Post by iTransfan on Jul 30, 2011 18:27:14 GMT
"I need that flight tech!"
This is the 5th leader variation of Optimus Prime. Let us start with some basics here as to why this Optimus differs from the Revenge of The Fallen releases.
-ROBOT MODE-
First, and probably most obvious is the new chest.
And here is a comparison to the previous Buster Optimus release.
The new chest is to update Optimus to his Dark of The Moon appearance. For me, revisiting this figure to rework was a good idea. The basics were already there for Takara to reuse instead of Hasbro deciding for a do over with their Ultimate Optimus. The chest though is far from the only change to this figure.
Also -although not a loss- is in paint apps and chroming compared to Buster Optimus. In those terms, it is closer to the original Hasbro release. In terms of basic weapons, he retains the buster cannon instead of being armed with the ion blaster of the movie.
I'm not so crushed by the loss of chrome or paint apps but not providing an up to date armament is a little disappointing.
Modifications continue in the forearms.
Removed are the blades and accompanying mechanisms, a plus for some a loss for others, a clip to mount the giant gatling guns securely to as he holds them and, not really done well on this showing, and can be seen better later, Prime can be outfitted with mechtech weapons on his wrist, making up somewhat for the blade loss.
-VEHICLE MODE-
Basically, nothing new here. The only improvement over the old Hasbro version is the red logo on the badge.
Under the hood for changing him to truck mode is the forearm clips do help to reduce the difficulty of transforming the front end of the truck. So I would definitely call that a win but he is still very difficult to transform.
-JETWING MODE-
Here is where the meat-and-two-veg of this reissue stems from.
This time Big Bot doesn't need an electric car and a rubbish medic to be able to fly......oh.
First off, to help his balance, he has extensions to his feet that can be easily removed and replaced.
As I mentioned before about the forearm clips, the gatling guns are clipped into these to help keep them firmly in place. There is also an arm extension that can or won't be used, depending on you see it, extending from the jetpack.
The mounting of the jetpack is so much easier than attaching Jetfire was. There is a spring loaded clip that just attaches itself under the roof canopy on the back and the rest just simply comes into place. The wings can be configured as you see fit. Folding them all down is somewhat cape like or, to draw a different comparison, how the back of Sentinel Prime fits at the back. In this mode, Prime retains almost all of his posability. The new parts do not hinder this in any way. So another win there.
Here he is with Jetfire Optimus. I shall call it that so there is no confusion. He does lack the height and torso bulk of his predecessor but in return gains a more impressive wingspan.
The buster cannon must be removed from the robot but fear not, they can be stowed away neatly in the jet engines.
Returning to arm modifications, I have outfitted Optimus with some of Topspin's guns and his mechtech weapon.
Another modification that I did not mention until now since it would only serve a purpose now is the peg at the back so that the vehicle can accept the new armaments.
It is in truck mode with the jetpack is where I will have to give points to Hasbro's Ultimate Prime. The wings stick out everywhere, not matter how you put it. The, of course can be folded back adding length to the end of the vehicle. To be honest, I think its super messy and wish there was a way to just mount the gatling guns, creating Prime's 'stealth mode'.
Overall, for all the good things I can say about this release, there is much still that would make me say don't get it. While he is visually up to date in basic terms, certain functions are either missing or lost. If the had a sword to hold or the inclusion of the ion blaster instead of the buster cannon may have helped this. The vehicle on its own is nothing we haven't seen before and is messy linked up with the jetpack. But you didn't get this for the vehicle mode, did you? If you want an update to leader Optimus and don't want the jetpack upgrade, then you probably should wait and see what happens towards the end of the DOTM toy line or it's extension. If you are an Optimus Prime completist and must have the latest version of the Autobot leader, then go right ahead. The drawbacks are price and the fact of without the upgrades there is very little draw to this.
-SCORE-
ROBOT - 9 - Still as good as every with some cosmetic and functionaldifferences
VEHICLE - 8 - Nothing new here, still as good as ever
JETWING - 9 - Loses nothing of it's flexibility and really is a very nice addition.
APPEARANCE - 6 - Some might complain it is too similar to the original ROTF release without the chroming and extra apps that Buster Prime had
VALUE - 5 - Unless you're a die hard Optimus fan and must have every single one, best to see if it gets cheaper.
This is the 5th leader variation of Optimus Prime. Let us start with some basics here as to why this Optimus differs from the Revenge of The Fallen releases.
-ROBOT MODE-
First, and probably most obvious is the new chest.
And here is a comparison to the previous Buster Optimus release.
The new chest is to update Optimus to his Dark of The Moon appearance. For me, revisiting this figure to rework was a good idea. The basics were already there for Takara to reuse instead of Hasbro deciding for a do over with their Ultimate Optimus. The chest though is far from the only change to this figure.
Also -although not a loss- is in paint apps and chroming compared to Buster Optimus. In those terms, it is closer to the original Hasbro release. In terms of basic weapons, he retains the buster cannon instead of being armed with the ion blaster of the movie.
I'm not so crushed by the loss of chrome or paint apps but not providing an up to date armament is a little disappointing.
Modifications continue in the forearms.
Removed are the blades and accompanying mechanisms, a plus for some a loss for others, a clip to mount the giant gatling guns securely to as he holds them and, not really done well on this showing, and can be seen better later, Prime can be outfitted with mechtech weapons on his wrist, making up somewhat for the blade loss.
-VEHICLE MODE-
Basically, nothing new here. The only improvement over the old Hasbro version is the red logo on the badge.
Under the hood for changing him to truck mode is the forearm clips do help to reduce the difficulty of transforming the front end of the truck. So I would definitely call that a win but he is still very difficult to transform.
-JETWING MODE-
Here is where the meat-and-two-veg of this reissue stems from.
This time Big Bot doesn't need an electric car and a rubbish medic to be able to fly......oh.
First off, to help his balance, he has extensions to his feet that can be easily removed and replaced.
As I mentioned before about the forearm clips, the gatling guns are clipped into these to help keep them firmly in place. There is also an arm extension that can or won't be used, depending on you see it, extending from the jetpack.
The mounting of the jetpack is so much easier than attaching Jetfire was. There is a spring loaded clip that just attaches itself under the roof canopy on the back and the rest just simply comes into place. The wings can be configured as you see fit. Folding them all down is somewhat cape like or, to draw a different comparison, how the back of Sentinel Prime fits at the back. In this mode, Prime retains almost all of his posability. The new parts do not hinder this in any way. So another win there.
Here he is with Jetfire Optimus. I shall call it that so there is no confusion. He does lack the height and torso bulk of his predecessor but in return gains a more impressive wingspan.
The buster cannon must be removed from the robot but fear not, they can be stowed away neatly in the jet engines.
Returning to arm modifications, I have outfitted Optimus with some of Topspin's guns and his mechtech weapon.
Another modification that I did not mention until now since it would only serve a purpose now is the peg at the back so that the vehicle can accept the new armaments.
It is in truck mode with the jetpack is where I will have to give points to Hasbro's Ultimate Prime. The wings stick out everywhere, not matter how you put it. The, of course can be folded back adding length to the end of the vehicle. To be honest, I think its super messy and wish there was a way to just mount the gatling guns, creating Prime's 'stealth mode'.
Overall, for all the good things I can say about this release, there is much still that would make me say don't get it. While he is visually up to date in basic terms, certain functions are either missing or lost. If the had a sword to hold or the inclusion of the ion blaster instead of the buster cannon may have helped this. The vehicle on its own is nothing we haven't seen before and is messy linked up with the jetpack. But you didn't get this for the vehicle mode, did you? If you want an update to leader Optimus and don't want the jetpack upgrade, then you probably should wait and see what happens towards the end of the DOTM toy line or it's extension. If you are an Optimus Prime completist and must have the latest version of the Autobot leader, then go right ahead. The drawbacks are price and the fact of without the upgrades there is very little draw to this.
-SCORE-
ROBOT - 9 - Still as good as every with some cosmetic and functionaldifferences
VEHICLE - 8 - Nothing new here, still as good as ever
JETWING - 9 - Loses nothing of it's flexibility and really is a very nice addition.
APPEARANCE - 6 - Some might complain it is too similar to the original ROTF release without the chroming and extra apps that Buster Prime had
VALUE - 5 - Unless you're a die hard Optimus fan and must have every single one, best to see if it gets cheaper.
