Toy review - Studio Series Optimus Prime (Age of Extinction)

[Magnus]

Series - Generations
Sub-line - Studio Series
Size/class - Leader
New/remould/redeco - New
Wave - 18
Released here - March 2025
Approximate Retail Price - $99.95
Approximate Size - 18cm
Allegiance - Autobot
Alt-mode - Customised Western Star 4900EX
Main Features/Gimmicks - Screen accuracy, licensed vehicle mode
Main Colours - Blue, grey, red
Main Accessories - Swords, shield

This latest wave of Studio Series has done away with both the numbers and the printed cardboard backdrops.

Vehicle mode













Optimus Prime's vehicle mode in the latter two Michael Bay-directed movies is generally understood to be a Western Star 5700XE, and the figure itself has '5700OP' badging like that featured on the screen-used truck moulded into the doors, but the official product description on Hasbro's website calls the truck a 4900EX. This likely isn't a mistake; the truck used for Optimus Prime in Age of Extinction was almost completely customised, with its design previewing the 5700XE which was under development.

The truck is just under 19cm long.

Optimus is mostly moulded in grey and blue plastic, with some dark translucent plastic for the windscreen and windows. The red flame deco is painted, and the grille, front bumper, and sun visor are painted silver. The other parts of the truck that would have been chromed silver are moulded in unpainted grey. The fact that these parts are unpainted doesn't bother me as much as it might some people, but I wish Hasbro had selected a lighter shade of grey.



With Studio Series Galvatron.

Transformation

This is where the money was spent. Optimus has an intricate transformation and therefore a high part count. There is a lot going on, but I wouldn't call it overly complex.

Transformation to vehicle mode is straightforward, but getting the roof into position can be a challenge. On my particular figure, the front of the roof doesn't tab in all the way to sit flush, and the rear panels attached to the smokestacks can pop out of alignment while fitting the roof.

Robot mode







Optimus stands a little under 18cm tall.

TakaraTOMY's engineers did a commendable job getting as much of the vehicle mode to compact as they did given the size of the figure. Yes, Optimus has a sizable backpack, but it's not readily visible from the front or front three-quarter views. It's a pity that the truck's smokestacks don't end up on the figure's back and are readily visible on the legs.





The front of the truck is mounted on a mushroom peg, so it is possible to remove it to give Optimus a leaner side profile, although the legs will still be bulky.

Again, I don't mind the fact that there is unpainted grey plastic, but I wish the shade of plastic was lighter.

It's worth pointing out that as an Age of Extinction-branded figure, Optimus has the biceps and forearms that he first appears with when he reconfigures into his 'knight' form, as opposed to the biceps and segmented vambraces he takes on when removing the Temenos Sword from its sheath inside Lockdown's ship.



Optimus comes with four accessories: the Temenos Sword; the shield, a forearm-mounted Energon blade, and a small piece meant for mounting weapons onto his back.









The shield consists of three pieces and can be switched between its shield and gun configurations.



The Energon blade can be used as a handheld weapon or attached to either forearm.



With Studio Series Galvatron and Lockdown.



With Age of Extinction Drift, The Last Knight Cogman, the Movie the Best release of The Last Knight Hound, and Studio Series Crosshairs and Hot Rod.





With Studio Series Grimlock.

Verdict



This just might be the best version of knight Optimus yet. Recommended.

[DELTAprime]

The model of truck was indeed a Western Star 5700 OP. A special variant of the 5700 XE. I have no idea how many were made and if it was available to buy, but it was an official variant.

The 5700 XE is actually not very well liked in real life. When it was added to American Truck Simulator a couple of years ago it went over like a lead balloon even with every part from the 5700 OP included that didn't require a license from Hasbro.

The should have stuck with the Peterbuilt 379 for Optimus, or gone with something like a Scania S730 V8 which was the most advanced truck at the time.

[Dimi194]

Agreed with this - love this figure, and while I wish the smokestacks ended up somewhere else, they've still done a great job with an extremely difficult design!