Four New DOTM Toy Reviews

I thought about doing an April Fool's thing but considering the passion of fandom, it just seemed like it would backfire badly. So instead, here are the latest reviews of Transformers: Dark of the Moon toys. Peaugh continues getting everything early with reviews of deluxes Laserbeak, Nitro Bumblebee, and Mudflap. Kapow Toys also has their own review of voyager Optimus Prime.

Laserbeak's alt mode is apparently is a jet but it just looks like a bird with little more creepy bird being the other mode. Except for the brief amusement of having him perch on Megatron's arm like did in Transformers: The Movie, there is little to the toy. Much like Ravage was for the ROTF line, he will be a future peg warmer. With Nitro Bumblebee, it seems that if you really want a DOTM Bumblebee toy, it’s a case of getting one or the other with no point in getting both. It does have a new and fairly creative transformation sequence but I see little reason to get this one over the regular deluxe 'Bee. Mudflap has same vehicle mode but different transformation sequence than his twin. Sadly he continues to suffer from the issue of simply being an ugly robot. The characters hitting the cutting room floor indicates another year of peg warming. Prime is about same as all voyager Primes. OK but not special.

DOTM Toys: More Laserbeak, Shockwave, Sentinel Prime and Contest

The Transformers: Dark of the Moon toy images keep coming. The latest galleries are yet more pictures of voyager Shockwave, leader Sentinel Prime, deluxe Laserbeak and deluxe Mudflap. Also Hasbro and Nickelodeon have kicked off a contest to win a chance to walk the red carpet as the US premiere of the movie.

Voyager Shockwave
Hit the link for another look at the big bad of DOTM.

Leader Sentinel Prime
A new gallery that gives you a look at the new addition to the Autobot cause in package and out. (via AllSpark)

Deluxe Laserbeak
New images have been posted and once again they do not show what the alt mode might be.

Deluxe Mudflap
Thanks to ACToys, we know get a look at the robot mode of the Twin. Same ugly mug for a new paint scheme in a new mold. Still reportedly on the cutting room floor and not in the movie. (via TFW2005)

16 Weeks of Cyber Sweeps Contest
Hasbro and Nickelodeon have joined together for a new contest that offers a grand prize of a trip for four to the US premiere of Dark on the Moon to "walk the red carpet with movie talent." Other prizes include a 3D TV, TF customized flip video camera, private screening of the movie, money, DOTM bike, movie posters, soundtrack, toys and video games. Hit link above to enter. (via TFW2005, thanks to Sahara for the link.)

More DOTM Toys Linkfest with Laserbeak

The Transformers: Dark of the Moon leaks seem to continue at a brisk fest. I already have enough from today alone to bring another link fest of sorts with images of upcoming releases both official and unofficial. The galleries include possible first look at the toy for Laserbeak, Nitro Bumblebee, Mudflap and in package look at various leader, voyager and deluxe class figures. Thanks to Foxtail and Sahara for links.

Deluxe Nitro Bumblebee? (x6, rest at link)
A leaked toy list indicated that Bumblebee might have more than one deluxe release for Dark of the Moon. As the images show, it seems it is more than just a repaint but not sure if that means the transformation is different. (via Allspark)


DOTM Laserbeak? (x2, below)
While unconfirmed, it is possible that TaoBao has the first look at the toy version of Laserbeak that was spotted in the Transformers Super Bowl commercial. It is about deluxe size like from the toy list but I can't figure out what the alt mode is. The G1 counterpart's alt mode was a cassette so obviously that is out. (via AllSpark)

Human Alliance Barricade and Mudflap

Two more toys are joining the Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen Human Alliance sub class. One is Barricade with Frenzy and another is Mudflap with Simmons & Chromia which essentially mirrors the Skids with Mikaela & Arcee set. I will wait on Peaugh's reviews before making any final decisions but the Human Alliance toys have turned out to be pretty good (if a touch overpriced).

Galleries: Barricade | Mudflap

CGI Twins Images

TFG2.com has posted another set of CGI images of Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen characters, this time for Mudflap and Skids. Overall, I am not much of a fan of their design but maybe that will change after seeing what ILM does with them.

Ice Cream Truck Twins and Arcee Video Reviews

Peaugh strikes again (how does he get these toys first?), posting a video review of Deluxe Ice Cream Truck Twins and Arcee. The truck is a buy for me and Arcee (along with the other cycles) should be a pass for everyone. Thanks to Chris for the links.

Ice Cream Truck Twins Gallery

After a few posts of teases, TF08.net has finally posted a full gallery that shows off the Deluxe class Ice Cream Truck Twins that to be is probably one of the few must have toys of the Revenge of the Fallen toy line (along with Sideswipe and Ransack). Skids (huge left eye when facing him) is the front, Mudflap (huge right eye) the rear. Below are a few images with the entire gallery here.

The Twins Headshots

Two more CGI images, this time from ACToys, to go with Scrapper. These are just the heads of Skids and Mudflap, complete with gold tooth. Yay, the Twins as Hollywood's vision of a southern redneck. That voice work will have to spot on because their design isn't doing them any favors. Thanks to Scorpio and ghola_tleilaxu for the links.

Mudflap Video Review

Peaugh has posted his video review of Deluxe Mudflap from Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen toy line. He verifies that the Twins do not have a combined mode. Transformation wise, this toy is more complicated then would think, has a lot of kibble, and of course that ugly head design.

Four More Transformer Bios

More bios for Deluxe class toys from Transformers 2 toy line, this time Cannon Bumblebee, Interrogator Barricade (still not proven in movie), and Smokescreen, the repaint of Jazz that is unlikely in the movie. Images from TFW2005. In addition, an eBay auction provides pictures of Deluxe Mudflap in package and first look at his bio. Thanks to DeceptiFreak for the link.

Deluxe Interrogator Barricade

Repaired and retrofitted after the Battle of Mission City, Barricade elected to remain on Earth while Starscream returned to Cybertron. He has devoted his time on Earth gathering intelligence for the inevitable rise of the Decepticons. He stalks and captures important humans, then scans, interrogates and disposes of his captives using the highly sensitive proves built into his vehicle mode.

Deluxe Cannon Bumblebee Bio

After the Battle of Mission City, and the discovery of new Decepticons on Earth, Bumblebee decided to upgrade as many of his systems as he could. With the help of Autobot Ratchet, he added some human missile launchers to his arsenal, and modified his vehicle mode to make his weapons accessible. He was caught off-gaurd too many times the Decepticons. Now when they come around he'll be ready.

Deluxe Smokescreen

According to Smokescreen, the only good Decepticon is a totally confused one. He does his best to make sure that the Decepticons never know what his teammates are up to. He's perfected the art of creating diversions, using traps, holograms, and strategically placed explosives. When all else fails, he uses himself as bait, often racing right through a group of enemy robots to distract them.

Deluxe Mudflap

Young but eager, Mudflap has wanted to be a full-fledged warrior under the command of Optimus Prime for as long as he can remember. He and his twin brother Autobot Skids traveled for years to Earth, just in the hopes of joining up with their idol. Being on Earth with Optimus Prime and the other heroes of the Great War is a dream come true.

Autobots At Auto Show Videos

Last week GM debut its fleet of Autobots to the public at the 2009 Chicago Auto Show giving us a good close look at the Chevy Trax (Mudflap), Beat (Skids), Camaro (BB), Volt (Jolt) and Corvette Stingray (Sideswipe). We already got a look at some galleries, but now thanks to Schoop77 here are some videos to go with them.

Direct links: Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3

Toy Fair Reveals Devastator and Other TFs (Updated)

Toy Fair 2009 is on at New York and multiple sites are putting up huge galleries of pictures of toys for the Transformers 2 toy line (see below) including Devastator (yep the picture was accurate), Mudflap, Skids, a new one called Breakaway and many more. All very cool.

As far as Devastator goes, there are three versions planned. The first is the $100 version where the six individual Constructicons do not have robot modes, just vehicles mode that reconfigure to form the gestalt (think Voltron). That Devastator will be 2 feet high and about 4 feet wide. The next is the individual Constructicons that do have robot forms but cannot merge. The last is the PowerBot that doesn't really transform, it’s the Devastator look on the front and the individual vehicles painted on the back.

Breakdown of the six constructions:
     Demolishor - red O&K/Terex RH400 Hydrolic Mining Excavator (torso)
     Rampage - yellow Caterpillar 992G Front Loader (right arm)
     Long Haul - green Caterpillar 773B Dump Truck (right leg)
     Mix Master - silver Mack Cement Mixer (head)
     High Tower - yellow Kobelco CK2500 Truss Crane (left arm)
     Scrapper - yellow Caterpillar D9L Bulldozer (left leg)

As you can see, the RH400 from the trailer gets an official name. Overall the leak back in October was on the mark on the Constructicons except for the duplicate dump truck which now seems to have been a potential alt design for Long Haul.

I don't know if the two aerial Autobots, Breakaway (F-35 Joint Strike Fighter) and Springer (V-22 Osprey), are movie characters. Below are select pictures from the various galleries. For the highlights of Hasbro's plans for their various Transformer lines click here.

Galleries: TFormers | The Allspark | TFW2005 | More TFormer pics (over 100 pics) | Seibertron.com (100s of pics) | Transformers Club


Thanks to Elis and Boo for the links and pictures.

Chicago Auto Show Galleries

The other day the GM held a press conference at the Detroit Auto Show that officially revealed the concept cars and their movie names for Transformers 2 to the public. Now there are two huge galleries the cars on display at the show. Also below, for those that missed it, is the movie related commercial that was put together to highlight the vehicles. Thanks to blog fans for the YouTube link and Chris for the gallery link.

Galleries: Jalopnik | TFW2005

Autobot Names Confirmed (Updated w/ Video)

GM held a press conference today at the Detroit Auto Show and official revealed the 4 concept cars and their character names that were used in the movie. A sneak peak video/commercial that shows off the cars as used in the movie is here.

Five Chevrolet-based characters – including four all-new characters – are featured in the new film set to open in the United States on June 26. All of them are at the Chevrolet display. The four new movie characters include:

SIDESWIPE – a stylized Corvette vision concept vehicle
SKIDS and MUDFLAP – twin AUTOBOTS® based on Chevy's Beat (a concept that will go into production as the Chevy Spark in 2011) and Trax concepts
JOLT – an AUTOBOT-based on Chevy's upcoming Volt extended-range electric vehicle
BUMBLEBEE™, the heroic AUTOBOT based on Chevrolet's Camaro concept from the first "Transformers" movie, returns with a high-performance attitude. Joining the vehicles on stage will be BUMBLEBEE in his AUTOBOT form, standing almost 17 feet (5.2 meters) tall and 13 feet (4 meters) wide.

"Chevrolet is thrilled to again be part of one of the most anticipated movies in years," said Ed Peper, GM North America vice president, Chevrolet. "‘Transformers' gives us a great opportunity to connect with young people on their terms, with a dynamic, environmentally friendly image. The new characters represent the change going on in Chevy showrooms. From the exciting Camaro, the 21st century sports car, to the game-changing Volt, there's more than meets the eye at Chevrolet today."

Directed by Michael Bay, "Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen" sees the AUTOBOTS confront a new threat from DECEPTICONS® bent on avenging their earlier defeat on Earth. The new AUTOBOT characters in their current Chevy-based form square off against new, tougher foes determined to rule the universe.

Pictures of the Corvette Stingray Concept and Camaro Concept can be found here or a video here. Thanks to Dave for the link.

Update: Via the14thrider blog, below is the video (or YouTube) that was shown by GM. Yep it is essentially a car commecial...but a commercial using movie footage.

A New Twist on Fallen Concept? (Update 2)

A new post LS2.com (via TFormers) adds an interesting twist to what "The Fallen" may be in the title Transformers Revenge of the Fallen. Currently there are two camps, either it’s a brand new character named "The Fallen" based on a comic book concept from a few years or it is symbolic naming for the return of Megatron (possibly renamed to Galvatron).

According to "-=boM=-", there now might be another potential meaning. BoM was apparently a military extra on the set when filming occurred at Holloman Air Force Base and White Sands in New Mexico around October. A claim supported by pictures from the set. Big spoiler warning for below and note this is completely unverified.

First post by -=boM=-:

"Can't wait...i'm in it as an extra. I am a Navy Seal doing a battle scene against the Decepticons. I filmed out at White Sands and on Hollomans flight line. Filmed for 4 days and had a blast. Tons of pics on my Facebook."

Follow up reply:

I had to chase a bunch of villagers out of the area because the Decepticons were attacking, then had to protect Optimus Prime's body. There were a shitload of us out there.

The food and catering was awesome. A lot of downtime. Just like a deployment.

I did an interview for the DVD. We will see if that is on it too. The asked me a bunch of questions about the military. The autobots are behind me on top of a sand dune. I did a GM plug. They liked that.

Micheal Bay loves the military. I got to speak with him very briefly. He gets so angry on set at the actors but doesn't dare yell or demean the military. It was a trip. He said something to me like do you want a job as a DA (Directors Assistant), I said hell yeah. He was getting pissed at his DA. His DA was like trust me you dont want this job.

I have two closeup shots if they do decide to put them in the movie. One was walking with the camera on the tracks going along with me but at a slower pace. The camera was right on the side of my face following me but at a slower rate. There were two others behind me. The other close up was while I was defending from a corner of a building on one knee. The boom camera went from the ground to over head of us all. I was up front in the scene. The camera came up to my face then began to ascend over the area. It was pretty cool.

Another scene was Optimus getting dropped off by a chinook. I had to run up to the area then stop as Optimus was getting dropped.

Another was with Josh and Tyrese when they argue with The President on the flightline. I am in the background.

As much time as I spent filming (9-10 hours a day for 4 days) I hope I am seen at least once. Hell I'll be happy to be on teh DVD.

If the post above is true then apparently Optimus Prime may possibly fall fighting the Decepticons and maybe return seeking revenge on them. The only problem I have with this idea is "revenge" would be very un-Optimus Prime like. I am inclined to dismiss this idea. However, Prime dying could have possibilities, or it simply could be Prime gets severely injured (commercial shows a possible beat down) and is unconscious requiring an escort during recovery.

Now to support that boM was an extra (but not the Prime plot point), he posted a HUGE gallery of pictures from the set that includes pictures of most of the Autobot vehicle cast including Ratchet, who has been missing from most of the sets leading to speculation that his character dies. Below are just 12 pictures out of 117 that he posted so be sure to go here to view them all.

Images removed per demand from Paramount Pictures.
Update: As read abobe, the Holloman set pics are getting pulled from the web by Paramount. My best guess is the pictures revealed a plot point since the vehicles have been known for a while now and the set itself was featured on ET and Insider. My best, mostly uneducated guess, for the reason behind the cease and desist is the shot of Josh Duhamel, Shia and Megan. In it Josh and Megan's body language seems to be of anguish or concern over a prone Sam, who is wearing a costume that is the same as the burnt and bloody costume from August. I guess this set is where Shia received those injuries for the film.

Update 2: To add fire to the above, according to the Latino Review, boM had initially used the word "corpse" instead of "body" when talking about Optimus. The change was made when a poster noted that they never actually referred to him as dead. Thanks to Ian and Chris for the info.