Intro:
After the death of Optimus Prime during the Decepticons’ assault on Autobot City on Earth (during the events of the 1986 animated movie), the Autobot forces were left without the leader, and before the next true bearer of the Matrix could be found, Ultra Magnus was selected as the temporary guardian of the Matrix and the interim leader of the Autobots.
The original G1 Ultra Magnus figure was quite unique, in the sense that the cab is actually a repaint of the original Optimus Prime figure. The Ultra Magnus figure that we learned to love and adore was actually the powered up version of that figure, which is the combination between the cab and the carrier trailer. The Ultra Magnus figure itself was previously known as Powered Convoy and was never meant to be a new character. Although the end result looked like his animation counterpart, the transformation is all wrong!
The cab figure was never shown in the original G1 animation or comics, save in the modern comics, as the series depicted the entire carrier and cab transforming into Ultra Magnus as a whole.
The Titanium Ultra Magnus would prove to be the only incarnation that would stay true to the original depiction.
Alternate Mode:
The carrier mode is really animation-accurate, and I have to say, the colors are perfect. Of course the cab and the trailer now do not separate and again, the wheels can’t really roll as freely as I would’ve liked.
One obvious issue concerning this mode is how there is a lack of locking mechanism between the hands and the legs, which forms the upper tier of the car carrier.
Cool alternate mode.
Robot Mode:
The robot mode is distinguishable as the G1 Ultra Magnus, but with an extremely long pair of arms, so it kinda makes this figure looked too lanky. The cab also folds backward to reveal the head, and that kinda make the figure looks a little hunchbacked and the arms disproportionately placed.
The missile launchers on his shoulder do not seem to stick well enough, and from time to time, it may drop off if you accidently bump into it, however lightly you do so.
The knee joints can be a bit tight, and plus with its extraordinary huge-sized boots, posing of the legs is almost impossible. The grey color gun that came with the set can be quite difficult to attach onto the hand.
Articulation-wise: the head and shoulders are on ball joints; the elbows bend, but their hinge joints are on ratcheting joints; the waist is on a very tight ratcheting joint; the hips are on ratcheting universal joints; the legs rotate slightly below the hips, which are also on ratcheting joints; and finally, the knees bend, and guess what (?), yup, you guessed right, it’s on ratcheting joints too.
The amount of ratcheting joints on this figure is absolutely tasty.
Apart from that, this Ultra Magnus figure is an okay figure at best, the only saving grace for this figure, in my opinion, is its accuracy to its animated counterpart.
Overall:
I would normally classify the Titanium line in general as a failure. But truth be told, they were some glimpses of hope in the line and Ultra Magnus was one of them. He is in fact one of the better ones in the entire line.
The biggest draw to this figure would be how closely it mimics his on-screen depiction, both in terms of overall look and transformation.
He’s definitely one of the Titaniums worth getting.
Recommended.
Final verdict: 8/10.
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