nycPrime wrote:BTW shajaki - looked up AoE evasion OP. He didn't look like that in the movie did he? (I only saw the first one and none since) .... I feel like if I'm going to get a movie OP, it shouldn't look like the G1 version. That's probably the reason I'm going to hunt down the TLK voyager version.
OP has had a few versions over the films....
Movie 1 - The Leader figure for Movie 1 doesn't quite capture his screen appearance as good as ROTF Leader though. It was probably just a learning curve for the designers. Only get it for completions sake, but surprisingly there was a reissue of this mold in the Tribute line. Should be available now actually, but which stores I couldn’t tell you.
ROTF - Little to no change on screen, but as said the toy is much more accurate this time around, and is(was?) regarded as the definitive Movie Prime for years. He does get the Jetfire upgrade as well (basically just addition of armor and wings).
DOTM - Still little to no change to the base model, but he does have the Jetwing upgrade(transformed bits from the trailer, same deal as Jetfire) in this film. Leader toy is the same (slightly remolded?) from the ROTF Leader figure.
AOE - This was the first major change to him. Between DOTM and AOE he adopted the "Evasion Mode" which was a Peterbilt Cabover (ala G1). Halfway through the film he turns into his.... I dunno what to call it... pre-Knight form? Then at the end of the film he changes
SLIGHTLY again to his Knight form.
Getting to the toys, there are a lot of routes to go, but you're actually quite fortunate because all my recommendations are for rather newer figures. So they should be easy to find and not terribly expensive. I'll run down the best versions of each of his forms:
Movie the Best MB-01 Evasion Mode Optimus PrimeThis figure has been released SOOOO many times
(trust me on this) and luckily the last one (MB-01) is arguably the best one. He's got a simple, but intuitive transformation and looks amazing in both modes. Must have!
Movie the Best MB-11 Optimus PrimeThis is the ROTF Leader Prime mold, remolded for the 12th or 18th time. He comes with amazing accessories, has an amazing deco, is still compatible with the Jefire and Jetwing upgrades, AND is still newish so easy to track down. Another must have!
Age of Extinction AD-01 Optimus PimeThis mold was a big step down from his processors. The transformation is very simplified and he's got a backpack like no tomorrow. The Takara version of this figure (what I called his "pre-Knight" form) does have a much better deco than Hasbro's, has some nice sculpted details, but is nowhere near the same quality a toy as the previous.
Age of Extinction AD-31 Armor Knight Optimus PimeRemolded from the previous figure, this is the proper Knight version seen at the end of AOE. He has some added articulation, new head with face swapping gimmick, and a jaw dropping deco. He still carries most his previous problems over (backpack) but is far better. I'd recommend him.... but maybe not until you see the NEXT remold....
The Last Knight TLK-15 Calibur Optimus PrimeIf you're going to get only one version of this Leader mold, make it this one. The stunning deco and previous remolding carries over, this time adding a removable backpack (that transforms into a shield) and more accessories (that badass axe and two swords). Still not perfect, but the best one yet.
.........
I'll weigh in on the TLK Voyager too. While the base mold is more impressive than the Knight Leaders, I have yet to see him released in a deco that actually made me want to buy him. If you're going to get him, maybe make it a unique one like the Takara "Dark Optimus Prime". Otherwise I'd say hold out for some future release.
I hope this helps!