LEGO Black Pearl (10365) Review: Minifigures, Build & Price Controversy

Official Naming & Minifigure Selection

• 📌 The set is officially named "Jack Sparrow's Pirate Ship" by LEGO, despite being widely known as the Black Pearl, sparking comparison to the "Slave I" renaming.
• 🎭 The set includes 8-9 minifigures, featuring highly detailed Captain Jack Sparrow and Captain Barbosa with a new hat piece.
• 💬 Other notable minifigures include Elizabeth Swann, William Turner, and Gibbs, though some choices like Anamaria are questioned, suggesting alternatives like Davy Jones or Pintel/Ragetti.

Impressive Ship Design & Build Experience

• 🚀 The ship boasts an impressive all-black aesthetic, which is screen-accurate but might not appeal to all; however, the hull design is noted as excellent for custom recoloring.
• 🛠️ The build process was enjoyable, particularly the stern section, which features flawless angle integration and minimal gaps, described as a "true work of art."
• ✨ Despite being a display model, it incorporates clever play functions like gear-deployed brick-built cannons and a functional rudder connected to the ship's wheel.

Detailed Features & Interior

• 🔍 Key deck features include a sand green figurehead, two anchors, a simple rowboat, and a cargo hatch revealing cannons and a treasure chest.
• 💡 The captain's quarters, accessible by removing an upper section, are a simple room with a table, candles, food, and pirate maps, with doors cleverly hiding bottle storage.
• ⛵ The set includes 10 cloth sail pieces mounted on uniquely structured masts, standing 64 cm (25 inches) tall and topped with a Jolly Roger flag.

Value & Pricing Concerns

• ⚠️ The 2860-piece set retails for $380, a price point deemed high, especially when compared to similar non-IP LEGO ship sets like the Endurance ($270 for 3000 pieces).
• 💸 The reviewer attributes the inflated cost to IP royalties for the Pirates of the Caribbean license, suggesting it might deter potential customers towards better-valued sets.
• ✅ Despite the price, the building experience was highly praised, making it one of the best builds of the year, though the cost remains a significant drawback.