Review: #81
Name: Sergeant Kup
Brand: Transformers
Allegiance: Autobot
Line: Generations
Year of Release: 2011
Size Class: Deluxe (Wave 6)
Variations: the Japanese United version has different paint applications
VEHICLE MODE:
Kup transforms into a pickup truck, no longer a Cybertronian design, it's a more traditional Earthen style. He retains that shade of green. This vehicle actually suits Kup really well, it's nothing fancy, yet a bit stylized.
Details are a bit lower than I want, since it's contrasted by a fair few panel seams that makes it looks bare. I do wish that the back window could have an actual window, instead we get transformation joints, granted, with the transformation scheme, it's pretty hard to put clear plastic there, but I wished they could have a way.
Kup feels very solid. Nothing like those cheap tiny things they call Deluxes nowadays. Kup is hefty, and blocky, with everything fitting together very nicely.
Due to the transformation, Kup has a working tailgate, a small bonus I guess. Kup rolls well, with nothing in danger of being dragged along and scrapping the bottom, which is nice.
As mentioned, there are some major panel lines, which stand out all the more coz they don't sit completely flush. He pegs together really well, but the panels just aren't level against each other. This is not a big problem, and it'll only annoy those with nothing else to complain about (aka, me).
One feature that I really like is that his weapon can be plugged in underneath and act as the second exhaust pipe (albeit a different colour), or you can use the clips and attach it on the roof as a weapon. A vehicle that's more focused on being a plausible mode than gimmicks, and the result is excellent.
TRANSFORMATION:
Transformation for the most part is solidly built and well engineered, except for one thing. The two front side fenders (that are on either side of the hood) are on spring loaded pieces, which means that they automatically retract towards the torso when going into robot mode. Now that's fine, except that when you want to back into vehicle mode, it can be a pain to pull those two pieces out, and keep holding them out while trying to wedge the hood in between them. I like how the feet and legs are form, it works really well. A really satisfying transformation that shows the wonders of modern engineering.
ROBOT MODE:
A robot mode that doesn't really share too many distinctive elements from G1 Kup, yet, still manages to look like Kup. First thing you'd notice is that he has huge legs and feet, and weird shaped torso. The shoulders are somewhat bulky and awkward, not helped by the fact that he has the front wheels as obvious kibble.
He has considerable backpack, which is basically the whole cab of the vehicle mode. Sadly, it doesn't seem to peg in. To be honest, Kup has a whole heap of kibble, the panels underneath his arms are extremely annoying.
I love how they emulated his chest to look like the G1 version, in my opinion, this is the singular distinctive feature that nails this figure down as Kup.
The head sculpt is a bit freaky. It's too detailed, coupled with the fact that he has an open mouth, and it just doesn't seem right. He has a freakily effective blue lightpiping. Annoyingly, the panel on which his head sits on doesn't lock, making it easy for his head to just fold back into his chest while adjusting the head.
Like in vehicle mode, the robot is a really nice size, maybe it's because of the big blocky pieces, but Kup feels really solid, and not like he would break the next time you transform him.
The weapon here is a rifle, that also sports a clip joint. The plastic used here is softer (and hence more flimsy), and it feels like it could snap easily.
The arms are a bit weird, there are sufficient joints such that you can have the panel on the outside or the underneath of his arm (I prefer the latter as it doesn't impede his articulation as much). Either way, that panel is still going to get in the way. A disappointing thing is that the piece that extends behind the handle is too long, so Kup can't bend his arm properly while holding the gun!
There are quite a few options due to the clip placement, there are 3mm clips on the backpack and on the panels of his arms. I prefer to just store the rifle on his back.
Other you can give Kup a shoulder mounted gun, but I find that it sits too close to the head to look good.
Articulation is decent, as mentioned earlier, his arms are restricted since the panel gets in the way. What's more, his shoulders are limited too for some reason. Otherwise, it's all good, Kup even has wrist articulation.
Kup is not a perfect toy, he has a partially hollow shin, and kibble problems, but this is a great robot mode.
OVERALL:
Two great modes, and a solid transformation linking the two, makes this a solid figure. It's not spectacular, there's nothing here that jumps out at you as really innovative, yet... this is what a Transformer should be. Fun to play with, and no gimmick that kills and compromises the figure. Just your own imagination when fiddling with him.
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