Review: #841
Name: VNR Optimus Prime
Brand: Transformers
Allegiance: Autobot
Line: Volvo Trucks x Transformers Collaborative
Year of Release: 2023
Size Class: N/A
Mold Status: redeco of "Holiday Optimus Prime"
PACKAGING:
VNR Optimus Prime has a really interesting history (basically suspected to have been a cancelled Amazon exclusive, then initially released in a weird out there color scheme), and he comes in a surprisingly smaller box than expected.
The sides have some nice line art, which is different to your standard packaging.
TRUCK MODE:
Optimus transforms into a Volvo VNR 300, which is the truck that Amazon typically uses, hence being suspected as a Amazon exclusive.
Unlike the first release, this figure is in typical Optimus colors, with a red cap, and a combination blue and black rear.
He's approximately the size of a Voyager, which isn't a bad size but price is a bit high for what you get if you think about it.
He has six rolling wheels, and when you look at him from the side, you kind of feel that the truck bed looks a bit long, proportionally, so it feels a little bit off.
If you look underneath, you can see that this Optimus doesn't transform like how a normal Optimus does. The rear is quite gappy as a result.
There are some nice details on the figure, such as the Volvo sculpting on the rear mudflaps. Interestingly, you can also see the Matrix of Leadership through the rear.
The nice details carries to the front, where the grill has a surprising amount of detail.
It's a good truck overall, although the blue sides look a bit weird (rather than a silver which you would expect), but that's unavoidable given that they form the robot legs.
TRAILER:
This release comes with a trailer that originally released with the Earthrise Optimus Prime trailer.
It's your stock standard Optimus Prime trailer, and has two flip down legs so it can stand on its own.
The rear is black and has a surprising amount of sculpted detailing on it. You can see the robot gun stored underneath the trailer behind the rear wheels.
The trailer can of course hit onto the cab, and this explains why the rear section was so long.
It's a good inclusion, even though it bumps up the price, but at least it makes the figure feel more complete than if it was only just the cab.
TRANSFORMATION:
One of the most interesting Optimus Prime transformations we've had. It transforms completely different to nearly every other Optimus figure in the past. The front unfolds to become the legs, and the arms are from underneath. However, the rest of the cab has a lot of twisting and folding to form the robot torso, which is what makes it interesting. Through it all, you'd come to release a lot of the classic Optimus Prime elements as faux including the chest windows and truck grill on his torso.
ROBOT MODE:
Optimus's robot mode may look a little bit odd at first, but in actually, it's really good. He has all the iconic elements of the character... but a lot of it is faux details after you see the back of the figure...
The biggest kibble, and most awkward thing on this robot, are the legs, which has the bulk of the cab behind it. It makes his legs super big in size. However, the wheels that attach to his back look really nice.
The head sculpt is fantastic, and it is classic Optimus.
He's roughly Voyager size in robot mode, although looks slimmer than some other Optimus given his longer legs.
Looking from the side, you can really see how far back his legs protrude. His feet are slim, which makes it a little bit more problematic when standing him up.
Articulation is great with joints for his head, shoulders, elbows, wrists, waist, hips, knees and limited ankles.
There are some gimmicks here, including the customary opening chest to reveal the Matrix of Leadership.
The gun, which is folded up for storage in vehicle mode, can unfold here for robot mode.
It's a typical looking gun for Optimus. That's the thing, this figure tries so hard to replicate all the usual Optimus Prime features, but does it in a different way, and that's what makes this figure interesting.
The gun, when folded up, can peg onto his back for storage too.
The trailer can be used here, and it can open up to form the repair bay. Unfortunately, this version doesn't include Roller, making the trailer feel a bit empty and useless.
The repair bay can be used either flat or standing up, but the thick legs can get in the way.
You may not be able to tell at first glance, but nearly all of the red uses in the upper body is paint, and so it has a richer darker shade to it, which makes him look really nice.
The thin feet can be an impediment at times, but Optimus is mostly able to hold the poses you'd want him to.
A surprisingly good robot mode for an exclusive, it feels like that there was more effort put into this than what you'd normally expect for a smaller run figure.
OVERALL:
VNR Optimus Prime is a figure, that despite being yet another Optimus Prime figure, does things differently enough that he is an easy recommend. It makes the figure interesting, especially with the transformation that is completely different to what you'd expect. He has two good modes, with the only flaw in robot mode being the big chunky legs.
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