I'm just gonna get right to it...
Short: I highly recommend a purchase of this guy, he's fantastic.
In depth:
Brawl is one big fella, and Leader Class is truly the only way to fully capture his greatness. The details, Automorphs, articulation, all of it works so much better on this level than it does on the Deluxe Class. (Which is still a good figure, don't get me wrong, he just doesn't measure up, literally and figuratively.)
He's hefty as well, and I don't just mean physically fat (he's a chubby sonovabitch....) but he's probably the heaviest of the three (so far) Leader Class figures.
Anywho, let's start off with his tank mode and transformation...
In tank mode, he's completely free wheeling and easily moves with a simple push. (Considering his size, and how TF toys generally do in vehicle mode...this is impressive.)
His turret not only moves a full 360, but the main cannon actually moves up and down! When you push the barrel in, a red light and sound effect gimmick activates (and it's loud. Did I mention loud? Oh okay. Loud.)
The machine gun turret also moves, which also activates a green light and sound gimmick. (yes, it too is loud. *smacks Hasbro, hard. Repeatedly.*)
You'll notice the guns (and cannon tip) are molded in clear plastic. While this looks a tad stupid, there's a purpose for it...so the lights can be seen. (I didn't say it was a great purpose, but it's one nonetheless.) These pieces could easily be painted (as long as you leave the barrels unpainted) giving a makeshift lightpiping source.
The details and camo on his tank mode are handled quite nicely. You can tell that they put a bit more work on this figure than some of the others. Hell, even though it's faint, there's a nice Decepticon symbol slapped right on the side of barrel of the cannon!
His vehicle mode is totally bad ass, and if it were real (as it was in the movie)...you'd better bust your ass to get out of his way, or he'll run you down and there won't be a piece of you left. Biiiiig fella.
His vehicle mode is definitely a panel former though, and those panels can be an absolute pain unless they're lined up *just* right.
Vehicle mode:
(would've been 5/5 if it wasn't for the panelformery "goodness")
Transformation:
1.) Legs:
On the front of the tank mode, just above the claws, push the headlights back, the fender skirts will automatically swing back on their springloaded arms.
Pull the second panel of the fender skirt away from the body and fold it down like the first piece did on it's own. (there's a catch inside, it will snap in place on the arm and lock.) Pull last panel of the fender skirt away from the body, which will also pull the rear tread assembly as well.
You'll notice the arms and their forearm mounted weapons, grab these and pull them away from the sides of the body. Pull them out straight to the sides, so you don't have any blockage for later steps. Pull legs apart at the connector on the shins, and rotate at the knees. Fold treads in half, and you'll notice the skirt/tread thing is now an accordion of sorts. Swing this hunk of plastic forward and snap it into place, forming the calves. Pull heels of feet back, pull toes forward, and swing stabilizers out to the sides of both feet.
2.) Torso/arms:
Pull turret assembly away from the body (carefully) and it'll unsnap and swing back and away from the body. (Like on the Deluxe Class model) Let it dangle. Flip up front tread pieces to form shoulders. Rotate shoulders so the painted details of the arm face forward for robot mode, and do the same for the forearms so the details are facing forward as well. Swing guns (they're connected on a swing arm) up and snap in place, causing the wrists to push inward a bit. Swing chest/tank nose/claws down and lock in place. Leave arms sticking out to the sides as before. Rotate turret, and push back against the body, locking it in place. At this point, the turret will be facing the ground, and the machine guns upward. Rotate the machine guns downward, so they face the same direction as the rest of the turret piece. NOTE: The machine gun only rotates clockwise, do not force it counterclockwise, you *will* break it. Easily. Unhook the machine guns (the clear pieces) from the main turret and their swing arms will pull out to the sides. Rotate the guns so they face up. (when you pull the swing arms out, the guns will be facing sideways) Rotate the gun and tip of each arm so it faces forward over the shoulders. Pull panel away from side of turret/barrel. Dislodge the barrel and it swing out on yet another swing arm (seems to be a hell of a trend with this guy...) swing the panel back in place and you'll lock the barrel to the side. Swing the barrel so it faces forward on the body. Swing arms down to the sides and activate his weapons. Right arm: push lever on the side of the gun to bring the barrels forward, and a targeting scanner will automatically pop out near his elbow. NOTE: when putting back in tank mode, make sure the lever's pushed all the way back and locked in place before pushing the targeting scanner back in place, or it won't hold. Left arm: pull the Gatling gun barrel up and snap it in place. Slide entire black assembly forward, and white claws will swing into place on either side of his hand.
3.) Head/Chest/Claws:
Pull "U" shaped claw away from the body. Pull straight forward on the "U" shaped piece and pull it until you hear a click. The head will automatically swing up into place, automatically forcing the claws down. Push "U" shaped piece back against chest to lock it all in place. Position claws as you see fit. Lights and sounds will activate once head comes into position. (Yes...the green and red lights at the same time. Oy...again, need I mention...LOUD?!)
Transformation:
(a solid and complex transformation. Words can describe it, but until you experience it, you can't really get a feel for it. ...it's something to behold. A very satisfying transformation, not one of those long, drawn out ones that drive you nuts like Cybertron Optimus turning into Supermode. You know what I mean, too. lol)
Robot mode:
Head rotates left and right, no up and down movement. Lightpiped eyes, and it's clear plastic, so the effect actually works quite well!
Arms are a tad wonky. I can't even quite describe exactly how much they move....full range of movement in the shoulders (front to back, left to right), forearm pivot at the elbow, elbow bends. Wrists/claws leave a little to be desired. (Seriously, I'd go into more detail if I could...I just can't explain his arms. It's not a lack of wording, it's where to begin...)
Torso is one solid piece (once transformed), simple and straightforward, no waist pivot at all.
Legs are gigantic and solid (even though they're basically accordions.) knees move back to front, lower legs can rotate for posing.
Feet swing left and right at the ankle like a pendulum, not left and right like a turn. Really no articulation on this part of his body.
The robotic details show that they really put some work into this mold, and it was no small feat. Tubes, lines, wires, panels...all molded in, all over his body. His face really shows that he does actually match his movie model, and captures it quite well. I'm not knocking the Deluxe Class here, it did a good job as well, considering it's size...but the Leader Class really brings out the best this mold has to offer. Could use a few more paint apps to bring out the wow factor, but hey...I'm not gonna complain.
He's just one gigantic fella. He's fat, and he's tall (not quite as tall as Prime or Megatron, about to their shoulders) and he could make short work of any Voyager or Deluxe Class guy. Hell, he could crush 'em.
Robot mode:
(would've gotten a full 5/5, but his arms are a tad wonky, not to mention short. Plus his articulation doesn't make for the best poses. You can make some, don't get me wrong, but he's no Prime or Megs. You can tell he was meant to be a living battle emplacement and not much more, but no one carries it off quite like he does, and accomplishes it.)
I highly recommend him. He's definitely worth the $40.00+ and he's a fun figure, even with his flaws. I'm so friggin' glad they made him finally.
Personal note: Mine was obviously pulled right out of the mold without cooling, because there's little plastic hair-like strands where he was pulled from the sprues on certain sections. (Anyone who's melted plastic knows what I'm talking about) So you can tell he was rushed to the assembly line. So far this hasn't presented any problems, but it could, so keep an eye out on your's. Also, on the fender skirts, where the swing arms are connected (pin through shaft), the brackets have a deep white stress mark on mine, and while they may not break (especially if you're careful)...the chance still remains. Perhaps it's just mine. I doubt these problems will affect all of the figure's run. Oh and pulling the head into place for vehicle and robot mode takes a lot of pressure. When you think you're gonna break him....you're not, you're just moving the pieces as required. Don't panic.
Well, I apologize for the boring and long winded review, but I thought some might be interested and I hope you enjoyed it. (at least some of you. lol)
Go find him, go buy him, and kick the sh*t out of your other movie figures. He pwns.
P.S. Anyone want to buy a near mint, complete with packaging and instructions Deluxe Class Brawl for $12.00 shipped? (that price is good for all 50 states.) Automorph doesn't work anymore. Some gear thing slipped or something. *shrugs* (Hence the low price.) Otherwise he's in near perfect condition.
NOTE: Realize that I am not a perfect Christian, nor do I profess to be. I apologize if anyone's ever offended by me, I'm not perfect. Don't hold my posts and opinions against other Christians.
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