Customer Reviews

Transformers Leader Optimus Prime

5 star:		(51)
4 star:		(22)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(14)
1 star:		(14)

 

 

When I first spied leaked photos of this figure, it was difficult to imagine they could make such a toy transform tightly into the truck that we all know. This one must be seen (or better, physically handled) to be believed! The transformation is amazing, and more intricate than anything before seen in the movie lines (and probably in any Transformers line, actually, 'cept perhaps some of the Masterpieces).

Plastics seem to be a little better than the first movie Prime, and the paints are finely done as well. Super poseable and stable. Parts are easy to pop-off, but pop back easily as well (which if you accept, puts the durability to at least 4 stars). Sounds are improved, with a line from Peter Cullen this time round. And the best thing? It's probably as movie accurate as possible, short of making a bigger toy!

Negatives? Well, the wheels are now plastic (not rubber), and have a habit of going out of line in truck mode. The fingers/thumb are no longer articulated. The head doesn't really look up (mainly side-to-side). The Transformation will test most adults, let alone children! And the way some pieces pop-off may be annoying to some buyers.

Despite the negatives, though, this is one amazing figure, and can be very highly recommended. If you only get one Revenge of the Fallen figure, then make it Leader class Optimus Prime!

I've been collecting transformers since I was a kid and if there's one thing I've ALWAYS hated about the toys up until now, it's that the product never accurately matched up with the character on the screen. Now, keep in mind that back in my day, things like what we see in CGI films like Transformers weren't at all possible...but Takara Tomy finally broke that depressing streak with THIS figure. This has got to be the most impressive example of planning upon planning for a perfected design that features an extremely complex transformation (at first)- but after the first few times you get the steps down pretty easily (only took me a few days). If you compare the 2007 model/version of this figure to the newly redesigned 09' model- you'll see a SIGNIFICANT difference in character comparison. This IS Optimus Prime, not just some inaccurate toy, it's so close to the CGI character that I don't see any mistakes in the design- if anything it's PERFECT. Every detail matches up with the CGI design so well that it's just AWSOME! The toy is durable, AND when you transform it, parts don't rub against each other and mess up the paint job- which i know some perfectionist collectors ABSOLUTELY hate. Buy this figure, because I honestly don't think you'll ever find another TF product this close to character/toy accuracy! BUT, i will say this- if you're a real collector and you want character/toy accuracy...go with the Takara Tomy version instead of the Hasbro version. The Takara Tomy version's name is RA-01 Optimus Prime and you can find him on the web in plenty of online stores. Get that version, because if you look closely you'll see that it's paintjob is actually correct while Hasbro's model has some of it's parts painted red instead of silver- don't settle for that lol. Mkay, well- happy hunting and have fun with this product!

This is truely the figure to get out of all of the Transformers ROTF toys. Brilliantly reimagined with a painstaking transformation not recommended for children under 10 years. Also the lack of pin and hinge support is apparent when parts suddenly pop off but can just as easily be put back on. Also the fingers are not articulated like the last one and it has plastic tires. But these are very minor flaws considering the accuracy of the robot/truck mode. All I can say is that this IS the definitive, though pricier, movie leader class Optimus Prime. Go through amazon, they are a very trustworthy organization for things like these. They find the very best possible in terms of quality and steadfast service. Those are the values that I found anyway. the toy iteself is approximatly 13' inches tall, slightly taller than the last film's Optimus Prime. Very detailed with a really cool gimmic called "Mech Alive". That means that they have incorporated very good design features to where actual moving gears that would normally be seen in their films counterparts, are found in the figures themselves. Improved animatic strips away the separating windows, pop-up head & space laser noise, with something more refined. With chest piece pushed down, his torso moves with startling realizm as if he were talking a deep breath to say a simple line, "I AM OPTIMUS PRIME" in Peter Cullen's actual voice no less (Peter Cullen is Optimus Prime for those of you who don't already know that). Stop reading this review, and just get it! 10++++++ A++++++++ (CRANK'S THE KNOB TO ELEVEN)

First thing I want to mention is the posted age limit of 5 years for this toy. This figure is tricky to transform, and a lot of kids would probably have trouble with it. 5 may be too you, maybe somewhere around 9 or 10? For younger kids who want a movie Optimus Prime figure, I would recommend the smaller, less expensive Voyager class figure... although not as impressive, he is simpler to transform. Or maybe the CyberStompin' Optimus?
But back to Leader class Optimus Prime.
I own several Prime figures, including the first release of the Masterpiece Optimus Prime... and even that figure is easier for me to transform than this guy. But still, this figure is one impressive transformer. He looks good in both modes.
As a robot, he does an amazing job of capturing the likeness of his on screen counterpart, more so than any other figure, with probable the exception of the Robot Replicas line.
He has a good range of movement (arms, legs, feet, knees ankles and wrists), but does lack a turning waist... oh well. A very minor flaw.
But again... he just looks amazing! I look at this guy, and I still am surprised that he can transform into a semi truck as many of his truck pieces as so well hidden. Although he does suffer from a good amount of kibble on his back, but it's not horrible.
As a robot, he has two gimmicks: first, you lower this tab near his waist and press it down. It causes his chest to move up, the gears inside of it to move a bit, his lights light up (including eyes), and you can hear a recording of him saying "I am Optimus Prime" (possible Peter Cullen himself doing the voice?).
Second, he has his two extending battle blades from the film on each arm. There are buttons on the inside of each arm that when flipped, release the blades. The gimmick is neat, but flawed: the blades are so large that they are visible when retracted, and interfere with movement of the arms. They also are a major hindrance when transforming him. It would also be nice if his fists retracted too, but no luck on that. Still cool, but the blades are the only major thing they had been able to rework for this figure.
Transformation is quite a process. And as I said, it is tricky. Parts often have a tenancy to interfere with the this piece or that fitting where they should.
There are a few small cheats, like a few smaller pieces of his chest that look like truck parts folding up and not being truck parts at all. But the trick is keeping everything together and moving the parts in the right order. Don't be surprised if ball jointed parts snap off: they'll snap back on. But it's a pain.
The aforementioned arm blades will almost certainly want to spring open.
This may be the most complex transformer I have even handled.
Another gimmick though: when you either pop apart his waist, or put it back together, he makes the classic transforming sound.
Finally, when you get him to truck mode, you can appreciate how everything fits together so well. This complicated robot somehow becomes this truck. The truck doesn't look bad at all. You really don't see much robot kibble at all. If any, just a tiny bit on the very back of the truck where a trailer would connect. Even the back of the cab has no robot parts showing. And that brings me to the final sound gimmick. There is a small button on the back of the truck cab (easy to overlook, and it's not pointed out in the instructions) that makes motor sounds.
Overall, an outstanding figure. Pretty complex, so be warned about that. Other than that and a few small issues, I recommend him.

This toy is an awesome toy! It looks great. And I know everyone is having problems transforming it and giving it bad reviews but here is a tip. Just go to YouTube and look up reviews on the particular transformer that you are trying to transform and they have GREAT reviews that simplify it for you so much more than the crappy instructions.

It is worth it and after you do it a couple of times after watching the video, it is no problem at all. Say goodbye to the frustrations!

.....because they can't play with it by themselves. The rule in our house is that Mommy will only transform it once per day and only on the weekends. My husband won't even attempt it. Took about an hour the first time and after a few weeks I can turn in into a truck in about half an hour. Going back to robot takes less time. Usually turns into a very frustrating experience because my five year old can't understand what's taking so long. I'm amazed that we haven't lost any of the parts that are always popping off.

This is a very cool looking toy for engineering genuises. I think the age range must be based on safety and not age appropriateness because I cannot imagine any 5 year old being able to transform this.

I will start this review off by saying Optimus Prime is KICK-ASS!The ROTF version is a more sleek,not as bulky version than the first movie.I do love the first movie version,but also love this version just as much.The detail is awesome on this figure.The ROTF version does come with the sword feature,which was missing from the first version.The swords do store easily under his arms in robot or truck mode.Optimus is very sturdy&poseable for playing out battle scenes or just having him displayed somewhere.The durability is very excellent on Optimus.The transformation could be a little difficult for a child of 5 or younger.I myself had no problem transforming Optimus back&forth,but I have been collecting transformers for a while.Overall Optimus is a very well made,durable,highly detailed,awesome figure.I highly recommend this figure to any transformer fan looking for a sweet Optimus Prime figure.Transformers Rule!!!!!!!!

This toy should go to the right kind of person: someone who's patient, loves a challenge, and likes a good transformation. This is not for 5 year olds, and not for parents who don't have at least 1 of the above qualities. If you don't fit, don't worry! There are plenty more awesome, simpler transformers that I'm sure you and your child can handle. This Optimus is not one of them. (Want really simple? Look up Fast Action Battlers)

Transforming him into a truck for the first time takes a while, and takes patience; bits like getting his front windows out of his chest and locked into his arms, or getting his front wheels to snap into the grill just right can all be frustrating. After the first time it becomes a lot easier, and a lot more fun! Everything tabs into place very well and he's pretty durable, so my frustrations first transforming him are made up for with the subsequent lack thereof.
But even if you never get him into truck mode, he still makes a darn good action figure.

Also, Youtube videos > directions, but honestly that's not news for anyone who's bought a Transformer before.


Other reviews have already called this a work of art, so I won't repeat them (err... oops?). I'm just fascinated that something that looks so awesome in Robot mode, can also look so perfect in Vehicle mode (and hides everything especially well). There's also little things that make him look better without any additional effort from you, like his back wheels and the way they adjust their angle when you rotate his legs.

My only negatives:
His arm movement is hindered somewhat by his blue shoulder-blades and by his swords. Annoying, but not too bad.
Unless you're super careful, prepare to hear, "I am Optimus Prime" about 5x per transformation, 'cause everytime his neck lifts up at all it triggers.
Aforementioned transformation frustrations.
Feet are big and stable, but he's still a hair back-heavy, so falls backward once in a while if he's standing too straight. Minor detail.


Overall, amazing! Thank you to my gf for getting this for me!

This toy is so difficult for a 5 year old to put together. It took my husband over 20 minutes! My son lost intrest and hasn't touched this toy since he opened it on Christmas. I'm sure a 9 or 10 year old would like it. This toy should not be marked for ages 5+. It doesn't hold their interest. I think the toy manufaturer just wants a larger target consumer market. Disappointing.

I bought this toy for my 6 year old nephew for his birthday since he only recently discovered a love of Transformers and didn't own any yet. He was SOOO EXCITED to see it, as I hoped he would be. But then, as any child who receives a transformer would, he immediately wanted to transform it into a Semi Truck. Although it's supposed to be for kids 5-12, this task was beyond impossible for this bright 6 year old. The instructions are ridiculously useless. My brother - a scientist, my other brother - a carpenter, my daughter and her boyfriend - college students - collectively spent hours on this thing and only got it to a loosely transformed state - nothing like the pictures. Although he was disappointed that the transformer didn't actually transform, he still got some enjoyment out of the robot which is the only reason I didn't return it. I could've spent a lot less time and money on a non-transforming robot though. Like another poster said, I may as well have given him a Rubik's Cube. I am strongly suspect of those reviewers who rant and rave at how fantastic they believe this thing is - I'd love to see a child pick up this toy and without assistance, use it as it was intended. Very disappointing!!!