Review #28: Target Gift Card and
DVD Case Optimus Primes
So, past reviews this month (including the addendium that was posted to complement two past reviews) have all had one thing in common: they've all featured Reprolabels that came in with my most recent order from that company. I do have one more review I eventually intend to write based on that order... but it is going to be a big one, and I'd like to do it right when I have time. Hopefully (although I make to guarantees) it will be my next review. But I wanted one more for May, as a minimum of four reviews a month seems a nice goal. So, what to do?
I thought I'd take a look at something a bit different.
As should be obvious at this point (what, with this being a website dedicated to reviewing them), I collect Transformers toys. There is one thing I insist my Transformers do, however... and that is, well... transform! There is much Transformers merchandise out there that leaves out that somewhat essential prerequisete. There is a market for it, I am sure. But that market is not I. Thus, it it likely you will not be seeing any of that merchandise reviewed on my website any time soon. (I do have an Optimus Prime snowglobe, and I suppose it is a quality product, but I only have it as it was a gift, and I likely would not have purchased it on my own.)
Why do I bring this all up now? Because there are some things that sometimes stretch the definition of what might qualify. The Mr. Potato Head "Optimash Prime"? Well, one could argue he has at least two modes... Robot and Potato! He's one hell of a partformer, of course. But yeah, I have him... and maybe I'll review him some day. How about Action Masters? I don't have any of those... They are on the lower end of desirability for me. True, their accessories transform, but the figures themselves have only one mode. Where is the fun in that? Maybe, because of my love for the character of Optimus Prime, if I ever saw his Action Master for a real low price and in good condition, I'd consider it... but it would have to be one hell of a good deal, or I won't be interested.
They're Transformers. The transformation is a big part of why I like them. (And why I'm not a fan of keeping them in their packaging!)
Why do I bring all of this up? Well, we're going to be taking a quick look today at two pieces of merchandise, both based on Optimus Prime from the live action Michael Bay films and released with the first of those films, that could stretch the definition a bit of what, I at least, see as a Transformer. Shall we take a look at them?
I thought I'd take a look at something a bit different.
As should be obvious at this point (what, with this being a website dedicated to reviewing them), I collect Transformers toys. There is one thing I insist my Transformers do, however... and that is, well... transform! There is much Transformers merchandise out there that leaves out that somewhat essential prerequisete. There is a market for it, I am sure. But that market is not I. Thus, it it likely you will not be seeing any of that merchandise reviewed on my website any time soon. (I do have an Optimus Prime snowglobe, and I suppose it is a quality product, but I only have it as it was a gift, and I likely would not have purchased it on my own.)
Why do I bring this all up now? Because there are some things that sometimes stretch the definition of what might qualify. The Mr. Potato Head "Optimash Prime"? Well, one could argue he has at least two modes... Robot and Potato! He's one hell of a partformer, of course. But yeah, I have him... and maybe I'll review him some day. How about Action Masters? I don't have any of those... They are on the lower end of desirability for me. True, their accessories transform, but the figures themselves have only one mode. Where is the fun in that? Maybe, because of my love for the character of Optimus Prime, if I ever saw his Action Master for a real low price and in good condition, I'd consider it... but it would have to be one hell of a good deal, or I won't be interested.
They're Transformers. The transformation is a big part of why I like them. (And why I'm not a fan of keeping them in their packaging!)
Why do I bring all of this up? Well, we're going to be taking a quick look today at two pieces of merchandise, both based on Optimus Prime from the live action Michael Bay films and released with the first of those films, that could stretch the definition a bit of what, I at least, see as a Transformer. Shall we take a look at them?
Here we have a gift card for Target that has an asthetic to it that seems strangely similar to that of certain Autobot leader. For comparison, it is shown with a standard sized gift card from the late lamented KB Toys. The Target gift card is a bit longer, and a lot thicker, then a standard gift card. It also has some suspicious seams on it that look like things that could open, extend, or unfold. Is is a convincing gift card? Not especially... except that it is an actual, functional gift card. So in that respect, which is rather the most important respect, it is an utterly convincing gift card.
Below we have a view of the back side, and then it blending in with a whole bunch of gift cards. |
This gift card was available in Target stores around the time of the first Michael Bay film's theatrical release. I never saw it in stores myself, alas. Either they never made it to my neck of the woods, or they quickly were all apropriated by others before I had an opertunity to look myself. Fortunately, I was able to find one on eBay for an unoutragous price.
Eventually, the first Transformers film made its way to home video. And for the home video release, again at Target, this was an option for the case you could purchase the movie in (also pictured for comparison, a Sailor Moon DVD case):
Eventually, the first Transformers film made its way to home video. And for the home video release, again at Target, this was an option for the case you could purchase the movie in (also pictured for comparison, a Sailor Moon DVD case):
Much like with the gift card, this isn't the most convincing DVD case. It is lumpy, oddly shaped, and has many odd pieces that look like they can unfold for who knows what purpose. And there is that rather odd gap in the middle of the bottom of the case. If I saw this sitting on a shelf, and didn't already know what it was, it is quite unlikely my first, second, or even third thought would be, "Ah, a DVD case!"
Of course, much like with the gift card, there is one further detail that does add something undeniable to this alt-mode's fidelity... namely the fact that it is an actual, functional DVD case. Opening up the back will reveal storage for not one but two discs which can be held securely within, and which can be removed with ease. |
Hopefully, even aside from the facts that (a) you're on a Transformers website, (b) the title of this article should be a bit of a giveaway, and (c) the opening paragraphs of this article are a pretty big clue as well, it should be fairly obvious that there is (to borrow an awkwardly shoehorned in line from the film these items are merchandise to) "more then meets the eye" to this so-called gift card and DVD case. Surprise! They are Transformers! Not only that, but they transform into who else... but Optimus Prime! The transformation of these two is somewhat similar, but not identical. Of note is the gift card one's head, which is spring loaded and deployed by pressing on the Autobot logo. Anyway, finish their transformations and you get the following results (Sailor Moon DVD case once again included for scale):
As a side note, since for my own use since I like to keep the "DVD Case" Optimus with all of my other Optimi, but I wish to keep the movie itself with the rest of my DVD collection, I found a printable piece of cover art online and made use of an empty DVD case I had to give the movie an alternate home. Here we see Optimus holding his disc-holding competition.
So, how do these "figures" fare? No articulation. Practically two dimensional. Questionable accuracy to their on-screen apearance, especially with the gift card one. And alt-modes that have nothing to do with the character and take a stretch of the imagination to see as what they are... Still, they have alt-modes, which puts them ahead of a lot of the other peripheral merchandise in my opinion. And even if they lack a lot in asthetics, one must admit that as functional alt-modes they top pretty much everyone who isn't Music Label Soundwave. Over all, I'd say that there is a charm to these two pieces that is hard to put one's finger on. They are by no means "must have" pieces. But since I do have them, I have to say I kind of like them. They're cute. They are a gimmicky concept. They are not by any means a cornerstone of a collection, more they are the quirky conversation piece to supplement a collection. These aren't something I'd recomend rushing out to get. But if by chance you happen to ever run across them cheap... well, you could do worse then to have them. Review added 28 May 2012 by Yotsuya. Please comment! |