Review: #46
Name: (Red) Alert
Brand: Transformers
Allegiance: Autobot
Line: Henkei
Year of Release: 2009
Size Class: Deluxe
Variations: a repaint of Universe Sideswipe (which itself was a retool of Universe Sunstreaker), and there is a latter repaint as Generations Red Alert
VEHICLE MODE:
Red Alert transforms into a vehicle that resembles a Lamborghini Gallardo (but takes bits and pieces from other Lamborghini's and mashes it up). There's a lightbar on top, being the Japanese edition, it is a Japanese styled lightbar. One tiny gripe with this lightbar is that the white paint doesn't cover the middle section completely, you can still see the red from the bottom, feels lazy. Also, it rotates too easily on it's screw, I wished it was actually screwed tightly into place instead.
Being in the Henkei line, Alert features chrome, his spoiler and exhausts. The chrome is appropriate and looks great, adding nicely to the aesthetic. Alert has a really nice paint job that you love straight away (which is more than what I could say for the Generations version).
The license plate says "ALERT" (his name, obviously), I don't like these personalised plates too much, feels just a bit too contrived for my liking, but it's a super minor personal complaint.
Not only does the upper side look great, the underside is equally pleasing to the eye. Too often we get figures that have a lot of empty space on the bottom, this is not the case here, all space is used up to it's potential and you don't feel ripped off. Alert feels really solid.
Although the light transparent blue plastic used is great, it does show some bits and pieces inside, including an Autobot symbol. The frosted headlights are a nice touch (and beyond what you would expect) and the wheel rims are done really nicely.
Alert is a really sleek and compact car, he is supposed to be an emergency vehicle (hence the deco and lightbar), the shade of red paint used is brilliant and striking, but fades a bit too easily (mine has already started going pink). Another paint complaint is that the indicators are black instead of orange.
Decently sized, he is just a tad bit smaller than Movie Cliffjumper (which is my usual benchmark on how big a Deluxe sized toy should be). As you'd expect, all four wheels roll, but that's as much as you'll get for play value.
A fantastic vehicle mode that is visually appealing and no flaws at all, yes, I do not think I have found any flaws that ruin this toy for me, all of my complaints have been about the paint choices. Henkei Alert makes for an excellent display piece in this mode.
TRANSFORMATION:
Not easy, but not complex either, but satisfying, and very solid. It is an innovative engineering, especially when you consider that with a simple rotation of the waist, you get a different chest formation (roof of car - Sunstreaker or hood of car - Sideswipe and Alert). Nothing is overly difficult, but the twisting of the shoulders can throw you off at first (and subsequent times if you're not paying attention). I loved the head reveal but rotating the roof of the car, it's fun and a nice gimmick. Going the other way can be slightly more difficult due to all the panels clicking into place, especially the sides of the car, he requires some 'massaging' of parts. A good transformation process though.
ROBOT MODE:
In robot mode, Red Alert's colour scheme is as striking and brilliant as the vehicle mode. The paint scheme is works well aesthetically, and the vehicular elements that are incorporated into vehicle mode is great. In this configuration with the hood as his chest, it does make the upper torso just a bit too proportionally wide.
Nothing special from the back, due to the way the legs are formed, there is a huge hollow space and gap that you can see from the side. I wouldn't mind so much but when you're viewing Red Alert from an angle, it really shows that his legs are hollow, and doesn't look all that great.
The lightpiping in the eyes is awesome. I'm glad they painted the head red since if it was left black, it would have looked too much like Sideswipe (even though it's toy accurate, I don't think it would have done Alert any favours).
In addition to being able to put his (chromed) gun on his shoulder, he can hold it in his hand as a hand gun, that's about the only 'gimmick' in this mode. Only complaint with the articulation is that the shoulders are limited in how far it can lift out to the side due to the design of the balljoint.
A stellar robot mode and an ingenious design, I would even go so far as to say this is the strongest robot mode in the whole Universe line, with no flaws and perfect as a display piece or collectible.
OVERALL:
Red Alert does not skimp on anything, sure it might be a repaint, but it's a great repaint of a great mold. My favourite mold of the Universe 2008 line, with two solid modes, and a great transformation sequence, I really like this toy. It has grown on me since I had gotten him, and the bar he has set is so high that it makes a lot of current releases disappointing and subpar. I definitely recommend this toy, or just this mold.
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A gallery of Red Alert can be found here.
Credits: everything is mine, except for the links to other webpages
As always, feel free to have a look at this page for more reviews if you feel so inclined.