Review: #66
Name: Deep Desert Brawl
Brand: Transformers
Allegiance: Decepticon
Line: Revenge of the Fallen
Year of Release: 2009
Size Class: Deluxe (Wave 2)
Variations: a repaint from the original Movie (2007) Brawl, and also repainted into Autobot Alliance Desert Ruins Brawl
TANK MODE:
Brawl transforms into a M1 Abrams tank, albeit heavily modified. He has an orange launching missile, that kinda looks out of place on such a realistic tank, however, without it, the cannon feels incomplete. Brawl has two turrets, both are rotatable, independently, and he has plastic wheels on the bottom so he can roll. All of this adds into a lot of playability.
However, there are some flaws, such as the rotation swivel for the main turret isn't set in the center, so when you rotate more than 90 degrees, it'll look somewhat odd. Another thing is that the turret doesn't clip to the main body all that well. You can also clearly see his feet at the bad. Last, his head is visible in a hole from the front, the best you can do is just turn his head around.
In addition to the main cannon on his main turret and two smaller cannons on his secondary turret, there are also two small four barreled guns sitting on swivels and balljoints on the smaller turret. The mine plows at the front are sitting on balljoints too. Not a bad tank, and one of the most realistic one in years.
TRANSFORMATION:
Pretty easy to be honest. The arms are housed in the main turret, and the way it is stored is quite ingenious. The automorph of when you fold down the front of the tank to form his chest, his head and front treads automatically pop up is really awesome. The legs are boring (the bank of the tank just splits into two), but the way the turret rotates and clips onto Brawl's back to emulate some of the movie design is great.
ROBOT MODE:
Once again, the designers have done a great job at emulating the complex Movie designs. If you compare the robot mode with one of the pieces of concept art, you'll see many common details. Brawl's robot mode is menacing and is instantly recognizable as a Decepticon.
The back is not so good, he has the whole tank turret (minus the cannon) on his back, but it's hollow, so it isn't too much of a problem (other than visually).
Brawl's heelspurs are a tad bit too short, so he's easy to fall over backwards at times. Poseability is limited as well, he only has hinges on his knees, and due to the way the elbows work, his elbows can't bend forward unless his hands are facing the air.
He packs a lot of weapons, all of the ones in vehicle mode are here (which is impressive itself), but there's more! You can keep the main cannon on his right hand or switch it around for a four barreled gun like his CG design.
On his left is a mini cannon and twin blades.
While the two four barreled guns end up on his back. Simply put, Brawl is walking armory.
The head sculpt is okay, feels like a shrunken prune to me to be honest due to the shape. However, the lightpiping works really well, and this is a great looking robot mode.
OVERALL:
Two solid modes, as with a lot of Transformers, the robot mode is stronger than the vehicle (which isn't too bad in itself). The tank packs a load of play value. While he seems great, the lack of paint apps seem like a major obstruction.
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Various other reviews are available here.