Toy Review - MPM-7 Bumblebee

BUMBLEBEE
Series - Masterpiece
Sub-line - Movie
Size/class - NA
New/remould/redeco - New
Wave - NA
Released here - NA
Approximate Retail Price - (￥10,000) $125
Approximate Size - 16cm
Allegiance - Autobot
Alt-mode - Volkswagen Beetle Type 1 car
Main Features/Gimmicks - Missile rack; see "Main Accessories"
Main Colours - yellow with black and silver highlights
Main Accessories - Attachable weapons and battle mask

https://image.ibb.co/gqCS5q/mpm7-01.jpg

https://image.ibb.co/hrArWV/mpm7-02.jpg

https://image.ibb.co/hv6yBV/mpm7-03.jpg

https://image.ibb.co/ngNukq/mpm7-04.jpg

https://image.ibb.co/m4LfQq/mpm7-05.jpg

https://image.ibb.co/juwbyA/mpm7-06.jpg

https://image.ibb.co/jBu75q/mpm7-07.jpg

https://image.ibb.co/ePxzJA/mpm7-08.jpg

https://image.ibb.co/bDaVQq/mpm7-09.jpg
]
https://image.ibb.co/hPVKJA/mpm7-10.jpg

https://image.ibb.co/bPFarV/mpm7-11.jpg

https://image.ibb.co/kZcYdA/mpm7-12.jpg

Thoughts

Disappointing. The robot mode is essentially a fancier version of Studio Series 18 Deluxe Bumblebee, only $90 dearer. The transformation is ridiculously complicated, not very intuitive and just not fun. It's a very unforgiving transformation where the slightest imperfections will impede on the final formation of the car mode. As you can see in my photos, I was unable to get the rear bumper section to sit flush, but I was glad that I was able to get the wheels to roll! I saw a video review where the guy was able to get everything to tab flush but the wheels wouldn't roll. It's a LOT of effort, and I mean greater than MP36 level of effort, for what is a pretty ordinary reward.

The instructions aren't very helpful and lack text (which is surprisingly bad for an MP). It also has no bio or other text blurbs and no tech specs card.

I cannot recommend this toy. Stick with SS18 instead, honestly. This toy reminds me of MP5; I suspect that it might've been designed in a rush to get this toy out before the Bumblebee movie hit cinemas.

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y22..._shoulders.gif

I agree pretty much word for word, Gok. The transformation is way more complicated than it needs to be, I for one was able to figure out MP-36 without instructions but transforming this Bee is something else....

I will grant that the robot mode is nice, it feels solid and has nice detail, but what use is a Transformer that effectively doesn't transform due to the huge amount of effort required? Might as well be an action master.

The complexity of some of these Masterpiece & Studio Series figures is making them almost puzzle-like...which I don't mind (providing all the bits fit) ;)

I love mine. I just spend alot of Time working it out. Can transform him fine in about 5min ish and yes mine rolls fine. Practice make perfect :)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by VERT

I just spend alot of Time working it out.

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↑Therein lies the problem. A good intuitive yet complex transformation may be time consuming but it should be doable rather than confounding. I can transform both MP5 and MP36 in about the same amount of time, but MP5 still frustrates me as it's far less intuitive than MP36.

Anything can be easily doable with sufficient practice, but it doesn't make it inherently easy to learn (e.g. 漢字/Kanji ;)).

Last night I managed to successfully transform it from robot to car twice. The first time with instructions, the second from memory.

It's a real struggle to compact all the parts of the back section together in car mode and at times I felt like I was going to break it. I don't think I'll be taking it down off the shelf to transform from time to time like my other Masterpieces. Pity.

But really it's not that hard :confused:

Each to their own. Just my experience. I cant put him down.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by VERT

But really it's not that hard :confused:

Each to their own. Just my experience. I cant put him down.

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I'm happy for you (and anyone else) if you enjoy it. I wish I could too. :(

Quote:

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Originally Posted by VERT

But really it's not that hard :confused:

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Never criticised its difficulty. Not once in my review or previous posts have I even used this word. I'm talking about intuitiveness, which is an entirely different thing.

I'm glad that you're enjoying this toy. :) Echoing Tha_Phantom's thoughts, I also wish that I could enjoy it, but sadly I'm really not finding this figure to be a lot of fun.

Counter-intuitive transformations really dampen the mood during toy play too. I can suspend disbelief and pretend that time has paused or severely slowed down when transforming a toy, because except for things like Jumpstarters, Flipchangers etc., no toy ever transforms instantly like in canon. So you always have imagine some kind of bullet time. Super slow mo bullet time. ;) But within your imaginary bullet time everything should still be moving in order... not having to undo and redo steps over and over again. Often not because I've done a step incorrectly, but because the design is so unforgiving that I need to go several steps back and redo it. Like those super itty bitty tiny grey tabs^bumps that connect the feet to the body. With toys like say MP Sunstreaker, while it's very complicated, each movement proceeds to the next in an orderly fashion.

Yes, I'm sure that you've worked out how to transform your MPM-7 in a correct and orderly fashion, but as you've already admitted, it's because you dedicated a lot of time into perfecting this. With toys like MP Sunstreaker, I was able to do it from the get go. The day after I got that toy I was taking it outside and transforming it in public places and playing with it with my daughter's Shopkins toys - transforming between robot and vehicle mode while defending them from monsters or giving them a ride across the café table. But yeah, a toy that's counter-intuitive to transform is one that I soon find not terribly fun to PLAY with. Even simple toys can be un-fun to play with (e.g. Dropkick, Cyberverse etc.) - so it's not really the simpleness or complexity of the toy but more to do with its intuitiveness and overall fun factor.

But hey, it sounds like you're having loads of fun with MPM-7 and that's awesome. :) Sadly I'm not experiencing this level of awesomeness with my MPM-7. :(

Is he packaged in car or robot mode? I have no interest in the robot mode but I really want that VW Bug - so if the transformation is so counter-intuitive I might get him if (and its a big if) he comes in vehicle mode and it looks good enough.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by BigTransformerTrev

Is he packaged in car or robot mode? I have no interest in the robot mode but I really want that VW Bug - so if the transformation is so counter-intuitive I might get him if (and its a big if) he comes in vehicle mode and it looks good enough.

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He comes packaged in robot mode and (in my opinion) getting it to vehicle is a pain, not only in the many steps involved but also getting it all to compact together in the right way.

If you want a nice Beetle to display you have many cheaper options from the Bumblebee line, including the much bigger power charge Bee. If you only want the vehicle mode then this will do the job just fine. ;)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Tha_Phantom

He comes packaged in robot mode and (in my opinion) getting it to vehicle is a pain, not only in the many steps involved but also getting it all to compact together in the right way.

If you want a nice Beetle to display you have many cheaper options from the Bumblebee line, including the much bigger power charge Bee. If you only want the vehicle mode then this will do the job just fine. ;)

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Cheers for that :)

keep in mind that different people see different things as intuitive. I find Samsung phones intuitive and Apple phones a nightmare, but other people are the opposite.

People hate the Alternators Wheeljack Mould, I really liked it.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by BigTransformerTrev

Is he packaged in car or robot mode? I have no interest in the robot mode but I really want that VW Bug - so if the transformation is so counter-intuitive I might get him if (and its a big if) he comes in vehicle mode and it looks good enough.

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Might as well just get a nice VW Beetle Type 1 scale mini car. Probably cheaper and it would look nicer. And since you don't care about the robot mode then you're not missing out on much. :o

I guess this is a pass for me then. My interest in the MPM line is tenuous at best so I might just call it.

Thanks for the review Gok.

Comparison pics with Studio Series 18 Bumblebee.

https://image.ibb.co/hpu0YA/mpm7-studioseries18-01.jpg

https://image.ibb.co/m90URV/mpm7-studioseries18-02.jpg

https://image.ibb.co/caAPtA/mpm7-studioseries18-03.jpg

https://image.ibb.co/kkDAYA/mpm7-studioseries18-03a.jpg

https://image.ibb.co/hSBm6V/mpm7-studioseries18-05a.jpg

https://image.ibb.co/mZADmV/mpm7-studioseries18-05b.jpg

IMO you might as well just get the Deluxe figure. In terms of bang for your buck, I find that it has superior dollar value than MPM-7 (i.e. $35 vs $125 before shipping)

I’d be more inclined to wait for MPM-7 to be reduced in price, below $100. Still not a big fan of the mold.

Getting a little bit gooder at transforming this thing. Managed to get the back tabbed in... gooderer than before. Still frustrating... I swear I spent half the time massaging parts into place. :/
https://image.ibb.co/k1Rv3A/mpm7-17.jpg

https://image.ibb.co/i80NiA/mpm7-18.jpg

https://image.ibb.co/idzRAq/mpm7-19.jpg

https://image.ibb.co/iRqoOA/mpm7-19a.jpg

Quote:

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Originally Posted by GoktimusPrime

Might as well just get a nice VW Beetle Type 1 scale mini car. Probably cheaper and it would look nicer. And since you don't care about the robot mode then you're not missing out on much. :o

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Yeah, I've got a mate who collects VW Bug toys, but I want an actual Bumblebee. It's just that I've got so many Bumblebee toys now and Bbee robots from the past 5 movies that I just want representations of him as a VW Bug for my display :)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Tha_Phantom

If you want a nice Beetle to display you have many cheaper options from the Bumblebee line, including the much bigger power charge Bee. If you only want the vehicle mode then this will do the job just fine. ;)

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Cheers for the suggestion :)

For a VW transformer this is an amazing looking figure that is full of nice details in both modes, from the engine belt running under his chest in robot mode to the headlights in car mode. The transformation is a little tedious, but compared to my previous purchase of mpm Optimus, bees transformation requires precision and not luck in getting parts to stay together. Personally I enjoy the challenge of a more precise transformation, Its nice to get a lil better each time and learn more about the figure.

8/10 but I am biased towards VW’s

I agree with KingGrimlock. The first time transforming it requires a little patience, and you may want to watch a video to help, but it's fine. You end up with a very cool looking, heavy VW that is large and round, and yet his robot form is slender and all tucked away.
I think it's fun and they've done a good job with it.

I also did not enjoy the transformation from robot to VW mode, particularly when compared to MPM-3 Bumblebee. It was a pain to get all the panels lined up at the end and I think the waist was rubbing a little when I rolled it. While for others it seems to get easier I'm not really one for practicing Masterpiece transformations.

Having said all that, I love how this looks and feels in both modes so am still glad to have received it as a Christmas present. Particularly having seen and enjoyed the movie.