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7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
"One Shall Stand and One Shall Fall", November 23, 2008
Durability:3.0 out of 5 stars Fun:5.0 out of 5 stars Educational:2.0 out of 5 stars
First off, let me say I am writing this review from the stand-point of a collector and a once owner of this toy back in the 80's. I lived and breathed Transformers. I owned the original Optimus Prime for several years until I became a rebellious teenager and took Prime out back and gave him a proper burial. If only I could go back in time and slap my former self I would do so.
Optimus Prime for many folks was a hero figure. He represented the good in folks. A leader who would stand up for the downtrodden and was without Greed. He supported his troops but led them firmly. If ever there was a figure parents were proud of their kid to love this was he. And his toy is a metaphorical representation of this.
The original toy was ahead of its time. With real rubber wheels and at the time made of some metal and some plastic, he was durable. This toy is a wonderful facsimile of that famed toy. The detail is still there and the memories of my childhood flood back each time I play with him. The addition of the DVD which includes the first few episodes of the Original G1 Cartoon, as well as the Original Issue #1 comic are to me, icing on the cake. Not to mention they took the time to get Peter Cullen's voice included with the Autobot Symbol.
Now stepping out of the role of collector, if I were a parent here is how I'd view this toy. First off there are small parts. So I would definitely avoid this for any child under the age of 5. The fists and gun are small enough to swallow. So avoid at all cost. The cost of this item might be a little too steep too. With many a Tranformer Animated or Transformer Universe toy costing between $7 to $40, this is a big leap up for a toy for Christmas. However if you want to get your son or daughter starting to collect something they may treasure later on, this is a good start.
Pros:
- Good Re-do of an Old Classic
- Addition of Cartoon DVD / Issue #1 Comic
- Original Voice Actor used on Audible Autobot Symbol
- Wonderful Collector's Item
Cons:
- High Price (Should have ranged in the $40 to $50 especially if bought for something other than a Collection).
- Design flaw on Gun (Handle does not allow it to lay flat on the arm)
Overall I give this a 5 out of 5 stars as a collector's item. The bonuses included with the toy (DVD, Comic, Symbol) make this a well rounded item. However I give this a 3.5 out of 5 for a toy to give on Christmas. At over $60 this is a little expensive for such a small audience that this might appeal to. Either way it's great that Hasbro sees the potential in a new audience as well as not forgetting us who were around during it's inception.
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
At 25 years old, the Autobot leader looks better than ever, January 4, 2009
Durability:4.0 out of 5 stars Fun:5.0 out of 5 stars Educational:2.0 out of 5 stars
More proof that you can't keep a good bot down, Optimus Prime is again rereleased in all his great Generation 1 glory.
Hasbro is honoring the 25 years that have passed since the original release of the Transformers series in 1984 and they are doing a nice job of kicking off the celebration with this wonderful and impressive figure that is a an almost identical reissue of the original Optimus Prime figure that so many back in the 80's grew up with and played with as wee lads.
Optimus Prime is the leader of a group of Autobot warriors from another planet who change from vehicles into robots. They battle the evil Decepticons who want to take over all and everything in their way. Its a never ending battle that has spanned generations of Transformers.
Optimus Prime, a huge 18 wheeler semi truck was a perfect leader for a group of mostly car based Autobots and the toy still stands up the test of time quite well.
The box that this toy comes in is huge and impressive. It has nice box art on a flap that can be lifted up and the other half of the box is a window letting you look in to see all you are aquiring with this purchase.
The toy will be exactly as fans remembered. Die cast metal and plastic and great detail and construction. Its ready to go right out of the box and the transformation from vehicle to robot couldn't be any easier.
Unlike a lot of the current Transformers found today which are complicated and frustrating at points to convert, this was a nice and simple and even fun process that you or any kid could easily handle.
The metallic legs will pull forward from horizontal to vertical with the feet also being bent the same way at the ends of the cab. The back opens up to reveal two arms that were on the side of the cab. The head flips up from the opened back. Two plastic arms are put into the headlights that were on the cab that are now at the end of the arms and a gun can be placed into either hand hole. That is all there is too it.
For extra fun the trailer itself also opens up to reveal a battle station of sorts. With a 6 wheeled drone named roller that can shoot out of the base and a tower that can be moved around and hose and missile attachments to hook into the various parts inside.
A very complete and nice little toy that offers a lot of assortment and fun to any kid wanting to relive the experience that is the original and still best toys from the original saga of the series still going strong to this day.
Besides the toy there is also some extras that come along with the figure. And what anniversary edition would be complete after all without some of those. There is the original three episodes of the original 1984 Transformers cartoon series that featured the characters found in the toys of the original Generation 1 series of this year. And the first issue of the Marvel Comic book based on the toys of this year as well. Those alone are nice little additions to any fan wanting to get back to the year 1984 or someone wanting to learn more about the series that they never grew up with. The comic and DVD is a very nice addition to say the least.
Lastly they include a sound box that will say various statements. All with Optimus Prime's voice and various Transformers related sounds. The sound box can be worn on your belt or carried about and is a fun little gizmo to play around with if anything else.
The only downsides that I can think of, and they are major or minor depending on your view are:
The plastic coloring of Optimus is definitely different than that of the original figure and even of the Commemorative 1 version from a few years earlier. Hard to say why it is so much brighter and different looking but it clearly is when you have all 3 side to side, this one really stands out and you have to wonder if they couldn't match the color, did it on purpose or it was cheaper to do it this version in this method.
The smoke stacks also are like the previous rerelease and are shorter and only come up to shoulder length and that like previously was done due to toy safety laws in the United States.
Another disappointment is the gun is not a perfect recreation of the original gun. Its still impressive and nice but why it wasn't an actual remold of the original is a big question that has to be asked. Could be again due to toy safety laws that are currently found in the US.
Lastly the price is very high for this piece. At least as of this review. At almost $70 it won't be something that every parent and kid is going to run out and be able to get easily. Even those that can easily can get it at this price may think twice of doing so as it is a bit on the high side. Even with a DVD and comic book it still seems a bit pricey.
Negatives aside, this really is a must have for anyone who grew up with Generation 1 toys and wants to either get this for their own kids or their own collections for display purposes or just to get a touch of their past yet again. This is also a great pick up for current fans of the series as you really can't see where you are going if you don't remember where you came from.
Its wonderful that Hasbro has done something like this to honor their 25th year of Transformers. Lets hope this is the start to many more that will homage their history and provide fans who can never get enough of the series something more to smile at.
This rerelease will do the job nicely and as long as you don't mind paying a lot for it, its a great purchase and a great toy. This is as great as Optimus Prime is. Here is to another 25 years, may this series live on for generations to come.
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
O.G ORIGINAL GANSTA, November 25, 2008
Durability:5.0 out of 5 stars Fun:5.0 out of 5 stars Educational:1.0 out of 5 stars
The O.G is back finally. Well he's back for a little while anyway. I saw this toy as of the day I am writing this and I bought it today as well. I wasn't going to even check the toy isle. I am a transformer collector and I have pretty much everything that is out now. No lie, and if I don't have it I going to get it count on that. Anyway Target had some new exclusive stuff. Basically repaints of Cybertron Transformers and Animated tranforers but if they look cool, hell as they say two is better than one. The bottom shelf to my surprise, let me say that again to MY SURPRISE they has the old school Prime. Not an updated version of the O.G but the real deal. I have the updated one from like two years ago already.
I saw it was 70 dollars thought thats pretty high. But seeing that Target only had 5 in the store, non in the back, and its the start of christmas shopping. What was the chances it would last the weekend. Slim to none. So I got it along with two others blew a cool 127 and the rest is history. Ok story time is over now to the point.
This seems to be for collectors only. The packaging dvd, comic, vintage toy. You have to be in your late twenties to early thirties to really want this. And to be honest compared to newer versions of prime. My man is looking a little primitive. Now don't get me wrong that is what I love about it. But with movie prime, and animated prime out now. The 1984 one just doesn't look as cool. Being 29 I remember wanting this bad, I also remember never getting it. So as a collector I'm excited but the part of me that remembers being a kid. Getting this 25 years later. DAMN! If you told me I would get this 25 year in the future as a kid I probably would have said I,ll be a old man by then. But I digress, the satisfaction is still there. And now that I'm older it won't get tore up or in up in a junk pile like it would have back then. No Prime will be staying in the box on display as my center peice. If your a parent the decision should be this, pass on old school prime. He looks dated and cost a grip. Unless your kid is a honor role students and wants this really bad. There a far to many new cooler looking transformers out that are cheaper. That went a little long anyway Hasbro good looking out on O.G Prime. Next bring out O.G Meagatron. One
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