1
Hello everyone,
I am very pleased to share with you the latest second "smallest" upcoming new LEGO Pirates theme review set from the exciting Pirates of the Caribbean (POTC) LEGO sets. When I first saw the actual set in real life, I was indeed very thrilled excited and so looking forward to this whole new LEGO Walt Disney theme that will ultimately deliver a fresh new perspective of LEGO Pirates with lots of new charm and beauty.
Name: 4181 Isla De Muerta
Theme: LEGO System / Pirates of the Caribbean
Year: 2011
Pieces: NA
Minifigs: 4 minifigures
Price: USD$19.99, GBP NA, SGD$50.90
Resources: Brickset, BrickLink
An original box image of the 4181 Isla De Muerta
Back view of the original box image of 4181 Isla De Muerta
I am loving those new detailed POTC minifigures
Who dares to steal and loot my precious treasure!! Grrrr....
The Isla De Muerta is a mysterious isle where it was part of the first Pirates of the Caribbean (POTC), The Curse of the Black Pearl blockbuster movie which was screened back in 2003. I can't really recall of the movie content and had to watch the movie again to recollect myself of the different main characters and story plot once more.
In summary, the LEGO playset for the Isla De Muerta is to portray the mysterious isle which cannot be found so easily due to the everlasting fog and sunken ships, so the isle was used by the Black Pearl crew to hide their looted treasure. The Isla De Muerta is also illiterately meant the Island of Death from Spanish. I am not sure how accurate this translation is, but I think there is some truth to it.
The second smallest LEGO Pirates of the Caribbean set actually featured a small set up of the Isla De Muerta's action scene where main characters like Jack Sparrow, Elizabeth Swan and Hector Barbossa was cast in this action scene.
The content of the sealed POTC LEGO box
In this box, there are a total of 3 sealed LEGO bags, rowing boat and a packet of instruction manual.
Instruction Manual Package
What really surprises me is the most ideal package of the instruction manual content. I can't really imagine why TLG and Disney could actually resort to place the LEGO instruction manual with a cardboard at the back. Initially, I thought this was used to support the manual and sticker sheet for this set. However, there wasn't any stickers required for this, so the next section actually explain the mystery.
Front view of the POTC Poster No. 1
Believe it or not! This packaging is very much likely between the arrangement of TLG and Disney where they wish to reward the consumers with this lovely POTC LEGO poster that is exclusive to this set. Note the familiar faces in this LEGO action scene which also includes Will Turner. To be honest, I am really very surprised of the inclusion of the cardboard in the content.
Back view of the POTC Poster No. 1
On the other side of the POTC LEGO poster, there is a cryptic code which I am not sure what it is meant for. I supposed it could relate with the new upcoming LEGO POTC video games or for those mini savager hunt in LEGO website.
The rest of the advertised POTC LEGO posters
I supposed this is another reason for one to collect all of the POTC LEGO sets to keep a complete neat collection of these unique exclusive posters above that can be found in the instruction manual.
Another wonderful new Sci-Fiction LEGO theme is coming soon
I hope you are also looking forward to the upcoming LEGO Sci-Fiction, Alien Conquest too. This can be found at the last page of the instruction manual.
Let's begin to build
The cast of the Isla de Muerta scene
First of all, in this infamous set, from left to right, you are able to own a series of these marvelous characters which includes Hector Barbossa, Elizabeth Swan, Jack Sparrow and Skeleton Barbossa.
You have to admit the amount of details entail to these characters' designs, right from the top to the bottom. Every single little bit of printing are taken into detailed consideration for their outfits. If you are a LEGO minifigure collector like myself, you will not want to miss any of these iconic characters that will expand your imagination. Including the "unique" Jack Sparrow, every single LEGO minifigure in this set is exclusive and I love that approach very much.
The Skeleton Barbossa is not the usual same old clumsy skeleton or the recent white skeleton from the Crown Castle. Whereas, this new design is actually part of the popular LEGO Ninjago theme.
These are the minifigures back printing made available in this set
These are the minifigures back printing, and among them, only Jack Sparrow's skeletal appearance and Elizabeth Swan's angry feature are part of the dual facial expression.
Useful parts and accessories that can be found in this LEGO set
Whenever I buy a LEGO set, I enjoyed grouping those useful parts and accessories which is of huge interest to me. In this set, you actually obtained quite a decent amount of useful LEGO elements as followed.
The new fiery blue and red flames come in the amount of 3 and 2. It also comes with 4 cutlass and 2 new cutlass sword holders which we all have been waiting for a very long time. I am very certain that will be a very popular piece of accessory. You also get 2 pieces of printed compass which is of exclusive use to Jack Sparrow. Instead of pointing North, it actually points to what its holder wants most. A compass that points to your greatest desire.
You also get 2 stacks of new gold coins, pearl gold round studs, gold ore, gem, golden cup, green apples, and the new pearl golden bars which I am not really excited after seeing it which will be explained below.
This is not what I have expected to see in the content
Obviously, there was some sort of raise of expectations along the line. Before I opened, I thought I will get some golden shiny gold bars from POTC sets instead of getting merely pearl artificial gold bars. In my context, I find that very disappointing. I don't think my eyes are playing tricks with me or perhaps I was expecting a little too much.
One shall prevail and emerged as victor
Jack Sparrow's rowing boat
Now, let's see this simplistic rowing boat which Jack Sparrow actually used it to locate the Isla De Muerta through the unique compass. It comes with 2 oars and a lantern.
I wonder if he truly knows how to use a compass?
I wonder what does it contain?
Opening the treasure chest?
So, did Elizabeth Swan manage to find the cursed Aztec treasure chest that is doomed to curse one to transform into skeletal beings under moonlight? This is a simple depiction of the place where the cursed Aztec gold is placed. I really like the usage of the delicious tan LEGO pieces that are used as the cover.
Glittering gold indeed!
Building of the Isla De Muerta
Above 4 images are the simple illustration to show the building process of the Isla De Muerta. It doesn't really exactly represent an isle in my mind, but merely an extraction of the key entrance of the isle and the transformation process of Barbossa into his skeleton form.
There are actually 2 playing features that can be found in this set. It includes the transformation process of Barbossa into the skeleton form and the pushing of the ship mast to block the isle's entrance. These playing features will be shown in a video demostration below.
The overall building does not look very impressive but it brings a point across that this place is definitely filled with lots of treasure with the good use of pearl golden round studs.
Back view of the Isla De Muerta
This is the back view where the wrecked ship mast is placed at the side and is likely to sabotage any intruders that seek to find the entrance of the Isla De Muerta.
When the wreckage falls
Video demonstration of the Isla De Muerta playability
Please pardon the poor lightnings. I never expect to come out so badly on the computer.
Completed built
Now, you have it. This is the completed built of the entire Isla De Muerta that was placed altogether which includes the rowing boat, cursed Aztec treasure, a section of the isle. Although the set up is messy, but I am glad the designers brought the epic duel across in the best possible manner.
This is a poorly taken pictures of the remaining spare parts. Good to know that it comes with a spare printed compass.
Reaching my destination soon...
And I hope I don't have to swim in there with those lurking hammerhead sharks
To conclude, this is a very good set for starters who are unsure of this whole POTC theme. I purposely selected this set to give myself a chance to see if I could like the whole POTC LEGO theme and to my expectations, after writing this review, I must admit that the whole POTC LEGO theme is just sheer brilliance.
The epic detailed minifigures are just amazingly beautiful and exclusive to one another. The Jack Sparrow minifigure facial expression is unique from one set to another, and that brought a new selling point. Furthermore, the POTC sets which includes this brought many new exciting elements that will transform the whole LEGO Classic Pirates community in new dimensions despite the liking of fleshies for some.
The biggest downfall for this set, is likely the expensive price tag that will be given to this set and it is no surprise to anyone that any LEGO Licensed sets is not coming any cheaper and LEGO POTC is no exceptions.
Summary review
Playability: 8/10 (Basic and interesting playing features of the transformation and the broken ship mast.)
Design: 8/10 (POTC minifigures are brilliant but the Isle will need some work and efforts.)
Price: 5/10 (A very expensive set especially when piece counts is taken into consideration.)
Overall: 7/10 (Bought this for the exclusive minifigures and some of the useful LEGO elements.)
I gave it a "4" based on my Review Score Card.
What about yours?I hope every one of you enjoyed reading this simple review of mine. Comments and Criticisms are strongly welcomed.
Pictures can be found in My Flickr and My Brickshelf (When moderated)
that this Lego theme is not available on the market now so how did you manage to get this little cute set???? 
)
but what troubles me the most is price.. .seems overpriced even considering SW... 
Seeing chrome gold bars on the front and receiving pearl gold inside reeks of false advertising; I wonder if this is a first run issue, as I didn't think Lego would intentionally put the wrong coloured bars on the front. (This reminds me of 7325 Cursed Cobra Statue's Helena Tova/Skvalling, who on the box had yellow hands but actually had brown hands [which is nowhere as bad]. Anybody else recall any other mistakes Lego has made on their boxes?)
