Post by Rodimus Prime on Jan 27, 2009 22:16:49 GMT
Transformers ICON Review
Takara Masterpiece Optimus Prime
Takara Masterpiece Optimus Prime
My personal favourite Transformers toy of all time is the original Generation One Optimus Prime. It was a vehicle, a base, and above all else, the Leader of the Autobots. It was always unattainable for me as a kid in Ireland. Everyone loved Prime. So, it seems, everyone but me had one.
In addition to this with the apparant fact that stores couldn't order the toy by itself. Optimus Prime toys were packed in limited numbers that were supplied depending on how many of the rest of the toys the store ordered(a similar tactic was employed for the Stormtrooper figures from the Star Wars line). Needless to say, he was as rare then as this Masterpiece toy is now.
I finally got my hands on the Generation One Prime, and he's still my favourite. But this toy, first time in my hands, is a very close second.
My review here is of the Takara MP-01 version of Optimus Prime. This means there are some notable differences between this mold and the U.S. Hasbro produced mold. For instance, the colour scheme on the Takara version is darker than Hasbro's arguably more show accurate and brighter colour scheme. Also, Hasbro's version comes with a blue cannon and "battle damage" on his body.
In addition, the smokestacks are a big deal for the U.S. toy regulations, being that the larger ones can potentially cause physicaly harm to a childs body. So the Hasbro version has short smokestacks, while the Takara version has the more realistic and symmetrically appealing long variation.
From personal experience, I know people that considered this a defining factor in the choice of how much they wanted to spend and how much they wanted a bonafide Generation One representation of Optimus Prime.
Takara Masterpiece Optimus Prime - Vehicle Mode
Though not packaged in this mode, Prime's truck mode is very satisfying, if a bit loose in appearance.
This mode is probably 3 or 4 times the size of the original toys cab, and obviously, has benefitted from an upgrade on the detail and quality.
The colour scheme on the mode are red, silver and chrome on the cab itself with translucent blue for the windows, gold for the top lights and a white trim around the raised Autobot logo. Grey, yellow and royal blue are used for the trailer umbellical with black rubber for the tyres with chrome hubcaps.
Quality wise, the toy is predominantly die cast metal on the cab, with some plastic used on flaps for transformation, while the rear of the truck is more of the same. Unfortunately, because of this combination of metal and plastic, paint shades vary across the board. While not noticeable necessarily with the untrained eye, closer inspection will show varying shades of the base colour, with the die cast metal being a darker shade to the plastic.
Additonally, nice touches include chrome on the smokestacks, grill, bumper and hubcaps, which make the toy look fantastic. These parts sparkle as if freshly waxed and just add to the overall quality.
Also, a nice touch, and to be expected of a toy this costly, are rubber tyres. This will please so many fans as many of the original toys had tyres made from the same textile. For some reason, they just make the toys that much more special, something which Takara have been doing for their Transformers products since practically day one.
Some fans may be pleased to know that the rubber tyres are on the Hasbro produced version which is a less costly option of the same toy.
The mode itself, now all the above descriptives are out of the way, is spectacular. It's big, it's chunky and it's heavy. Unfortunately though, the figure does seem loose where the cab meets the umbellical and can feel floppy. It's a minor shame that this isn't more solid as it does let the overall package down.
Takara Masterpiece Optimus Prime - Robot Mode
The transformation from flat nosed cab to robot is thankfully very similar to the original cartoon and toy transformation. However, as it is still far more complex than the average Transformer toy, I won't go into too much detail here. Really, with a toy this sophisticated, you should refer to and follow your instruction booklet.
I will point out some interesting things about the transformation though.
Much like his original cartoon days, this "toys" legs fold down and the sides of the cab flip out to become his arms and hands. Basically, in it's most simplest terms, Masterpiece Prime transforms exactly like Generation One Prime.
However, there are little bits that should be followed to the letter. For instance, constructing his chest means alot of folding, flipping and twisting, as the abdomen and Matrix chamber need to be manipulated into place to form the bulk of his upper body.
One little transformation step, which I adore because of how clever it is, is revealing the hands. On the inside of each forearm, you open a flap out, use it as a tab to push the blue fists forward and out to the end of the arms, then close the flap back down, but in the reverse direction of how it opened.
It's very hard to explain but entirely ingenious.
Colourwise, the paint scheme is identical to his vehicle mode. Very little change because that's how brilliantly designed this thing is. Nothing is hidden as such, just transformed in the purest sense of the word.
The robot mode stands tall. Comparable to, if not taller than, the likes of God Ginrai(still one of the tallest Prime toy's of all time).
The quality, level of detailing and poseability far surpass many of his peers to the nth degree. As an example, every single finger on each hand is on it's own individual hinge. This means that every finger can be bent in a realistic fashion.
Also, everything is pretty much on a hinge or ball joint so that, if you can think of a pose, Prime can pretty much do it. However, he's not perfect in this department.
He is very poseable from the waist up, but from the waist down is where he begins to lose points.
Though the legs can be bent forwards and back and at the knee's, they don't bend out far enough to really offer any major support to the upper part of the body. And whereas the upper body is more metal than plastic, the lower half is apparantly the complete opposite.
However, you still can get some very cool poses out of the figure.
One very notable feature, which has become a mainstay of Optimus Prime toys it seems, is a little button on the back of the head. Pushing this button in and out allows for the faceplate to move up and down, mimicking how it looked when he spoke in the cartoon.
The toy is fantastic. It's almost perfect. And I honestly wanted this to get a 5. But it just doesn't. Points are lost for the below waistline poseability & poor centre of balance.
Takara Masterpiece Optimus Prime - Comparisons
Obviously, I'm going to jump straight to Masterpiece Starscream as a comparison as he was the next non-repaint Masterpiece to be produced. And the version I'm using is the Takara original, fandubbed "Thundercracker".
I picked up Starscream before I got my hands on Prime, and all of my initial love for the figure has diminished some. I still think Starscream is a wonderful toy and a real feat of engineering, but next to the Autobot Leader, he looks limp.
Scale wise, Optimus is so much larger. His head is, at best estimate, four times the size of the Seeker and height wise, he towers above the Decepticon, with 'Screamer only coming up to the lower line of the glass on his chest. This is very disappointing as I was hoping that we would get a nice scaled(at least in robot mode) line. What we have is already shaped into a mismatch.
It just seems silly that Starscream has come in so much smaller to Prime. Megatron is of the same scale, as is Magnus(for obvious reasons). It's a real shame about the height issue.
Next to the Alternators however, Prime looks right at home. If anyone remembers More Than Meets The Eye, Prime transforms after the explosion at the mines and stands almost double the height of his soldiers.
His scale works so perfectly here that it seems pointless that Hasbro saw fit to produced the Dodge Ram Alternator version of the same character. Sure, it could've been Magnus or even Ironhide(as originally intended), but the point is, Masterpiece Prime fits so perfectly with the Alternator line that a specific Alternator mold is superflous.
Takara Masterpiece Optimus Prime - Weapons
Obviously, Optimus comes with his iconic cannon(already pictured). But additionally, the Energon Fire Axe and a scaled Generation One Megatron in gun mode are also included.
To insert the fire axe, one of Prime's fist must be pushed back inside the forearm and the axe itself should be pushed into the square slot the remains. The axe is a translucent orange and looks great on display.
Fans love this axe so much that a smaller edition was included with Takara's Generation One Optimus Prime reissue and it's addition here is nice to see. Masterpiece Megatron has his purple Energon Mace also, so now, you can re-enact one of the most popular brawls in Transformers history.
The gun mode Megatron weapon is well constructed and is in the traditional black and silver with a tiny Decepticon tampo on the side. As you can see from the pictures also, this is the complete Megatron with stock, silencer and scope.
The inclusion of Megatron in gun mode is a great little nod to the cartoon. Prime has used the Decepticon in this mode on more than one occassion. But to be honest, it looks less suitable in Prime's hands and more at home in Starscreams.
Worthy of note is that Starscream carries a small hook that can be attached to the nosecone(not pictured), which Megatron can be placed into and was also seen in the cartoons.
Although Prime and Starscream don't look great when side by side, either of them looks great with the Alternators. As can be seen above.
Takara Masterpiece Optimus Prime - Accessories
Also included in the package is the Matrix of Leadership. Stored in a casing in the chest, the Matrix itself can be detached and placed into the Leaders hands, though scale wise, it could have stood to be a little bigger.
Colourwise, it's chrome and gold and can be pulled apart, like in the 1986 movie, to display the translucent blue "crystal" within.
While in the chest though, and if the casing is correctly aligned, the blue lever next to Prime's head can be pushed and the "crystal" glows blue. A nice touch indeed.
Also, on the top sides of both of the arms are two flip out video communicators. In this case, his left arm has a picture of Megatron and his right arm has Grimlock(both straight out of the cartoon).
I'm not sure if these are different for every toy, but if memory serves correctly, the first batch of Masterpiece Prime's produced Starscream on the left arm and Bumblebee on the right.
It should be noted that with the Hasbro Anniversary edition, you also get an Autobot symbol shaped base that has electronic phrases which sound nothing like Peter Cullen.
Takara Masterpiece Optimus Prime - Final Thoughts
Outside of the Generation One Optimus Prime, this is the Prime toy to have. He's heavy, he's poseable, he's got great features and a nice assortment of weapons and accessories.
This! Is! Definative!
Score - 4.9
