Transformers Review - Generations Arcee (Deluxe-Class)

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Transformers Review: Jetfire (Generations Leader)

Intro:

            Jetfire – this was definitely a figure, whose release had never been anticipated by anyone, especially after the wonderfully Classic Voyager Jetfire figure years ago, but after it was announced, everyone was eager for him to arrive.

            Jetfire, a.k.a. Skyfire as he was known in the original G1 animated series, was unique in the sense that his G1 action figure was actually a mold from Bandai, originally used for the Macross series, or Robotech to most part of the world. Hence, both the Macross and Transformers action figures have identical gimmicks. However, as far as the animated series goes, the similarities are miles apart!

            Anyways, now that I’ve finally managed to get hold of him, let’s not waste any more time and let’s get down straight to the reviews.

Alternate Mode:

            The airplane mode is huge! The aircraft really stayed true to its original G1 action figure depiction. Maybe it’s just me, but the jet mode does remind me of the VF-1 Valkyrie – or rather the version used for the original G1 Jetfire.

Together with Classic Jetfire

            Of course, there are 2 ways to display the vehicle mode, either in its original form, with its jetpack and weapons.

            The jetpack serves as a dual-blaster cannon mounted on a ratcheting turret. Apart from that, Jetfire also wields a pair of blaster underneath the wings; another pair of blasters below the aircraft; as well as one big blaster attached under the cockpit. So just like the Classic Jetfire, this Jetfire is seriously armed to the teeth!

Rotatable Turret

            That’s not all folks – the cockpit can also open to reveal a quite detailed interior, complete with 2 seats for any potential pilots.

Weapons deployed

Cockpit opens

            The undercarriage isn’t really that clean – kibbles are way too obvious. Then again, I guess there’s nothing much you can do about it. Any Transformers with jet mode as alternate modes tend to suffer from the same issue.

            Also, if you’re wondering if the Gerwalk mode is applicable – well,  as far as I could tell, there’s no way to transform him to that mode, due to its transformation methods.

            Still, overall, I think the jet mode looks and feels great.

Robot Mode:

            The transformation sequence isn’t exactly that difficult, to the point that you might not even need the instruction manual for the first go.

From left: without and with the mask

            The head sculpt is kind of unique. Unlike the Classic Jetfire, where he also comes with a helmet to evoke his original G1 action figure look, Leader Jetfire comes with a mask instead, which is kinda unique.

With the mask on

            The actual head sculpt itself is very similar to his animated series depiction. The robot mode also looks huge, although not quite as huge as the older generation of Leader Class figures. 

            Articulation-wise: the head is on a swivel and a rotating joint; the shoulders are on a combination of ratcheting vertical rotating joints, shoulder swivels and horizontal rotating joints; the elbows are on very tight ratcheting joints; the hips are on tight ratcheting universal joints; the legs rotate slightly below the hips; soft ratcheting knees that bend as if they are double-jointed; and finally the feet tilt down and back up – due to transformational joint.

            The basic points of articulation are all there, but I’m kind of disappointed that they did not incorporate the simple wrist joints! I don’t mind that they did not incorporate a waist joint, cuz that would be difficult to do so. 

            Despite being an Autobot, Jetfire is armed to the brim! Get a load of this: he has a handheld blaster, a pair of arm-mounted cannons, a pair of leg-mounted cannons, as well as a Jetpack cannon. Seeing as how the shooting angle of the leg-mounted cannons is a bit awkward, you can actually detach them and mount it together with the existing arm-mounted cannons.

From left: Generations Leader-class Jetfire and Classic Voyager-class Jetfire

            The robot mode is quite proportionate is size. The feet, however, is quite huge, especially the heels, as they are needed to keep the back-heavy Jetfire rooted on his feet.

            Overall, the robot mode is a slight improvement of the Classic line Jetfire, which already a great figure itself. I think it has better proportions, and definitely deals better with the back heaviness of the figure.

Overall:

            Honestly, after the success of the Classic Jetfire, I never thought that there’d be another attempt on this character. All in all, I think Leader Class Jetfire is a good update of the character. I just wished that this version could at least be as hefty as a Leader class figure should be, that would’ve made it perfect.

            Recommended.

            Final verdict: 8.5/10.

Transformers Review: Sandstorm (Generations Voyager)

Intro:

            Welcome back folks, to another Transformers Review. Today, we will be reviewing Sandstorm. Now, I have to admit, I’m not really familiar with the character itself.

            As far as I knew, he was a member of the Wreckers, along with fellow Autobot Triple Changers Springer and Broadside. He also appeared in a Season 3 G1 episode alongside Decepticon Octane.

            Back in G1, Sandstorm transformed into a helicopter and dune buggy. Unlike G1 Springer though, he had a more convincing transformation mode.

            I have to admit, it never crossed my mind that I was ever going to get this Generations Voyager-class Sandstorm. I had only planned on getting Springer and Blitzwing. Then, after having both of them, I began bumping onto a lot of Sandstorm photos on the web, and surprisingly, it began to grow on me.

            Then finally, at long last, I decided to get him.  

Tiltrotor Mode:

            For the first time, I actually found out what a friggin tiltrotor is – or rather, what this type of vehicle supposed to be called. All my life, I’ve been calling this contraption a twin-rotor helicopter.

            So who says Transformers collecting can’t be educational?

            Anyways, Sandstorm actually shares the same body template as Springer, which is a good thing, considering how good that Springer figure really is. Having said that, the good is that this is not a mere repaint!

Springer and Sandstorm Armed With Their Blasters

            The Springer mould actually went through a lot of retooling, up to a point that it almost feels like a new mould. Thus, I can’t help it but to do comparisons between both modes.

            The result? I love the tiltrotor mode way better than Springer’s helicopter. Unlike Springer, Sandstorm’s hands can actually lock in properly, thus making it a very solid figure.

            As far as this mode is concerned, it’s a 100% improvement from the Springer mould.

Dune Buggy Mode:

            If you remember my earlier review of Springer, I’ve mentioned that I absolutely love the car mode.

            It’s so surprising how much differences several retooling of the same mould could do. Comparing Springer’s car mode with Sandstorm’s dune buggy mode, while there are numerous similarities, the two figures are stark contrast of one another, not just in its overall presentation, but its entire aura as well. The result is nothing short of wonderful.

Armed With A Blaster

            While Springer’s car mode fits the profile of being slick and fast; Sandstorm’s dune buggy just seems more fierce and deadly. It oozes power, akin to a muscle car. The colors – orange and yellow – fit him well.

            While I do love the dune buggy mode, it’s not entirely perfect. The orange piece of plastic that was the tailfin of the tiltrotor, which is now the window armors, doesn’t lock in properly. In short, it’s just a simple piece of plastic resting on the roof of the car. I wish that they could’ve done something to lock it down.

Springer and Sandstorm

            Apart from that, he’s perfect. I dare say, Sandstorm’s dune buggy mode does indeed have a lot more zing to it compared to Springer’s.

Robot Mode:

Official Mode

            There are actually 2 different looks to the robot – the official look and an unofficial look – it mostly depends on your very own preferences.

            The official mode depicts the backpack angling backwards and leaving the orange panel sticking at the back of the robot like an eyesore.

Unofficial Mode

            Another way, which is my own unofficial way, is to have both wings spread outward and then flip the orange piece down, and just leave it hanging at the back. For some reason, I prefer this mode to the official mode, although at the expense of the shoulder articulations.

Light Piping Works Like A Charm

            Anyways, for the sake of this review, I will focus on the official mode.

            Due to the retooling, Sandstorm looks drastically different from Springer. Sandstorm looks grittier and tougher in so many ways.

Sandstorm and Springer

            Articulation-wise, he has the same set of articulations as Springer. Ball-jointed head; shoulders that has all range of motions; ratcheting elbows and knees; arms rotate at the elbows; rotating wrists and waist; hips on universal joints; legs rotate slightly below the hips and that’s all.

            However, that doesn’t mean that Sandstorm’s perfect and that he could do everything that Springer could.

            For one, the ball joint at the head is too loose for my liking. In most cases, the head tends to droop down too easily, making posing very difficult to do. Due to the huge backpack, Sandstorm has problem trying to stand up! So, while Springer could still do some very adventurous poses, including the one-legged stance, Sandstorm can’t.

            However, as far as the waist and hip joints are concerned, they are actually very tight.

            Another is his shoulders. Due to its current design, unlike Springer’s, the shoulders actually have more lee ways to move as compared to Springer. 

Summary:

            Sandstorm is a good retooled figure. It felt like a new mould, but it’s not without its flaws. While almost all of his articulations points are similar to Springer, due to its backpack design, causes Sandstorm to be rather back-heavy, thus limiting his overall poses.

            I’m not saying that it’s a bad action figure – it’s rather good – just not perfect. In terms of overall look, Sandstorm looks awesome. Still, I would recommend this figure to all Transformers fans, and especially fans of Triple Changers. Moreover, the other 2 vehicular modes more than makes up for his lacking in aesthetics.

            Recommended.

Rating – 8/10