Customer Reviews

Transformers Movie Voyager Autobot Ratchet

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is easily one of the best movie version Transformer figures.



First, the durability is well above most of the other figures. After some figures with poor durability and design (Blackout, Brawl, Bumblebee), I've been very impressed with this figure. If there's only one toy to get a kid, this one probably has the best chance of survival.



Second, the transformation is relatively straightforward. Unlike some of the others, whose transformations rival the complexity of the more mature "Alternators" line, this one seems well suited for kids.



Finally, this is a very posable figure. It'll easily stand securely upright, even in odd poses. The articulation and balance are excellent.



All I can really criticize is the nasty green color and the looseness of the roof rack attachment. There's also the blocky "preschool toy" feel of the design, but that's part of what I think makes it so durable and suited for kids. But those are minor points.

I am six years old. I really like this Transformer. He is really cool! He is easier to transform than some of the other ones. He stands up better than most of the others ones also. He is pretty awesome.

Transformers toys usually have been designed for children. Some of us grew up with them and still enjoy them... I'm 31 and I'm still hooked!

I don't have many TF toys, but I focus on imports like Masterpiece (Optimus, Starscream and Megatron), Binaltech + a lot of Yamato Macross Valkyries (OK, these last are not TF... except for Jetfire).
So, I'm offering an adult collector's point of view.


I feel that the TF Movie line of toys was very hastily made and that they focused in trying to make them look good (and they all look great in both modes -Starscream's fighter jet mode aside), but:

1. All TF Movie toys offer limited poseability or articulation points COMPARED to other transformers lines (the recent "Classics" line or older lines like Robots in Disguise, Beast Wars, etc.).
For example, other TF lines in the past used a lot of ball joints that offer more poseability than swivel joints.

Ball joints are practically gone in most of the TF Movie line of toys, so they offer limited, "good enough" poseability that, although not not on par with older TF lines, is still way better than Gen 1.


2. Designs -especially robots, are NOT exactly the same as the ones seen in the movie.
Most of the details are based on not-final sketches (Ironhide's and Ratchet's chest for example), or else the final versions were too difficult to translate as a toy.

Ratchet's chest in the toy version has the front end of a Hummer vehicle turned upside down. In the movie, the chest has the front of the car upside (the car's hood is on top part of the chest, not below), but only the fenders turned upside down. I've been trying to figure how to make it work in a toy, and I've still not found a way.


3. Paint applications are quite poor in Hasbro's Transformers line, relying mostly in the color of the molded plastic. As a result, the toys end up looking... like toys.
Case: Hasbro Alternator Smokescreen versus Takara Binaltech Smokescreen (same mold, same deco, same character). Hasbro's toy is molded in a blue plastic that doesn't match the areas painted in metallic blue. Takara uses some metal parts and the whole toy is painted with the same metallic blue paint that makes it look like a die-cast scaled car. Also, Takara's plastic is more "rigid"... it just feels better quality... but is also more expensive.

Paint applications are a weird move to save pennies for Hasbro, since they go through a lot of work in fine-detailing the molds.

In Ratchet, yellow-green paint applications on the doors and one arm don't match the rest of the toy. The head is painted remarkably simply. Dry-brushing or paint-washing some areas will greatly enhance the molded detail.


Ratchet's Pros:
- Very good design in vehicle mode and robot mode
- Sturdy and stable in both modes (except some parts)
- Quite good adaptation of the robot and vehicle modes

Ratchet's Cons:
- Complicated transformation. Not suited for a small child.
- Some pieces seem easy to break (the top rack, front and back bumpers)
- Automorph mechanism in most/all TF Movie toys is easy to break
- You call "that" a weapon??


FINAL THOUGHTS
Ratchet and the whole TF Movie line of toys are a mix of toys designed for kids and also for an older audience, looking for a medium price point in mass market distribution.
They could be better, but they would also be more expensive...

Are they worth getting?
Well, they ARE Transformers after all, and they do look great in the movie! That's enough reason for me!

Ratchet gets a much improved look and with some sweet features to match!This version is awesome detail wise with Ratchet having a neon green color in a Hummer H2 mode to handle any terrain.The autobot symbol on the door is a sweet touch as well with the pulse line across the side of the hummer adding some edge.I love the G1 version,but this is the best version done when it comes to overall quality.Ratchet comes with a roof rack that converts to a shield or combat stretcher in case he has to block incoming attacks or help out a fellow autobot.In robot mode Ratchet also has a automorph forearm cannon along with a hidden axe at his call for defense when a battle comes along.The durability of Ratchet is outstanding with him being able to handle any situation that comes along.Ratchet is one of the best voyager transformers out there for durability,he is a very solid transformer overall in robot or Hummer H2 mode.The poseability is excellent as well with Ratchet being able to assume many different poses for displaying or acting out any battle scenes that come to mind.Ratchet has a very solid base that gives incredible equal support in front and back.The transformation level is advanced meaning if you have plenty of experience with transformers their is mid-level difficulty.If you are a parent buying for a child of 5-6 or younger you might have to help some in the process.Honestly with some patience and practice Ratchet is a very versatile transformer for many ages.One thing to remember is that his bottom leg sections do rotate around during transformation while there is a sliding motion to connect the front and back in the final steps.Ratchet is finally getting a great figure that is well deserved.Bottom line Ratchet is a high quality,well-made,10 out of 10 transformer all fans will enjoy.I highly recommend Ratchet to all transformer fans and collectors alike.Ratchet Rocks and Transformers Rule!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This transformer is realy cool! I love both modes, and the roof rack claw is veary cool too. his transformtion is not too hard and fun to do! His face is very nicly sculped and looks very cool! Hes very well poseble wich makes it easy to make very cool poses! The green color is cool too and I like the axe on his arm it cool! this is a very fun and cool toy!



dose this review have too many COOLS??

This is a difficult toy for my son to play with. You need the instructions everytime you want to transform him and his arms keep falling off.

My grandson really likes this toy. I can always find what I want to buy on Amazon.

I bought this for my six year old thinking that he would be able to transform it himself since it's rated for ages 5 and up but it's not easy. It took me a while to figure it out using the practically useless directions that it comes with. My sixteen year old has to transform it for him all the time, how much fun is that? Also, there's pieces that pop off too easily and makes it difficult to transform.

Ratchet is the last of the Voyager Autobot toys I have picked up and I have to say I was a little disappointed. His transformation is simplistic and not as detailed as the other toys. With all the other toys I had to keep refering to the instructions but with ratchet I did not. He's really bulky and it looks like the makers didn't really put a lot of effort into his design. Also his weapons are pretty crummy. His hand can change into an ugly green dull axe that looks like a butterfly and the roof rack turns into a shield/claw that looks quite ridiculous. It would have been cooler if he had the saw he had in the movie.

First: blackout is a good toy
Second: He is on the bulky side and i dont like the color
Third: i dont like how his only weapion is a roof rack because when you think about someone picking up a roof rack and bashing someone in the face with it its not going to do a lot only piss the dude off
Forth: Decepticons rule!!!!!
O and i noticed something in the movie, ratchet wasnt in the big fight in the city, the one kid called for him but he still wasnt there i dont think he was driving to the city with them eather