Review: #177
Name: Evasion Mode Optimus Prime
Brand: Transformers
Allegiance: Autobot
Line: Age of Extinction Generations
Year of Release: 2014
Size Class: Voyager (Wave 1)
Variations: released in a 2-pack with Voyager Grimlock with extra chrome and a face plate head
VEHICLE MODE:
What is this...? Optimus Prime transforms into a red and blue truck that looks very similar to the original G1 version. Based off the initial appearance of Optimus in the movie, there are some differences when compared to the G1 vehicle mode such as the different wheels and only one smokestack.
Obviously, they went with a blue and red color scheme instead of the movie-accurate rusty look to make the toy pop out more in packaging and to sell it to fans by giving them some fan service.
This is a well formed truck mode for the most part, it falls apart somewhat when viewing from the back. The cab is fantastic but there is a gap and kibble behind it and the trailer hitch area looks like a mess.
You can see how the bed is formed by the robot feet. Optimus has painted side windows (it would have been too expensive to somehow make transparent windows there) and all six wheels roll.
Optimus is a Voyager classed figure yet... he's much small in this mode. Here he is compared with the previous Voyager classed movie Optimus figure... Of note, they are about the same height as well.
He is about the length of a Deluxe classed figure and while does have more mass, he isn't that much heavier than Deluxe equivalents. It's probably a good thing this wasn't packaged in vehicle mode otherwise it would seem like a total ripoff.
Optimus robot weapon can be plugged on top of the cab. Note that due to a tiny bit of extra plastic left in a piece, the front windows don't align perfectly, this is present in the vast majority of this figure.
You can also plug the gun on the trailer bed, so whatever floats your boat.
This is a decent vehicle mode that brings a nostalgic feel. It's not perfect such as the gappiness when viewing from the back, the misalignment of windows and the painted windows but they're relatively minor flaws. The biggest thing against it is the tiny size.
TRANSFORMATION:
The transformation is easily the most interesting part of the figure. It's not what you'd expect, considering that you're getting a movie looking robot from the G1 looking vehicle, this is probably not a surprise. Anyway, the legs are your standard affair but the way the cab unfolds is clever. It relies on some paneling but they are done in such a way where Evasion Optimus doesn't feel like a shellformer. Once you've slotted everything into place, you realize how elegant the part manipulation is and it feels intuitive and just right. At the very least, watch a video review to see how it works.
ROBOT MODE:
I am not going to deny it, the robot design is an acquired taste, it was not love at first sight for me but it grew on me. You see that it takes the original movie design elements with some new twists, notably the false grill on his torso.
He is athletic looking and perhaps the most impressive thing of all is that there is no kibble on this figure. Things plug and integrate into the figure well. Considering that the sides are made completely of panels, it's impressive that Optimus doesn't look boxy at all.
The head sculpt is good but we have had plenty of Optimus heads in the past such that it is nothing remarkable anymore. We are treated with the mouth version (I would have personally preferred the face plate version), the head is also lightpiped with clear plastic.
Unfortunately, the range of motion for the head is extremely limited. There is a piece of plastic underneath the head that blocks side to side motion, this is a horrible design and I was surprised that it was overlooked.
Optimus unfolds a lot more in robot mode, gaining massive amount of height.
There is a lot of sculpted detailing for the torso. It's all robot exclusive pieces of course, the windows on his chest are fake, which is disappointing. It would have been nice if they could have incorporated the vehicle windows into here.
Perhaps the most disappointing thing of all is the color scheme. The solid red up top with solid blue in the lower half makes for a cheap looking figure. In their infinite wisdom, it seemed that the paint budget was used up painting the feet completely blue, yes, it is cast in grey plastic but they thought it was a good idea to make it blue... Therefore it seemed like the prioritized the vehicle mode instead of robot. Some silver detailing would have done this figure wonders.
Articulation is decent and he has most of the joints that you would want, including a waist swivel.
For some reason, they molded his elbows to be permanently bent. A slight work around is that you can use the lower transformation joint as an elbow, it'll look awkward from some angles and it's disappointing that they did this.
Optimus' weapon is an ion cannon which looks suspiciously like the shotgun used by Megatron in DOTM. A cross-line gimmick is that this cannon can be held by the Voyager Megatron from the DOTM line as well.
Optimus himself uses the 5mm post to hold the weapon. It also features a spring loaded missile launcher (glad that it's not a pressure launcher like so many recent figures).
Optimus comes originally with "gorilla" arms, in which the elbows can only bend inwards. However, the wrist has swivels to you can create a more natural stance.
My figure came with really tight joints, especially the thigh swivels in which it would pop out of their swivels rather than actually swiveling.
The large feet allows Optimus to be stable in a wide variety of poses.
A good robot mode that takes the previous movie's design and changes it around a little bit. While Optimus doesn't have a proper gimmick, the sculpted detailing is great and the robot mode is only let down by the color scheme choices.
OVERALL:
Optimus presents an interesting concept that hasn't been done much in the past. He transforms from a G1 inspired vehicle mode into a movie inspired robot mode. The two modes are linked with an elegant transformation. Evasion Mode Optimus Prime focuses on being a good Transformer and isn't hindered by any gimmicks. This is a fun figure with a few easily overlooked minor flaws.
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More Age of Extinction Generations toy reviews can be found here.