Figure Details
AKA 'PE-DX01 RC'
Manufacturer - Perfect Effect
Toyline - Motobot
Additions/Mods:
- Added an Autobot symbol to the chest
Review
When Perfect Effect announced a figure which was actually
not tiny, it got my attention. These guys had already provided the fandom with
Reflector and a smattering of
mini-cassettes, and have thoroughly proven themselves working to that scale. So I was excited when news of their
Arcee homage came to light. However, when I saw the figure, and particularly in colour, I decided that it could not be Arcee. Firstly, the alternate mode is a motorcycle, and more importantly, this does not look a lot like Arcee, aside from a vaguely similar head. So I started wondering who I could possibly base this figure on, seeing as I wanted it so badly. I first thought about Elita One, who was the right colour but had a very distinctive pronged head, and I decided that this was too far from it. So instead, I want for Elite One's initial incarnation Ariel, who was also pink and white but with a much rounder head. So please welcome Ariel to the team! She may have only been in one episode, but with
Dion in hand and the arrival of Orion Pax imminent, I will now have the whole trio who met their 'end' courtesy of a young punk called
Megatron.
Appearance (Robot Mode) 8/10
I really like the stylised proportions of this robot, the lower legs are huge with a waspish waist and willowy forearms. If
M&G Toys want for the 'sexy' angle then Perfect Effect went for a much more combat-ready aesthetic. The hot pink isn't particularly to my taste and is one of the reasons I ruled this out as an Arcee, but you can't deny that it makes for a striking robot. The array of weaponry at this gal's disposal is - as is the case with Reflector - stunning. 'Motobot' can dispatch her foes with dual pistols, swords or a huge sniper rifle. It makes you wonder whether Megatron would be brave enough to tangle with her. I have to say though, that the headsculpt is very disappointing. The lack of light-piping is understandable, given the way the 'ears' collapse into the head, but the sculpt is very faint, and the paint is gloopy. This leads to a pretty nondescript face, and also the glasses supplied have no way of actually sitting in place - I may even glue them in, just to detract from the lacklustre sculpt. You can choose to add 'wings' to the figure and indeed all of the associated weaponry and kibble can be attached to the robot so nothing is unused - a nice touch.
Appearance (Alternate Mode) 9/10
The alternate mode of this figure really is
stunning. Very reminiscent of the superbikes in Akira, the
Junkions would be green with envy if they gave a damn about their appearance. Again, every single piece of weaponry and armour is utilised to make the bike complete. Unfortunately the ammo clip from the sniper rifle tends to fall out of it's place, which is the underside of the handlebar area. I am seriously considering adding some racing decals to this bike, because it just looks so great. There is a kickstand too which is a nice touch.
Transformation 6/10
This is actually deceptively simple, with the head rotating and folding underneath the chest and back, which become the gas tank area and handlebars. The arms kind of sit along the top of the bike until you snap the accessories into place, which do a good job of hiding them. The legs are a little more tricky. They are splayed apart (matron) and then the knees are bent. the feet have to be rotated round and slotted into place, which for me requires a crazy amount of pressure, so much that I broke the toy. Not good. I prize myself on being gentle but a cover between the foot and shin snapped in two and flew out of sight. Moving on, the knees are locked into position by a clever twist of the 'kneepads' - however I would also exercise caution at this juncture too.
Poseability 10/10
This is just great. You get a ball-jointed head and waist swivel. You also get useable tilting in the waist. There are ball-jointed shoulders, bicep swivel, elbow joints, wrist swivel, wrist tilt, lateral and side-to side movement in the hip, 'thigh' swivel, knee joints and articulated 'heels' and toes. The balance in the huge feet lend themselves to a variety of poses. With this figure, you put its arms behind its back, you can easily balance on one leg, you can hold the sniper rifle with 2 hands. This is as well-articulates as any action figure and yet it transforms into a very convincing bike. Amazing stuff.
Quality 3/10
Nothing is perfect, I guess. I'm still shocked that I broke this toy. It's funny, I have seen quite a few photos of this figure without the bars which appear in front of the ankles. I'm assuming that they have suffered similar fates to me. Luckily, I think that this looks damn good without the bars but it still doesn't excuse how hard it is to lock the feet in place for vehicle mode. I haven't mentioned that parts of this figure are die-cast, which lends itself enormously to the balance and poseability of this figure but creates the problem here. Plastic is so much more flexible and I'm sure if the parts you were slotting into were not metal then there would be no issue. Also the knee pads have a tendency to snag unless you have the knees in exactly the right position for transformation. I implore you to be extra careful with this figure!
Overall - 36/50
This figure comes tantalisingly close to being great, but is ultimately let down by a lazy-looking face sculpt and critical flaws with its transformation and use of materials which can lead to a broken product. This is still a very good figure however, with unparalleled articulation and versatility. I just don't think it can ever be a good stand-in for Arcee. Given that I am not a fan of the headsculpt, I would love to see someone produce an Elita One head for this. Still, this is a largely successful transition for Perfect Effect from teeny tiny to deluxe-size.
