Toy Review - SLUDGE (Studio Series 86)

DINOBOT SLUDGE
Series - Generations
Sub-line - Studio Series (The Transformers: The Movie)
Size/class - Leader
New/remould/redeco - New
Wave - 9
Released here - ???
Approximate Retail Price - $100
Approximate Size - 21cm
Allegiance - Autobot
Sub-Group - Dinobot
Alt-mode - robotic Brontosaurus
Main Features/Gimmicks - no stupid sidekick
Main Colours - greys, red w/ gold & silver accents
Main Accessories - gun

https://i.ibb.co/xhHLK64/86studioser...otsludge03.jpg

https://i.ibb.co/m4SX36X/86studioser...otsludge04.jpg

https://i.ibb.co/qjwqm4J/86studioser...otsludge05.jpg

https://i.ibb.co/QdpVmXg/86studioser...otsludge01.jpghttps://i.ibb.co/bvZGdtZ/86studioser...otsludge02.jpg

https://i.ibb.co/1sZn3MK/86studioseries-dinobots08.jpg

As with the other SS86 Dinobots, Sludge is a gorgeous looking blend of G1 toy and cartoon aesthetics. The colours all look great; particularly the choice of that dark charcoal grey; it's close to being black without being black (and thus still allowing the sculpting detail to be more noticeable, as well as being more faithful to the animation palette). Sludge also has a pretty interesting transformation, especially with the robot legs and chest. It's also an even bigger departure from the G1 transformation scheme than Slug^Slag. The robot arms now forming the dino hind legs instead of the front legs, and the dino front legs tuck into the robot's back.

However, this toy does feel like the weakest of the SS86 Dinobots thus far (although it is not a low standard). Some of the joints on mine are a bit loose/floppy. When I was photographing this toy last night, it kept on falling backwards leading me to think that it was too back-heavy. But tonight as I am typing this review, the toy is standing in front of me just fine and even resists falling backwards when I give the toy a few pokes with my finger. Weird. :/ There's also bugger all clearance on the bottom of the dino mode.

That's some flattering angles for Sludge's dino mode...his undercarriage is significant from what I've seen (shame the toes couldn't fold up into the body).

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Bemblebuu

That's some flattering angles for Sludge's dino mode...his undercarriage is significant from what I've seen (shame the toes couldn't fold up into the body).

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Yeah, that's what I meant by "bugger all clearance." :) It must tickle his belly whenever he walks. :p

The best Dino.

I'm going to be pretty upset if Hasbro don't finish off the group in the '86 line.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by KELPIE

The best Dino.

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If only Ferrari... oh, sorry, you said Dino, not Dino (stoopid English language! :p :p). :p

Quote:

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Originally Posted by KELPIE

I'm going to be pretty upset if Hasbro don't finish off the group in the '86 line.

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Hasbro has said that they will now always complete a set instead of leaving certain figures being "orphaned" as they have done in the past. But I don't blame your concern, as I'll believe it when it happens. We all vote with our wallets, so hopefully enough people are buying this toy (as well as Grimlock and Slag) to encourage Hasbro to make Snarl and Swoop. :)

Someone came up with a fix for the loose detented joints in the hips: https://www.reddit.com/r/transformer...loose_leg_fix/

Quote:

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Originally Posted by GoktimusPrime

Hasbro has said that they will now always complete a set instead of leaving certain figures being "orphaned" as they have done in the past. But I don't blame your concern, as I'll believe it when it happens. We all vote with our wallets, so hopefully enough people are buying this toy (as well as Grimlock and Slag) to encourage Hasbro to make Snarl and Swoop. :)

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My concern is two pronged I guess.

That they actually make all of them, as you say, no orphaned characters (Venom is going to test this out massively). However, also that they are all released in the '86 line... not one random in the Legacy line, or Buzzworthy, or whatever.

If I could remember where I read it, I'm 99.9868% certain Hasbro I'm some way have confirmed the remaining two Dinos will be produced

My short review, poem style.
Does your gun hang low?
Do your joints wobble to and fro?
Can you keep your arm up?
Can you hold a simple pose?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by KELPIE

My concern is two pronged I guess.

That they actually make all of them, as you say, no orphaned characters (Venom is going to test this out massively). However, also that they are all released in the '86 line... not one random in the Legacy line, or Buzzworthy, or whatever.

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I don't care if the others are released in other lines, as long as they get done. CHUG is already a massively mixed melting pot anyway. :)

Will Hasbro make and release a SS86 Snarl? He's barely in the movie and isn't in any of the major Dinobot team scenes...

Quote:

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Originally Posted by GoktimusPrime

I don't care if the others are released in other lines, as long as they get done. CHUG is already a massively mixed melting pot anyway. :)

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Spoken like a true box opener!! :P

Another great G1 dinobot in the Studio Series 86 line. Once again, I love his chunky and impressive presence. The SS86 dinobots are going to be the definitive G1 dinobot set.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Magnus

Someone came up with a fix for the loose detented joints in the hips: https://www.reddit.com/r/transformer...loose_leg_fix/

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My forward/back hips are ok and sideways hips a bit weak, but like in this knee fix video, the knees are weak and he will fall back if he leans back (standing up straight is ok though). The problem is the same as the hips - the same rectangular ratcheting piece needs reinforcing inside of it.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Bemblebuu

Will Hasbro make and release a SS86 Snarl? He's barely in the movie and isn't in any of the major Dinobot team scenes...

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He's coming as seen listed in a Walmart computer recently. And since Swoop was rumoured a while ago to be coming too, I think we are covered.

The knee joints were very loose on my Sludge (fixable with screw tightening), and the hips are looser than I'd like too. This is my first Sludge figure ever though, so I'm well chuffed with him, despite the flaws.

Nice to have a suitably chunky mainline Dinobot release, and I can't wait for Swoop and Snarl.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Skyfire

My forward/back hips are ok and sideways hips a bit weak, but like in this knee fix video, the knees are weak and he will fall back if he leans back (standing up straight is ok though). The problem is the same as the hips - the same rectangular ratcheting piece needs reinforcing inside of it.

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I don't think this is a good fix for the long run. The rectangular ratcheting piece is supposed to flex and give a bit to engage the ratchet gear. If you make it too rigid by inserting a filler the actual ratchet teeth might get worn down very quickly.

Good point about possibly wearing down the ratchet nub. Instead, others have reshapened the rectangular part by pushing it more open and using heat to set it. Also, instead of a hard insert, foam might be used as a reinforcer.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A01M1WjQWyM

Quote:

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Originally Posted by doublespy

I don't think this is a good fix for the long run. The rectangular ratcheting piece is supposed to flex and give a bit to engage the ratchet gear. If you make it too rigid by inserting a filler the actual ratchet teeth might get worn down very quickly.

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by Skyfire

Good point about possibly wearing down the ratchet nub. Instead, others have reshapened the rectangular part by pushing it more open and using heat to set it. Also, instead of a hard insert, foam might be used as a reinforcer.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A01M1WjQWyM

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I got my figure yesterday. Fortunately, the right knee was the only joint that was loose, and it wasn't as loose as some units I've read about, so I was about to do the cotton bud fix. However, after reading doublespy's comment, I decided to shave down the cotton bud stem (it was a paper stem, so I took off a few layers) so that the rectangle isn't totally filled and hopefully still has some flex in it so the ridge/pawl won't get worn out.

I like the idea of using foam instead of a rigid substance inside the rectangle to give some rigidity and retain the springing motion the piece was probably meant to have.

The robot wings formed by the dinosaur ribcage are loose, which is annoying, but at least it's not a functional problem like the hips and knees.

Aside from these issues, Sludge is a nice piece. The lack of true foot articulation is a hindrance to positioning the legs, but you can disconnect the front of the foot to simulate up-down/flexion-extension movement, which helps.