There is no character in the world of toys quite like Optimus Prime, and though this one may look a little different than the one we all know and love, this Revenge of the Fallen design is currently plastered all over store shelves across the country. Does this leader class Optimus Prime by Hasbro stand up to the hype, or is he just a mess? Read on to see for yourself!
Name: Optimus Prime
Line: Transformers, Revenge of the Fallen, Leader Class
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Released: 3rd Quarter 2009
Price: Retail: $39.99-$44.99 Online: $42.00-$59.99
Accessories: None
7 / 10 - Looks overly complex compared to movie appearance with kibble on his back shoulders and legs; ridiculously proportioned from behind; has crisp technological details in robot form; swords look perfect and tuck into arms well; head sculpt is soft and appears too slim; there smooth curves and crisp angles; truck mode looks amazing, without any compromises in form; all snaps and clips necessary for both forms' transformations fit well.
7 / 10 - Doesn't capture the metallic or battle-worn look of the film; colors are bright and bold, but also look simplistic; flame decals look perfectly crisp and clean; the few applications there are each look good with clean cut lines; colors on face look too simple and don't contrast enough to make his head stand out; some beautiful fading effects in truck mode; more actual paint applications to diversify from the basic plastic would have helped immensely.
9 / 10 - There are an above average number of points for a Transformer; most joints are weclome click joints, allowing stances to be held with ease and his weight to stay balanced as intended; points are all in working condition and nothing is too loose; a few spots are limited in movement by kibble or engineering limitations; he's fun to pose because there is a lot you can do; articulation looks just fine with sculpt, mostly due to him being a robot with joints anyway; vehicle mode's wheels spin well, but there are no other points available.
9 / 10 - He transforms, but it's a mighty frustrating one the first time; doesn't include any accessories, although he does have two enjoyable swords for play sessions; includes numerous action features such as light-up chest and eyes, as well as sound functions; on that note, he says "I am Optimus Prime" every time you nudge his head, and it gets annoying; blades shoot out from his arms in a cool manner; truck mode is fun to roll around with other Autobots; packaging has nice images and background info; Optimus is a famous character from a popular movie.
10 / 10 - Costs about $40-$45 at retail, which is an okay price for a figure at this size (10+inches); doesn't include any accessories, but does have batteries already packed-in, and also has numerous action features; he is like having two toys in one, so that's a nice bonus; feels durable, even during his transformation; packaging is worth keeping; fits in well with other deluxe scale figures from the line; is enjoyable, so he's worth the investment.
Overall Score: 84 / 100 - This is a Great Toy
Even if you're not a fan of the movie, this Optimus Prime might be worth your time unless you absolutely loathe the design. He's a lot of fun at a reasonable price.
P.S. This could be the figure I'm giving away this month, just leave a comment for a chance to win (if it's the one). Comments on this review also earn you a chance to win a toy at battlegrip.com, but need to be received by midnight on June 27th to be eligible.
-The Articulated One
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