Review #2: Classics Megatron (Voyager Class)
The original Classics line brought the U.S. Transformers market something it had not seen since the original toy line, and something many thought it would never again see: a Megatron with a gun for his alternate mode. Admitedly, a rather unrealistic gun mode rather then the Walther P38 of the original. Still, while in many ways this is asthetically the least "G1-esque" of the original Classics line, just the fact of it transforming into a gun is a wonderful homage to the original.
Like the figure in my first review, I have made an alteration to this figure. In this case, however, it is a slight one. No third party accessories, not even any Reprolabels. In this case, it just involved a bit of Sharpie work to turn the front of the scope from orange to black. (A bit of orange still pokes through, but not in a way that looks bad.) I had considered doing the same to the other orange bit on the gun. (Not quite what I would call a barrel tip on this particular gun, but I cannot think for a better word off of the top of my head.) But I decided to just leave that bit alone. |
Unlike most of the rest of 2006's initial run of Classics figures, Megatron does not sport a rub sign at all, but instead has a total of three faction symbols that are not just painted, but are molded on detail! Two of them are on either side of the gun's scope, and the third you can sort of make out in the side-view photo above, partially visible through the clear plastic. It will be revealed once Megatron is transformed to his robot mode.
So, my thoughts on this mode: My understanding are that many were let down by it, disliking this "Nerf Gun" Megatron with his highly unrealistic design and orange and purple colouring. And I must say that, if this toy had just come out of nowhere as a new character, I might agree. But when one takes into account the history of the character, and that in the U.S. there has not been a new toy of Megatron that transformes into a gun since the original toy in 1984, I personally find a lot of apeal here. Yes, the design is unrealistic. Yes, the colours are a bit garish. But to make a toy gun in the U.S. with current gun and toy safty laws, it could not have been otherwise. This was Hasbro's attempt to homage the original Megatron as best as they could in today's world, and for the adult collector who is willing to remember these factors, I think this figure is a success.
For children, this toy would have the added play value of actually being a toy they can wield. The gun mode feels a bit small in my hands, but would probably fit well into the hands of a younger boy or girl. And the trigger makes a nice little click when pulled. I've never been a fan of real guns, but I certainly played with enough toy ones as a kid to understand the apeal. Of course, at the time of this writing this toy is six years old, so that does take the child-apeal down a knotch when one figures in the costs of the second hand market. (I do believe there is a much more recent Japanese re-release of this figure which would still be pricy, but likely less so then an American version. But I wouldn't recomend that one for children. It has a much less garish colour scheme, which would be great for the adult collectors. However, when it comes to a child's toy in the U.S. today, I should think it likely a good idea that you do have that orange tip on your toy guns!)
So, my thoughts on this mode: My understanding are that many were let down by it, disliking this "Nerf Gun" Megatron with his highly unrealistic design and orange and purple colouring. And I must say that, if this toy had just come out of nowhere as a new character, I might agree. But when one takes into account the history of the character, and that in the U.S. there has not been a new toy of Megatron that transformes into a gun since the original toy in 1984, I personally find a lot of apeal here. Yes, the design is unrealistic. Yes, the colours are a bit garish. But to make a toy gun in the U.S. with current gun and toy safty laws, it could not have been otherwise. This was Hasbro's attempt to homage the original Megatron as best as they could in today's world, and for the adult collector who is willing to remember these factors, I think this figure is a success.
For children, this toy would have the added play value of actually being a toy they can wield. The gun mode feels a bit small in my hands, but would probably fit well into the hands of a younger boy or girl. And the trigger makes a nice little click when pulled. I've never been a fan of real guns, but I certainly played with enough toy ones as a kid to understand the apeal. Of course, at the time of this writing this toy is six years old, so that does take the child-apeal down a knotch when one figures in the costs of the second hand market. (I do believe there is a much more recent Japanese re-release of this figure which would still be pricy, but likely less so then an American version. But I wouldn't recomend that one for children. It has a much less garish colour scheme, which would be great for the adult collectors. However, when it comes to a child's toy in the U.S. today, I should think it likely a good idea that you do have that orange tip on your toy guns!)
On to the transformation!
One thing many may complain about with this figure is that, yes, he is basically a shellformer. You peel away the large panels that form the sides of the gun, and they aren't really at all integrated into the robot mode, most of which is just tucked away inside the shell. I think this Megatron is about as close as a shellformer comes to working, though. The gun mode isn't a complete shell, incorporating the arms and lower legs. And folding together the robot inside is complex enough that it does feel satisfying. Also, stopping half way in the process of transformation reveals the following: |
Now you can recreate the scene of the T-1000's death from Terminator 2: Judgement Day using your Transformers figures! After all, I am sure everyone out there likes to recreate classic movie scenes using their transforming robot toys, like this bit here from The Rocky Horror Picture Show as done by Macross Valkyries:
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What's that? No one else does that? I'm just strange? Ah... well... (cough) Moving on. Robot mode!
This figure is definitely a Megatron. That helmet shaped head, the scope-become-fusion cannon on his arm -- the hallmarks of the character are there. He's a solid figure all around with the possible exception of the obvious back kibble. Being a shellformer does, of course, mean that that shell needs someplace to go. So basically, we are left with the sides of the gun mode just hanging there with nothing to do. Because of it, the figure can be slightly back heavy when not in a pose that counter balances it by having him pointing his fusion cannon forward.
The fusion cannon is a bit odd in that rather then being on top of his arm (as in the case of G1 and many other Megatrons since then that had arm mounted artillery) here it is underslung, attached to the bottom of Megatron's arm. As seen to the right, one can achieve a more G1 look simply by rotating the forarm, but this does mean that you will loose any useful elbow articulation, and you will have an upside down fist. For the former, not a big deal as the fusion cannon arm tends to look best posed straight, anyway. For the later, this can be hidden with a more dynamic pose looked at from the right angle. |
The kibble on his back can also be helped by a more dynamic pose. What looks like it is just hanging there when Megatron is standing somewhat neutral takes on a look slightly remenicent of either wings or a cape when he is standing somewhat more dramatically. Also, with joints there for the transformation, the kibble can be moved slightly to suit the asthetics of the figure's pose. I've seen more then one Classics Megatron online that has been modded to make this kibble removable. I've never felt a great desire to do such a thing, myself, but if it interests you I'm sure a quick online search could provide instructions.
His posability has mainly ratcheting joints, although his head is on a rather expressive ball joint. The other joints are at his shoulders, biceps, elbows, hips, and knees. Sadly, no waist articulation to be found. I can see, however, how it would have been dificult to include given the way in which this figure's transformation takes place. |
For a size comparison, here Megatron is facing off against Classics Voyager Class Optimus Prime. They look good together, with Megatron seeming to have more bulk than his Autobot opponent, largely (but not completely) due to the extra mass hanging behind him.
Overall, another figure I quite like. The design of it is sure to disapoint some, but given the conditions under which it was designed, I think it does what it sets out to do and nicely pays homage to a G1 figure that unfortunately would never be able to be released in America today. It might have been nice if there had been less hanging off of his back, or if he had a bit more posability (such as in the waist) but none of this takes away from the figure enough to cause me to dislike it. A recomended addition to any collector's Classics shelf. |
Review added 5 January 2012 by Yotsuya. Please comment!
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