Toy Review - Studio Series Hightower

[Tha_Phantom]

Only recommended if you want to eventually complete Studio Series Devastator

Yep, pretty much. As a stand alone toy it's awful (yes I am aware it's meant to be screen accurate).

[GoktimusPrime]

Yep, pretty much. As a stand alone toy it's awful (yes I am aware it's meant to be screen accurate).

Actually Legends Class Hightower is more movie-accurate (and much cheaper too). But I'm glad that this toy isn't as movie-accurate as the movie model is even f'uglier than the Studio Series figure! Note that I said "movie" accurate and not "screen" accurate as Hightower's robot mode was never actually seen on screen, so technically SS Hightower's robot mode isn't screen-inaccurate either. Studio Series Scrapmetal also took more liberties with his movie model. Although Scrapmetal's robot mode was briefly seen in the film, it was under poor visibility so we never get a good look at his robot form anyway.

It appears that HasTak are taking greater creative licences with the robot modes of Bayformer characters whose robot modes are either never seen or poorly seen on screen. I'm personally completely fine with this as in both cases they've improved over the movie designs.

Come on. This is where you drag out Prime Soundwave for some proper long armed humiliation.

Good idea!

[Magnus]

Vehicle mode







A yellow truss crawler crane. The on-screen crane was a Kobelco CK2500, and while the basic layout is the same, numerous details are different.

Transformation

On the whole, the transformation isn't really complex, but getting the legs in the right configuration can be a bit challenging the first couple of times, because they have numerous joints. The same goes for transformation back to crane mode, when it's time to fold up the legs.

Robot mode









The movieverse is known for its 'alien' design aesthetic, and Hightower is a good example. The large legs and small arms with two-fingered hands definitely evoke a Tyrannosaurus rex, yet the head is somewhat humanoid. With the legs fully straightened, Hightower stands just short of 17.5cm to the top of the crane.

Articulation is limited. The head is mounted on a ball joint, but the range of movement on the joint is limited. The neck has a total of three hinges, but these only allow vertical movement. The arms are hinged at the shoulder, but have a very limited range of movement. The legs, on the other hand, have a total of six rotating or hinged joints each.

As Hightower was never seen on-screen in robot mode, and his design only exists as concept art, on-screen fidelity isn't a problem. The concept art depicting this design was shown as part of the Art of Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen exhibit back in 2009 at the Bondi Pavilion. I managed to dig up a photo I took at the event, and the accompanying text - at least part of it - called it 'rough form study A'. The implication is that this design was going to be refined, but as the character never ended up on-screen in robot mode, it was probably 'abandoned'. Still, I'm imagining Hightower was probably 'meant' to be used for actual construction, or perhaps support to drag wounded comrades back from the front lines, as opposed to actual combat. If that truss crane was bigger or could articulate (look up photos of the Kobelco CK2500 - some of them have been fitted with pretty big cranes), Hightower would have a substantial reach and he could even do some damage with that claw if he could move fast enough.





The Studio Series backdrop is the same Egyptian quarry that came with the other Constructicons released to date.



The growing Constructicon team.

Verdict



Hightower's unique design means he won't be for everyone, but like Rampage, he will stand out on a shelf. I like him because of his unconventional design, and while he's not great as a plaything, as a display piece, he works just fine.

Obviously he's necessary if you want to make Devastator. Otherwise, he's best left to completists or people who like unusual designs.

[Jellico]

I see that head and I think

[GoktimusPrime]

Huh, looks like I've been transforming the neck incorrectly. Although to say that it's an improvement is akin to putting lipstick on a sow.
WALL-E has a more functional form than Hightower!

[GoktimusPrime]

Comparison with the Legends Class figure...


In relative terms I find the Legends figure to be superior. It has a nicer vehicle mode both in terms of look with the additional boom and playability with both an extended claw and hook. SS Hightower only comes with a retracted hook that's prone to detaching, whereas detaching the clips on Legends Hightower for the purposes of transformation requires some force; easily doable but not so easy that you would accidentally detach it (and risk losing parts). The robot mode is also much more accurate to the movie design. And of course Legends Hightower is basically a $7 that can also still combine, so in that sense I find that it's still superior value for money than the SS figure.

[shockNwave]

I see that head and I think

When I look at the body I think along the lines of Clive Barker's Nightbreed. In fact, while I'm at it I'll include ROTF Demolishor as well.

[SharkyMcShark]

I enjoy this figure quite a lot.

I'm always keen to see more Transformers with non-humanoid robot forms and Earthen alt modes, so this tickles me in that particular way.

That the legs are so posable I think negates the fact that the tiny T-Rex arms don't really do much. It's a characterful figure.

The only practical way to improve the figure within budget may have been to give it some kind of cannon attachment for the crane boom in robot mode.

[Magnus]

Wow - great review mate! So much detail and tons of photos! Well done

I think its great we get the odd 'not humaniod looking' TF now and then. I'm not looking to build the new Devestator but I am looking to fill those gaps of Movieverse characters I don't have toys of yet, so looking forward to picking this weird-looking bugger up.

I enjoy this figure quite a lot.

I'm always keen to see more Transformers with non-humanoid robot forms and Earthen alt modes, so this tickles me in that particular way.

That the legs are so posable I think negates the fact that the tiny T-Rex arms don't really do much. It's a characterful figure.

I'm interested in seeing what Hasbro/TakaraTOMY do with Overload - there are two concept versions by artist Ben Procter. One has four arms and two legs (here is a version with Procter's name on it), and the other has four arms and four legs. There is also Scavenger, Demolishor's red-coloured twin brother.

The only practical way to improve the figure within budget may have been to give it some kind of cannon attachment for the crane boom in robot mode.

It would have been nice to at least have a 5mm port, so someone could give Hightower another robot's weapon.

[BigTransformerTrev]

Verdict

Hightower's unique design means he won't be for everyone, but like Rampage, he will stand out on a shelf. I like him because of his unconventional design, and while he's not great as a plaything, as a display piece, he works just fine.

Obviously he's necessary if you want to make Devastator. Otherwise, he's best left to completists or people who like unusual designs.

Wow - great review mate! So much detail and tons of photos! Well done

I think its great we get the odd 'not humaniod looking' TF now and then. I'm not looking to build the new Devestator but I am looking to fill those gaps of Movieverse characters I don't have toys of yet, so looking forward to picking this weird-looking bugger up.