scene.

Ian Malcolm and Sarah Harding Add Collector Appeal

The two minifigures are significant because they represent The Lost World versions of Ian Malcolm and Sarah Harding. Malcolm receives a new printed torso, a new face with an alternate expression, and black widow's-peak hair. An exclusive printed map tile and a walkie-talkie support the expedition theme. just2good considers this a strong version of the character and one of the set's best collector features.

Sarah Harding receives an exclusive torso print, including back printing, plus a reddish-orange ponytail element that is not especially common. The review is less enthusiastic about her face, which reuses a familiar print instead of giving the character a new likeness. Because this is Sarah's first minifigure appearance, that compromise feels more noticeable than it would on a generic expedition member.

The figures illustrate the set's central tension. Collectors get two film-specific characters and a new dinosaur in a relatively small box, yet most of the surrounding build is designed for the simplest possible construction experience. The exclusive elements carry much of the identity that the vehicles lack.

Simple Vehicles, Useful Prints, Limited Building Value

The truck uses a large 4+ chassis and a basic cab. just2good points out that the seated minifigures appear too tall relative to the front windscreen, weakening the proportions. He also notes the plain driver's seat and sparse rear detailing. Printed elements improve the model, including the front grille and Jurassic Park logo panels on the cage, but they cannot fully disguise the simplified structure.

The cage works well at the intended play level. Its side panels open, the dinosaur locks onto the studs, and the entire module sits securely on the truck. The storage space underneath is a sensible use of an otherwise empty area. The ATV's adjustable food lure is also a cute action feature that children can understand immediately.

For experienced builders, however, 115 pieces leave little construction depth. just2good estimates that the truck feels closer to a current $20 vehicle, with the ATV resembling a very small promotional side build. His concern is not that a 4+ set should use advanced techniques; it is that the finished content does not feel generous enough at $29.99, particularly when the film offers many larger and more distinctive vehicles and scenes.

Who Is LEGO 77978 Really For?

As a preschool play set, Young T. rex Transport Truck has clear strengths. The builds are robust, the dinosaur can be captured and transported, both minifigures have vehicles to use, and the food-lure story creates an immediate action loop. The large elements and Starter Bricks make the model approachable for its stated age group.

As an introduction to The Lost World for adult collectors, the package is less convincing. The best material is concentrated in the dinosaur and minifigures rather than the building experience. A sale would make the set easier to recommend for those exclusive parts, while MOC builders may see the included cast as a starting point for a larger trailer, field camp, or film-specific transport scene.

Final Thoughts

LEGO 77978 Young T. rex Transport Truck is historically notable but architecturally modest. Its new dinosaur has attractive printing and a useful scale, Ian Malcolm is a strong exclusive variant, and Sarah Harding finally joins the minifigure lineup. The cage and food-lure features also deliver simple, readable play for younger children.

just2good's high four-out-of-ten verdict reflects the missed opportunity around those good elements. The generic vehicles, minimal piece count, reused face print, and $29.99 price prevent the first dedicated The Lost World set from feeling like the celebration many fans expected. It works best as a children's dinosaur play set or a discounted character pack, not as a definitive brick-built tribute to the film.

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Disclosure: This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed as an independent editorial spotlight. The featured video and thumbnail belong to their original creator.