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Post by Philip Ayres on Nov 8, 2013 8:50:54 GMT
Week 27: Ultra Magnus5) FOC Ultra MagnusDidn't care much for the FOC Optimus but the newer Magnus version captures the character perfectly. Superb toy for the size. 4) Energon Ultra MagnusWhen everyone first saw the grey prototype Overload they screamed Ultra Magnus. Here he is back again in the Magnus colours. Here we hate him for shelf warming but it's a decent toy capturing the essence of the original in many ways in more than one mode. 3) Car Robots/RID Ultra MagnusIn many ways Japan's 2nd great run as an independent TF producer, from BWII to Car Robots, is bookended by new versions of the 1986 New Leaders: BWII had Galvatron, Car Robots had Magnus. RID Magnus takes the vehicle mode, updates it and makes it more realistic, comes up with a new robot mode and adds the ability to combine with Prime. Very nice toy. Yes, the trailer could pivot but that's about the only real moan I have. 2) Universe Battle in a Box Ultra MagnusFor a while you could not move for white Ultra Magnus repaints of Prime. Some would have made sense - a Yeti BW Ultra I've mentioned before, and a white Energon version with limbs in the Magnus colours would have been nice. However this version, a repaint of Armada Supercon Prime, hits the spot for me. It says soldier in a way that many white Magnus toys don't. And it's been quite cleverly done: the odd splashes of colour make sense on the toy with the red and blue being taken from the colours for the larger original combined Magnus. Yes again maybe I'd tweak the colours - swap the grey for white so he has a more distinctive gun/Minicon from Prime/Nemesis Prime but it's a small thing. 1) 1986 Ultra MagnusWhat can you say? Take the original Prime body, repaint it, give it a trailer that combines with it. Fabulous. Hasn't been beaten for this character.
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kayevcee
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Post by kayevcee on Nov 8, 2013 9:01:34 GMT
Oop! Better do 1990 first. I'm sure I've missed a few along the way. 5) Action Master Optimus Prime: A good playset with loads of extra weapons for other figures. Let down by the Optimus Prime figure that came apart in a stiff breeze. The legs fell off mine getting him out of the box. 4) Classics Wheeljack. I mean, come on. 3) Micromaster combiner anti-aircraft base. Nice combined mode from the two figures, fun scout car and crazy battle station that turns into a groovy rolling tank with rotating & elevating turret. 2) Sonic Bomber. Cool spaceship, cool robot, auto-transformation button, base mode. Yup. 1) Dai Atlas. What Karl said -Nick
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Stomski
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Post by Stomski on Nov 8, 2013 10:11:57 GMT
Ultra Magnus - well I'm not really a fan of straight Optimus Prime repaints, so that limits me a little.
3. G1 2001 Movie Preview/Diaclone. I think I prefer these blues/silvers/reds to the actual released figure. The mold could do with hip articulation in "battle armour" mode, but we can let this go based on it's age, ability to carry standard G1 cars.
2. Animated. First let's start with the face sculpt. In a world where Magnus is in charge, Wyatt's design evokes a stern temperament and the figure really conveys this. Alt mode features flip out guns and robot mode is well proportioned and as with a lot of Animated figures, some how manages to capture his cartoon appearance. Also - I think this is the first time he got a gert big hammer.
1. RiD. Despite breaking into bits and reattaching to Prime to form Omega Supreme, this combination still impresses me, especially the interaction with the weapon, making different sounds based on how it's attached. On it's own, the robot is a little lanky, but it does interact with the RiD deluxes and alt mode looks pretty neat, albeit not real world which differentiates it from other RiD vehicles.
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Post by Philip Ayres on Nov 8, 2013 15:06:56 GMT
Oop! Better do 1990 first. I'm sure I've missed a few along the way. 8 Pretenders 9 1986 Toys 10 Bumblebee 12 Tapes 13 1987 Toys 14 Jazz 15 Classics 18 1988 Toys 19 Starscream 20 Robotmasters 22 1989 Toys 23 Grimlock 24 Energon Jim's voted every week so far. Andy K and Andy T have missed one each (weeks 5 and 26 respectively) and Karl's missed 2 (8 and, incredibly, 19) - see the spoiler on the front page for a list of what was which week if you want to catch up.
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Post by legios on Nov 8, 2013 17:40:33 GMT
I missed week 19? I thought I'd done a post for that, I shall have to catch up with that this weekend.
Karl
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Post by The Doctor on Nov 8, 2013 18:08:55 GMT
Oh fuck. Ultra Magnus!
-Ralph
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kayevcee
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Post by kayevcee on Nov 8, 2013 19:05:59 GMT
Hmm! That's quite a lot. Time to get the thinking head on, Wurzel!
-Nick
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Post by Shockprowl on Nov 8, 2013 20:25:04 GMT
Ultra Magnus. One of my favorite characters. Only familiar with a few of the toys though, so I'll do the ones I can. I hope it's true that they're working on an MP Magnus. That would make me very happy.
1. City Commander by, er, Fansproject? Anyway, by modern 3P standards he maybe looks a tad outdated, but not a whole lot, I have to say. It's a great idea, executed very well. He's big, he's tough, he's Magnus- he's CLASSICS Ultra Magnus, baby!
2. G1. Blew my mind apart when I was given it for Christmas in 1986. I. Was. So. Happy. My liking of the character began then, strongly backed up by Marvel Uk. My brother got Galvatron that Christmas to. So MUCH fun was had. He can carry other Autobot cars, baby!!!!!!!!
3. 6 inch Titanium G1. Yes I still love 6" Titaniums!!!! I continue to mourn the passing of the line, and love the figures I have. The G1 version of Ultra Magnus is lovely lovely lovely. The Transformation, ie no true white Optimus, I found most welcome. The lovely heavy weight of the metal is so good in one's hand. He's fab. Fabaroony.
Hey Big Phil, when are we having a 6 inch Titanium week?!
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Post by Philip Ayres on Nov 8, 2013 20:42:13 GMT
They've just gone on near the end of the list. I had a spare week and that's filled it nicely ta!
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Post by Philip Ayres on Nov 8, 2013 20:44:06 GMT
3. 6 inch Titanium G1. Yes I still love 6" Titaniums!!!! I continue to mourn the passing of the line, and love the figures I have. The G1 version of Ultra Magnus is lovely lovely lovely. The Transformation, ie no true white Optimus, I found most welcome. The lovely heavy weight of the metal is so good in one's hand. He's fab. Fabaroony. Is that the one you need to swap the Legs round on? philstfreviews.site11.com/titUltraMagnus.htmlYes, well it's the Thighs but I was close
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Post by Bogatan on Nov 8, 2013 21:30:12 GMT
5. Struggling to think of a 5th, not a fan of the Prime moulds especially and dont yet have Ultra Mammoth. Classic Magnus is just a repaint ahha!
E hobby Laser Ultra Magnus, I dont know how I dont own this yet and okay also just a repaint but such a good one. 4. Titanium - Amazed to be putting this in here, but its a really good transformation and cold potentially have been a great toy if not tragically hampered by being part of the Titanium line.
3. RID - Amazing that this was the first reuse of Magnus. I transformed it last week without getting lost once. It's only taken 11 years.
2. Animated - very clever transformation, great looking in both modes and the perfect vehicle mode for the type of character Magnus has developed in to.
1. G1 - I still remember the excitement of seeing it in the catalogue and even more excitement after getting it and seeing Prime in a ladybird book and realising they were the same robot. Powered Convoy looks fantastic and is my favourite colour scheme for it.
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Post by The Doctor on Nov 8, 2013 21:41:44 GMT
RID FUCKING MAGNUS CANNOT BE TRANSFORMED!
-Ralph
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Post by Shockprowl on Nov 8, 2013 21:44:19 GMT
That's him!
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Jim
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Post by Jim on Nov 9, 2013 18:37:33 GMT
1. G1 - only briefly played with him once at a classmate's birthday party, but thought he was great and much preferred him to Optimus Prime. Really should acquire one of these some day.
2. Alternity - the pearlescent white is lovely in-person. A mould I didn't even consider buying as Prime, but had to have as Magnus.
3. RID - the vehicle mode looks great and serves nicely to carry the Autobot cars; robot mode is a bit poor, but he gains points for forming part of the awesomeness which is Omega Prime.
4. Animated - haven't handled one, but he looks great.
Hmmm...
5. I'm going to say Titanium, for looking great even though it kind of sucked in the way most Titaniums did. He went in my first collection purge, and for a surprisingly high price.
I'm seriously considering saving to see if I can get an MP UM next year, insanely expensive though he'll be. The UK comics made me really like the character, and MTMTE has made me like a completely different take. I'll also need him if an MP Galvatron comes down the line for reenacting the greatest comic fight issue ever.
-Jim
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Post by Shockprowl on Nov 9, 2013 23:16:00 GMT
They've just gone on near the end of the list. I had a spare week and that's filled it nicely ta! HUURRRRAAAYYYY!!!!!!!!! I didn't think you'd go for that in a million years! Hoot!
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Post by The Doctor on Nov 10, 2013 13:04:54 GMT
I still hate RID Magnus after all these years. Impossible toy. Impossible!
-Ralph
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Post by legios on Nov 11, 2013 21:02:16 GMT
Week 19: Starscream
5) Armada Starscream: No, really. One of the Armada toys I truly regret getting rid of - a nice, simple, transformation and - as long as you don't deploy the sword and make him look lopsided - he has a superb look in humanoid mode. And frankly, once you deploy the two huge cannons he looks like people would be lucky to reach melee range with him anyway. He feels sturdy, and has lots of play value - mini-con hardpoints are great, and having them mounted on his forearms allows Starscream to be quite nicely tooled up with arm weapons if you feel so inclined. The fighter mode is great as well - a nice update that keeps the sense of the original but blends in newer design features. (Actually, it shares a lot of design cues with Macross Plus and Seven's VF-11 Thunderbolt III - general sense of the wing-shape, the canards, the placement of the cannons echoing the FAST boosters on the T'Bolt - which does it no harm in my eyes at all.)
4) Beast Wars Neo Starscream: Fantastic little toy, clever transformation - but one that feels intuitive once you get the hang of it. Love the way the weapons alter the profile of the fighter mode completely - you go from an X-plane to something looking like the F-16XL prototype. Nice colour scheme as well
3) Energon Starscream - Apparently I am not the only person to rather like the transformation design of the G2/Neo version, because here that same architecture is employed on a YF-22 inspired airframe to beautiful effect. For my money still the best -22 inspired Transformer that they've done. The range of articulation in humanoid mode is wonderful, the way that the deployable shoulder weapons totally change the profile of the humanoid mode is inspired, and he comes with such marvelous accessories - a rifle and a single-bladed sword, which can combine into a naginata (so we finally have a Starscream that we can claim without fear of contradiction fights like a girl :-) )
2) Classics Starscream - So close to being the perfect reinvention. Keeps all the design cues I like about the original version, but without the drawback of being a partsformer. Does exactly the job of being an updated Starscream very, very well. I like the redesign on the weapons as well - the projectile looks like a very high-calibre barrel and a suitable absurdly-sized muzzle-brake. Screamer has clearly looked at the history of air-support on Earth and decided that the Sturmovick and Thunderbolt II were doing something right... There is literally one thing about this toy that annoys me... My own personal "hooks on the hands" thing - the air intake fans on Starscreams chest in humanoid mode - why are they there, and why do they end up facing downwards underneath his fighter mode where their ability to draw in air for the engine is going to be close to zero. I know, I know - giant space robots and all. But it still bugs me, sorry
1) "The Transformers" Starscream - The original, the root of all the others - the Hurricane to their Spitfire and Mustang. This would take the top spot for me on its historical importance alone (I'm pretty sure it was the parts-former limitations of the Diaclone original, along with things like Battle Convoy that encouraged Kawamori to develop a design that could be turned in to a transformable toy without removing parts - if you like the Diaclone Jet Robo which became Starscream stands at an early position of the evolutionary tree that gave us 30 years of Macross mecha, Jetfire, my own call-signsake mecha, and Uncle Tom Cobbley and all. Heck, just look at the cockpit ending up in the chest, the engine-housings becoming legs - this mould set the design standard which endures to this day). And for me it was Starscream, and his recolours, that dragged me into Transformers. I grew up next to an RAF Base, with a fascination for aircraft of the world - and here was an evil alien robot which was disguised as what we were told was the greatest fighter aircraft in the world? Sold! (Of course, it was Skywarp I bought first and actually finding a Starscream anywhere I lived took me many years, but that is another story). Does he have a lot of limitations to his design? Yes, of course. But someone had to go first and work the kinks out and he deserves respect for that.
Tomorrow, I catch up with the Beyond Greatness.
Karl
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Post by blueshift on Nov 11, 2013 21:15:35 GMT
But but the air intakes are also the landing gear for the plane?
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Post by Philip Ayres on Nov 11, 2013 21:27:35 GMT
Karl you're still missing week 8: Pretenders as well.
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Post by legios on Nov 11, 2013 21:43:58 GMT
But but the air intakes are also the landing gear for the plane? I wasn't going to mention that they were in the wrong place to be main gear and that it lacked nose gear... :-) This is a foible of my brain - the closer they get to getting the fighter mode spot on, the more my brain detects the bits that deviate from the actual aircraft. It is my curse. (It actually bugs me even more on the "Block 1" Masterpiece Starscream - the first Screamer with really good nose-gear since the Energon one, and the main gear are... agonisingly close to the right spot. If they could have gotten them into the top of the binders/scabbards they would have been pretty much there..) Irrational I know, but my brain can't not see it. Which reminds me - an honorable mention for falling just outside the list to the original version of Masterpiece Starscream - just edged out by the Armada versions virtues when viewed as a toy. The original Masterpiece has a marvelous fighter mode - the shape is close to spot on from most angles, and the distinctive cockpit shape is captured very nicely. Looks great in humanoid mode - different, blending in some influences from outside Transformers (I know everyone calls the tail-booms scabbards, but to me they look as much like misplaced Gundam style binders) and it is nice to see something a bit different done to the hummanoid mode. Having a working air-brake is a nice touch - and I like the fact that the stand supports it in good pose in both modes. I like the swappable weapons as well, that is a nice touch (although in Humanoid mode my Starscream always carries the Sidewinder Rails on the wings, as if his arm guns have folded out of nowhere. Shame that the main gear is a case of "close but not quite", and that they kind of cheaped out and mirrored the fronts of the moulded-in conformal fuel-tanks, giving Starscream one more built-in gun than he should have. (Starscream, honestly, you can already tolerate far more G than any human pilot - at this point further cheating is redundant. :-) ) Karl
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Post by legios on Nov 11, 2013 21:46:28 GMT
Karl you're still missing week 8: Pretenders as well. My actual hands-on experience of Pretenders is fairly limited - mostly I have been trying to sell them for Toy-Fu - and I'm not sure that I actually have enough experience of them to actually tender a valid opinion. I will have a think, but at the moment that one may be an abstention. Karl
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Post by legios on Nov 12, 2013 19:16:43 GMT
Week 27: Ultra Magnus
So... Magni...
5) God Magnus/RiD Ultra Magnus: Transformers calls in its markers from the Brave Toyline and borrows back the concept of the leader combining with his subordinate to form a super-mode. The combined God Fire Convoy is fantastic to look at, and a very beefy thing indeed (makes a heck of a noise when he falls off a shelf). The car carrier mode is fantastic - and noteworthy in the original line-up for being the one Cybertron/Autobot who did not get the "...in disguise memo" - the great big logo on his cow-catcher really makes a statement of the characters attitude. The top half of the individual humanoid mode is fantastic - love the head sculpt and the arm design, and the integration of the Blue Bolt is marvelous. Shame about the legs really, and the high degree of parts-formeration in the transformation.
4) Classics Ultra Magnus: I'm not really a fan of "take Optimus Prime, paint him white and that is Ultra Magnus" but when it is done well then I do think it has legs. I just think that this is a really fun toy and that the colours work on it. In fact, I never did bother paying the ebay prices for a Classics Prime because I was satisfied enough with the Magnus toy.
3) Aquafresh Magnus (Ehobby Laser Ultra Magnus): Take one of my all-time favourite Optimus Prime toys. Paint it in Ultra Magnus colours. If Ultra Magnus is going to be a Prime repaint then they may as well pick their Primes well. For some reason the whole thing feels like a battle-hardened soldier, who has been seasoned in the conflict with the Decepticons and will stand firm when you need to give no ground. He also benefits from the variety of missile launchers and stuff that come with this mould - giving him plenty of play value.
2) Animated Roadbuster Ultra Magnus. Nice vehicle mode, based on a heavy cargo truck chassis I believe. Really good solid and powerful-looking humanoid mode with an enjoyable transformation. Good, characterful face-sculpt, and it doesn't feel the need to be too influenced by the practicalities of the original toy - aiming instead to create the sense of the same sort of character without it going about it in the same way. Absurd amounts of fold-out weapons - small-calibre in-line mounts on top of the shoulders, rotarys in the shoulders themselves and a pair of enormous cannon that fold up over the shoulder. I guess if you were going to reinvent Ultra Magnus as a combat powerhouse then this is pretty much the way to do it. Oh yeah, and as an afterthought he has a hammer... just in case anyone gets through the monstrous amount of firepower he can put downrange I guess.
1) The Transformers Ultra Magnus (Diaclone/ Powered Convoy colour scheme for preference): A fun idea - having a trailer that can interact with the other Autobot cars, but which becomes part of a wacking great Autobot when it transforms (for some reason I have never seen the original Ultra Magnus cab as being a separate robot - to me it was always a case of the car carrier and the cab section were components of the complete humanoid mode of Ultra Magnus. It never seemed to me that he could climb out of himself and walk around). Yes, it is a brick of very limited articulation. Yes its weapons almost seem disproportionately small compared to the humanoid mode, but I like the idea of it, and the original Diaclone colours are superb.
Karl
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Post by Philip Ayres on Nov 15, 2013 7:34:24 GMT
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Stomski
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Post by Stomski on Nov 15, 2013 10:03:41 GMT
Deluxe Barricade Leader Prime Voyager Blackout Deluxe Bumblebee Camaro Concept Leader Brawl
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Post by Philip Ayres on Nov 15, 2013 10:54:47 GMT
5) ScorponokFor the gimmick. The spinning arms are such fun 4) StockageFun figure 3) LongarmBest TF tow truck since Hoist. Would later make a very good Hoist 2) IncineratorFabulous Helicopter, superb robot, oh so lovely made of unobtanium Japanese version (G's got one) One flaw.... the rotor blade hands. Can do better on a toy of this size. 1) WreckageSuperb. Proper decent Transformer.
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Post by Philip Ayres on Nov 15, 2013 11:06:07 GMT
BONUS: Phil's top 5 repaints from other lines in the first Movie: *JUST* Missing out: Skyblast the plainer of the two versions, Armorhide not quite Socurge/Nemesis Prime and ) Stormsurge, not distinctive enough. 5) Air RaidCamo version of the Energon toy - fab 4) CrosshairsDesert Camo jeep - yay! 3) Signal FlareThis mold was crying out for these colours to be Hardhead. Delivers. 2) ClockerClocker's Japanese name is Skids. He has certain features of Skids. It's a no brainer repaint which hits te nail on the head. 1) StrongarmStrongarm as Hound. A crime if it hadn't been done You may notice these are all from the Target (Woolworths) exclusive basics line. Solid gold right the way through.
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Post by The Doctor on Nov 15, 2013 13:24:54 GMT
None of them.
Phew. Another easy one.
-Ralph
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Post by Benn on Nov 15, 2013 14:09:09 GMT
Yeah, the Movie toys are baaad.
Magnuses.
1. Animated Ultra Magnus. This guy is awesome. Huge, imposing and he TALKS! 2. G1 Ultra Magnus. The original, and nearly the best. 3. Titanium Ultra Magnus. Integrated cab and trailer robot? Yeah. 4. Classics Ultra Magnus. He's a fun toy, but the third party add on makes him. 5. RID Ultra Magnus. Mainly because it's the only other Magnus I've experienced.
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Jim
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Post by Jim on Nov 16, 2013 8:55:05 GMT
If you don't mind the Bayformer aesthetic too much this is quite a good line, and there are plenty of decent repaints from the pre-movie era otherwise. 1. Breakaway - best recolouring of the Cybertron Hotshot mould into a homage to a character I really liked. 2. Booster X-10 - Not only makes a great laserbeak stand-in, but on its own merits is a fun little toy. 3. Landmine - slightly drab colour scheme, but wins on posability. There rarely comes a Transformer who you can stand on its hand mid-cartwheel aiming a gun with the other and it will stay there. 4. Incinerator - I don't actually have one, my brother does, and I can't help but fiddle with him whenever I visit. Nice transformation, and generally fun. 5. Dropkick - really like the faction-symbol-emblazoned vehicle mode. Bubbling under: Longarm, Stockade, Deluxe Barricade. -Jim
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Post by Philip Ayres on Nov 16, 2013 10:14:09 GMT
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