Allspark Power Landmine Review
Posted: Fri Jan 04, 2008 3:51 pmWell, I just got this sucker in the mail today and well...I *was* impressed. So...let's just get to it.
Packaging
Pros:
Really stands out due to the Allspark Power blue print clashing against the standard Movie packaging. (Though this clash is a good thing. Definitely catches your eye on the shelves. You can't miss it. lol)
Cons:
The blue is all over the packaging. (A little goes a long way, and while the blue is nice, it is strewn about.)
Overall:
A passing grade from me. Nothing groundbreaking in the changes to the packaging really, but since it does catch your eye (which is what it's supposed to do) and it does differentiate from the original line...I'll give it a solid
------------------------------------------------
Vehicle
Pros:
Incredibly detailed. (Fantastic work!)
Looks like it drove right out of the screen and into the palm of your hand. (Absolutely incredible reproduction. Incredible!)
Working suspension! (Yeah!)
Cons:
Not a real vehicle that you can drive. (lol)
Overall: A great vehicle mode, one of their better choices for a vehicle. A solid
------------------------------------------------
Transformation
1.) Swing out arm/fender assembly.
2.) Push front wheels in and lock into place.
3.) Flip legs down (like G1 Beachcomber).
4.) Push hood down to expose head and neck. (Bring head forward into place, panel behind head pushes down to support head.)
5.) Straighten out arms, open up hands and extend fingers.
6.) Swing C-02 canisters downward and snap into place to create feet.
7.) Push rear wheels in, and snap into place to create heels.
8.) Put the machine gun (with folding stock) in hand.
Pros:
Easy.
Cons:
Too easy, and not very satisfying.
Overall: Considering the complexities of past figures (in and out of the Movie line)...I'm rather let down by the transformation. I was expecting a little more than I got here, and I'm just a little stunned.
------------------------------------------------
Robot
Pros:
Nice articulation, can hold some pretty impressive poses. (Head, shoulder, elbow, wrist, finger, waist, hip and knee movements and can be posed in quite a few ways.)
He can hold quite a few things, like swords, his gun, etc. His hand is basically a clamp and holds on tight.
His face is very different from the other Autobots and it's a welcome change.
Cons:
His feet could be a problem over time, because the wheeled heels could loosen him up.
During transformation and posing, his taillight pieces have a tendency to fall off. (Don't worry, you haven't broken him, it'll pop right back on)
------------------------------------------------
Overall:
I'm impressed by the vehicle mode, sadly underwhelmed by the transformation, and the robot mode could use a little more oomph. Bright blue Allspark Power paint ain't gonna cut it. He's not the worst figure, but he's not the best either. You can tell that not a lot of planning went into this figure, and he feels a tad rushed, honestly. (I think his transformation and robot mode could've been improved upon. I'm not exactly sure what it is just yet, but it's just not cuttin' it for me.) However, he is one of the last new, original figures of the line and if you're a completionist...this is a must have. If you're a general collector and pick and choose, you might not be impressed with him like previous figures in the line. Kids, however, will love the crap out of him.
A solid, but not the best rating of:
*sighs* This is what I get for impatience...(I was let down.)
NOTE: I apologize for the quality of the scans, but it was the best I could work with given the time, plus the fact I'm not good with pictures at all. And no, I'm not sure why the scanner blurred all the red print on the instruction sheet. Hmm.
Packaging
Pros:
Really stands out due to the Allspark Power blue print clashing against the standard Movie packaging. (Though this clash is a good thing. Definitely catches your eye on the shelves. You can't miss it. lol)
Cons:
The blue is all over the packaging. (A little goes a long way, and while the blue is nice, it is strewn about.)
Overall:
A passing grade from me. Nothing groundbreaking in the changes to the packaging really, but since it does catch your eye (which is what it's supposed to do) and it does differentiate from the original line...I'll give it a solid
------------------------------------------------
Vehicle
Pros:
Incredibly detailed. (Fantastic work!)
Looks like it drove right out of the screen and into the palm of your hand. (Absolutely incredible reproduction. Incredible!)
Working suspension! (Yeah!)
Cons:
Not a real vehicle that you can drive. (lol)
Overall: A great vehicle mode, one of their better choices for a vehicle. A solid
------------------------------------------------
Transformation
1.) Swing out arm/fender assembly.
2.) Push front wheels in and lock into place.
3.) Flip legs down (like G1 Beachcomber).
4.) Push hood down to expose head and neck. (Bring head forward into place, panel behind head pushes down to support head.)
5.) Straighten out arms, open up hands and extend fingers.
6.) Swing C-02 canisters downward and snap into place to create feet.
7.) Push rear wheels in, and snap into place to create heels.
8.) Put the machine gun (with folding stock) in hand.
Pros:
Easy.
Cons:
Too easy, and not very satisfying.
Overall: Considering the complexities of past figures (in and out of the Movie line)...I'm rather let down by the transformation. I was expecting a little more than I got here, and I'm just a little stunned.
------------------------------------------------
Robot
Pros:
Nice articulation, can hold some pretty impressive poses. (Head, shoulder, elbow, wrist, finger, waist, hip and knee movements and can be posed in quite a few ways.)
He can hold quite a few things, like swords, his gun, etc. His hand is basically a clamp and holds on tight.
His face is very different from the other Autobots and it's a welcome change.
Cons:
His feet could be a problem over time, because the wheeled heels could loosen him up.
During transformation and posing, his taillight pieces have a tendency to fall off. (Don't worry, you haven't broken him, it'll pop right back on)
------------------------------------------------
Overall:
I'm impressed by the vehicle mode, sadly underwhelmed by the transformation, and the robot mode could use a little more oomph. Bright blue Allspark Power paint ain't gonna cut it. He's not the worst figure, but he's not the best either. You can tell that not a lot of planning went into this figure, and he feels a tad rushed, honestly. (I think his transformation and robot mode could've been improved upon. I'm not exactly sure what it is just yet, but it's just not cuttin' it for me.) However, he is one of the last new, original figures of the line and if you're a completionist...this is a must have. If you're a general collector and pick and choose, you might not be impressed with him like previous figures in the line. Kids, however, will love the crap out of him.
A solid, but not the best rating of:
*sighs* This is what I get for impatience...(I was let down.)
NOTE: I apologize for the quality of the scans, but it was the best I could work with given the time, plus the fact I'm not good with pictures at all. And no, I'm not sure why the scanner blurred all the red print on the instruction sheet. Hmm.
