Review: #113
Name: Optimus Prime
Brand: Transformers
Allegiance: Autobot
Line: Prime - First Edition
Year of Release: 2012 (original release: 2011)
Size Class: Voyager (First Edition Wave 1)
Variations: multiple Japanese released (black, clear etc) and this is the second release which is different to the first in that it has unpainted brown panels around the cab area
VEHICLE MODE:
Optimus transforms into the red truck you see in the show. This is the 2012 rerelease of the toy that was a Toys R Us exclusive, how can you tell? That big disgusting brown splotch around the cab area. Seriously, this must be a cost cutting measure to omit the red paint around that area (weirdly enough, the cab lights are still painted yellow).
Ignoring that, you can store both his weapons on the back via peg holes, doesn't look too great but what can you do.
He has a proper hitch for a potential trailer. The back of the cab has some gaps made from various pieces but it's understandable.
It is a very well formed truck overall, and I'm very impressed that finally, we have an Optimus, whose back forms the robot legs, but the designer didn't go the lazy path and actually bothered to hide the robot feet. The result is that we get a realistic back. The smokestacks are made of soft rubbery plastic for safety reasons (I guess).
This is a real Voyager, he's got the mass you'd expect, and clearly bigger than Deluxes of the past.
I don't mind missing the silver paint, but if only they bothered the red paint, since it really ruins this mold. Very disappointed in that, made all the worst because this is a great truck mode. Clearly defined and very cartoon accurate.
TRANSFORMATION:
After playing with the Deluxe version, you'd be very surprised at how similar Voyager Optimus' transformation is. Since it's a larger size, it does feel a little bit less elegant. I think there's pretty much one major bit that's different, and that's how the front wheels are placed. It's better utilized here, and this causes the arms to be better in proportion. It's still a very satisfying transformation. Going back into truck mode, the arms can be tricky in how they are to be placed. The way the feet are formed are neat, just about everything here is impressive.
ROBOT MODE:
After those panels are shifted and pieces are twisted, the end result is this awesome, super show accurate, Optimus Prime.
I have to be honest, I can't find any faults here, he is simply superb. The only faults are QC issues (on mine, the right shin panel does not lock into place).
Remember the unpainted grey piece in truck mode? Well, it's not an issue here since it's hidden by the faux windshield pieces (that are connected to his arms). And since he is packaged in robot mode, unsuspecting purchasers will get a big shock once they transform him into truck mode.
The head sculpt is amazing, it is one of my favorites of all time. Optimus has blue lightpiping. Just a note, this rerelease has a similar head issue with the first batch, in that the head isn't properly attached to the balljoint. So just follow the steps of this page and you get a much wider range of motion.
Optimus is big and bulky. You'd probably have guessed by now but the windows on his chest are fake, at least they're still made from transparent plastic.
He has some great sculpting for his torso (the waist also turns), but most of it is unpainted. Some silver paint here would go a long way. However, being this brown plastic also works well, as it's not as dull looking.
Being a First Edition toy, Optimus comes with his stand. His truck mode won't fit on it, so it's exclusively for his robot mode.
And now, the two included weapons (which covers the weapons Optimus uses most of the time in the show). He has this blaster and sword. While the blaster is hard plastic, the sword is soft rubbery plastic.
The blaster is designed to attach in such a way to cover the hand, so it looks like Optimus has his hand morphed into the gun.
The gun has metallic speckled paint sprinkled everywhere, which seems to be a bit odd considering it's present nowhere else on Optimus.
The shoulder guards are adjustable to allow for a greater range of shoulder movement. On mine at least, and I think it's due to mold degradation, but pieces don't seem to fit on as tightly. The shoulder pieces that plug into his front wheels? It pops out easily whenever you try and adjust his arms.
He has big feet so he's stable in a wide wide variety of poses and angles. His feet have hinges which effectively have the range of motion a balljoint has. Surprisingly, his wrists can rotate (not needed for transformation at all).
Similarly, you attach the sword in such a way that it covers the hand and it looks like the sword is extending from the arm itself.
Weirdly, probably due to the way it's painted, it looks like the sword is upside down and the blade is on top. Checking the cartoon though, this is the right way and how it was designed.
It is a decent sword, and the plastic isn't soft to the point where it just warps due to the heat. It stays it's shape fairly well.
Articulation is excellent. The range of motion that Optimus offers is some of the best I've seen in contemporary figures. He has all the joints you would expect and more, as a further plus, he's stable in many many poses without external help.
Optimus is kibble free, most of the junk on his back is unobtrusive and out of the way.
Funnily enough, in the instructions, it tells you that you can combine the two weapons together. Never knew this since I haven't seen pictures of it. Basically, it's just plugging the sword onto the underside of the blaster, like a bayonet. Doesn't look that great though.
Optimus is well proportioned and he can do some really wicked dual handling poses.
As you can probably tell, I am very impressed with this robot mode. I haven't encountered such a good robot in ages, with no design flaws that I could pick up.
OVERALL:
Okay, I'm in two minds. I really like the robot, but the truck mode is ruined by some paint choices. I'd say, if you can find the original batch for a good price, definitely grab that one. Otherwise, if you only display your Transformers in robot mode, then grab this cheaper rerelease. Either way, this is a great figure and one of the best Transformers I have had the pleasure to play with for a very long time.
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