DOTM Human Allaince Leadfoot w Sgt.Detour and Steeljaw (Target Exclusive)

[SkyWarp91]

Toy Review - DotM Human Alliance Leadfoot with S. Detour and Steeljaw

(Please post photos, comments or even a fully comprehensive review - these are just brief details)

Toy Review - DotM Human Alliance Leadfoot
Series - Dark of the Moon
Sub-line - Mechtech
Size/class - Human Alliance
New/remould/redeco - New
Wave - Target Exclusive
Released here - No (as of yet)
Approximate Retail Price - $60US (from BBTS without Postage)
Approximate Size - 20cm
Allegiance - Autobot
Alt-mode - Nascar Slot Car (not screen accurate, has no guns in alt-mode)
Main Features/Gimmicks - Human Allaince + Steeljaw becomes weapon
Main Colours - Red, Gold/Bronze, White, Grey
Main Accessories - Steeljaw, 1x Missile, 1x Sgt. Detour



Skywarp's Little Review of HA Leadfoot

Sorry for no pics.

So I bought this toy, knowing that we likely won't get it in Australia for a steep price of $60US without postage. Notice how I used the word - 'steep' instead of 'worthy'. So yes, I'm going to cut straight to the point and say that this figure is not worth that amount and it is not even worth getting overall and I would recommend (or hope to) get to the Deluxe Version of Leadfoot instead.

Why don't I like this figure? Well, if you follow the instructions to transform him into Robot Mode you'll end up with a huge gap between his chin and the top of his chest. The photoshopped-job on the packaging cleverly disguises this problem by having pool ol' Sergeant Detour sitting in this massive gap (and yes Sgt. Detour is one red hot figure, *badoomtish*). This problem can however be remedied if you follow alternate, fan-made transformations found on youtube, etc.

The face transformation is decent, you can have two modes - a face without a visor and one with. The arms have sufficient poseable joints (shoulder 360, elbows 180, wrist 90 flexion/extension, hand (4 fingers) flexion/extension, thumb abduction/adduction). The legs do have decent joints as well, but because of their size due to his character, they are way too small and short to support his top heavy-ness that is riddled with back-kibble and he will often fall back if not posed in some drastic pose.

The transformation process in both ways can be frustrating as well, from car-to-robot there is frustration getting the chest to meet the pelvic girdle and there's much of the 'playing around' to get this connection right. With robot-to-car there's just the slight issue of getting the panels to line up properly. The car mode however is pretty decent, despite not being screen accurate.

Now, to Steeljaw. The poor metal dog whose neck is forced into hyperextension where his steel cervical vertebrae are crushed only to have a missile lodged down his throat to become a gun. The figure is somewhat cute but the gimmick just seems half-arsed and is unimpressive.

So let's sum up:
PROS:
- Car mode is okay
- Steeljaw is cute
- Sgt. Detour looks awesome
- Robot Mode can look decent, with fan-made transformation steps

CONS:
- Poor Robot mode (if transformed via official instructions)
- Poor stability in Robot Mode
- Poor Gimmick
- Frustating Transformation to-and-fro
- Car mode not screen accurate

Overall, Leadfoot is a very disappointing figure. I wouldn't recommend him to anyone especially at the price of $60. But if you're a completest or just want a figure of Leadfoot then go ahead. Other than that, don't get him, even if he ends up in the clearance bin at $30 at BBTS because you'll regret getting this poorly-made figure by Hasbro.

- Skywarp91

[kaiden]

i thought retail price was meant to be what you find in walmart, target and toys r us not online stores that mark things up 200%

but anyway, i just got my HA Leadfoot and Roadbuster from the mailman as i was typing this.

edit: i just finished transforming him and he is a piece of $#!*

[AJ_Prime]

I quite like him, even if he is fiddly as f%@#. I personally find both modes satisfying, but then perhaps I'm just a bit weird...