Monkey Business: A Review of MP-38 Masterpiece Beast Wars Optimus Primal Legendary Leader Version
Saturday, July 1st, 2017 4:28PM CDT
Categories: Toy News, Reviews, Site ArticlesPosted by: Cobotron Views: 23,335
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Oh but man! I do love me those Beat Wars toys. I often refer to my OG Primal toy as my "Buzz Lightyear". He is hands down one of my all time favorite Transformers.
The beast mode sculpt On MP-32 is what bothered me, and the painted hair texture even more. When I saw the reveal of MP-38 Optimus Primal Legendary Leader Version, my interests were peaked. Although it still had that smooth car dealership inflatable gorilla look to the beast mode, the new deco helped me see more of what I wanted to see. The toy. And the accessories sure helped that too. So I decided I'd give the old ape a try.
So let's get down to monkeying around!
I don't mind eating a little crow. This Masterpiece certainly exceeded my expectations.
This is my first time with this mold. So for me this isn't a rehash of what I already know. This is a real time first impression.
BACK OFF THE GLASS KIDS! The alpha is angry.
While I'm still not crazy about the beast mode, it is starting to grow on me. Poseability is OK, but the character that the different faces bring really help this mode become more enjoyable. Legendary Leader comes with one less face for each mode than 32, but the ones he comes with are still fun.
I do have some concern for the finish. He has this beautiful matte finish all over. I fear that it could wear quickly. Matte finishes like this love to show scratches and rubs. Especially in black. You definitely have to handle him gingerly. Keep those nails trimmed, and be careful with those clearances during transformation.
What does it really mean...... to have a spark?
BOT MODE!
Well now this mode just saved the day! The deco is so true to the original. The transformation was elegant, and not too complicated. I never liked the exposed mouth from the show. This version does come with the optional face, but the first thing I did was slap the muzzle on that monkey maw.
The inclusion of some of the OG toy gimmicks is great. I got pretty excited when I deployed those wrist rockets. He's got all the right weapons to put this homage to work for me.
But the very best accessories?
The mask and the morningstar! The mask is TOTALLY RAD!!!! (Yaeh, I said rad) I lost the mask to my original Primal years ago. And miss it to this day. It looks so good on 38, I'm pretty convinced this is how I'll display him. What's interesting is it pegs into the back of his head, which has a translucent window, so the light-up eyes gimmick will still function.
What's AWESOME is the added gnarlyness you get by folding down the bot head antennas to form TUSKS!!!
Exhaust! Looks like you and my flail are gonna get in a little FACE TIME!
Another added feature over 32 is the weapon rack. You can still stow the separate blades in his back pack, but with this added piece, he can stash all the extras. The conjoined sword looks a tad ridiculous sticking out there, but the mask and flail storage is much appreciated.
Aside from the accessories, some of my Seiber-friends, much better versed than I in TF fiction and lore helped me with a few fun factoids that make Legendary Leader's release different from MP-32.
MP-38 is the first Masterpiece to be released as a Beast Wars 2 character. The box, instructions, and collector's card all sport the BW2 logo, as well as feature artwork from a very specific one-off anime titled, Beast Wars Special Super Lifeform Transformers. While I'm sure Takara wanted to reference the anime with their deco on 38, as they are increasingly needing to do these days, the artists at the studio responsible for the film were most likely directly referencing the original toy's design. Since I'm unfamiliar with this anime, when I look at 38, I obviously see the old, now classic Kenner/Hasbro deco.
Not bad for an old timer!
Will this Masterpiece version ever replace the original beast's warm fuzzy nest in my primate heart? NOPE! But, 38 is starting to build his own. If cartoon accuracy is your thang, then 32 is allllll-right. But if like me, the buck stops at the toys, 38 is a really great Masterpiece figure. Whether he is to replace the old one your Mom sold at that garage sale, or to be added to your Optimus Primal shelf, he's and outstanding transforming robot toy high-end collectible! It definitely scratched the itch on my silver back!
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Posted by MaverickPrime on July 2nd, 2017 @ 9:19pm CDT
Posted by shajaki on July 29th, 2017 @ 12:50pm CDT
Posted by Cobotron on July 29th, 2017 @ 9:16pm CDT
One day I will rebuild this empire, and will be stronger than ever.
Keep hope in your hearts good people of the realm.
Posted by shajaki on July 29th, 2017 @ 9:40pm CDT
Rebuild what? The Tron fall apart after an earthquake? I was just wondering why we don't hang out here anymoreCobotron wrote:Me too.
One day I will rebuild this empire, and will be stronger than ever.
Keep hope in your hearts good people of the realm.
Posted by galvatron00 on July 29th, 2017 @ 10:01pm CDT
The earthquake of Photobucket. A 10.0 on the "oh shirt, what're we gonna do now?!" scale.
Posted by Cobotron on August 3rd, 2017 @ 11:11pm CDT
Y'all know I don't delve too deep into movie stuff, but if a design looks good in toy form, I'll give it a try.
Before time. Before Transformers. I was all about knights. So the whole knight thing in the last two movies did hold some appeal. It worked on the AOE Dinobots especially in that Platinum ghost knight deco. Now they have a King!
This dasterdly death prince is dangerously dreadful, and I'm digging it!
The sculpt on his armor is wicked cool. I love the head/helmet sculpt, but mostly with the mask and tusks closed. His face is hideous, which works fine since he looks so evil. And that orcish meat cleaver of a swordaxe is AWESOME!
He does feel kinda flimsy in places, and that arm transformation was finicky as hell the first time around, but what I like about the transformation is it's right at that baseline of intricate but quick and fun.
The alt mode is just as evil as the bot. It's a pretty fun ship to zoom zoom and pew pew.
Love the flame effects, and I'm sure those will come in handy for plenty of other fun thanks to the 5mm peg on the end.
Posted by Kurona on August 4th, 2017 @ 5:39am CDT
Posted by galvatron00 on August 4th, 2017 @ 7:58am CDT
I also enjoyed "This dastardly death prince is dangerously dreadful, and I'm digging it!"
Posted by no-one on August 4th, 2017 @ 8:17am CDT
Let me second this, I hope they keep running with the theme. They took the knight lite of AoE and cranked it all the way up with TLK. I mean what's cooler than knights and dragons? A robot knight that turns into a robot dragon. Can't wait to find Steelbane at retail. Back to Megs, I was sold on his design the moment I saw him. As cool as the leader looks I think I'm going hold out for a more compact package in the voyager. Fortunately they both have the sword cleaver +1. Megs is pimping a real Dark Souls kinda vibe.Cobotron wrote:Before time. Before Transformers. I was all about knights. So the whole knight thing in the last two movies did hold some appeal.
So anyone double/triple/quadruple dipping in old Meggy?
I'll second this as wellitscramtastic wrote:I also enjoyed "This dastardly death prince is dangerously dreadful, and I'm digging it!"
I bought a second AoE Scorn for the express purpose of ripping off his tail/arm to make a custom black knightKurona wrote:King? You sure he's not the black knight?
It also feels good to prop my feet up in the Tron again
Posted by Kurona on August 4th, 2017 @ 8:26am CDT
Posted by Cobotron on August 4th, 2017 @ 9:34am CDT
Well, I was just imagineering the idea that maybe this Megatron is the evil King who necromanced these evil wraiths to do his bidding.Kurona wrote:King? You sure he's not the black knight?
Maybe I'll pick up the Legion. The voyager does look good, I just kind of wanted the bigger one to go with my '07 Leader Prime, and the voyager doesn't have the mask and tusk gimmick, and I'd be stuck starring at those ugly buttery old dinosaur teeth.carytheone wrote:So anyone double/triple/quadruple dipping in old Meggy?
Posted by shajaki on August 4th, 2017 @ 6:42pm CDT
I'm surprised to here you say he's finicky. The Voyager is pretty solid. Glad you're having fun though
Posted by Cobotron on August 4th, 2017 @ 10:04pm CDT
LEADER CHIEF!shajaki wrote:Oh damn son! I thought you got the Voyager!
I'm surprised to here you say he's finicky. The Voyager is pretty solid. Glad you're having fun though
He was finicky the first time, and even more so since the instructions are illegible gobbledy gouk.
But once I got the swing, I can ride the boogie.
One thing though, the nose cone arm cannon mechanism is kinda badly executed. You can get it to work but one wrong look and that nosecone splits.
You have him, Jak? Has he shown up on the tundra?
What do you think?
Posted by shajaki on August 4th, 2017 @ 10:16pm CDT
I wonder if it's a widespread problemCobotron wrote:LEADER CHIEF!
He was finicky the first time, and even more so since the instructions are illegible gobbledy gouk.
But once I got the swing, I can ride the boogie.
One thing though, the nose cone arm cannon mechanism is kinda badly executed. You can get it to work but one wrong look and that nosecone splits.
You have him, Jak? Has he shown up on the tundra?
What do you think?
I haven't seen anything front paged, but just today a local guy shared a pic of a Leader OP! So Megs is around! But... I preordered the Takara one so I'ma have to wait unfortunately. But hey, one less thing I gotta hunt for
Posted by SureShot18 on August 4th, 2017 @ 11:42pm CDT
Posted by Bumblebee21 on August 5th, 2017 @ 12:10am CDT
Posted by no-one on August 5th, 2017 @ 5:28am CDT
In the reviews I watched (including Emgo) the nose cone cannon did the same thing. Popped at even the slightest breeze. I'd say having a hair trigger is more of a feature than a problem in Hasbro's eyes.shajaki wrote:I wonder if it's a widespread problemCobotron wrote:One thing though, the nose cone arm cannon mechanism is kinda badly executed. You can get it to work but one wrong look and that nosecone splits.
I did see him at Target the day before yesterday and he is truly a thing of beauty.
Posted by D-Maximal_Primal on August 7th, 2017 @ 11:03am CDT
That leader megs looks awesome though!! I just need him, the voyager, and the deluxe to complete the set. Oh and the tiny turbo changer.
I need to check HTS. apparently they got some new stuff in stock and I have a 20% off thanks to the emails, so here's hoping!
Posted by galvatron00 on August 7th, 2017 @ 11:09am CDT
You better get that fool D-Max!! Next day shipping for us northeasternersD-Maximus_Prime wrote:Still no sign of him here, or anything post-wave 1 save the wave 3 voyagers when I was at a reunion this weekend.
That leader megs looks awesome though!! I just need him, the voyager, and the deluxe to complete the set. Oh and the tiny turbo changer.
I need to check HTS. apparently they got some new stuff in stock and I have a 20% off thanks to the emails, so here's hoping!
20% and FREE currently!!
Posted by D-Maximal_Primal on August 7th, 2017 @ 11:21am CDT
itscramtastic wrote:You better get that fool D-Max!! Next day shipping for us northeasternersD-Maximus_Prime wrote:Still no sign of him here, or anything post-wave 1 save the wave 3 voyagers when I was at a reunion this weekend.
That leader megs looks awesome though!! I just need him, the voyager, and the deluxe to complete the set. Oh and the tiny turbo changer.
I need to check HTS. apparently they got some new stuff in stock and I have a 20% off thanks to the emails, so here's hoping!
20% and FREE currently!!
I was thinking of Trypticon, TLK stuff, and the RiD combiners on that coupon!
Posted by galvatron00 on August 7th, 2017 @ 11:25am CDT
I was thinking everything you could get at the timeD-Maximus_Prime wrote:I was thinking of Trypticon, TLK stuff, and the RiD combiners on that coupon!itscramtastic wrote:You better get that fool D-Max!! Next day shipping for us northeasternersD-Maximus_Prime wrote:Still no sign of him here, or anything post-wave 1 save the wave 3 voyagers when I was at a reunion this weekend.
That leader megs looks awesome though!! I just need him, the voyager, and the deluxe to complete the set. Oh and the tiny turbo changer.
I need to check HTS. apparently they got some new stuff in stock and I have a 20% off thanks to the emails, so here's hoping!
20% and FREE currently!!
Posted by D-Maximal_Primal on August 7th, 2017 @ 11:31am CDT
itscramtastic wrote:I was thinking everything you could get at the timeD-Maximus_Prime wrote:I was thinking of Trypticon, TLK stuff, and the RiD combiners on that coupon!itscramtastic wrote:You better get that fool D-Max!! Next day shipping for us northeasternersD-Maximus_Prime wrote:Still no sign of him here, or anything post-wave 1 save the wave 3 voyagers when I was at a reunion this weekend.
That leader megs looks awesome though!! I just need him, the voyager, and the deluxe to complete the set. Oh and the tiny turbo changer.
I need to check HTS. apparently they got some new stuff in stock and I have a 20% off thanks to the emails, so here's hoping!
20% and FREE currently!!
Well, the siege box set and MPM Prime are coming in stock very soon, and I just paid off my car so I am a bit low on money at the moment, so I need to pick carefully!
Posted by galvatron00 on August 7th, 2017 @ 12:18pm CDT
Oh snap!! All of the monies!!D-Maximus_Prime wrote:Well, the siege box set and MPM Prime are coming in stock very soon, and I just paid off my car so I am a bit low on money at the moment, so I need to pick carefully!itscramtastic wrote:I was thinking everything you could get at the timeD-Maximus_Prime wrote:I was thinking of Trypticon, TLK stuff, and the RiD combiners on that coupon!
Posted by Cobotron on August 9th, 2017 @ 2:35pm CDT
Wifatron is taking the Tronettes to visit the Grandtrons Thursday morning.
Thursday is going to be GIGANTIC!
Posted by galvatron00 on August 9th, 2017 @ 2:41pm CDT
Cobotron wrote:
Claaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaassic Austin Powers.
Posted by Kurona on August 9th, 2017 @ 2:53pm CDT
Posted by D-Maximal_Primal on August 9th, 2017 @ 2:58pm CDT
HTS was out of Tryps when I went to order, otherwise I would be in the same boat Cobro
Posted by Cobotron on August 9th, 2017 @ 2:58pm CDT
You'll have to stay up EXTRA late K.
Posted by shajaki on August 9th, 2017 @ 3:01pm CDT
Expect, and demand!Kurona wrote:Oooh boyo. I fully expect an image overload on this thread tomorrow morning!
Posted by no-one on August 10th, 2017 @ 12:02pm CDT
Posted by shajaki on August 10th, 2017 @ 1:43pm CDT
Thanks, I can't get enough of it eithercarytheone wrote:Loving the sig shajaki
Posted by galvatron00 on August 10th, 2017 @ 1:45pm CDT
You need to replicate the photo so it becomes yours!!shajaki wrote:Thanks, I can't get enough of it eithercarytheone wrote:Loving the sig shajaki
Posted by shajaki on August 10th, 2017 @ 1:52pm CDT
PFF! I ain't got that kinda skills!?itscramtastic wrote:You need to replicate the photo so it becomes yours!!shajaki wrote:Thanks, I can't get enough of it eithercarytheone wrote:Loving the sig shajaki
Posted by galvatron00 on August 10th, 2017 @ 1:54pm CDT
You do!! And the bots for it I'm sure!!shajaki wrote:PFF! I ain't got that kinda skills!?itscramtastic wrote:You need to replicate the photo so it becomes yours!!shajaki wrote:Thanks, I can't get enough of it eithercarytheone wrote:Loving the sig shajaki
Posted by Sigma Magnus on August 10th, 2017 @ 1:58pm CDT
shajaki wrote:PFF! I ain't got that kinda skills!?itscramtastic wrote:You need to replicate the photo so it becomes yours!!shajaki wrote:Thanks, I can't get enough of it eithercarytheone wrote:Loving the sig shajaki
Sure ya do! It'd be a pretty easy photo to take, honestly. Only hiccup would be the LEGO banana.
Posted by galvatron00 on August 10th, 2017 @ 2:40pm CDT
Posted by no-one on August 10th, 2017 @ 2:43pm CDT
itscramtastic wrote:TRYPTICON!! I'VE SEEN HIM!! HE'S BEAUTIFUL!!
Posted by galvatron00 on August 10th, 2017 @ 2:45pm CDT
You be quiet Barbrady and know your place!!carytheone wrote:itscramtastic wrote:TRYPTICON!! I'VE SEEN HIM!! HE'S BEAUTIFUL!!
Posted by no-one on August 10th, 2017 @ 2:47pm CDT
itscramtastic wrote:You be quiet Barbrady and know your place!!carytheone wrote:itscramtastic wrote:TRYPTICON!! I'VE SEEN HIM!! HE'S BEAUTIFUL!!
Posted by bodrock on August 11th, 2017 @ 12:34pm CDT
Posted by Cobotron on August 12th, 2017 @ 12:43am CDT
We started off with the repairs. Fulltilt helped put some crunches down on the springs.
FEEL THE BURN!
I really lucked out. I got a good copy of the toy. The ramp has the tabs to hold it in. The chest flap is not warped and locks in place. I'm not 100% sure I needed to do the hip fix, but I figured better safe than sorry.
Shake them hips! Dance Trypi, dance!
By Alpha Trion's beard! He's as big as the furniture!
So with the fam out of town and, the Hobbit hole to myself, I decide to get all the Titans Return toys out of the 'Tron and... roll around in them.
Not my best photo work, but it turned out like this.
Heads of State
All the Cons
So, my sword hasn't arrived yet, but I'd be happy to punch you.
BLAMO!
That was fun as hell!
Now I gotta go put all my toys away.
Posted by Kurona on August 12th, 2017 @ 4:42am CDT
Posted by Sigma Magnus on August 12th, 2017 @ 10:19am CDT
Posted by shajaki on August 12th, 2017 @ 11:20am CDT
Dude, that is epic. It's a war scene! On a coffee table no less! How long did that take you?
Cobotron wrote:Now I gotta go put all my toys away.
Posted by bodrock on August 12th, 2017 @ 11:21am CDT
Kurona wrote::shock: The titans have goddamn returned! That's one hell of a battle scene!
This!
Amazing, Cobo!
Posted by Cobotron on August 12th, 2017 @ 2:49pm CDT
Two Hobbits and a Hell Boy II!shajaki wrote: How long did that take you?
I used the opertunity to finally reconfigure my control console. My monitor was off at an angle and it was starting to mess with my lower back.
The new confab:
Trypticon is homeless. At least he gets a corner. It's all good though. I'm not done playing with him. Not to mention stickers.
The rest of TR gets a home down here on this catchall shelf.
Posted by no-one on August 12th, 2017 @ 2:52pm CDT
Going have lock jaw from all that 'TSCHE-CHU-CHU-CHE-TSCHE'
Do I spy with my little eye the 'Tron in the way back?
I've noticed that you always seem to put the Autobots on the left and the Decepticons on the right. I do the exact opposite (I'm usually backasswards though). That poses a fun poll. Does anyone have a preferencial bias when poses fight scenes? Is there a right or wrong way? Does one way feel more right and why? Is it from the old group shots found in artwork, catalogs and/or check list posters?
Think it over, it's time for Coffee Tawlk!
Just try not to get to verklempt
Posted by Sigma Magnus on August 12th, 2017 @ 2:59pm CDT
Posted by Cobotron on August 12th, 2017 @ 3:07pm CDT
HA! I have pondered this for years. There are two shelves were I purposely tried to counteract this. But, I think it is something subconscious. Due to reading English, we are programmed to take in visual information from left to right. Maybe a test of the soul. I tend to lead with the forces of good over the forces of evil?carytheone wrote:I've noticed that you always seem to put the Autobots on the left and the Decepticons on the right.
Could have to do with the dominate side of the brain we use?
Not entirely sure Curly. Definitely a philosophical quandary for the ages!
You do indeed.carytheone wrote:Do I spy with my little eye the 'Tron in the way back?
Thanks Sig. Lots of good work and good fun happens at that desk.Sigma Magnus wrote:Holy scrap, that is an awesome desk! Personally though, when it comes to displays I couldn't have my own figures like that for fear of stuff falling over.
I've been playing the game of Robot Jenga for years. Sometimes things fall. Rarely do they break though. *knocks on wood*