Review: #250
Name: Hook
Brand: Transformers
Allegiance: Decepticon
Line: Generations - Combiner Wars
Year of Release: 2015
Size Class: Voyager
Variations: SDCC has more paint apps; TakaraTomy version has more paint applications and remolded elbows
VEHICLE MODE:
Hook transforms into a green and purple mobile crane. Naturally, the arm ends with a hook.
This is a blocky vehicle, which suits Hook just fine. The rear of the vehicle has a gap since that is where his robot head resides. A bit unfortunately but nothing we could do anymore.
All six wheels roll. What's annoying is that they only bothered to paint one of the windows where the crane attaches, and windows on two sides on the cab. Talk about lazy and being cheap!
There's additional play value in that the arm can lift up and down. It cannot extend and the crane cannot rotate, which is a shame.
There's some fantastic sculpted details, which tends to blend in and hard to pick out due to the lack of paint.
Hook looks nice with the rest of the Constructicons.
A quick comparison with Masterpiece Bumblebee to see if he can pass for a MP toy...
And now for a more conventional size comparison, with Drift and Motormaster. You can see that he is very much a Voyager sized, I would dare say that he is heftier and bigger than your typical Voyager too.
A good vehicle mode that provides a little bit more play value than the other Constructicons.
TRANSFORMATION:
Like the rest of the set, the transformation is simple but effective, fun and clever. It shares some similarities with Mixmaster (the arms) and Scrapper (the legs). The way the legs formed was probably one of the highlights since it was quite interesting. The other clever aspect was how it turned into the combiner mode, similar to G1 in that it folds in half but also integrates Devastator's head. Otherwise, everything else is stock standard.
ROBOT MODE:
Once again, Hook's robot self is an accurate update to his G1 self. He retains the core recognizable elements and the blocky aesthetic fits him well.
He carries the crane on his back as kibble. The crane arm can act as a third leg to stabilize him when posing him, which is useful.
As is standard with this set, the headsculpt is fantastic and looks amazing. It is situated on a balljoint so it can look up slightly too.
The arms are the weakest aspect here since the forearms are too short to look natural or good, but it is still passable.
He is a great size, the same height as your average Voyager but feel very solid and hefty even with the hollow shins and thighs.
A few people are planning to use this version as a Masterpiece stand-in and Hook carries enough details and paint applications (this mode seems to be where most of the paint budget went to, the chest details are just perfect, as is the silver painted thighs) to pass.
Poseability is good, he has most of the joints that you'd expect. He doesn't have a waist swivel as his transformation prevents one.
While he does have an elbow swivel, it is situated lower than the hinge joint so utilizing it can make his arms look unnatural.
The stock photos and instructions does not allocate him with a weapon, so I used the BotCon 2015 display to give him Devastator's left chestplate piece, which is used as a sword.
It is not a great looking sword but does its job of looking like a weapon.
His feet are large and as mentioned, the crane arm can act as a third leg. Poses should not be a problem for this guy.
He looks good with the rest of the Constructicons, this is one of the most cohesive sets in the Combiner Wars line.
A great robot mode overall, only hampered by the oddly proportioned arms, otherwise, he is perfect.
OVERALL:
We have another winner in the set as Hook is a fun toy. He may be simpler than you would want but that doesn't stop him from being a good and solid toy. Hook is an example of simplicity done right.
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For other Transformers reviews (and the rest of the Constructicons), have a look at this page.