Review: #44
Name: Megatron
Brand: Transformers
Allegiance: Decepticon
Line: Reveal the Shield
Year of Release: 2011
Size Class: Legends (Wave 1)
Variations: none as of date
GUN MODE:
Nice, a Megatron that finally transforms into a gun, and a gun that isn't painted in all the colours of the rainbow. It is a realistic gun, with one exception, the orange tipped barrel. Personally, I don't mind it so much, but many people have been annoyed that even at this size, they had to make it bright orange.
For the size, it is a very very well-formed gun (and it just gets even more impressive later on), with a well-defined safety catch and trigger (and both serve a really good purpose in robot mode). On the left side, you can see most of the body parts, while the other side is plain and smooth, not really hinting at a Transformer.
Only one flaw in this mode, the gap at the back, okay, I lied, there's another tiny flaw, it's fairly hard for him to balance upright as he'll probably tilt forward due to the heaviness of the barrel.
Being in the Reveal the Shield subline, he has a rubsign, and if you were surprised when you revealed his alliance, go away, anyone who has a passing interest in Transformers should at least know Megatron is a Decepticon (and Optimus is an Autobot).
He has one more gimmick (which is one more than you would have expected), but it depends if you have Masterpiece Starscream or not. I say this because there are a few notches that lets Starscream hold onto him. Megatron is too big for it to look good, so I think Starscream should stick with the Megatron included in Masterpiece Optimus Prime, still, it's nice they added the feature. A great gun mode in the end, a lot more than you would expect of a transforming toy.
TRANSFORMATION:
Okay, this is one of the aspects of this figure that BLEW me away, the transformation is ingenious and brilliant. I mean, after the complexity of Masterpiece Megatron you would have expected any further attempts at a show-accurate robot with a realistic gun would be equally hard to transform. Well, I'm happy to say, that's wrong, the designer has achieved a simple transformation that brings out the best of both worlds, it is unbelievable, I am really stunned at this transformation as it is so good. I would daresay the most ingenious transformation I have seen in a while (if not ever), just how the different parts are manipulated into position as you see the shape starting to take form. You can probably tell I am very impressed with this transformation, no kidding, if I gave ratings, I would give this transformation 10/10, it's simple, elegant, and fun.
ROBOT MODE:
If there's anything you should have expected, it's that with Legends toys, one mode is probably going to suffer, well, in Megatron's case, the gun 'suffers'. The robot mode is excellent, well-proportioned, and it looks like Megatron, he even has his fusion cannon on his right arm (the gun barrel).
I am still surprised at how they managed to make such a nice robot turn into a gun, and at such a small scale. The safety trigger becomes his left hand, and the trigger becomes a notch for the barrel to secure into. He is very detailed, and not lacking in paint, there's silver in abundance, and both painted and unpainted grey to provide some contrast, excellent I tell you.
The rubsign is now situated on his chest, a perfect place to be. He retains his 'bucket head'.
Megatron is well articulated, the legs are nice, but the arms are all molded one piece with shoulder joints, his head only has a hinge to flip down (necessary for transformation), nonetheless, he is a really fun little figure to play with.
OVERALL:
You can probably tell, but I really like this figure, it is a very impressive piece of engineering. There is absolutely no reason to not get this little guy as he's cheap and affordable. Plus, he is the first Megatron that I was actually impressed enough when I first saw him that I got him (he is the first and only Megatron I have as of this date), highly, highly recommended, he is, in my opinion, a stellar figure, and the best Legends toy yet.
-----------------------------
A gallery of Megatron can be found here.
Credits: everything is mine, except for some links I've chucked in to other sites.
Like the style of this review? Have a look at this page for more.
