Transformers Leader Optimus Prime

I just got this toy yesterday in the afternoon, and boy, was I excited!I immediately started trying to transform it to alt mode (truck) while in my car, but couldn't until I got home and closely examined the pictures of the instrucion leaflet.So, yes, this one is hard to transform the first time, especially from robot to truck mode, but then transforming it back to robot is much, much easier. I did it even without looking at the instructions. Transformation now is completely different from the old toy!First impression is that in truck mode, it seems a bit smaller than the old TF movie Optimus Prime (2007). This has got to do with the new proportions, which are now more accurate. Fact is, the truck about 1/16" longer than the old toy.When in robot mode, it also seems smaller than the old Prime, but again it has to do with proportions -the older toy was really bulky- and the new toy is 1" taller. The robot itself is very poseable, and you can even use the piece that holds the head to swivel it up and down a bit.I then spent the next two hours examining all the reference pictures I have from the truck and the CGI robot... and I can say that this is a very nice piece of engineering (or re-engineering).The truck has all the details from the real truck, and most hinges remain well hidden. All the tiny lights and reflectors are molded in quite accurately, and even the door handles have 3 bolts and a keyhole molded in the correct place (they are just dots, but they're there).The new toy is molded in brighter colors than the old one, but paint is used wery well too.Also of note are the clear plastic tail-lights, headlights, windshield and side windowsIn robot mode, again the attention to detail is amazing, and it is a very good representation of the CGI model.Granted that the back of the toy robot still isn't the same as the movie model, but this is as close as we can get, and it still is much better than the old toy.The only gripe I have is that in robot mode almost all the movie toys lack a lot of paint applications and resort to molded colored plastic instead: Leader Optimus's chest and feet, Deluxe Sideways's torso and Breakaway's everything.Articulation and poseability are good, and several hinges used for the transformation can be furter used to aid certain action poses. Sadly, Hasbro cut some costs by removing some articulation, which can still be seen in the prototype photos on the back of box; the most obvious being that Optimus's hands are now just one molded piece with no articulation.Then again, years ahead of the old Prime toy.I definitely recommend this toy to any TF fan or anyone that liked the movie. It is complicated at first, so 10 years or older is a safe age.The other version being marketed right now is the Takara-Tomy version, which may be a better quality toy than Hasbro's because Takara uses better materials (die cast metal at times, or stiffer plastic with better colors or better metallic finish).I don't have the Takara toy, but I don't see much difference in the pictures, so I don't think I'll get it. I would get a second toy only if they ever release a chromed Premium Leader version like they did with old Prime.Meanwhile, get this one. You won't regret it.

I absolutely love this transformer, my wife gave it to my as a birthday present, couldn't have asked for more, first time I got it it took me a while to figure it out how to transform it, ironically I don't think it is a toy for kids, it's too complicated, my 8 year old daughter likes the transformers too, but she totally doesn't like this one because it's too complicated for her, so I highly recommend this toy for an adult fan, the arms and the legs are posable, and it has a lot of joints so you can do so, and it's joints are very tight so it holds still in the desired pose so you can display it any way you want, you can pretty much do any pose with him, when in truck mode it doesn't look like it becomes the amazing optimus prime, it actually looks like an absolutely normal truck, no signs of plastic panels, everything it's so well disguised which makes it even more interesting, it actually comes with 3 different sounds, when in truck mode, an engine that goes on an on, when transforming, it does the transformation sound effect, and when in robot it says "I am optimus prime", with the real movie voice, as I've said highly recommend this toy for an adult fan, absolutely outstanding figure

First off, this toy is NOT for small kids. If you're a parent looking for something for their less than 13 years old or so, I hope you're prepared to be transforming this figure, because your children won't be able to.This figure is incredibly accurate to the Optimus Prime model used in the movies. Its robot form, truck mode, and transformation are all extremely detailed and designed to look just like the movie version. As a result, its transformation is extremely complicated. I mostly recommend this figure to collectors over the age of 15. The figure is sturdy enough to be played with, I've had mine for months now and all of the joints are in good shape. Still, Hasbro has released many, many different optimus primes (There are gravity bots and fast action battles for younger kids, and the Voyager Optimus Prime is perfect for kids who have some practice with transformers already). So take a look at them all and decide which is best.On to the figure itself: This Optimus is a BIG improvement on the original leader toy from the first movie. Its only negative aspects are plastic tires (first movie prime had rubber tires) and no individual finger articulation (however, this toy does not bring a gun so its not necessary). It has some lights and sounds (makes the tranformation sound when part of the transformation is done) and actually has the voice of Peter Cullen (who voiced Optimus in both movies as well as the original 80s cartoon). The figure also has a swing out plastic "blade" on each arm (which can get a little in the way of its possibility at times).In all honesty though, if you're at all a fan of transformers toys, and think you can handle the challenge of transforming this great, great figure, BUY IT.