by Duke of Luns » Mon Dec 22, 2014 12:07 am
Finally got Snarl earlier this week, finishing up the seven Dinobots. And overall, I think the whole group is greater than the sum of it's parts. Allow me to explain:
-For the first time in a very long time we have had seven distinct robot dinosaurs with robot modes in a similar style(and I happen to like the Movie animals). That in and of itself makes me glad to own all of them.
-While not in movie accurate colors, or having a designated color scheme(least the retail versions), I think it works to their advantage. While the greys and silvers with slight bits of color here and there might work on a movie screen, in figure form it would make them dull and repetitive. I think the differing colors gives each figure a distinct look, and if it reminds me of a Super Sentai/Power Ranger/Justice League/Avengers team, all the better.
-The pointed feet and the helmeted head sculpts. The feet are weird, but I'm glad it carried over to every single figure. The head sculpts are just cool, adding to that whole "Knights of Cybertron" vibe.
-All the mouths open and close. Slash's looks a little awkward, and Voyager Grimlock's has an action feature attached to it, but I love the consistency.
-They more or less carry medieval weapons, and all of them individualized. Scorn, Slug, and Strafe all have swords, but not the same type of sword. Slog has laser cannons yes, but they look kinda crude, and he could be a wizard.
-They continued to "S" naming convention.(barring Grimlock naturally) Nice homage.
Unfortunately, none of the figures are anywhere near perfect, and the gorilla arms that plague most of them really take away from their robot modes. So here's a quick run down, from least favorite to favorite:
7. Slash. Dino mode is pretty cool, but something about the arms is off, and the stomach juts out a little to far for the legs to look natural. Robot mode legs are hampered by the feather kibble, and gorilla arms prevent him from fully utilizing his nifty hatchets. Also, the shoulder armor(which was formed from the stomach parts) doesn't' lock into place, and also hampers the arms a tad.
6. Slog. Oh how I wish I could put him higher on the list. I love the brachiosaur mode, and the cannons make him look like a giant war machine that would back up infantry troops. However, the problem with the figure overall is that nothing really locks together. The robot mode is floppy, the gorilla arms prevent him from really using his lances in a handheld position, and those cannons on his arms can barely be held at all.
5. Voyager Grimlock: There's nothing really wrong with this figure, but the T-Rex mode seems like it's missing something, like it's hollow. The robot mode is fine, and while the gorilla arms can be locked in, it doesn't look too out of place to leave the Rex feet unpegged and just rotate the fists into a more natural position. My only real qualm is with the weapon. It doesn't look that great and the only handle is way too high on the staff. Possible to pose though.
4. Snarl. Sigh. Personal preference for stegosaur's and the color green puts him this high on the list, and I really, really like the stegosaur alt. mode. It's not really articulate, but it works. And the robot mode is nice too, with a very unique head sculpt and a huge axe. I love the false head for symmetry too. However, then we get to the wrists. Not only are they in a gorilla arm position, but bent in a way that even though they rotate they look awkward if moved even a tad. It's possible to pose him with the axe, but not easy, and it's just such a letdown.
3. Scorn. He's good, no gorilla arms, and the lance tail(even though more of a whip in the film) is very striking. However, I can never really get the legs or the tail to lock into place in beast mode, and...that's really all I have to say about him. Anyone reading this probably already has him, and he's the most easy to recommend if you only get one or two.
2. Strafe. I like him cause it's the only flying alt, immediately setting him apart. I don't know why there are two heads and two tails, but again it sets him apart. I like how he can have both a flying and a "Rodan" pose(to quote Baltmatrix). I like how articulate the beast mode is overall. I can't think of any other Transformers with a crossbow, so that's another plus. He sports a head fin, similar(but smaller) to Grimlock, making me think he's second him command. I like the transformation. What I don't like is the gorilla arms, which if not for all the other pluses would bring him down a spot or two.
1. Slug. Despite being the smallest of Dinobots(which I think adds to the character), and having the most basic head sculpt(again, works for the character), there's nothing wrong with him. No gorilla arms, not too floppy beast or robot mode, good articulation, just basically a good figure. It is disappointing that what should be the standard is the best, but whatcha gonna do.