Post by Rohml on Oct 23, 2006 6:57:51 GMT -5
Cybertron: Jungle Planet Optimus Prime
"Hey man, i think you got your circuits mixed up again... that's Optimus Primal, dood!"
No, he's not. He's Optimus Prime. CLICK THIS LINK
Yes, boys and girls, this Ape IS Optimus Prime, according to the story he was reformatted into an Ape when he got the Jungle Planet Cyber Key, but this didn't happen in the show, apparently like Tank Unicron this variation is one of those What-If scenarios (And will stay a What-If scenario until they make some kind of comic to stick this in the canon universe.)
Since Jungle Planet Optimus Prime (so not to be confused with Optimus Prime, or Optimus Primal) will be refered to as JPOP (he he... nice!)
A nice note to this toy is, this is a recolor of the Optimus Primal mold release as part of the 10th Anniversary of Beast Wars.
Review
I will review JPOP in three categories:
- Sculpt (Form and Color)
- Articulation (Movable Parts and how can it be moved)
- Fun Factor (How did I enjoy it)
Sculpt
[Ape Mode]
JPOP comes packaged in Ape Mode. Like the original mold, JPOP is an Ape, but unlike the original mold, the color are different. Instead of Blue, Black, White, we get Tan, Brown, White and Red combination. Honestly, I like this color-combination much more than the original since he looks more organic and more like an Ape.
The ape's arms and hands are colored black while brown "hairy" parts are molded into his shoulders, arms, thighs and back. Tan "flesh" parts are on the inside of his arms, legs, feet and his face. Red mark details are found in his knees, elbows and forehead.
His hands are scuplted with an open gap in between the thumb and the fingers, you could fit some small items within the gap. Unfortunately he doesn't come with a Energon-Banana accessory.
His feet on the other hands are sculpted to resembles an ape's feet
An additional detail for JPOP's ape mode is the scar on the Ape's face, The scar crosses JPOP's left eye creating a "war veteran" look, while white fangs protrude from JPOP's mouth offering a savage visage to Optimus Prime's Ape mode.
JPOP's left rump also has the Autobot Symbol confirming JPOP's allegeance to the Autobot faction. The symbol is painted silver which works against JPOP's brown hide color. But one thing to note that the symbol seems ill-placed since JPOP's left rump is supposed to have fur, how can the symbol be flately printed on it? Oversight I guess.
[Robot Mode]
One thing I could say is transforming JPOP from Ape to Robot is quite confusing. Even with the instruction booklet it will take you a few minutes of analyzation just to figure out how does JPOP's parts move around. But after a few transformation, it will be quite simple.
Its Robot Mode, much like its Ape mode, is colored Black, Brown, Tan and Red. Also much like his Ape Mode, his calves, forearms are black while insides are tan. More red is visible in this form with the addition of the red parts on his chest. His head is colored black which resembles more of Optimus Primal than Optimus Prime, it even has a mouth (which is colored silver gray). JPOP has the standard OP attenae and forehead doodad, his eyes are also painted yellow which would have worked well against the black parts, if it wasn't dulled. But with the right lightning you can still make his eyes glow. There also white parts around especially in the legs and the shoulders part.
One thing you would notice is the reversal of his arms' and legs' role. In robot mode, his Ape legs are now his arms, while his Ape arms are now his legs (If you don't believe me look at the Robot Mode's hands and the Ape Mode's feet). To be able to balance his feet (once his Ape hands) can be folded out for sturdier balance (His ape form's hands folds away from his hand guards).
As mentioned before, JPOP's look resembles Optimus Primal more than Optimus Prime which may question my introduction to this review, but since this figure is a re-color afterall then there is no suprise that this looks more "munky" than "truk". This is even more evident with the red and silver chest panel that JPOP sports.
This TF doesn't have noticeable kibbles, and that boosted his score up
Articulation
Ball joint, TFs greatest boon! JPOP takes that credo seriously with almost all moveable part connected via ball joint! Which isn't bad at all since the toy could be posed in numerous different poses.
The toy is articulated in the ankles, knees, hips, shoulders, head, elbows, hands and thumb. However this toys lacks torso and waist articulation which forces the hips to compensate when doing good looking surfing poses.
His thumb is connect via a small peg on his hands, this enables it to move in a sideways motion enabling it make a hitler salute or help in forming a proper fist, though its freely movable, its lack of ball joints prevents JPOP from doing a thumbs-up.
Also, his Wrist can be strecthed upward, enabling JPOP to make a STOP sign (or Halt sign).
Rohml's Kick Test
By this time you already know what the kick-test does, if not, then the kick test gauges a toys ability to do a pose plus the toy's ability to hold that pose plus that toy's ability to keep it self balance without the external help.
JPOP's passes!
Ball-joint articulation enables him to do much more than a normal ratchet joint, though disadvantage to it is in time (if I am not careful) the ball joint might go loose, but if that time comes a fix can be easily made. (See my Unicron Review)
Also since his hands can flex upwards I could easily use the hand as a sturdy base for JPOP enabling the toy to do this:
Cool!
Fun Factor
Like all Cybertron Figures, JPOP comes with a Cyber Key, but where does it go? Well, it goes on his surfboard.
Lately, I've noticed that Optimus Prime has always been associated with a Surfboard, he now has three toys that depicts him surfing (Transmetal OP, Kiss Convoy and 10th Anniversary Beast War OP)... what's up with that?
Anyhoo, the surf board measures around 5-6 inches tall and could have a missle attached to its front part. Its primarily black with a few silver details depicting stylized flames.
JPOP could easily ride his surfboard in Robot Mode, even the Ape form has pegs on its feet so it could attach itself quite nicely to the surfboard.
But JPOP's surfboard isn't just for show... it has another purpose. Its JPOP's massive weapon. The Cyber key when attached to the surfboard, because a cannon of some sort.
When in cannon mode, the Surfboard displays more tan colors, The cannon isn't really impressive, You won't even see it as a cannon if it wasn't for the missle on its nose. I'd rather stick with the surfboard.
Overall
JPOP doesn't look much like Optimus Prime which is a shame since he is named Optimus Prime. But compare this with the 10th Anniversary Beast War Optimus Primal and I would choose this hands down. The accessories could have been better. But the Ape and Robot mode was worth it for me. I think the the Ape mode's scar was the selling point for me.
The toys is around $12.99, and the cost of is alright for this kind of toy, considering the uglier-colored original version of this toy costs around $20.00.
My Rating: B+
My Recommendation: This is a recolor. If you like getting only one mold of a certain figure I suggest getting this instead of the Blue-Black one. Yes, the other one has the ship, but this is much cheaper and looks a lot better. But if you do not have any particular stand on the issue of recolors, this is a fun toy to have, it doesn't have extra cool features, but the whole "munky with scar" thing just looks way too cool to pass on.
Before I go I offer you this picture, since this guy is supposed to be Optimus Prime, I guess it would be fitting... what do you think?
"Hey man, i think you got your circuits mixed up again... that's Optimus Primal, dood!"
No, he's not. He's Optimus Prime. CLICK THIS LINK
Yes, boys and girls, this Ape IS Optimus Prime, according to the story he was reformatted into an Ape when he got the Jungle Planet Cyber Key, but this didn't happen in the show, apparently like Tank Unicron this variation is one of those What-If scenarios (And will stay a What-If scenario until they make some kind of comic to stick this in the canon universe.)
Since Jungle Planet Optimus Prime (so not to be confused with Optimus Prime, or Optimus Primal) will be refered to as JPOP (he he... nice!)
A nice note to this toy is, this is a recolor of the Optimus Primal mold release as part of the 10th Anniversary of Beast Wars.
Review
I will review JPOP in three categories:
- Sculpt (Form and Color)
- Articulation (Movable Parts and how can it be moved)
- Fun Factor (How did I enjoy it)
Sculpt
[Ape Mode]
JPOP comes packaged in Ape Mode. Like the original mold, JPOP is an Ape, but unlike the original mold, the color are different. Instead of Blue, Black, White, we get Tan, Brown, White and Red combination. Honestly, I like this color-combination much more than the original since he looks more organic and more like an Ape.
The ape's arms and hands are colored black while brown "hairy" parts are molded into his shoulders, arms, thighs and back. Tan "flesh" parts are on the inside of his arms, legs, feet and his face. Red mark details are found in his knees, elbows and forehead.
His hands are scuplted with an open gap in between the thumb and the fingers, you could fit some small items within the gap. Unfortunately he doesn't come with a Energon-Banana accessory.
His feet on the other hands are sculpted to resembles an ape's feet
An additional detail for JPOP's ape mode is the scar on the Ape's face, The scar crosses JPOP's left eye creating a "war veteran" look, while white fangs protrude from JPOP's mouth offering a savage visage to Optimus Prime's Ape mode.
JPOP's left rump also has the Autobot Symbol confirming JPOP's allegeance to the Autobot faction. The symbol is painted silver which works against JPOP's brown hide color. But one thing to note that the symbol seems ill-placed since JPOP's left rump is supposed to have fur, how can the symbol be flately printed on it? Oversight I guess.
[Robot Mode]
One thing I could say is transforming JPOP from Ape to Robot is quite confusing. Even with the instruction booklet it will take you a few minutes of analyzation just to figure out how does JPOP's parts move around. But after a few transformation, it will be quite simple.
Its Robot Mode, much like its Ape mode, is colored Black, Brown, Tan and Red. Also much like his Ape Mode, his calves, forearms are black while insides are tan. More red is visible in this form with the addition of the red parts on his chest. His head is colored black which resembles more of Optimus Primal than Optimus Prime, it even has a mouth (which is colored silver gray). JPOP has the standard OP attenae and forehead doodad, his eyes are also painted yellow which would have worked well against the black parts, if it wasn't dulled. But with the right lightning you can still make his eyes glow. There also white parts around especially in the legs and the shoulders part.
One thing you would notice is the reversal of his arms' and legs' role. In robot mode, his Ape legs are now his arms, while his Ape arms are now his legs (If you don't believe me look at the Robot Mode's hands and the Ape Mode's feet). To be able to balance his feet (once his Ape hands) can be folded out for sturdier balance (His ape form's hands folds away from his hand guards).
As mentioned before, JPOP's look resembles Optimus Primal more than Optimus Prime which may question my introduction to this review, but since this figure is a re-color afterall then there is no suprise that this looks more "munky" than "truk". This is even more evident with the red and silver chest panel that JPOP sports.
This TF doesn't have noticeable kibbles, and that boosted his score up
Articulation
Ball joint, TFs greatest boon! JPOP takes that credo seriously with almost all moveable part connected via ball joint! Which isn't bad at all since the toy could be posed in numerous different poses.
The toy is articulated in the ankles, knees, hips, shoulders, head, elbows, hands and thumb. However this toys lacks torso and waist articulation which forces the hips to compensate when doing good looking surfing poses.
His thumb is connect via a small peg on his hands, this enables it to move in a sideways motion enabling it make a hitler salute or help in forming a proper fist, though its freely movable, its lack of ball joints prevents JPOP from doing a thumbs-up.
Also, his Wrist can be strecthed upward, enabling JPOP to make a STOP sign (or Halt sign).
Rohml's Kick Test
By this time you already know what the kick-test does, if not, then the kick test gauges a toys ability to do a pose plus the toy's ability to hold that pose plus that toy's ability to keep it self balance without the external help.
JPOP's passes!
Ball-joint articulation enables him to do much more than a normal ratchet joint, though disadvantage to it is in time (if I am not careful) the ball joint might go loose, but if that time comes a fix can be easily made. (See my Unicron Review)
Also since his hands can flex upwards I could easily use the hand as a sturdy base for JPOP enabling the toy to do this:
Cool!
Fun Factor
Like all Cybertron Figures, JPOP comes with a Cyber Key, but where does it go? Well, it goes on his surfboard.
Lately, I've noticed that Optimus Prime has always been associated with a Surfboard, he now has three toys that depicts him surfing (Transmetal OP, Kiss Convoy and 10th Anniversary Beast War OP)... what's up with that?
Anyhoo, the surf board measures around 5-6 inches tall and could have a missle attached to its front part. Its primarily black with a few silver details depicting stylized flames.
JPOP could easily ride his surfboard in Robot Mode, even the Ape form has pegs on its feet so it could attach itself quite nicely to the surfboard.
But JPOP's surfboard isn't just for show... it has another purpose. Its JPOP's massive weapon. The Cyber key when attached to the surfboard, because a cannon of some sort.
When in cannon mode, the Surfboard displays more tan colors, The cannon isn't really impressive, You won't even see it as a cannon if it wasn't for the missle on its nose. I'd rather stick with the surfboard.
Overall
JPOP doesn't look much like Optimus Prime which is a shame since he is named Optimus Prime. But compare this with the 10th Anniversary Beast War Optimus Primal and I would choose this hands down. The accessories could have been better. But the Ape and Robot mode was worth it for me. I think the the Ape mode's scar was the selling point for me.
The toys is around $12.99, and the cost of is alright for this kind of toy, considering the uglier-colored original version of this toy costs around $20.00.
My Rating: B+
My Recommendation: This is a recolor. If you like getting only one mold of a certain figure I suggest getting this instead of the Blue-Black one. Yes, the other one has the ship, but this is much cheaper and looks a lot better. But if you do not have any particular stand on the issue of recolors, this is a fun toy to have, it doesn't have extra cool features, but the whole "munky with scar" thing just looks way too cool to pass on.
Before I go I offer you this picture, since this guy is supposed to be Optimus Prime, I guess it would be fitting... what do you think?
