Review: #55
Name: Bumblebee
Brand: Kre-O Transformers
Allegiance: Autobot
Line: N/A
Year of Release: 2011
Size Class: Basic
Variations: none
PACKAGING AND CONTENTS:
The boxes for the Kre-O line are pretty cool and well done (relative to normal Transformers packaging anyway), and I do like the illustrations on them. Although they're concept art and not the final product, which, to me, I'd rather it show a prototype instead.
Only one flap is sealed with tape and the front just lifts off to reveal the contents, which are in two plastic bags, there's stickers and an instruction booklet.
The instructions booklet is thicker than what I initially expected (so used to the normal shoddy job of standard Transformers). Which list step by step on how to assemble both modes.
In this set, there are only 75 pieces (which, includes the wheels and wheel rims as two separate pieces), making it the smallest set in the initial batch (however, it shares the same price point as the Basic Optimus set).
VEHICLE MODE:
Since it's the smallest set available, there's no Kreon, although personally I don't mind as I just can't see the appeal of them. This version seems to be based upon the G1 version of Bumblebee (and not the movie version like the bigger set), transforming into a hatchback.
This car is much MUCH smaller than what you would expect, but all four wheels roll (very well mind you) and there's even a spoiler at the back.
He is not overly detailed, you do get stickers for some of the details, such as the black stripes, license plate, Autobot symbol and the two black squares on the spoiler. Personally, I don't like applying stickers since I suck at them, I would have preferred it if it was already applied for me or even have the details painted on.
It is a nice vehicle mode and one of the better ones in the current Kre-O line. It is solid, it's not prone to falling apart if you fiddle around with it too much, although at times you have to press the body back together as gaps would star appearing between the pieces.
As I mentioned, Bumblebee is smaller than one would expect, noticeably smaller than a deluxe, but bigger than a scout. When I first assembled it, I was really surprised.
In vehicle mode, there are a multitude of pieces left over, mostly just the ball joints and head. I wished they could have incorporated it in, since I hate leaving pieces aside which makes it easy to disappear.
There are millions of ways you can incorporate the extra pieces into this vehicle mode, and it's some of the fun figuring out your favourite way to do it. Here's one example that I built up earlier, treating the ball joints as cannons.
Some pieces are easier to fall off than others (such as the front and back fenders), but it is a well executed vehicle mode, I just wished it could have used up more pieces.
PROCESS OF ASSEMBLY:
Here's some sample pictures of the instructions so you can have an idea on how this whole process works. Basically, you disassemble whichever mode you're in into all the pieces, and then reassemble it. I would have wished if they could have made it so you'll only need to assemble it once, and then you can go between the modes in the classic transformation way. It's not impossible, and fans on the internet have created many examples using Lego blocks and even these very own Kre-O sets.
The worst part about this process is disassembling, they are just plain annoying, as many of the pieces are thing and you need to slip in a fingernail here or there to take some pieces off. Worse still, there are a few pieces that doesn't seem to be important in either mode that are cast in different plastic, such as the two transparent circles. Putting it together was way more fun than I expected, it's really cool seeing the robot or vehicle coming together piece by piece as you're building it.
Most of the pieces are really thin, and the plastic feels just a tad bit cheap-ish. It's hard to explain, but it feels like they will stress and warp easily, not as dense as you would want them. You would have to feel one in hand to know what I'm talking about. I'm happy to say though, that all pieces fit together very nicely. It's as you're building the thing that you get a sense of bewilderment, at how well it's engineered, trying to use up every piece. I know it would have been painstaking for me if I tried creating something like this. Only negative? It takes a fair amount of time to do it, depending on fast you are, it can take anywhere from 15 mins to 30 mins.
ROBOT MODE:
Once again, Bumblebee's robot mode is reminiscent of his G1 self, right down to the head. In my opinion, this is the best robot mode in the Kre-O line so far, with good proportions and good placement of parts. There's still the obvious Lego feel here, you'll never mistake this for a Transformers.
While I'm generally happy with where all the pieces go, the back windshield is a bit awkward right behind his head, and at that place, makes it easy to detach while handling the figure. Same goes with the wheels right on his back, since they jut out, and are easier to detach compared to the rest of the figure. Otherwise, everything is solid and doesn't feel like Bumblebee will fall apart anytime soon.
Due to the limited number of pieces, various liberties has to be taken. The major one would probably be the hands, he doesn't have hands per se, more like black nubs, they work fine mind you. Also he does not have knee joints, which feels weird.
Robot mode is very stable due to the big feet, and the colours work well (how could they not? It's only yellow and black). The ball joints for the hips and heels are really well done, the joint is rubbery, so it's easy to pull it off without damaging the socket itself. Only thing ruining the aesthetic would be that the hips are too close together (since the two pieces are side by side).
You can tell the designer focused on the robot mode more due to the fact that there is only one extra piece leftover.
You can easily plug this extra piece somewhere else, I like to put it in his hand to pull it off as a gun (not that convincing, but at least it makes it seem like he has a weapon).
The head is a straight copy of the Classics toy, so it's a nice sculpting. Weirdly enough, the head is made from a rubbery material, and is the only part of the toy that has paint.
Bumblebee is not quite deluxe size, but clearly bigger than a scout. I guess for the price point, you're getting something decent.
Poseability might be the downfall here, due to the fact that he only has balljointed hips and feet, shoulders that swing out and elbows that swing forward, and a balljointed head. A good robot mode that looks great on display.
OVERALL:
I think it is worth a shot at trying this Kre-O line out, and it's definitely better than any previous attempts at something like this (such as Built-to-Rule). You'd be surprised at how fun assembling the figure it could be. Plus, Bumblebee's the cheapest set you can get, and for the price of a scout (or commander, as it's now called), you get something of deluxe sized. I'd definitely recommend Kre-O Basic Bumblebee.
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