Review: #25
Name: Mixmaster
Brand: Transformers
Allegiance: Decepticon
Line: Revenge of the Fallen
Year of Release: 2009
Size Class: Legends
Variations: There is a TakaraTomy (i.e. Japanese) version and a Hasbro version, and both companies repainted it into G1 green and purple
VEHICLE MODE:
Mixmaster transforms into a small cement mixer truck, that I think is based loosely on the Mack Granite from the film. It's a nicely detailed little truck and one of the great things about this is that all six wheels roll, that's right, no fake wheels!
No robot kibble can be seen, which is great, there's an extremely simplified cement chute sculpted at the back. Mixmaster has lilac photos and quite a bit of paint applications, which is impressive.
I find it really hard to fault this vehicle mode as it is very well done, all of the Constructicons have excellent vehicle modes. It's realistic and you know straight away after seeing it that it is a cement mixer truck.
TRANSFORMATION:
One of my least favourite transformation, due to the way the torso forms. It's on a vertical swivel that doesn't lock into place so it's a bit weird, you don't really know if it is in the 'correct' position or not. The arms unfold from the drum quite nicely but the legs and the combined mode head is a bit awkward. Definitely lacks charm, but it's not a disaster and considering all the limitations the designer had, I think they did a pretty good job.
ROBOT MODE:
At first glance, Mixmaster seem like he doesn't have any hands (in fact, like the drum shells ARE his hands), but there are little lumps right at the end that represent his claws.
I can say one thing about Mixmaster, and that he is ugly. He's very lanky due to a lot of the mass going into Devastator's head (that he has to pull around from his back), with long arms and short, awkward looking legs.
To be honest, considering all the liberties that had to be taken, Mixmaster is pretty accurate to the onscreen representation. His arms and drum shells are a bit restricted but his legs are more flexible. Mixmaster is stable due to the head acting as a third leg.
I'm left wondering why they went ahead and used the ugly friendly-looking concept head rather than the awesome finalized head like on the voyager (and this figure was released later as well). A pretty weird looking robot overall, probably the worse out of the set, but it really depends upon your preferences.
OVERALL:
A figure that's critical to forming Devastator but doesn't translate to a good standalone toy. I appreciate the engineering and thought that had gone into this figure, and the designer has done a great job. The vehicle is great, but the robot mode is a bit lacking, only recommend if you are planning to complete the set.
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Some more photos can be found at this gallery (at another site).
Credit: pictures and text is all mine, but I've linked a few pages to TFwiki.net
Reviews of other figures can be selected from here.
