Toy Review - DOTM Leader Sentinel Prime

[Blurrprimecoolboz2008]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T4K5p2wvqRg

[blackoptimus]

Is that you?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T4K5p2wvqRg

[GoktimusPrime]

Toy Review - Sentinel Prime

Series - Dark of the Moon
Sub-line - N/A
Size/class - Leader
New/remould/redeco - New
Wave - 1
Released here - May 16 2011
Approximate Retail Price - $88-99
Approximate Size - 23cm
Allegiance - Autobot
Alt-mode - Rosenbauer 6x6 Panther fire engine
Main Features/Gimmicks - Electronic lights and sounds, Mech Tech
Main Colours - Red, black, grey
Main Accessories - Primax blade, shield

Standard vehicle mode:


Vehicle mode with mech tech weapon deployed:


This site has photos

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Comments:

* The basic transformation of this toy itself isn't all that fiddly or complex; it's not overtly complex like ROTF Leader Prime, but still complex enough to be fun for a toy this size. However the panels need to be aligned quite precisely in order to make them sit flush - and aligning the panels properly can be even trickier (and more time consuming) than the actual transformation itself!

* The sound gimmick is LOUD (not quite as loud as Super Fire Convoy, but it comes close!). Sentinel Prime's voice sounds nothing like Leonard Nimoy. Overall a rather forgettable electronic gimmick. (-_-) And of course, it's easy to trigger the siren during transformation... yay... :/

* Hands can open and close to grasp the blade and shield; unfortunately the grip isn't very tight and the accessories are held somewhat loosely (especially the shield).

* A very nice design; rather "organic" looking robot mode transforming into a rather boxy fire engine. It's a bit of a shellformer, but done reasonably well considering. Sentinel Prime looks more like Alpha Trion than G1 Sentinel Prime (who really looked Rodimus Prime-esque anyway). And yet there are still "Optimusish" features like windows on the chest and the helmet design.

* Fire engine mode is just beautiful (once you get it right ). Primax blade can be stored inside the vehicle and the shield can be clipped underneath.

* Electronic block makes robot mode back-heavy.

Overall a nice toy, although try to get it for $88 at Big W atm if you can.

[SkyWarp91]

I'm looking forward to getting this one as it would be in scale with my Leader ROTF Prime. Is it Leonard doing the voices for the toy as well? Maybe it's a different actor, there's no way HFTD Leader Prime was Peter Cullen as well...

[GoktimusPrime]

Certainly doesn't sound like Leonard Nimoy, so I doubt it's him. ROTF Leader Optimus Prime's voice is Peter Cullen's though.

[SkyWarp91]

Certainly doesn't sound like Leonard Nimoy, so I doubt it's him. ROTF Leader Optimus Prime's voice is Peter Cullen's though.

Even the HFTD Leader one that says 'We must stop the decepticons!' ?

[AX83]

While playing around with Leader sentinel Prime today I discovered 2 new things he says,

"What has happened to the All Spark?"
"Good to see you alive Optimus"

If you plug his gun into the mechtech port and then push his chest button, he alternates between these phrases.

Any of the other leaders have hidden phrases?

[GoktimusPrime]

This was already mentioned in the Leader Class Sentinel Prime review thread

Off hand I can't think of any other movie Leader Class toys with different phrases in other configurations -- although Fire Convoy and Robots In Disguise Optimus Prime do say different things in different modes. But they're technically not Leader Class toys.

[Tallestblue]

While playing around with Leader sentinel Prime today I discovered 2 new things he says,

"What has happened to the All Spark?"
"Good to see you alive Optimus"

If you plug his gun into the mechtech port and then push his chest button, he alternates between these phrases.

Any of the other leaders have hidden phrases?

GASP! *Runs and Grabs his Sentinel Prime*

[RageOnTheRoads]

Ripped the batteries out as I suffer from the same frustrations as LordCyrusOmega:

Yes I know you're Optimus Prime, now please be quiet. This is hard enough as it is

I really don't like voice gimmicks...it's a thing.

Anyways, I have to say this is my favourite movie leader class fig after Starscream and Buster Prime. I have to admit that the transformations of quite a few of the movie figs, impress the hell out of me. Sentinel's transformation is one such little engineering feat that really makes me feel happy inside.

My one major complaint, and this is endemic of the DOTM line, is the real lacklustre paint job. I am totally itching to repaint this guy.