Toy Review - MP-32 Optimus Primal/Beast Convoy

[kurdt_the_goat]

BEAST CONVOY (a.k.a. Optimus Primal)
Series – Masterpiece
Size/class - N/A
New/remould/redeco - New
Wave - N/A
Released here – No. Released in Japan in late October, 2016
Approximate Retail Price - 12000JPY (AU$155)
Approximate Size - 18cm
Allegiance - Maximal
Alt-mode – silverback gorilla
Main Features/Gimmicks – deployable forearm and shoulder cannons, LED eyes (batteries not included)
Main Colours – dark grey
Main Accessories – 2 swords & interchangeable face plates


Got mine today and wow, what a stunning piece!

There'll be no one complaining about the paint on this MP, that's for sure! Paint, joints, design, QC... everything is so well done. It's the perfect high-end companion to the original toy - and takes nothing away from it either. The original is great and your imagination fills in the rest (and then some); but this is virtually like playing with the model from the show - uncannily accurate.

I could see play-fans might get a little frustrated - things snap together so tightly it can take a little time to transform - with some gentle prying - plus the clearance on the beast head is probably the finest i've ever seen, less than milimetres.

But it does clear, and it just feels like it's been designed and produced to exacting standards. The transformation has nothing that seems unnecessary or overly complicated. The light up eye gimmick fits in what must be the smallest possible compartment, in the cleverest possible spot, where there is absolutely no light leakage. All the eyes are painted over transparent red plastic so they look stunning with and without light behind them too. The beast head is on a clever ball joint design that lets it safely and easily pop off, while staying firmly lodged otherwise - in 2 distinct spots - one completely flush with the body and another slightly raised for more movement. The fur rendering is incredible, and just makes me look at a mostly unpainted MP like Shockwave and wonder why they keep flip-flopping between releases! I still love you Shocky! :p

I'm struggling to think of another MP that exceeds the quality on show here. I don't want to sound like i'm gushing too much though, so i will add - it would have been nice to have some more downwards tilt on his knees for when you bend his legs to 90º. And for some reason, the angry beast head has a distinct lack of sculpted teeth in the middle bottom row. They're present on the promotional shots, and it doesn't look like QC, so it seems they got rid of them last minute for some bizarre reason!

Bring on Cheetor and may the MP Beast Wars continue!

[MEEEGGGAAATTTRRROOONNN!!!]

Cheers for the review Kurdt!

Didn't notice the teeth, but I don't have him in-hand yet, so have only been staring at the pics.

Seems like they removed the teeth following the initial stock shots (https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/715ulo9gcVL._SL1050_.jpg), because they're not seen on the figure at the ACG event in July:

http://i.imgur.com/6bVnJ1k.jpg

Nor the recent Dengeki preview:

http://i.imgur.com/aaR6YWK.jpg

I wonder if there was a molding error and they thought: "bugger it!"?

Oh well, can't wait to get him! Hopefully sometime this week.

[GoktimusPrime]

No poll, kurdt?

Mine's still in transit. :o Where are people displaying their MP Beast Convoy? With other MPs? With BW toys? I've decided to display it on MP shelf for now, but odds are that it will be overtaken by other G1 MPs and I'll eventually have to migrate it over to my BW shelf.

[MayzaPrime]

No poll, kurdt?

Mine's still in transit. :o Where are people displaying their MP Beast Convoy? With other MPs? With BW toys? I've decided to display it on MP shelf for now, but odds are that it will be overtaken by other G1 MPs and I'll eventually have to migrate it over to my BW shelf.

I will be displaying mine with Gen Rattrap, Waspinator and Rhinox. Universe Dinobot and Cheetor thrown in there as well.

I have 1 Deltof that displays each on screen character from each series, so my MP/CHUG Beast Wars will displayed there. I will take a photo and post once I get my MP Primal.

[Tetsuwan Convoy]

This guy is so cool, I could totally be happy with him just chilling out with my other Masterpiece leaders. Hall of Champions style.

The one thing that has surprised me the most though is how much I like the Gorilla mode. I thought I would NEVER bother with his beast mode, but for the past two days, I've been strangely transfixed by it. It looks like I reached into my tv, grabbed Primal and he turned into a 3d model through magic! (except for the back).

[kurdt_the_goat]

No poll, kurdt?

No need, everyone will vote the same! Also, i forgot :cool:

[1AZRAEL1]

No need, everyone will vote the same! Also, i forgot :cool:

What do you mean everyone will vote the same? It's trukk not munkey :p

[Verno]

When Primal arrives, he'll be displayed by himself... until January, when Cheetor arrives :cool:

[doublespy]

Kurt and T.C pretty much summed up my positive feelings towards this figure. What an incredible Masterpiece!

I will just put up some photos and a few comments here and there:

MONKEY GORILLA MODE:

http://i893.photobucket.com/albums/ac134/scorer24/MASTERPIECE/63D9AA18-7992-4E03-B20F-2AE6641FFE0B_zpslrdi5g6g.jpg (http://s893.photobucket.com/user/scorer24/media/MASTERPIECE/63D9AA18-7992-4E03-B20F-2AE6641FFE0B_zpslrdi5g6g.jpg.html)

http://i893.photobucket.com/albums/ac134/scorer24/MASTERPIECE/th_675C1C99-EACF-4181-97AE-DE86D1B70EA1_zpsqaejuit9.jpg (http://s893.photobucket.com/user/scorer24/media/MASTERPIECE/675C1C99-EACF-4181-97AE-DE86D1B70EA1_zpsqaejuit9.jpg.html)
It really helps with the show accuracy when they have the 3D character model from the show. The hydrographic-printed fur details look amazing in person. And the painted chest area has smooth transition across different parts.

http://i893.photobucket.com/albums/ac134/scorer24/MASTERPIECE/th_36E6D544-3C69-4AC3-BC3D-CF23EE211ADD_zps2hahm24n.jpg (http://s893.photobucket.com/user/scorer24/media/MASTERPIECE/36E6D544-3C69-4AC3-BC3D-CF23EE211ADD_zps2hahm24n.jpg.html)
The back is mostly clean. Considering how much robot bits need to be concealed it's a necessary compromise. Same with the should pads. Industrial design has a lot to do with setting the priorities and comprising.

There's a 5mm peg that swings out on the back. Anybody know what it's for? I thought it was for Generations Rattrap to ride on his back but it would fit?

http://i893.photobucket.com/albums/ac134/scorer24/MASTERPIECE/th_92551C8A-207B-4A56-A07A-AA5A99039A13_zpsklilmggu.jpg (http://s893.photobucket.com/user/scorer24/media/MASTERPIECE/92551C8A-207B-4A56-A07A-AA5A99039A13_zpsklilmggu.jpg.html)

http://i893.photobucket.com/albums/ac134/scorer24/MASTERPIECE/th_07EEA24B-A23F-4CD8-A51B-06B3BE871248_zpszsnn07mg.jpg (http://s893.photobucket.com/user/scorer24/media/MASTERPIECE/07EEA24B-A23F-4CD8-A51B-06B3BE871248_zpszsnn07mg.jpg.html)

There's a hinge on the waist piece that allows the thighs to clear the stomach and be able to bend forward for quadruped poses.

http://i893.photobucket.com/albums/ac134/scorer24/MASTERPIECE/th_7C355745-4F50-49A7-AAE7-CAD8B095A892_zpsyhix3rxc.jpg (http://s893.photobucket.com/user/scorer24/media/MASTERPIECE/7C355745-4F50-49A7-AAE7-CAD8B095A892_zpsyhix3rxc.jpg.html)

http://i893.photobucket.com/albums/ac134/scorer24/MASTERPIECE/th_69FFA1F5-0E8F-4208-AADC-B5D235B23D72_zpsyvn6biud.jpg (http://s893.photobucket.com/user/scorer24/media/MASTERPIECE/69FFA1F5-0E8F-4208-AADC-B5D235B23D72_zpsyvn6biud.jpg.html)
Pose-ability is pretty good in this mode. I find it surprising that he can be so emotive without proper knee bends.

http://i893.photobucket.com/albums/ac134/scorer24/MASTERPIECE/th_209572B7-B87A-4701-A065-A99686ADFBA9_zps0y0htjfi.jpg (http://s893.photobucket.com/user/scorer24/media/MASTERPIECE/209572B7-B87A-4701-A065-A99686ADFBA9_zps0y0htjfi.jpg.html)

http://i893.photobucket.com/albums/ac134/scorer24/MASTERPIECE/th_D8D73524-8F87-4866-96CD-4A7240363F5D_zpsvdhwnofl.jpg (http://s893.photobucket.com/user/scorer24/media/MASTERPIECE/D8D73524-8F87-4866-96CD-4A7240363F5D_zpsvdhwnofl.jpg.html)
All of the faces are painted/tampograhed with crisp details and full of personality.

TRANSFORMATION:
Nothing really wows but it's a very satisfying process. Everything has a place to tab in. The panel shifting on the legs is really clever.

'BOT MODE:
http://i893.photobucket.com/albums/ac134/scorer24/MASTERPIECE/2EC0AB15-A294-41A8-8F5D-C9D7049166BF_zpsjncioqk7.jpg (http://s893.photobucket.com/user/scorer24/media/MASTERPIECE/2EC0AB15-A294-41A8-8F5D-C9D7049166BF_zpsjncioqk7.jpg.html)

http://i893.photobucket.com/albums/ac134/scorer24/MASTERPIECE/th_E6DA1177-6E1F-43A9-9DF0-FFE018A86021_zps5cmukklg.jpg (http://s893.photobucket.com/user/scorer24/media/MASTERPIECE/E6DA1177-6E1F-43A9-9DF0-FFE018A86021_zps5cmukklg.jpg.html)

http://i893.photobucket.com/albums/ac134/scorer24/MASTERPIECE/th_8A38AECB-49F4-4F21-B40D-04E40AFAF47F_zpsyeq980fo.jpg (http://s893.photobucket.com/user/scorer24/media/MASTERPIECE/8A38AECB-49F4-4F21-B40D-04E40AFAF47F_zpsyeq980fo.jpg.html)
This robot mode is taking "like it's jumped from the TV" to the next level: including the texture. All the 3D texturing on the show model is amazingly recreated with metallic paint apps, which is something they couldn't when designing the G1-based MPs. I'm already imagining that beautiful contrast between the T-Rex skin texture and shining robot bits on MP Megatron:D

http://i893.photobucket.com/albums/ac134/scorer24/MASTERPIECE/DA24109A-8265-4D31-A7CE-E5FC9052C19B_zpsjbpkhdsb.jpg (http://s893.photobucket.com/user/scorer24/media/MASTERPIECE/DA24109A-8265-4D31-A7CE-E5FC9052C19B_zpsjbpkhdsb.jpg.html)

http://i893.photobucket.com/albums/ac134/scorer24/MASTERPIECE/th_3018F99A-B564-4F04-808F-44B2875A3F72_zpsjuue3vbt.jpg (http://s893.photobucket.com/user/scorer24/media/MASTERPIECE/3018F99A-B564-4F04-808F-44B2875A3F72_zpsjuue3vbt.jpg.html)

http://i893.photobucket.com/albums/ac134/scorer24/MASTERPIECE/th_E59898F3-E8BC-4C9C-84CC-A086477B524F_zpsoyw1nyr7.jpg (http://s893.photobucket.com/user/scorer24/media/MASTERPIECE/E59898F3-E8BC-4C9C-84CC-A086477B524F_zpsoyw1nyr7.jpg.html)
Pose-ability is great. If you're not happy with the 90 degree knee bend the transformation joint can be used as a double hinge. I have to mention the ankle joint. It's a pinned rocker joint on a rotational joint which allows front/back and side to side at the same time. And it's also connected to Primal's signature foot pistons.

http://i893.photobucket.com/albums/ac134/scorer24/MASTERPIECE/th_69408901-6E83-4D90-A682-9381CED832E6_zpsuleyvjtd.jpg (http://s893.photobucket.com/user/scorer24/media/MASTERPIECE/69408901-6E83-4D90-A682-9381CED832E6_zpsuleyvjtd.jpg.html)

http://i893.photobucket.com/albums/ac134/scorer24/MASTERPIECE/162E9473-6FDC-4016-A3D0-3B5E8C3A0C27_zpsvhnjcwcn.jpg (http://s893.photobucket.com/user/scorer24/media/MASTERPIECE/162E9473-6FDC-4016-A3D0-3B5E8C3A0C27_zpsvhnjcwcn.jpg.html)

http://i893.photobucket.com/albums/ac134/scorer24/MASTERPIECE/th_DC7DC762-E130-4B32-9F2F-CC427A3A545C_zpspsuz7oq6.jpg (http://s893.photobucket.com/user/scorer24/media/MASTERPIECE/DC7DC762-E130-4B32-9F2F-CC427A3A545C_zpspsuz7oq6.jpg.html)

http://i893.photobucket.com/albums/ac134/scorer24/MASTERPIECE/th_8D1C9B07-3508-44AD-8389-30847F7711C7_zpsko2kpskf.jpg (http://s893.photobucket.com/user/scorer24/media/MASTERPIECE/8D1C9B07-3508-44AD-8389-30847F7711C7_zpsko2kpskf.jpg.html)

Face-swapping in 'bot mode is equally fun. There's some really minor paint imperfections on the spare faces but overall the QC is top-notch.

http://i893.photobucket.com/albums/ac134/scorer24/MASTERPIECE/th_58ACE8D8-2CF6-47E9-BB9E-F97F142B459D_zpsfpygwi5v.jpg (http://s893.photobucket.com/user/scorer24/media/MASTERPIECE/58ACE8D8-2CF6-47E9-BB9E-F97F142B459D_zpsfpygwi5v.jpg.html)
The instructions aren’t very clear on how to take the face off. The antennae can rotate so you get your finger nail in the seam to pry it open. It's not the easiest way but it makes the head look more cohesive.

http://i893.photobucket.com/albums/ac134/scorer24/MASTERPIECE/8E139107-7405-4AE4-AA9A-4748F9BD97E4_zpsdsobvo9h.jpg (http://s893.photobucket.com/user/scorer24/media/MASTERPIECE/8E139107-7405-4AE4-AA9A-4748F9BD97E4_zpsdsobvo9h.jpg.html)
The obligatory shot.

VERDICT:
Do yourself a favor and get him. I ordered two and am having my fingers crossed that this one sells extremely well.

[kovert]

Is the display stand included or is it from MP Tracks?

[GoktimusPrime]

kovert: it looks like Tracks' stand. This reviewer (http://higekumatoytoy.blog60.fc2.com/blog-entry-2706.html) has used another kind of stand, so I'm assuming that this toy doesn't come with one of its own. :o

I just noticed that the red from the robot mode's knee caps look to be concealed in beast mode! :eek: That's pretty neat. I understand that it's not possible to completely conceal all the robot parts in beast mode (even most G1 MPs can't do it - e.g. MP automobiles have visible robot parts on the underside), so reducing the amount of red on the beast mode by concealing the knee caps is pretty awesome! :D The printed fur detailing doesn't look nearly as nice as the beautifully sculpted fur detailing on the original toy, but it is more show accurate. With a TV show budget in the 90s this was as good as they could get with portraying fur. Mainframe animators actually had to write their own animation software as the off-the shelf stuff couldn't cope with their demands, so it was all quite cutting edge TV CG animation for its time. :o If Optimus Primal were to appear in a live action film, then yeah, you'd expect it to have a realistic looking CG generated beast mode (similar to say King Kong on the Peter Jackson film).

[GoktimusPrime]

Could someone please post comparative images of this MP next to the original figure? Thanks in advance. :)

[MEEEGGGAAATTTRRROOONNN!!!]

Could someone please post comparative images of this MP next to the original figure? Thanks in advance. :)

From Alfes2010 (http://higekumatoytoy.blog60.fc2.com/blog-entry-2714.html):

http://i.imgur.com/Bm8BEF1.jpg?1
http://i.imgur.com/kqUREc9.jpg?1

[MEEEGGGAAATTTRRROOONNN!!!]

Beast mode comparison:

http://i.imgur.com/6SRAfAH.jpg?1
http://i.imgur.com/B3MCcic.jpg?1
http://i.imgur.com/qoT4EFX.jpg?1

Alfes2010 review and pics: part 1 (http://higekumatoytoy.blog60.fc2.com/blog-entry-2706.html), part 2 (http://higekumatoytoy.blog60.fc2.com/blog-entry-2707.html) and part 3 (http://higekumatoytoy.blog60.fc2.com/blog-entry-2714.html).

[kurdt_the_goat]

kurdt: feel free to copy/past the following into post #1 if you like. :) (I'll delete this portion of this post afterwards). I'm assuming that the toy's Approximate Size is the same as the original toy (as I don't have this MP yet), but do correct me if I'm wrong - and naturally feel free to edit anything else that you think may be inaccurate. Cheers/よろしくお願いします。 :)

Thanks, i put it in.

Also he doesn't come with a stand of his own. I'd be more inclined to get one just for him if he had some booster effect parts! There's a little hole near the jets on his back...

[GoktimusPrime]

From Alfes2010 (http://higekumatoytoy.blog60.fc2.com/blog-entry-2714.html):
Thanks for those. Wow, he's actually smaller than the original mould (which is a more show accurate size. Looks to be closer to 18cm which is more like the size of most other Ultras (e.g. Galvatron, Big Convoy etc.) Some Ultras like Depth Charge are 17cm. The original Ultra Optimus Primal is larger than the average Ultra Class figure. In this photo (http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k132/megatroptimus/100_5544.jpg) you can see that Optimus Primal is taller than both Lio Convoy and Big Convoy. And making him smaller is also more show accurate, as Mainframe animators did make him a bit shorter in the cartoon, as can be seen in this image (http://www.ntfa.net/ntfa/bw/gfx/Maximals.jpg). :)


Thanks, i put it in.
Awesome! If you can, could you measure the height of the robot mode? I just grabbed "20cm" from my old review of the original toy (http://www.otca.com.au/boards/showthread.php?t=16887), but judging from MEEEGGGAAATTTRRROOONNN!!!'s photos I'd say that the MP looks to about 2cm shorter. Thanks. :o

Mine's being shipped by el cheapo super-slow postage, so I probably won't get mine until the new US President is sworn into office.

[kurdt_the_goat]

Yeap it's 18! I left it as 20 cause i thought i remembered that info coming in a magazine somewhere. That reminds me i need to unpack my Lio & Big Convoys now!

[DELTAprime]

Just got him, but a little late since Australia Post decided to send him on a tour of Queensland.

Anyone else have their box and clam shell double taped?

The plastic on the Beast Mode parts feel really odd in hand, most likely because of the decal transfers that are on almost every surface. Transformation is very complex yet easy to figure out without instructions. I'm very happy with him.

[kurdt_the_goat]

Mine's sitting on my desk and every time i glance at it, i swear it's about to start walking across the table. It's like he's the real Primal that's been hit with a "honey i shrunk the beasts" ray!

In a few short days this has become probably my favourite TF, it's just that nice. I'm already lowering expectations for Inferno now, i don't see how it can match this level.

[doublespy]

Did the shoulder mod just now. (the red T shaped pieces in the shoulders are indeed mis-assembled) Makes him look more cohesive in beast mode.

http://imgur.com/PsHJfVb.jpg



The beast head is on a clever ball joint design that lets it safely and easily pop off, while staying firmly lodged otherwise - in 2 distinct spots - one completely flush with the body and another slightly raised for more movement.
I only found out today! Makes posing on all fours so much more natural.

http://imgur.com/RVVvvcl.jpg


Oh and, the 5mm peg on his back is indeed for Rattrap:D
http://imgur.com/APHWhMP.jpg

[kurdt_the_goat]

Link to the mod? I thought it might be simple misassembly since it just felt like there was one more ratchet it could hit, probably close to identical pieces inside. I actually tried unscrewing one part too but got cold feet when the shoulder armour looked to be 2 pieces glued together. Sounds like i was going for the wrong bit?

[doublespy]

Link to the mod? I thought it might be simple misassembly since it just felt like there was one more ratchet it could hit, probably close to identical pieces inside. I actually tried unscrewing one part too but got cold feet when the shoulder armour looked to be 2 pieces glued together. Sounds like i was going for the wrong bit?

A friend sent me the link last night now I couldn't find it lol.

Basically you unscrew the 3 screws on the grey piece on the upper arm. Only need to mod the white piece, basically to let it clear the red T piece that the shoulder pad is pinned on. The T piece is mis-assemble between the left and right shoulder, but the pin is difficult to remove so swapping is out of the question.

See the pic below. Note the cavity. On the right is before modding. Left is after. Shave about 1.5mm of plastic off

http://imgur.com/LDMPVSr.jpg

[kurdt_the_goat]

Thanks! It does make quite a difference, was easy and can't see any side effects or sign it was modded afterwards.

The red T shaped bar on the inside of his shoulders looks identical both sides to me though, so it seemed less like mis-assembly and more like this piece we're trimming is badly designed. Maybe i missed something but not i'm taking him apart again to check :p

[doublespy]

Thanks! It does make quite a difference, was easy and can't see any side effects or sign it was modded afterwards.

The red T shaped bar on the inside of his shoulders looks identical both sides to me though, so it seemed less like mis-assembly and more like this piece we're trimming is badly designed. Maybe i missed something but not i'm taking him apart again to check :p

From what I could see there's a ridge on top the red T piece that's offset to one side so there's a difference between L and R. The extra cut away is to clear that ridge.. Glad it worked for you too.




Anyone else have their box and clam shell double taped?


My clam shell came double-taped.



In a few short days this has become probably my favourite TF, it's just that nice. I'm already lowering expectations for Inferno now, i don't see how it can match this level.

Same. Especially after the shoulder fix. He topped Ironhide on my best Masterpiece list, which I didn't expect at all.

[MEEEGGGAAATTTRRROOONNN!!!]

Shoulder pad fix via TF x Taiwan-Design (https://www.facebook.com/TFxTWxDesign/posts/630739970438846):

http://i.imgur.com/q1Kr9WM.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/hfrzrbw.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/BG6BPAT.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/Qol6AVX.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/6rS9DWv.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/ndXeCAy.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/PdR0jmu.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/xjv97tW.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/QtrBFdy.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/UEs648N.jpg

[kurdt_the_goat]

The top of the shoulder guards doesnt need to come off like that to do the fix. At least on mine, the halves of the guards are stuck to one another so it could damage it to split them. Just following doublespys advce on the previous page was enough to get it done.

[GoktimusPrime]

Any comments/pics of this toy in comparison with the original? I know there are photos on other sites, but I'm curious to hear what you fellas think of this toy compared to the original. As you know I was initially reluctant in pre-ordering this toy but ended up pre-ordering it literally one week before it was released. My initial misgivings was that this toy wouldn't offer anything substantially better than the original (factoring cost as well), because I find that neither Generations Waspinator or Rhinox really improved on their originals relative to cost/size. But hey, this is Masterpiece, and in hand photos made me change my mind. :o

So uh... yeah, please tell me that I was right to change my mind and alleviate my premature buyer's remorse!^what you guys think about this toy compared to the original Ultra figure. ;) :p More side-by-side photos would be most appreciated if it's not too much trouble. Thanks!

[doublespy]

imo there's no comparison.

The MP figure is better in every way.

Then again I'm pretty particular about proportions and aesthetics. The MP figure nails it in both modes. The original figure was great at the time but there's still substantial difference between the cartoon model and the toy.

[Verno]

He is beyond magnificent.

[bassbot]

I'm still waiting on mine from HLJ to arrive!!! ;)

[GoktimusPrime]

Holy monkey-poop in a hat, this toy feels as if Optimus Primal just jumped out of the TV screen and became real! :eek: :D :cool: This toy is about as close as you'll get to a near-perfectly show-accurate figure.

Beast Modes

Gorgeously show-accurate in most regards, although some robot parts are visible which is unavoidable. The most noticeable parts are on the back of the legs where you can see the robot thighs and feet. The MP actually doesn't conceal the robot feet as well as the original figure - they pretty much tuck in to become heel spurs for the beast mode. But considering how faithfully/slavishly show-accurate the rest of the figure is, I think that these aren't a big deal. Besides, most other MPs also have visible robot parts in their alt modes (e.g. underside of cars, jets etc.), so proportionately speaking this toy has relatively less exposed robot parts than a lot of other MPs. I like how the robot knees flip to hide the red in beast mode. It's a neat way for the designers to basically admit that although they cannot conceal the knees, they can at least draw less attention to it by dulling the colour. The robot feet really serve function over form in this mode, as they do provide essential support in the bipedal beast mode.
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y227/goktimusprime/Transformers/Masterpiece%20Optimus%20Primal/mp_beastconvoy01_zpsv5muz7wa.jpg
Did you notice that the sub-heading for this was Beast Modes? ;) There are two beast modes for this toy - bipedal and quadrupedal, and the quadrupedal mode isn't as simple as posing the toy to stand on fours as on the original figure. It actually involves some transformation. This allows for the toy to look better in both bipedal and quadrupedal modes, because gorillas actually which is due to the reality of their physiological structure (humans are the only primates who have a fully erect gait). Real gorillas are usually [url=http://www.kidzone.ws/ANIMALS/gorillas/gorilla.jpg]quadrupedal (]don't look very good standing upright[/url), walking on their feet and knuckles. The original Ultra Optimus Primal toy (http://tfwiki.net/mediawiki/images2/b/b1/Optimusprimaltoyultraape.jpg) is designed to mimick a more realistic gorilla stance and as such doesn't look great when standing upright.
RE: Bipedalism in apes (http://www.livescience.com/11654-gorilla-walks-man-video-explained.html)
As the article explains, quadrupedalism is the preferred stance for apes. In the Beast Wars show, Optimus Primal uses both stances - often using the quadrupedal gait for travelling (as gorillas actually do) and using an upright stance to basically do more human-like things (i.e. when he needs his hands free). So it's pretty cool that the toy allows for both. Articulation in the beast mode's head allows for it to be adjusted between the beast modes. This is another reason why the original figure can't stand upright, because the head is positioned to look forward in the quadrupedal stance, if you stand the toy upright then the head is look upwards. Like he's gargling mouthwash. :p

The overall shape of the gorilla mode is more show-accurate, which in turn makes it more zoologically accurate. The original toy's beast mode has a more King Kong "flavour" to it (it even explicitly says so in the tech specs bio!), giving the toy a far more savage appearance. This was of course because Jurassic Park was the big selling toy line in the early to mid 1990s, and Kenner was capitalising on this fad when taking the failed Transformers Generation 2 and rebooting it as Beast Wars. This is why Dinobot and Grimlock's velociraptor modes are based on the Jurassic Park raptors (http://media.liveauctiongroup.net/i/5736/8632840_2.jpg) rather than actual raptors (http://res.cloudinary.com/dk-find-out/image/upload/q_80,w_1440/Velociraptor_u4hjbq.jpg) (although the JP-accurate tyrannosaurus rex mode for Megatron also happens to be more paleontologically correct ;)). We know that BW packaging had the big reptilian eye which is reminiscent of the scene from Jurassic Park where the Raptor puts his eye against the kitchen window. So a lot of creative licensing was done by Kenner to make the beast modes look a lot more robust than they actually may be IRL. And this was a very common trend in 90s toys - remember when Star Wars toys looked like they were on steroids (http://media.titanmagazines.com/filebrowser/swi-posts/hasbro-potf2.jpg)? ;) But hey, it's what kids wanted because remember that these toys (https://img1.etsystatic.com/015/0/5700633/il_570xN.438895133_rlcn.jpg) were also all the rage in the 90s. Mainframe Entertainment went and made many of the beast modes more realistic looking, hence why Primal isn't the savage brute that the toy is.
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y227/goktimusprime/Transformers/Masterpiece%20Optimus%20Primal/mp_beastconvoy02_zpsylrf91im.jpg
The surface of the toy is smooth with fur texture extensively tampographed throughout. This does make the toy's fur look really flat and somewhat bland, but show-accurately so! The original toy though has that fantastically fur grain detailing sculpted on the surface of the beast mode. That incredible attention to detail was what made the Beast Wars toys so endearing when they came out - no longer were Transformers relying on stickers to add detail... this suddenly seemed primitive and crude. Now designers were using highly detailed sculpting! The tampographed fur does feel like a big step down from the sculpted detail, but it's obviously done to make the toy look more cartoon-accurate, so it's understandable. TakaraTOMY didn't do it because they were lazy or anything, but one of the potential downsides to making a toy slavishly show-accurate is that they can sometimes end up looking more plain compared to if they took more cues from the original figure. But slavish show accuracy was clearly the objective of this figure so the tampographing is a fair call.

Transformation

Just amazing. The arms and waist are pretty much the only parts of this toy that transform like the original figure, everything else is totally different, but designed to look like it's the same (as the cartoon model's transformation is fairly toy-accurate). The toy does an amazing job in shifting from a more realistic looking gorilla mode to a more human-proportioned robot mode.

Robot Mode
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y227/goktimusprime/Transformers/Masterpiece%20Optimus%20Primal/mp_beastconvoy03_zpsvqporiwq.jpg
One of the great challenges of apeformers where the ape arms and legs become the robot arms and legs respectively is that apes have long arms and short legs, while humans have short arms and long legs - apes are built for swinging from branches while humans have evolved shorter arms as we use them to manipulate tools rather than as forelimbs for locomotion (walking, swinging etc.). The end result for previous apeformers is that they tend to have more ape-like long arms in their otherwise humanoid robot modes, although Kenner/Hasbro did try to make an effort to reduce this - e.g. the original Optimus Primal's rear legs contract and expand 90 degrees to either shorten or lengthen. MP Primal has double ratchet joints on the legs which allow for the legs to become much shorter in beast mode and longer in robot mode. Now it should be said that MP Beast Convoy's arms are still longer than they should be for human proportions. A human's hand ends up half way between the hip and knees. Our trouser and short pockets are stitched at this level. When standing upright an ape's hands go all the way down to the knee level (http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2014/08/14/1407983347465_Image_galleryImage_PICS_SHOWS_Port_L ympne_an.JPG). MP Beast Convoy's knuckles stop just above the knees whereas the original toy's knuckles end just below them. The slightly shorter arms do make the robot toy look less simian, but still not totally human like. But again, show-accurately so because this is exactly how Optimus Primal's robot mode was proportioned in the CGI cartoon model (http://orig13.deviantart.net/4c87/f/2015/325/2/4/bettermousetrap_optimus_in_flight_by_comic_maker_1 7-d9hjbas.jpg). :) Optimus Primal's cel cartoon model (http://livedoor.blogimg.jp/gh0908/imgs/6/c/6c48cd62.jpg) on the other hand features shorter more human-like arm length, but this toy is clearly based on the CG model, not the cel animated one. :o
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y227/goktimusprime/Transformers/Masterpiece%20Optimus%20Primal/mp_beastconvoy03a_zpsv1bs0znq.jpg
The deployable arm cannons and shoulder cannons are a nice touch. I really like how the arm cannons are so well concealed. The Convoy Jets on the back are also pretty well done, again flipping in and out of concealment. The way that the swords can clip onto the back is a nice nod to the original figure. Although I must say that there's something more fun and satisfying about having the spring loaded deployable weaponry on the original figure, especially the shoulder cannons. Simply swinging them out by hand doesn't have the same "oomph" to it. :o But granted the far higher complexity in transformation, these gimmicks were understandably sacrificed. I don't miss the ratcheting arm gimmick though. :rolleyes:

Comparison with the Original
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y227/goktimusprime/Transformers/Masterpiece%20Optimus%20Primal/mp_beastconvoy05_zps7y8fsrvv.jpg
Here (http://www.otca.com.au/boards/showthread.php?t=16887) is my review of the original figure (which I wrote back in 1998 :o). Now here's something to make you feel old - MP1 Convoy was released 20 years after G1 Optimus Prime and MP32 Beast Convoy has been released 20 years after the original Optimus Primal. That's right, the amount of time between G1 Optimus Prime and MP1 is the same as the time between the original Optimus Primal and MP32! :eek: Damn it!!! :eek:

Take a look at this picture (https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2530/4075229597_684a96a839_b.jpg) of MP1 next to G1 Optimus Prime. As awesome as G1 Optimus Prime is, especially for its time, that toy is a veritable brick next to MP1. Other than flailing its arms about, the G1 toy can't really keep up with MP1. Now watch what happens when I try to see if the original Ultra Optimus Primal figure can "keep up" with MP32...

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y227/goktimusprime/Transformers/Masterpiece%20Optimus%20Primal/mp_beastconvoy07_zpsxotq2pqb.jpg#shouryuuken

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y227/goktimusprime/Transformers/Masterpiece%20Optimus%20Primal/mp_beastconvoy06_zps6xzjzl3l.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y227/goktimusprime/Transformers/Masterpiece%20Optimus%20Primal/mp_beastconvoy08_zpsr4kyjsuw.jpg
Left: This is a toy
Centre: This is a computer model based off a toy
Right: This is a toy based off a computer model that was based off a toy

As you can see, the original toy can keep up with MP32. Sure, the poses may be more crude, but bear in mind that the original is not only a much older toy, but also 215% cheaper. MP32's RRP is about $150 whereas the original would be $70 by current day standards. It'd be like comparing say Generations Legends Megatron (http://www.bwtf.com/toyreview-images/generations/legends/megatron-2013/officialrm.jpg) with Voyager Cloud Megatron (http://tfwiki.net/mediawiki/images2/d/d7/Cloud_Megatron_Toy.jpg). Relative to their respective price points, I think that both figures are very nice, and I also think this just goes to show just how ahead of its time the original Beast Wars toys were.

Overall

MP32 is a fantastic and beautiful toy that is well deserving of the title of Masterpiece. TakaraTOMY have truly outdone themselves in adapting what was such a revolutionary figure and bringing it at a higher level. As I said before, it just feels like the character has just leapt out of the screen! Strongly recommended. :)
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y227/goktimusprime/avatars/gif_g1-bumblebeedance.gifhttp://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y227/goktimusprime/avatars/jaam_yum.gifhttp://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y227/goktimusprime/avatars/gif_g1-cliffjumperdance.gif

[doublespy]

This was of course because Jurassic Park was the big selling toy line in the early to mid 1990s, and Kenner was capitalising on this fad when taking the failed Transformers Generation 2 and rebooting it as Beast Wars. This is why Dinobot and Grimlock's velociraptor modes are based on the Jurassic Park raptors (http://media.liveauctiongroup.net/i/5736/8632840_2.jpg) rather than actual raptors (http://res.cloudinary.com/dk-find-out/image/upload/q_80,w_1440/Velociraptor_u4hjbq.jpg)

Too bad the designers didn't have a choice. At the time of designing the original Optimus Primal toy, the Jurassic Park raptor look was the only scientifically accurate look. The discovery of raptors having feather wasn't until the second Jurassic Park movie.

[kurdt_the_goat]

One day, paleontologists will find the fossilized remains of MP-32 and the original Beast Wars Optimus Primal and be thoroughly confused about whether this mini-gorilla species was covered in fur or merely had a fur-looking surface.

Don't nobody pull me up on what paleontologists actually dig up; it's a joke, ok? :D

[GoktimusPrime]

Too bad the designers didn't have a choice. At the time of designing the original Optimus Primal toy, the Jurassic Park raptor look was the only scientifically accurate look. The discovery of raptors having feather wasn't until the second Jurassic Park movie.
Touché :)

This is similar to how Grimlock was based on the now outdated model of and upright standing T Rex as that was what was scientifically accepted at the time. Then there's Sludge and the story of the Brontosaurus - the dinosaur that was, then wasn't (for a really long time), and now is again! :rolleyes: So yeah, if they ever make an MP or CHUGUR Sludge, he can be a Brontosaurus (and not an Apatosaurus), cos science says that they're real now! (@o@)

[1AZRAEL1]

After having mine in his cardboard prison for near a month, finally got around to transforming him. He truly is a masterpiece. Glorious

[MayzaPrime]

Still waiting for mine from PC... I will probably end up with Cheetor before I get Primal :D:p