Captain Dee

Ok, my first post was more than a bit silly. Allow me to consider the matter in serious terms. As a lifelong Pirates-theme fan, the fact that so many of the sets involved shipwrecks or, per this conversation, rafts of some sort didn't escape my notice. So why is this so? The question in the title can't easily be answered, but it's important to consider that being adult critics, we can easily over-analyze just about anything Lego related. I suspect the set designers are tasked with creating sets that will maintain long-term appeal while not venturing too far beyond the established comfort zone. Considering the fact that the theme is only occasionally revived, the target audience could easily be a completely different group of people from one wave to the next. Recycling old ideas may not satisfy AFOLs but it certainly seems to work in the marketplace. If the theme was constantly available I think we'd see a far greater variety of sets and the pirates faction might not seem like such a hapless bunch of washed-up lubbers. But there's one more thing to consider: the rafts add quite a bit of variety to the theme. Without them we would have only the rowboats, and I think most Pirates fans have plenty of those. As a child I thought the large half-barrel in the first Shipwreck Island was really cool compared to the rowboats, even though both were one-piece items. The more elaborate rafts can be built or broken down for parts - just as I've done with the current model from the outpost. Then there's the historic factor: most pirates weren't notorious for being long-term thinkers and weren't likely to build very substantial hideouts unless it was part of a town. The shipwreck sets are unique among official Lego creations and I suspect TLG will keep it that way. So, to answer the question in the title: it depends on what you and I want them to be!

Thanks for a good laugh, David. I'd never though of it that way, although I have been thinking about all the shipwreck sets. I strongly suspect the trans-green bottles in the recent sets may have something to do with it. The absence of bottles in the past has me thinking that apparently the classic pirates (led by Captain Redbeard) must have just drunk it up and tossed 'em overboard!

I live in Wirtz in Franklin County about 15 miles south of the city of Roanoke. Maggodee Creek forms the boundary of my dad's farm. And thanks for all the kind welcomes.

If I didn't know differently I'd think this was an official set. The design is excellent and the colors are very good as well. The play features are similar to what you'd expect in an official set too. I couldn't care less about LOTR but I'd definitely buy this if it was available in stores!

For a small scene it conveys the message well. The trans-red has a greater depth than plain red for the blood. Perhaps the man's expression should have been more severe considering the circumstances. Good composition overall.

This could easily be an official set. The arcitecture and colors are very good and the design is well detailed but simple enough to work well for Ideas. The minifigs are nice too. I'd buy it if the price was right. Well done!

Very nice! The architectural elements - the walls, arches, columns, windows etc are all very good. The windmill is unique and well-built. You've included a lot of details and I especially like the stone path, the corner of the field and the awning on top. The laden horse looks good too. Overall this is a very good build and the presentation is very sharp. Keep it up!

This type of subject matter has never appealed to me but it's a very good build anyway. The first pic is deceiving...scroll down and this gigantic tower rises into sight! You've included a lot of detail and play features in this. It should appeal to anyone who enjoys the macabre. Good design and keep on building!

Who says greys are boring? The monuments and irregular rocky base are excellent. The white and pearl gold make a nice contrast and the fig posing - both the warriors and the statues - is very good. The idea as a whole is very imaginative. Good job!

I'm a GoH lurker (please don't stone me!) so I can't really welcome you aboard but I must say you've crafted a classic scene. I appreciate your explanation regarding the various leaf colors. The trunk is nice even if it is small and basic; it reminds me of the old heirloom apples from the past. Good fig part selection and good posing. The red apple stands out so much more than the green ones would. It's surprising how much attention this has recieved in one day and I think it's because it takes us back to those carefree times from our own childhood. Good job and keep it up!

First of all, this is an excellent review for such a small set. Everything is covered very well. As for the poll I just can't make myself vote higher than "average". The minifigs themselves are great and this is the only set in the entire lineup where all the figs have sensible heads. The weapon-per-man count is high as well (8 hand-held weapons plus a cannon for only 2 men) and bottles and barrels are nice accessories to the theme. BUT...the standard set is just too much of a gimmick. The one play feature (besides the cannon) is pathetic and the part selection isn't good enough to make much else. However, I could overlook all this if the price wasn't so high. The old classic shipwreck sets just looked so much better and were generally better buys. I wouldn't call it terrible but the high and low points pretty much equalize in my mind. As KB said, it's a good parts pack - and that's about all it's good for. But it didn't stop me from buying several. Argh!

This is a simple but effective design and the base is superb. The micro is pretty good, too.

That swamp looks downright nasty...and so does the armed beast! Good job with the vegetation - if you got it, flaunt it, huh? Very imaginative.

Nice base! The road looks very solid and the big cracks and crevasses are a nice touch. The chariot is cool too. In my opinion the lack of details actually improves the presentation by making it seem rather barren - neat, clean, tidy. The roadblock is simple but effective. The ostriches and camel add to that bare desert mood. Oh, and which one is Barney Fife?

You've crafted a good action scene but a little more detail would help bring it to life. A rock or two, a small piece of vegetation - it wouldn't take much. I, too, like the dark red but combining it with tan like that really creates a good contrast.

Dark brown and red make for an eye-catching tree. The trunk is very good; I know it's virtually impossible to create realistic bark textures with Lego, which makes this a very good attempt. The base and its details are nice. And the posing of the elf - specifically the legs - is just brilliant. They look so natural hanging slightly uneven like that versus the unyielding side-to-side rigidity of standard leg posing. Keep it up!

Enlarging this to "normal" scale would create some truly gigantic flames but then I suppose that's just what you wanted. I'll echo everyone else in saying that the smoke is excellent - specifically the graduall fading of color from jet black to the different greys. The sand looks a little too angular to my eyes but then microscale tends to exaggerate rigid features anyway. "Righteous indignation" - Ha!

This is another good example of a castle built with conventional methods that just looks great. The walls look massive and while they are simple of design, there's enough variety to give them a decent texture. The base and vegetation look good, too, and I don't mind the lack of color one bit. A flag or two wouldn't really add much color anyway. As it is, it looks imposing from the outside - which is what you want, right? Excellent composition and keep on building!

My automatic reaction was the same as Adair's: Ha! Very clever, instantly recognizable, and so small it's amazing. Great expression for the minifig and the letter is a humorous touch too.

Funny, funny - so true to the original design, yet unique in its own right. The rocks are good, the boys are kind of cute and the red-on-black border is eye-popping.

Not your average girl fight. The tree and base both look really good and the minifigs are well-posed. "Watering the tree" - such a dry, indifferent statement!

It's small and kind of quaint but there's enough detailing to flesh out the scene. The reflection of the cape on the platform looks like a semicircular piece on the platform itself. The brown and various greens look good together.

Legs!!! Oh, uh...ahem. Have to be careful saying that. Anyway, the entire arrangement is very unique and makes excellent use of color. Very imaginative!

Yes, the tree is unique. The colors work well and I like all the mushrooms/toadstools growing around the roots. Good minifig posing as well.

The base isn't highly detailed but for storytelling with repeated reposing of figs for action photography you don't really need it. The roadbed, arched rock, dark orange and olive green all add enough flavor to the scene as it's shown.