Review: #142
Name: Evac
Brand: Transformers
Allegiance: Autobot
Line: Universal Studios
Year of Release: 2012
Size Class: Legion
Variations: the toy is exactly the same as the Prime release, only differing in packaging
PACKAGING:
The only thing that differs this release of Evac from the normal retail Prime release is the packaging. This version is only sold at the Universal Studios theme parks with the Transformers ride (currently only Singapore, California and Orlando).
The merchandise store also sells an exclusive new mold Evac in Deluxe size, and some repackaged toys such as DOTM Optimus and Megatron. On another note, I did have the pleasure of experiencing the ride and it was a blast!
VEHICLE MODE:
Onto the focus of this review, the core toy. Evac is a Legion sized figure that transforms into the type of vehicle that passengers get into during the ride.
It looks great with a smooth, sleeky and sporty look. That, and there's a thruster at the pack which indicates Evac is all about speed.
The only play value here is that Evac can roll. A bit light on the paint applications, the sculpting is good, especially the grill sculpting.
As is the trend with all figures released during the time of release, there's some cost cutting involved and Evac feels small and tiny.
Evac's weapon can attach to various places on the vehicle, four places in total, two on either side (symmetrical), first one is near the front of the car.
The other one is near the back. It would have been nice if there was some way to attach it on the top of the vehicle to make it more symmetrical and look better, but alas, it is not possible.
A neat vehicle mode that looks quite cool. Doubly so if you've been on the ride.
TRANSFORMATION:
Very simple and done by multitude of similarly sized figures before him. Then again, there's only so many ways you can make something transform at this scale. Evac transforms by the arms pulling out from the sides, legs unfolding from the back and the front of the car forming his chest. One neat thing is how the thruster on his back is incorporated into his leg.
ROBOT MODE:
Evac's robot mode looks great and he has a nice stature. One plus he has over the Deluxe sized figure is that he is way better proportioned, i.e. less spindly and more blocky.
The colors work really well on him too, with the blue and various highlights bringing out the sculpting.
His head is tiny and extremely hard to get the camera to focus upon. His face sculpting tries to mimic the complex detail found on the character model but due to the small scale, it just fails and looks messy.
Not much taller in robot mode either, he's decent enough.
Onto the weapon, it's a translucent red twin-barreled blaster that is the same mold as Legion Prime Bumblebee. Surprisingly, the plastic used isn't that soft and is quite hard (still softer than the plastic of the body though).
You can plug the blaster into either of the four slots that was also available in vehicle mode. The articulation is what you'd expect, balljointed shoulders and hips, you can use the transformation joint as a knee hinge too.
Evac can also hold his weapon as a handheld blaster although it looks a tad bit too big and unwieldy. He's got some decent kibble on the back of his arms which is the only flaw here.
An excellent robot mode that looks great as a display piece and bears more than a passing resemblance of the complex character model. A cheaper alternative of the character than the exclusive Deluxe figure.
OVERALL:
This is great Legions toy. It's solid but doesn't make any breakthroughs in the engineering and design of this small scale. He looks great in both modes, a bit static in robot mode but that's to be expected. Unless you really really like the Universal Studios packaging, grab the normal Prime retail release, this mold is recommended.
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