Happy New Year 2012!!!

Hey y'all Cybertronians!!!

2011 has been one heck of a ride, it has its fair shares of ups and downs. Nonetheless, it has been a really good year. Anyways, as the year is coming to an end, we here at Planet Cybertron and the New Planet Cybertron webpages, would like to wish every single one of you Cybertronians, a Happy New Year 2012...

Diorama - Dancing with the Stars

Hey y'all Cybertronians,

Have you ever wondered what it would be like if Transformers were allowed to participate in Dancing with the Stars? Well, look no further...

Here are the next contestants... Optimus and Arcee!!!

The Perfect Couple

Thank you for watching...

Transformers Review –Arcee (Prime Deluxe)

Intro:

            When I first watch Transformers: Prime, 2 characters really caught my attention. First was Cliffjumper – not only was he cool, tough talking and backed it up with an equally tough-guy attitude (even though it only lasted for the first five minutes of the series), and of course because he was voiced by none other than the Brahma Bull, the People’s Champ, the innovator of the People’s Elbow and the Rockbottom – Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson.

            Second was Arcee, who transform into a superbike. Arcee, unlike his original incarnation in G1, who was very feminine and has motherly instinct, Prime’s Arcee was portrayed to be a very tough no-nonsense warrior who won’t back down from any challenges. That, in my book, is cool.

            A nod to her G1 characterization, Prime’s Arcee eventually got very close to the human Jack Darby, and become some sort of a guardian angel to him. Plus, he gets to ride that awesome looking bike that she transforms into everyday. How cool is that?!

            Anyways, when this figure was first announced, I knew instinctively that I had to get him, and so I did, and just in time for Christmas. So, here’s her review.

Alternate Mode:

Kickstand Deployed

            Personally, I think the bike mode looks really need. The last time I’ve ever owned a Arcee-bike was the Transformers 2007 Movie repaint of Elita-1, which I think was quite nice and sporty. I didn’t get the ROTF version – the one with the one wheel as legs – as I think she looks horribly deformed, although I have to say, the bike mode was quite nice.

Without Side Blades

            However, I think this bike mode trumps them all. This bike has 2 modes – if you can ever put it that way. First you have the basic motorcycle mode, complete with its own kickstand, which means you can pose the bike on a parking position. 

With Side Blades

            However, if you want to pose her in a speedier (and slicker) bike mode, you can just attached her blades in robot mode to her sides, and voila, instant armor that kinda makes her look ready for action. 

Vroom, Vroom...

            The wheels roll quite freely, although I do wish that they could’ve somehow made the handle turn-able, but it’s just impossible here due to the transformation.

            Still, overall the bike mode looks quite nice.

Robot Mode:

            This mode, in my opinion, is the main attraction of this figure. I have to say, I am beginning to love this new series/ toy line. The aesthetics of this figure is absolutely marvelous. 

 

 

            The amount of articulations packed into this small figure is very, very nice. The articulations are as follows: head is on a swinging ball joint; the shoulders are on a combinational swivel and ball joints, whose movements can be a bit hindered by the large shoulder panels; the arms rotate slightly below the shoulders, while the elbows are deliciously double-jointed; there is also an available waist joint; ball-jointed hips; bendable knees; and finally the entire legs rotate at the hips.

Banzai...

 

            There’s also a hint of light piping in her eyes, but it isn’t that obvious, which is probably one of my minor gripes for this figure.

Ready to kick some @$$...

Haiyaa!!!

            Just like her colleagues Optimus Prime and Megatron, I really love her articulations. I really had a lot of fun posing her, especially my all time favorite poses – the taekwondo kick and also sitting down. 

Size Comparisons (From Left): Deluxe Jazz, Arcee, Optimus Prime

Like A Movie Poster?

            In fact, her articulations are so good that she has the star potential to be the next Top Model, as far as the following photo shoots go.

 

 

 

Summary:

            All in all, Arcee is a very fun figure to play with. Herself, along with the other figures in this new Transformers: Prime line is really a breath of fresh air in this franchise that we all love.

            Plus with her excellent characterization in the animated series, Arcee is definitely a must have for any collectors.

            Get her while you still can.

            Highly recommended.

Verdict: A strong 9.5/10

Transformers Review –Megatron (Prime Deluxe 2-Packs)

Intro:

 

            As mentioned in my previous review of Transformers: Prime Deluxe Optimus Prime figure, since the Optimus Prime figure came in a 2-pack set, I would be doing a 2-parter review, hence now, is the review of the second figure from the set.

Alternate Mode:

            Keeping up with the tradition of Megatron having whacky out of the world alternate mode, just like his Animated and 1^st Movie predecessor, our Megatron in question transforms into an alien aircraft. 

 

            To be completely honest with you, I don’t like this mode. While I do understand that being an alien aircraft means that it has no definable alternate mode, but that doesn’t give any excuse for it to be executed poorly.

 

            Take Cybertron/ Galaxy Force Vector Prime, or even Soundwave from the same series for example; that is what I call a fantastic alien alternate mode.

            Almost in the same vein as ROTF: Voyager-class The Fallen, Megatron really looks like a mere folded up robot mode. In fact, the kibbles are horrendously visible – from the folded up legs to the half exposed head. 

            Again, just as with Optimus Prime, you can also peg Megatron’s infamous fusion canon onto the back of the alternate mode.

Robot Mode:

            The robot mode, however, in contrast to the alternate mode, is far more superior in terms of designs and aesthetic. Whatever the alternate mode failed to deliver, the robot makes up with a proportionately-designed robot with superior articulations.

 

            The articulations are as follows: ball-jointed head (albeit limited movement due to the design of the head sculpt); the shoulders consist of a combination of swivel and ball joints that provides all-around motions; the arms rotate and bend at the elbows, while the wrists rotate; no waist joint, but Megatron does come with ball jointed hips; the legs bend and rotate at the knees; and finally the toes and heels are on separate joints, but mainly due to transformations.

            The pose-ability of this figure is simply amazing. As far as aesthetics are concerned, it is a worthy equal to Deluxe Optimus Prime, but with a slicker and meaner designs, which translates to cooler-looking robot mode. 

 

            I had a lot of fun fiddling and messing around with this figure, and I think he’s pretty darn amazing.

 

            The head sculpt also look pretty wicked and the purple light-piping eyes only succeeds in adding to an already awesome look. 

Summary:

            Despite having such lame alternate mode, Megatron makes it up with a vastly superior robot mode, which in my opinion, score a higher point compared to his Deluxe-class opposite – Optimus Prime.

            Superb robot mode.

            Highly recommended.

Verdict: 8.5/10

Transformers Review –Optimus Prime (Prime Deluxe 2-Packs)

Intro:

            The 2-pack set Optimus Prime-Megatron is among the first of the 1^st Wave releases from the new Transformers: Prime series, along with Bumblebee, Starscream and Arcee.

            In view that Optimus is one half of the 2-pack, I will divide the set into 2 reviews: the first one focusing solely on Optimus Prime and the 3 bonus human figures; whilst Megatron will be featured on an upcoming review. 

            Clearly from the box itself, it has been stated that this is the first edition release for this guy, hence do expect more variants/ remolds/ repaints of these figures somewhere down the line.

Box:

            I don’t normally focus on the box, but I’ll give this set a brief mention. The background within the box is meant to be a diorama depicted a barren dessert with lotsa mounds and hills.

            The set also comes along with a Transformers: Prime DVD episode called Masters and Students. 

From left: Miko Nakadai, Raf Esquivel & Jack Darby

            Also, 3 small figurines of the human characters Jack Darby, Raf Esquivel & Miko Nakadai, and guess what? They also come with a paper stand!!! Whoopee…

            The 3 human figurines are detailed enough, but do not expect more from them as they are merely accessories to the set, hence devoid of all articulations, except the neck. Still, I think the 3 of them are really neat bonus addition to the set.

           

Alternate Mode:

            Optimus Prime’s roughly inherits his movies’ alternate mode in this series, but minus the flame decals and other details. 

 

            If you’re used to the details and vividness of the movies Optimus Prime’s vehicle mode, this figure may appear to be a bit boring to you. Having said that, that doesn’t mean that the colors are any less vibrant that the movies versions. 

            There are also various visible kibbles such as the back of the truck where parts of the feet are overly exposed; and also underneath the truck. 

            The good thing is that the truck does roll freely and there is also a teasing peg behind him for a possible trailer attachment – but for now, you might have to settle for sticking his blaster into that peg hole.  

Robot Mode:

            Now, let me be perfectly upfront about this – I don’t like robot’s chest with fake windows, which is why I didn’t like the G2 Laser Optimus Prime in the first place. However, there are certain exceptions that I would make way for such as the Galaxy Force/ Cybertron Galaxy Convoy/ Optimus Prime, because it had to be done to make him look good.

            In our current Optimus Prime’s case, I don’t think that he look that good with that fake windows. Maybe they could’ve done better with it, maybe they couldn’t I don’t know.

            But what I do know is that despite his awkward appearance (by my personal rating), his articulations are pretty good, almost on par with the Generations Optimus Prime (and that is saying quite a lot!). 

            His listed articulations are as follows: head is on a ball joint; shoulders are on a combinational rotational and swivel joints; the elbows rotate and bend; articulated waist joint; ball-jointed hips; legs rotate slightly below the hips; bendable knees; and finally the ankles are on a combinational swivel joints that provides all round motions.

 

 

            The sheer pose-ability of this figure is simply amazing and I reckoned that you will enjoy fiddling with him very much. 

 

Summary:

            Like I said, Optimus Prime is a mixed baggage. He’s definitely not the best looking Optimus Prime out there, but definitely one of the best in terms of articulations. If you’re an Optimus Prime purist, this is definitely a must for you.

Verdict: 8/10