Optimus Prime
I’ve always really liked the complex engineering and high parts counts of the Movie Transformers figures, and while I did somewhat enjoy the Age of Extinction figures, and the Last Knight Premier Edition figures a little more, I’m happy to say that with the Studio Series comes the complexity and level of detail that I love about Movie Transformers figures. I really hate the movies as films, but I have to admit I’m a sucker for the movie toys.
One figure that I was initially skeptical of in the Studio Series line was Optimus Prime, but after looking into the figure a little more, and learning more about it I decided to go out of my way to get it. The $30 I spent was originally going to be for premier edition Cogman, but I can gladly say he’ll have to wait a little longer because I think this new iteration of Revenge of the Fallen Optimus Prime is really awesome!
In vehicle mode, Optimus is a pretty small interpretation of his truck mode. The actual proportions and painted details on the truck mode are sufficient and accurate enough, aside from his feet being blatantly on the truck bed, this alt mode is pretty good. It’s not that remarkable or anything, and it’s not the best iteration of this truck mode on a movie Optimus figure, but considering its transformation and the robot mode it becomes I can excuse its minor shortcomings. When compared to Evasion Mode Prime’s truck mode, the Studio Series one is longer and more detailed in terms of paint apps, but it’s also vertically shorter probably due to the small height of his robot mode thanks to the line’s emphasis on “scale accurate” robot modes.
Optimus Prime’s transformation is probably my favorite part. It borrows a lot from the First Edition Voyager Transformers Prime Optimus Prime, with some added panel compression, while the legs Transform almost exactly like the WeiJiang oversized Evasion Mode Prime. I could do this transformation all day, I really love it.
Studio Series Optimus Prime’s robot mode is a similar story. It doesn’t look that accurate to his on-screen appearance, but what is here is just a very well engineered and designed robot mode. First of all, he has very little kibble to speak of aside from his backpack, but even that is very flat and unobtrusive. There is also an alternate configuration that is pretty widely known now that looks a little more screen accurate. The painted detail is actually very good, and the sculpting, especially on his head, is very very detailed. Optimus’s articulation is also very above average. His knees are only single jointed, but they bend all the way up, and his ankles are on a hinge for moving back and forth, and they pivot as well! In addition to that, his wrists and waist swivel too! Because of all that articulation and very little to get in its way, this new Optimus Prime is incredibly fun to pose.
As far as accessories, Prime includes his dual arm blades. I wish he included a gun, but considering another Voyager Optimus is on the way in the studio series that figure might include a gun instead. The blades themselves both look great and actually can be stored on his back and strangely enough on the truck bed, but I just like to have them off to the side when not in use as if he retracted them.
As far as his size goes, Optimus here is a lot shorter than his Evasion mode iteration, but I honestly like the Studio Series Prime a lot more. When compared to the American release of Evasion Mode Optimus, the new one just looks a lot more detailed. Compare him with the Takara Movie the Best version of the mold, however, and it wins against the Studio Series in a heartbeat for me.
In conclusion, I highly recommend the Transformers Generations Studio Series Voyager Optimus Prime. It’s pretty well detailed, the articulation is highly above average, and the transformation is very interesting and fun. Honestly, this isn’t the most accurate looking movie Optimus in existence, but it’s definitely one of my favorites. Despite its small size I have to say it’s definitely worth $30 and would be a worthy addition to any Transformers or robot toy collection.