LEGO Star Wars Dark Falcon (75389) Review: Is This All-Black Build Worth It?

The LEGO Star Wars Dark Falcon set (75389) has landed, boasting 1,579 pieces and a $180 price tag. Released on August 1st, 2024, it's already available for pre-order. But here's the thing: this reviewer isn't exactly thrilled. Is it just a dust-collecting gimmick, or does it have hidden depths? Let's find out, exploring both the build and those awesome minifigures.

Dark Falcon: Initial Impressions

Okay, so the Dark Falcon… It's not exactly setting hearts ablaze here. Maybe it's a hot take, but this blacked-out Millennium Falcon just isn't doing it. Picture this: a giant, flat surface practically begging for dust. Remember the Barad-dûr set from Lord of the Rings? That was a dust magnet too, but at least it had some verticality. This? It's like a pancake of dust waiting to happen. What do you think? Are you excited about this set, or are you with me on the potential dust bunny situation?

Rebuild the Galaxy Context

Now, there's more to the story. The Dark Falcon is part of something bigger: "Rebuild the Galaxy," a new Disney+ special. This LEGO Star Wars adventure is bringing us some other cool sets too, like the Jedi Bob Starfighter and that wild X-Wing/TIE Fighter mashup. This theme is similar to previous LEGO Star Wars spin-off series like "The Yoda Chronicles" and "The Freemaker Adventures."

But here's the kicker: LEGO is really leaning into the memes and inside jokes of the Star Wars community. Think Darth Jar Jar. And Jedi Bob. It feels like they're trying to tap into that fan culture and, well, get your money. This can be frustrating if you're a purist. On the other hand, maybe you've always dreamed of a blacked-out Millennium Falcon. Who knows?

First Impressions Revisited

Alright, so maybe I'm being a bit harsh. Perhaps building the set will change my mind. But I do want to give LEGO credit for sending this over for review. So, let's dive in and see what this Dark Falcon is all about.

Unboxing and Contents

Time to crack this thing open. Inside, you'll find a sticker sheet. Of course. But there's also a separate bag for the windshield piece. That's a nice touch, protecting it from scratches. These are the little things that make a difference.

Why the Dark Falcon Doesn't Appeal

Let's get down to it: why am I not sold on this Dark Falcon? It feels like a gimmick. All the hype now, but what about a year or two down the road? Will fans still be as excited? I'm not so sure. And truthfully, the appeal is almost entirely aesthetic. The build itself is just another Millennium Falcon.

Minifigure Lineup: The Highlight

Okay, enough negativity. Let's talk about the good stuff: the minifigures. This is where the set shines. Honestly, the minifigure lineup is the best part of this set by far.

Bounty Hunter C-3PO

First up, we have Bounty Hunter C-3PO. With red eyes! It's pretty funny. He's got a printed black arm on the right side. The rest of him? Pretty standard C-3PO. Still, that black arm and those red eyes make him a must-have.

Darth Dev

Meet Darth Dev, the mysterious new character from "Rebuild the Galaxy." We don't know much about him yet. You'll have to watch the show to get his backstory. But the minifigure looks pretty cool. He's got a unique printed arm and a design that is reminiscent of Darth Revan. This is not a clone character.

Beach Luke

Then there's Beach Luke. This is a fun one. He's rocking Anakin's necklace (Padmé's necklace). Hilarious! The graphic designer went all out here. His torso print shows Luke's home on Tatooine, complete with a surfboard, R2-D2, and a porg. This figure is packed with Easter eggs.

Darth Rey

Darth Rey is up next. My only real critique? She's missing the shark teeth that she has in Rise of the Skywalker. Everything else about the figure is great. The torso prints are awesome.

Jedi Vader

Jedi Vader... I don't know. It's gimmicky, but also strangely cool. There's something neat about seeing an all-white Vader. We're so used to the classic black armor.

Darth Jar Jar

You've been waiting for this one: Darth Jar Jar! Ahmed Best is reportedly coming back to voice him in "Rebuild the Galaxy," which is awesome. LEGO did him justice. This is exactly what Darth Jar Jar should look like. He's even got double-sided torso printing.

Exterior Design: All Black Everything

Let's move on to the all-black exterior of the Dark Millennium Falcon. Even though it's mostly black, there are some nice details. It's not drastically different from the 2019 Millennium Falcon, but there are some changes.

Red Engines

The back engines are red. This is a Sith-inspired touch that makes sense. It sets it apart from the classic blue.

Circular Tiles

LEGO switched to 3x3 circular tiles on the exterior. It's a small thing, but it is a nice change.

Death Star Laser

The Death Star laser on the side. This is probably my favorite part of the Dark Falcon. It's hilarious and totally unexpected.

Turret and Cockpit

Like any Millennium Falcon, we have the turret in the middle. You can open it up and the double cockpit area, which fits two minifigures.

Spring-Loaded Missiles

There are some spring-loaded missiles hidden fairly well. This is a nice play feature that isn't too obvious.

Trans-Red Cockpit

The trans-red cockpit has printed black details. It looks great and can fit two or three minifigures.

Underside Details

The underside is fairly plain. There's a small turret and the standard four feet.

Interior Overview

The main play feature is opening up the panels to reveal the interior. The panel shapes and connections are similar to the 2019 Falcon.

Cockpit Detail

There's sticker detailing leading from the cockpit into the interior.

Darth Jar Jar's Throne Room

The throne room has a big control panel in front of Darth Jar Jar's throne. It's reminiscent of Palpatine's seating. Take the throne out, and you'll find a Sith holocron hidden behind it. This will likely be explained in the "Rebuild the Galaxy" special.

The Bedroom Area

There's a small bedroom area where Beach Luke can rest after soaking up too much sun.

Inverted Seats

The inverted seats are a different touch. Darth Rey and Beach Luke can sit and watch a game. There's even a little Easter egg on the ground, like a mobile phone version of the game.

Sith Power Generator

On one side, there's a Sith power generator.

Sith Jail Cell

On the other side, there's a Sith jail cell for Jedi Vader. This will be explained more in "Rebuild the Galaxy".

Barren Section

The last section is pretty bare. There's a crate with a trans-blue cylinder.

Retractable Entrance

There's a retractable entrance, but it's not very accessible from the side.

Interior: Final Thoughts

Overall, the interior is okay. But it feels like it could have more detail, especially for the price. There's no hidden compartment for smuggling, which is disappointing. Consider adding LEGO Light Kits from Bricklume to bring the interior to life.

Millennium Falcon Comparison: Scale

Let's compare this to previous Millennium Falcon sets. The 2019 Rise of Skywalker Millennium Falcon and the 2015 Force Awakens Millennium Falcon. They're all the same scale.

Millennium Falcon Comparison: 2015 vs 2019/2024

The 2015 version has a different panel opening mechanism than the 2019 and 2024 versions.

Millennium Falcon Comparison: Aesthetics 2015 vs 2019/2024

I prefer the interior details of the 2015 Millennium Falcon.

Gap Issue

There's a noticeable gap on the Dark Falcon that's also present on the 2019 version. The 2015 version doesn't have this gap.

LEGO's Experimentation

LEGO is trying something new. They did this last year with the Coruscant Republic Gunship.

The Dark Falcon: Final Verdict

I'm still not a fan of the Dark Falcon. It's just not appealing to me. It's the same Millennium Falcon with a different color scheme and some Easter eggs.

The Minifigures: The Saving Grace

The minifigure lineup is the main reason to buy this set.

Minifigure Positives

The minifigures are unique and well-known characters. Some are canon, like Darth Rey. Darth Jar Jar is a standout figure. Consider enhancing the minifigures with Star Wars LEGO light kits.

Post-Review Fate

This set is going into a storage bin after this review. I don't want it on my shelf because it will collect dust.

Recommendation

If you want the minifigures, $150-$160 is a reasonable price for this set.

Price Point

$180 is too much for this set. The Ghost and Phantom II or the Imperial Star Destroyer are better sets for the money.

A Missed Opportunity?

LEGO should have made a Return of the Jedi Millennium Falcon with Lando, Nien Nunb, a Rebel crew, and a TIE Interceptor, priced at $200. They could have a feature where the radar dish blows off. The LEGO 75389 Light Kit could also add a lot to the set.