Today we look at some Autobots. Small, but they all appeared in the Movie.
Actually they aren't small. They're larger than Star Wars figures, but you know, let's not go there. I have too little money as it is.
There's really nothing more to be said for Bumblebee that I haven't already said 2 years ago, seeing that it's the same mould, after all. Except for the amputated arm (replaced by a cannon). But then, he kind of grows on you.
Bumblebee, Robot Mode
When I first got him, I didn't think much of him (that is, his original mould).
Then I ended up getting 3 more copies of him. Stealth, Premium, Cliffjumper... and now, him. What does this show? How endearing his mould is, I'd say.
I don't know why. Maybe it's all the hype. Maybe it's because his other toys are really not that playable. But anyway, I made him a ninja in my attempted and aborted web comic.
His head, however, gives me nightmares. Those big, bulging blue eyes! They don't make him look more human, they make him look downright alien. Luckily, you can't tell from this picture.
Bumblebee, Alternate Mode
I'm not much of a car person, so no comments here. There really isn't any much difference that I can tell between this and his prior incarnations.
Excited about Cannon Bumblebee, though!
Sideswipe's the kind of Transformer you'd love to hate. Born with a good alternate mode, and a good robot mode, he's really been blessed by Primus with everything. Good looks, good body, and everybody loves him.
Except that he doesn't talk much in the movie. Oh well, life is fair... to an extent.
Sideswipe, Robot Mode
See, he's a sleek silver and black. That's already a +1.
Then's got nifty feet wheels! No, no, his feet are wheels! He can run faster than any landbound Transformer already.
He's got double blades on each arm. And not some pitiful excuse for a blade, these are long blades, swords even, and even if you jabbed some Supreme class dude, it's going to hurt. Melee power to the max. Who needs missiles when you've got four swords?
Finally, he's got wings. Some people like the kibble, some don't. I'm ambivalent about kibble generally - it depends on how well it integrates in. But here, his kibble performs very well as a cape/wings.
If I were a female Transformer, I'd be in love with Sideswipe already.
Sideswipe, Alternate Mode
Sideswipe is a cool Corvette Stingray. Although it doesn't technically exist, since it's a concept car, like Bumblebee's Chevrolet Camaro.
Not being a car person, I ordinarily wouldn't gush about car modes. But I will about Sideswipe. He just looks so sleek and streamlined, I'd buy another Sideswipe just to keep in alternate mode. Really. And all subsequent recolours, too.
I'm a sucker.
I like female Autobots. Female Transformers, in general. They are nice to kidnap, and everyone likes to see butt kicking females. And how else is their race going to reproduce?
Chromia, Robot Mode
I'm not entirely a fan of Chromia's robot mode - mainly because you need a stand to prop her up properly. She's generally not very well put together, imho. Her back/chest tends to split apart, because her left arm is a very heavy cannon, compared to her regular right arm.
Still, with rumours of her impending combining powers, I'd like to see how it all plays out (and get suckered into buying the giftset, of course).
I'm not a fan of needing a stand to prop up any sort of mode. Heels on legs, I can dig. A whole dedicated stand? What happened to plain old-fashioned engineering?
Score one for bikeformers though! She's the heftiest one I have by far. I'm not sure why she's so bigger than the rest (though only slightly), though.
I was OK with Wheelie, in G1. Not a fan, but OK. He was cute and eager.
Then came this movie. And I am highly annoyed.
Wheelie, Robot Mode
Wheelie's characterisation annoys me. As if we didn't have Mudflap & Skids as comic relief... now we need Wheelie? A nasal brat? Who reminds me of... touche.
At any rate, I believe that Transformers are, first and foremost, intended to be cool. Strip that away, and you could be a Roadbot. Or any other number of clone lines of transforming robots. Maybe even a Gobot.
Mudflap & Skids do have their cool moments - and that is the battle with Devastator. But Wheelie has no such saving grace. He's defeated by a human, and then humps her like a dog. He is utterly useless in battle. All his mission goals? Fail. He does nothing except to be a plot device that isn't funny.
I don't like his droopy eyes, so I placed them in a frown, for his robot mode.
Wheelie, Alternate Mode
The irony is that Wheelie transforms into a toy. The most useless of alternate modes. Not a gun, not a camera, not even a toaster. An RC car.
So if a Supreme Wheelie comes out that transforms into an RC car, I will not be very amused. Ha ha. Funny. Yes. But not amusing.
I don't like Wheelie. Sorry.
And he's so freaking huge compared to the others.
That wraps up this chapter. Next chapter, we'll see the Decepticons! All... 2 of them. Haha.
