The Energon Pub

[skywarp-2]

Ok we've seen the ads, the images and we all know its coming. The first ever run, of Transformers Unleashed.. it was Hasbro's huge item during Star Wars Episode 3, it gave those of us with little money a filler for those expensive kotobukiya vinyl model kits..but they weren't always great sculpts..so I ask the question,

Would you buy an unleashed Transformers figure?

Would it be worth it?

Are the sculptors still aweful at capturing movie likenesses?

So, they are like statues, but are they worth opening?


My judgement, is... I am really unsure if I'd buy one, i saw soo many during star wars, and me being one that can wait and save..I bought Kotobukiya only, the unleashed seemed too cheap after owning a "K"..

But for a movie Transformer statue type thingy..?? I'm Just not sure..It seems to be the standard for Hasbro to produce an unleashed line for any big property that has a live action movie..I'm just unsure they would be of great quality, its a mass produced product after all.. and paint jobs are always hit or miss..

I'll say one thing if they do one with Bumblebee's helmet down, then maybe I'll consider it..maybe...

[shortround]

I guess they have done the samething with gijoe as well. Cause I was looking at the 25th Anniversary 5 packs that are coming and they look very much like star wars unleashed figures you were talking about. But to be honest I don't think I will get the transformer version unless they are super detailed or offer something unquired from all the other movie tie in stuff.

[Sunstar]

What ads? I don't have a TV.

[shortround]

If you are talking about the gijoe thing it was at big bad toy store

[AbsumZer0]

I guess they have done the samething with gijoe as well. Cause I was looking at the 25th Anniversary 5 packs that are coming and they look very much like star wars unleashed figures you were talking about. But to be honest I don't think I will get the transformer version unless they are super detailed or offer something unquired from all the other movie tie in stuff.

WTF? Unleashed are mini-statues. G.I. Joe 25th are 3 3/4" figures with Microman-like articulation.

[Bluebullet]

I don't think so. The Star Wars ones clogged and warmed the shelves here and were mass in numbers to the point where unopened cases were unloaded on the clearance isle. Seeing as how unpopular this movie might be due to the design changes, it may be worse as the people who grew up with G1 won't be used to different forms of Transformers as we are, let alone a completely different style.

[shortround]

Oh I must have been think of some other star wars figures because there ones that were like that. Thanks for clearing that up. But now that I do know what they are they do sound like they will suck.

[Bonger]

I agree with Bluebullet.

I am VERY excited to see this movie.

However, having grown up with G1, I am not too hot on the design changes. Hence I am 50/50 on whether or not I'll ever buy a figure from the movie figure.

Also, even if I LOVE the movie, I may not buy a figure. I collect half out of nostagia, and half out of trying to complete a collection started 20 odd years ago. Besides the Classics, Reissues and MPs, I have never been seduced by another Transformers line. I also do not collect any other toy line.

Soo, basically just an example of the type of collector that Bluebullet is referring to.

[skywarp-2]

Well as a small collector I see your point. While stating that i wasn't impressed with the Star Wars Unleashed figures, I was impressed with just one..General Grievous, I liked his unleahsed version alot, but i just wish that they could at least have put some articulation in the arms to make him slightly more poseable even as a statue..still would you buy one if they did an awesome Prime?

[Bonger]

Gor me personally, it is not necesarily the quality of the figure that would sway me one way or the other. I think it is the connection I feel to it. G1 embodies a lot more to me than just the comic books or cartoons. I highly doubt that the upcoming movie will mean close to as much to me.

However, if I felt that the movie characters strongly and accurately portrayed the personalities that I loved in G1, then I would be tempted to collect the new line.

In the end, it comes down the my connection with movie. Only time will tell.

I REALLY want to love this movie. I don't know how that will impact my actual reaction to it.

[NightBreaker]

If they're practically statues, I won't get 'em, no matter how kick ass the movie designs are.

[Dagon]

I like the Star Wars unleashed, so I'd be open to buying Transformer ones, depending on the quality of the designs. Probably be more inclined to G1 sculpts, but whatever. If I likes 'em I buys 'em.

[Primelord]

As a G1 transformer collector, I won't want to waste my money on unleashed transformer figures. Not worth it either. It is just another toy line out to make money.

[Robinson]

I would buy one to display at my work desk or something, I have one of those m3 molds or whatever from superman returns and it looks awesome and accurate, if the unleashed is like that then yeah I'm in.

[spiritofcat]

I have quite a few of the Star Wars unleashed 2" figures and I'm very pleased with them. Chewie, Yoda, Anakin, Grievous, Royal Guard are the favourites of what I have.
However, I doubt I'll be buying the TF ones because they'll be based on the movie designs, and they won't transform.
I'm more interested in the Robot Heroes line. At least they're G1 and cute!

[TheMuffin]

If the Bumblebee Unleashed figure is any indication they'll be worth picking up. Seem to be much more detailed than the old Star Wars ones.

[TENIME_art]

I can't find pics of these.

Links?

[skywarp-2]

I can't find pics of these.

Links?

Here is some out of package images of the Bumblebee unleashed figure coming out, its a nice sculpt, and great pose, I'm just not enthused about the head, i wish they made a visor version, where his battle mask is down, then i'd buy it fo sure!! On second analysis, i think this pose would have worked better if his head was facing the other direction, then he'd be like in a badass stance..

So i won't be getting this Bumblebee unleashed, but if they do a second version with battle mask down and in a great pose, then maybe, just maybe I'll get him..Can't wait to see a good Optimus Prime..




One thing of note, this is how Bumblebee's chest should have looked on the Ultimate toy..or any others for that matter..

[spiritofcat]

Seeing that last in-package pic I realise these are much larger than the 2" Unleashed Battle Pack figures I have from Star Wars.
Star Wars had large unleashed figures too, but I didn't think much of them.

[E107_Theta]

Meh, I'm not too keen on that Bumblebee, and Optimus, Bumblebee and Jazz are the only movie designs I like and would buy.

I hate to be a Geewunner, but if they did G1 characters with good sculpts I'd probably be all over it.

[skywarp-2]

Meh, I'm not too keen on that Bumblebee, and Optimus, Bumblebee and Jazz are the only movie designs I like and would buy.

I hate to be a Geewunner, but if they did G1 characters with good sculpts I'd probably be all over it.

Ditto, but these are the movie ones, and if they were done right, i might buy, they certainly are more faithful to the movie designs then what hasbro has "unleashed" for the toy transformable line, which indicates how much of a pain it must be to translate those designs into actual eworking toys..

Way to go ILM..!! too much crunching kibble.. whoo hoo.. makes the toy un realistic to the movie designs, oh wait what's that... huh..??... oh you have to use the blocky look for the toys after all, because the movie designs are too complicated..?...oh right...G-1 boxy look was a good idea after all.. hmmmmm..

[TENIME_art]

Holy flurking schnit!!! I've got most of the (larger) Star Wars ones, and this does not look like it's going to disappoint me!!!

[skywarp-2]

ok, while the bumblebee is not bad, its not the best I've ever seen, but Maybe i should just chopp the head off and reattach it looking the other way..


But I still say battle mask version looks a heck of a lot better, see....

[TheMuffin]

If I had to choose I'd pick the unmasked one. I like seeing his eyes and the workings of his face. But yeah you're right on the head direction. It should be facing the opposite way. But apparently this is one of those iconic scenes from the movie recreated in plastic form.

[Zeedust]

Statues don't appeal to me... I stopped pickin up the smaller Titanium figures for exactly this reason, and they actually have a little articulation at least. Unless the unleasheds are very, very nice looking, or they do some of charcaters I like enough (like say, anyone from Beast Wars), I'll pass.