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Official Review Thread

PostPosted: Sun Apr 20, 2008 11:35 am
by Thyunda
Welcome to my ‘old’ Bumblebee review. This version of Bumblebee transforms into a black-and-yellow 1976 Chevrolet Camaro, with ‘battle damage’. Basically, battle damage translates to ‘black marks’.
His vehicle mode is nice, and unusual. Other deluxe sized car-Transformers, for example Swindle or Stockade, tend to have transparent plastic windows. Bumblebee’s are painted dark blue. The headlights on this figure are painted silver, and it has painted-on rear lights, and wing mirrors. No, the wing mirrors are not painted-on, that would be stupid.
On the underside of the car, you can see the back of Bumblebee’s head, if you’ve not yet transformed him, and his crotch, which has a licence plate, the only one on the car.
According to the transformation instructions, ‘Bee’s arms, or something, are supposed to be in the centre of the car, but on the actual figure, there’s nothing there. Curious. At first I thought my figure was faulty, but he doesn’t appear to be missing anything. His first of two Automorph features you’ll notice is the button on his bonnet (yes, I’m British. I don’t say ‘hood’). This will flip his bonnet down. According to the Transformers Wikia, my primary source of information, folding the bonnet down manually will break the Automorph, and I’m not going to try it.
The other one is on his feet, where his feet fold out when you move the rear windows outwards. Our buddy BB is armed with a pair of missile launchers, that actually fire missiles. They can be held in both hands, or on his shoulders.
In a word, his robot mode is….doofy. He leans forward slightly, and that’s unavoidable, since it’s down to the design of the back. His feet are creepy, too. This robot is actually quite detailed, and well-articulated, except for his feet, they can’t rotate. The ‘scout’ is beefy. There’s no evidence of agility in this fella at all.
Most movie toys have their faction symbol in red or purple, respectively, but Bumblebee’s Autobot one is silver. One of the only flaws I can find is the doors and windscreen. They look like they’ve got a neat little home to go to, but I can’t find it, so from behind he looks rather idiotic. They bother to sculpt detail on the insides of the door, but they make all the windows one way. Where the outside is blue…the inside is…err…yellow.
Wow, get your priorities right, Hasbro. I’ll rate Bumbles an 8/10. Slight problems with detailing, but otherwise a nice lookin’ figure.

Re: Movie Deluxe Classic Camaro Bumblebee Review

PostPosted: Sun Apr 20, 2008 11:59 am
by Agent 007
Nice review, he need concept bbs feet, more silver, clear windows and he's good to go.

Re: Movie Deluxe Classic Camaro Bumblebee Review

PostPosted: Sun Apr 20, 2008 12:57 pm
by Thyunda
I dunno. I actually like these feet. They're.....different.

TakaraTomy Henkei AstroTrain Review By Blurrprime

PostPosted: Thu May 08, 2008 2:32 am
by blurrprime

TF Animated Jazz Review

PostPosted: Tue May 13, 2008 5:38 pm
by Protoform-S
CybPh would like to share this review of the Animated Jazz by our very own Alex :)

It has been posted in our Multiply Site and in our Messageboards.

Transformers Animated: Deluxe Jazz Review
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The cool Autobot master of circuit-su, Jazz graces us in toy form as a sleek white sports coupe.


Alt Mode:

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Complete with his classic red, white and blue stripes; Jazz also sports an Autobot Elite Guard logo just above his front fender. The Alt mode is very nicely detailed with clear front headlights. He actually reminds me of a classic Jaguar coupe the way the car just curves. The rims are beautiful old-school spokes and the rear tail/ brake lights give off some more of that classic car charm.


Bot Mode:

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Transforming Jazz is pretty simple. The doors become his arms and the trunk unfolds to become his legs. Once that's over with we get one lean streamlined bot in the classic G1 "car front end becomes chest" style.

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Looking closely at his head we can see that he's made to look as if he's got a beret on together with his headphones and soul patch. Very nicely sculpted. The visor he's got actually allows lightpiping but the extruding bonnet behind his head blocks out some light.

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Accessories? Only a couple. The exhaust pipes on his doors/ forearms detach to become his nun-chucks. They're connected via string and slide into Jazz's fists. Pretty sweet.

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Poseability? Jazz has around 20 pts of articulation including double hinged elbows and rotating thighs so you can pretty much do anythin with him. He can stand on one leg too though its a bit tough balancing him.

Overall one of the best deluxe sized TF's to ever come out. Plus he sorta resembles me....

Jazz gets a 5/5

Re: TF Animated Jazz Review

PostPosted: Tue May 13, 2008 5:42 pm
by Omega Charge
Nice!

Re: TF Animated Jazz Review

PostPosted: Tue May 13, 2008 5:44 pm
by primeoptimus
Protoform-S wrote:CybPh would like to share this review of the Animated Jazz by our very own Alex :)

It has been posted in our Multiply Site and in our Messageboards.

Transformers Animated: Deluxe Jazz Review
Image

The cool Autobot master of circuit-su, Jazz graces us in toy form as a sleek white sports coupe.


Alt Mode:

ImageImageImage
Complete with his classic red, white and blue stripes; Jazz also sports an Autobot Elite Guard logo just above his front fender. The Alt mode is very nicely detailed with clear front headlights. He actually reminds me of a classic Jaguar coupe the way the car just curves. The rims are beautiful old-school spokes and the rear tail/ brake lights give off some more of that classic car charm.


Bot Mode:

ImageImage
Transforming Jazz is pretty simple. The doors become his arms and the trunk unfolds to become his legs. Once that's over with we get one lean streamlined bot in the classic G1 "car front end becomes chest" style.

Image
Looking closely at his head we can see that he's made to look as if he's got a beret on together with his headphones and soul patch. Very nicely sculpted. The visor he's got actually allows lightpiping but the extruding bonnet behind his head blocks out some light.

ImageImage
Accessories? Only a couple. The exhaust pipes on his doors/ forearms detach to become his nun-chucks. They're connected via string and slide into Jazz's fists. Pretty sweet.

ImageImage
Poseability? Jazz has around 20 pts of articulation including double hinged elbows and rotating thighs so you can pretty much do anythin with him. He can stand on one leg too though its a bit tough balancing him.

Overall one of the best deluxe sized TF's to ever come out. Plus he sorta resembles me....

Jazz gets a 5/5



he is sweet. i planned on getting him before the first images were even released. now i can see that it was a good desision(it was him or lockdown,because im on a budget)

Re: TF Animated Jazz Review

PostPosted: Tue May 13, 2008 5:45 pm
by robotrik
Looks great... how about doing a video review ?

Re: TF Animated Jazz Review

PostPosted: Tue May 13, 2008 5:46 pm
by primeoptimus
the transformation looks like a cross between g1 jazz and movie landmine and animated bb

Re: TF Animated Jazz Review

PostPosted: Tue May 13, 2008 6:59 pm
by Firebird
I like how his tires fold into his chest.

Thanks for the review and pictures.

TF Animated Soundwave Review by CybPh

PostPosted: Tue May 13, 2008 7:56 pm
by Protoform-S
CybPh member Alex has made another review, this time of animated Soundwave.

This is posted in our messageboards HERE


Transformers Animated: Deluxe Soundwave Review


Alt Mode:

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Soundwave appears this time as a van. Quite odd at first but looking at the detailing on this guy, it kinda works out with the whole cassette motif going on. He's even got the classic "play, rewind, forward" G1 button style graphic on his front fender. The windows and headlights are of semi transparent plastic as well. The rear part lacks any detail (sigh). Though it is pretty weird that he can mount a huge ass guitar on his roof....


Bot Mode:

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He's got quite a weird transformation scheme but is easy enough to pull off minus the manual. He almost splits into 4 parts with the doors becoming arms and the rear splitting and inverting to become the legs and feet. Underneath the car Soundwave's f aux cassette door folds and snaps on to become his chest. He's got the proportions of a gorilla yet somehow it just works on the guy.

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Details: well this time around, instead of a visor he's got some funky 80's style shades. Behind his head he's got some boomin speakers and on his chest: the classic detailing G1 had w/c we all love.

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Of course he comes with a guitar. Nicely detailed complete with sculpted on strings and pick ups. Obviously modeled after the Flying-V as well. Its got two pegs on its surface which allow Soundwave to grab a hold on. (Note the depressions on Soundwave's car door kibble)

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Of course 'Wave can't do without his musical guitar bird Laserbeak. I'm just disappointed his eyes are unpainted.

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Beak's legs peg into Wave's arm. Pretty heavy though considering the joints on Soundwave are insanely loose hence he was a trouble to pose :-[ He's got approx around 15 pts of articulation though.

Overall some minor glitches esp with the joints but still hella fun to fiddle with.


Soundwave gets a 4/5

Re: TF Animated Soundwave Review by CybPh

PostPosted: Tue May 13, 2008 8:47 pm
by Omega Charge
Good review.

Re: TF Animated Soundwave Review by CybPh

PostPosted: Tue May 13, 2008 9:00 pm
by Blurrz
Yah, this figure and the review guy is good.

Megatron MP-05 Review

PostPosted: Tue May 13, 2008 9:28 pm
by Rhask
Gonna do this review backwards and give the final word first:

Great addition to the MP line, looks amazing it both modes. Megatron really looks like the powerful Decepticon leader. He is also packed with a good chunk of extras likes a sword, energon mace, pistol, and kremzak.

The way the arm cannon offsets the poseability and how the figure is quite fragile are the only real set backs. If you like to play with figures and transform them frequently I recommend passing on this guy, or if you can afford it, buy two so you can have one to play with and one to keep in perfect condition. He is also packed with a good chunk of extra likes a sword, energon mace, pistol, and kremzak.

On to the details!


Looks:

MP-05 looks just like G1 Megatron, and the tiny bit of kibble or backpack he has is not distracting and is very close to the cartoon version. He is all plastic and very light considering his size though.

His robot mode is very sharp, looking just like the Decepticon leader. His face is in a scowl and an open mouth grin may have been a bit more fitting. The arm cannon is pretty heavy compared to the figure and this can cause problems posing him.

His gun mode is almost a spot on replica of a Walter P38 only roughly twice the size. It looks fantastic on one side, sadly on the other side the swivel joint for the barrel stands out pretty baddly This bad boy is way over sized to be confused with a real gun with or without an orange tipped barrel but still looks very menacing.


Poseability:

Overall Megatron is very poseable with many points of articulation, getting him to stay in a nice looking position can be a pain though. The hip joints are quite tight but can slide around from the points they ratchet or "click" into position, leading to a problem with his legs trying to do the splits.

Hand articulation is similar to MP Primes with fingers be individually articulated but not knuckes.

The cannon weight may not be as big of a deal but the arm joints seem barely able to support the mass of the cannon. This reduces the options on how is poseable his right arm is with cannon on.


Transformation:

MP-05 really seems more complicated than he is. The first few tries are going to be a 15 minute or more ordeal. After a few transformations it becomes much easier to transform him. The instructions (which you will need) are vague, also there are clear plastic tabs under the "gun" part of his wrists for packaging purposeds that will need to be removed and are not mention anywhere in the intructions.

Part of him are quite fragile especially the clips on his hips, these WILL break if you transform him frequently, the plastic is quite brittle. His "backpack" will also wear the paint on the gun metal backside part of his chest if transformed frequently.

Extras:

MP-05 comes with an assortment of goodies. First have you have the energon sword. The blade and the hilt come apart, this allows him to be posed in a manner that will let him appear to be impaling another figured.

He also come equiped with a nice energon mace, with a plastic chain that can be wrapped around most figures (or MP Primes gun/axe). Included as well are a pistol and the electric imp Kremzak.

Re: Megatron MP-05 Review

PostPosted: Tue May 13, 2008 10:20 pm
by Liege Evilmus
Hence, every reason why MP Megatron is a great display piece, that hopefuly (although doubtably) will be revisited and improved in the future.

Re: TF Animated Soundwave Review by CybPh

PostPosted: Tue May 13, 2008 11:53 pm
by Dclone Soundwave
No paint on the eyes for Laserbeak either? Hmmm...another thing to add to the "Paint Apps to Add to Animated Soundwave/Laserbeak" in addition to Laserbeak's beak. If it can look good on G1 Laserbeak & Buzzsaw, (which it does) Animated Laserbeak can pull it off. And that gold faceplate on Soundwave is gonna go. Silver suits him much better.

Re: Megatron MP-05 Review

PostPosted: Wed May 14, 2008 7:20 am
by olokin
Your review could use some pics

Re: Megatron MP-05 Review

PostPosted: Wed May 14, 2008 11:55 am
by Pyrostrata
Liege Evilmus wrote:Hence, every reason why MP Megatron is a great display piece, that hopefuly (although doubtably) will be revisited and improved in the future.



Agreed. It's needed, but not likely to happen.


I also own MP-05, and I love that figure for it's looks ONLY. He is the only TF I have that I refuse to do much playing with, since I am a bull-in-a-china-shop and could break him more than he already is (My cat is a nightmare with my figures if I do not put them up high enough..Megatron has indeed suffered his feline wrath an occasion or two). I have chosen other Megatron figures for the "play factor" and leave MP-05 on the shelf, looking like a Megatron should! :grin:

Re: TF Animated Soundwave Review by CybPh

PostPosted: Wed May 14, 2008 1:51 pm
by kirbenvost
Wow, he looks great! I hadn't realized about the gold faceplate for some reason, but I don't actually mind it.

Re: TF Animated Jazz Review

PostPosted: Wed May 14, 2008 2:26 pm
by kirbenvost
Love it! This line is shaping up to be a great one. Funny because I was so shocked and almost against it when we saw the first pics.

Re: TF Animated Jazz Review

PostPosted: Wed May 14, 2008 2:37 pm
by timothyVritchey
can't transform his arms properly?

Re: TF Animated Soundwave Review by CybPh

PostPosted: Wed May 14, 2008 3:27 pm
by Agent 007
He needs a blaster or something a guitar is not a very good weapon

Re: Megatron MP-05 Review

PostPosted: Wed May 14, 2008 5:00 pm
by Liege Evilmus
See I don't agree that this is how Megatron should look.

Technicly, he's dead on, but to me, the mold is lacking in character.

Whenyou look at MP Prime, it has charisma, you can't help but love it. When I look at MP Megatron, he looks like he's been ironed flat.

Official Review Thread

PostPosted: Wed May 14, 2008 5:26 pm
by GetterDragun
With the influx of reviews as lately, we are starting an official review thread. Also, please sumbit your review to the Vector Sigma Data Base. If the character you are reviewing is not in the DataBase, please post it in the Vector Sigma forum.

Exclusive Video Review of Animated Deluxe Soundwave

PostPosted: Wed May 14, 2008 8:10 pm
by xSEANxLONGx
My EXCLUSIVE FIRST LOOK Video Review of Transformers Animated Deluxe Soundwave!

Showing off the Cool Alt Mode, Transformation, Features like the Leaserbeak Guitar, and Size Comparison to G1 Soundwave, Premium Movie Barricade, Henkei Classics Deluxe Astrotrain, and Animated Deluxe Cybetron Mode Optimus Prime.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kid9fPV_Ta0

Code: Select all
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