by Ironhidensh » Thu Mar 03, 2016 8:50 pm
- Motto: "Tell those damned kids to stay off my lawn!!!"
- Weapon: Big Cannon
Well, Hot Rod is here and in hand. I've had some time to fiddle and feel ready to share some thoughts. Fair warning: you Hasbro/Takara apologists will not like them.
This is a fantastic Transforming toy, and a great representation of Hot Rod, but it is no Masterpiece. Now hear me out, because I actually kind of like this figure. He has a lot of pluses, in fact he has more positives than negatives. Those negatives, however, are big ones.
The biggest strike is, of course, the backpack. Its freaking huge, to the point it can even cause minor balance issues. The second one is the flat chest. It just doesn't look right, and really distracts from what other wise (looking head on) is a great robot mode. Really, those two are about it. Up he does have a rather simple (for a Masterpiece) transformation, but I can let that slide. Also, he is extremely light. Feels like you are holding a deluxe from RiD. The counter to that is that Hot Rod is very solid. No floppy joints, and in no way does he feel flimsy. Easily as solid as a leader class figure. He could also use better ground clearance in alt mode, but that's rather nit picky, even for me.
On the plus side, he looks like Hot Rod amongst the other MPs. Well, next to Ironhide and Grimlock. All my other MPs are in temporary storage while I try to clean out and organize my toyroom. His articulation might just be the best of all the MPs so far. Aside from the backpack and chest. The detail is very well done. The visor gimmick is simple and spot on, kudos there. The colors are perfect, the head sculpt fabulous.
Hot Rod is a Birthday gift from my wife, therefore I'll be treasuring this figure. That said, if I had paid for him, I would feel disappointed. Like I said at the start, this is a great figure, but not a Masterpiece. It just doesn't live up to the standard set before it. I simply can't say he is worth full price. My advise is to wait for a significant sale.
It's kinda sad, really. It all comes down to that backpack in the end. It feels lazy, almost like a cop out. I truly believe they could have spent more time and found a better way.
Card carrying grumpy old man.
Leonardo wrote:Take your lips off my pipe!