Post by iTransfan on Aug 14, 2010 14:58:13 GMT
First up, i would like to apologise for taking so long to get and do this, lazybastarditis struck again. Anyhoo, let's take a look at the latest deluxe movie-verse Bumblebee.
As much as I initially groaned upon the announcement of this figure, it is a stunner. As review came through, I felt with all of the new features that were available on this figure compared to past releases that this was worth a look.
Battle Blade Bumblebee is a new mold compared to the previous retooled ROTF and Cannon releases.
The initial differences lie in the improved facial features, torso and arms while the legs look much the same as they did before. There are also some minor improvements such as the yellow panels on the upper arms cannot be removed. Also, there is a split at the heel to aid with further balancing.
Posing is a grand and rewarding process. First off, nothing gets in the way of the hips
Elbows and shoulders are as you might expect, not much different but due to the different transformation you don't have the minor hinderance of the roof panels on the forearms. Thing is, there is something slightly new, Bumblebee has a pin in his hand so that he can have semi poseable thumb. Again, it is a part of the new transformation but having new hands is a nice minor new feature. Another adjustment is the wheels at the shoulders fit better away from the shoulders and thus frees them up a touch more.
New features abound for this edition of Bumblebee, first off is the reworked transforming hand cannon. With the original ROTF release last year, I was initially pleased with the new head(I'll get back to this) but disappointed that his hand was replaced with his arm cannon. Personally, the previous hand blaster would have been fine again. With this figure, we can have our cake and eat it. To change, you fold the hand towards the forearm, you split open the yellow part and fold the cannon barrel out and snap it shut again. For me, this was one of the major reasons to dip on this figure and is a welcome feature.
Next new feature, is the titular battle blade. It can be used 2 ways, like an axe, or as a stabbing weapon if you decide to not unfold it. It is deployed by a springloaded button on the left forearm. It's not spectacular but at least it retains a close quarter weapon like the movie 1 concept release.
Third major new feature is the battle mask. In the past, we have had releases with either his regular face or the battle mask. Of course, the Human Alliance release changed this. Thing is with this, it has to be flipped up off the head before being put down rather than just simply being put down. You cannot see the eyes and that has bothered some but for this class figure, I would let that slide as it would make the mask quite fragile.
Vehicle mode also has a few differneces on the surface. The front has been updated to the final release of the Camaro. The Vehicle mode of the new edition is slightly longer than the older release. The split at the front is far more noticable but it is not a bother really. There is a little underhang in the vehicle mode but it does not impeed the wheel movement in vehicle mode. Unfortunately at the rear the heels of the feet are plain to see.
Overall, I like this figure. It's packed with new features and improvements. It is also a tad taller than the movie 1/ROTF release, which is a small gripe I have since it does break the scale(it's almost as tall as voyager Ironhide). Apart from some visible kibble in vehicle mode, it is fine but it is the robot that is the marked improvement with all of the aofrementioned new features. My opinions are well know about movie Bumblebee releases but this is a highly recommended one if you want to compress almost all possible features into one figure. Pity there is no shoulder cannons but it really isn't a loss here.
Score:
Vehicle 3/5
Robot 5/5
Overall 4.5/5
As much as I initially groaned upon the announcement of this figure, it is a stunner. As review came through, I felt with all of the new features that were available on this figure compared to past releases that this was worth a look.
Battle Blade Bumblebee is a new mold compared to the previous retooled ROTF and Cannon releases.
The initial differences lie in the improved facial features, torso and arms while the legs look much the same as they did before. There are also some minor improvements such as the yellow panels on the upper arms cannot be removed. Also, there is a split at the heel to aid with further balancing.
Posing is a grand and rewarding process. First off, nothing gets in the way of the hips
Elbows and shoulders are as you might expect, not much different but due to the different transformation you don't have the minor hinderance of the roof panels on the forearms. Thing is, there is something slightly new, Bumblebee has a pin in his hand so that he can have semi poseable thumb. Again, it is a part of the new transformation but having new hands is a nice minor new feature. Another adjustment is the wheels at the shoulders fit better away from the shoulders and thus frees them up a touch more.
New features abound for this edition of Bumblebee, first off is the reworked transforming hand cannon. With the original ROTF release last year, I was initially pleased with the new head(I'll get back to this) but disappointed that his hand was replaced with his arm cannon. Personally, the previous hand blaster would have been fine again. With this figure, we can have our cake and eat it. To change, you fold the hand towards the forearm, you split open the yellow part and fold the cannon barrel out and snap it shut again. For me, this was one of the major reasons to dip on this figure and is a welcome feature.
Next new feature, is the titular battle blade. It can be used 2 ways, like an axe, or as a stabbing weapon if you decide to not unfold it. It is deployed by a springloaded button on the left forearm. It's not spectacular but at least it retains a close quarter weapon like the movie 1 concept release.
Third major new feature is the battle mask. In the past, we have had releases with either his regular face or the battle mask. Of course, the Human Alliance release changed this. Thing is with this, it has to be flipped up off the head before being put down rather than just simply being put down. You cannot see the eyes and that has bothered some but for this class figure, I would let that slide as it would make the mask quite fragile.
Vehicle mode also has a few differneces on the surface. The front has been updated to the final release of the Camaro. The Vehicle mode of the new edition is slightly longer than the older release. The split at the front is far more noticable but it is not a bother really. There is a little underhang in the vehicle mode but it does not impeed the wheel movement in vehicle mode. Unfortunately at the rear the heels of the feet are plain to see.
Overall, I like this figure. It's packed with new features and improvements. It is also a tad taller than the movie 1/ROTF release, which is a small gripe I have since it does break the scale(it's almost as tall as voyager Ironhide). Apart from some visible kibble in vehicle mode, it is fine but it is the robot that is the marked improvement with all of the aofrementioned new features. My opinions are well know about movie Bumblebee releases but this is a highly recommended one if you want to compress almost all possible features into one figure. Pity there is no shoulder cannons but it really isn't a loss here.
Score:
Vehicle 3/5
Robot 5/5
Overall 4.5/5