Transformers: The Movie toy line
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Toys in the Transformers movie toys are released in conjunction with the 2007 Transformers film, comics and video games, and expand on the characters and story in them.
It was expected that the release of a new movie would involve the production and release of associated toys from Takara and Hasbro. Images surfaced, on-line, of some toy prototypes, notably Starscream and a new Decepticon who was to be named Blackout, along with packaged samples of movie preview "Protoform" Optimus Prime and Starscream toys. Similarly, fans found preliminary artwork of multiple characters, although it was not known at the time how close these were to the final designs. The designs were significantly different from those of the Generation 1 characters with the same names. Reactions varied widely: some fans objected strongly to the designs, occasionally going so far as to threaten a boycott if the designs were not changed to be more traditional, while others liked them. The issue became a divisive one, as detractors accused supporters of lacking respect for the franchise's history, while supporters accused detractors of being "stuck in the past", and not accepting change.
Even though the transformers were heavily modified for the film for a more alien "feel", they still kept some key features from the G1 look to stay true to the character's origins. Examples: Optimus' faceplate and primary colors, and Megatron's arm cannon. Also, if close attention is paid to Megatron's head, a "helmet" like shape and structure can be seen.
Apart from the main line, there are three other lines. A "Premium Series", with a "collection of the best characters across Movie Deluxe, Voyager and Leader classes featuring premium deco treatments and finishing to create the ultimate movie figures". This line debuted with Metallic Ratchet and Megatron, released as a Best Buy exclusive.
The other line is "Allspark Power", featuring new and old molds infused with the power of the Allspark. This line is set to begin in 2008.
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[edit] Automorph Technology
The special feature of movie figures is "automorph technology." Moving one piece of the robot in the transformation sequence makes another piece move automatically. Most of the figures in the Movie Toyline have this feature. This is a debatable feature because some fans of the new toys tend to dislike the automorph as it can have unwanted effects while transforming the figure.
[edit] Scouts
All Target store exclusives, redecos of toys from the Energon and Cybertron line as movie characters.
- Wave 1
- Arcee - Motorcycle, a redeco of Energon Arcee.
- Hardtop - Dune buggy, a redeco of Cybertron Hardtop.
- Signal Flare - Autobot radar truck/construction vehicle, a redeco of Energon Signal Flare.
- Wave 2
- Wave 3
- Wave 5
- Crosshairs - Redeco of Energon Stongarm.
- Storm Surge - Redeco of Cybertron Shortround.
- Warpath - Redeco of Cybertron Overhaul. 1/44 scale.
- Wave 6
- Gunbarrel - Redeco of Energon Kickback and Blight from the Bruticus Maximus combiner.
- Decepticon Reverb - Redeco of Energon Blackout and Stormcloud from the Bruticus Maximus combiner.
- Backtrack - Redeco of Cybertron Lugnutz
[edit] Deluxe movie toys
The bi-lingual English/French cards featured an error, in that all the Deluxe figures were put on cards with Decepticon logos, no matter their faction. Release dates vary, as some waves were seen before others, or released alongside another wave. These are seen sorted into waves designated by Hasbro, and their official Transformer website.
- Movie Preview
- Protoform Optimus Prime - 1/61 scale.
- Protoform Starscream
- Wave 1
- Autobot Jazz - Autobot 1/28 scale Hardtop Pontiac Solstice.
- Barricade - Decepticon 1/32 Customized Saleen S281 police car.
- Decepticon Brawl - Decepticon 1/61 scale modified M1A1 Abrams tank.
- Bumblebee - Autobot Classic Chevrolet Camaro.
- Scorponok - Decepticon Mechanical scorpion.
- Wreckage - Decepticon 1/51 scale LAV-C2 APC.
- Wave 2
- Bonecrusher - Decepticon 1/57 Buffalo MPV.
- Swindle - Decepticon 1/32 scale sports coupe (resembles a Chevrolet Cobalt).
- Wave 3
- Arcee - Autobot 1/14 scale 2006 Buell Firebolt
- Bumblebee - Autobot 1/32 scale Chevrolet Camaro Concept.
- Dreadwing - Decepticon 1/102 scale MiG-29 jet.
- Wave 4
- Final Battle Jazz - Jazz with battle damage.
- Longarm - Autobot 1/29 scale tow truck (resembles a Dodge Dakota pickup).
- Payload - Deception armored truck.
- Wave 5
- Dropkick - Decepticon pickup truck (resembles a Chevrolet Silverado).
- Recon Barricade - Redeco of Barricade as a security guard vehicle.
- Exclusives
- Generation 1 Jazz - A Target store exclusive redeco of Jazz in Generation 1 colors.
- Japan Exclusives
- Protoform Optimus Prime - "Fusion Cluster" version, molded in transparent colors to simulate entry into Earth's atmosphere.
- Protoform Starscream - "Fusion Cluster" version, molded in transparent colors to simulate entry into Earth's atmosphere.
- Metallic Bumblebee (Classic Camaro) - Lawson exclusive, repainted in metallic gold with black stripes.
[edit] Allspark Power
- Wave 1
- Cliffjumper - A redeco of Concept Camaro Bumblebee, 1/32 scale concept Camaro.
- Landmine - Autobot 1/30 scale Sector 7 Desert Patrol Vehicle.
- Autobot Camshaft - Redeco of Swindle into an Autobot sports coupe. 1/32 scale.
- Wave 2
- Stockade - Decepticon 1/40 scale SUV (resembles a GMC Denali).
- Wave 3
- Overcast: Redeco of Dreadwing
- Jungle Bonecrusher: Redeco of Bonecrusher
- Jolt - 1/34 scale Bugatti Veyron. Redeco of Cybertron Crosswise. Wal-Mart store exclusive.
- Divebomb - Redeco of Cybertron Thundercracker. 1/123 scale SU-37 Terminator jet. Wal-Mart store exclusive.
- Big Daddy - Redeco of Cybertron Downshift. Wal-Mart store exclusive.
- Grindcore - Redeco of Cybertron Landmine. 1/48 scale. Wal-Mart store exclusive.
- Wave 4
- Stealth Bumblebee - A inverted redeco of Concept Camaro Bumblebee, with a new head mold, 1/32 scale concept Camaro.
- Salvage - Redeco of Dropkick. According to Hasbro employees at Botcon 2008 his colors are inspired by the truck from the television series Sanford and Son. [1]
- Wave 5
- Target Exclusives - Packaged in clear, cylindrical plastic cases and in displayed in robot mode. These are regular Deluxe Class toys with light blue highlights to simulate the effects of the Allspark.
- Bumbebee
- Autobot Jazz
- Barricade
- Decepticon Brawl
[edit] Screen Battles
A special package that consists of one Deluxe Class figure and accessories to form a mini-diorama.
- Desert Attack - Scorponok with figurines of U.S. soldiers Lennox, Epps and Figueroa.
- First Encounter - Barricade with figurines of Sam and Mikaela, along with a Frenzy figurine that is more detailed than the one normally supplied with Barricade.
- Capture of Bumblebee - Repaint of Camaro Concept Bumblebee with figurines of Agent Simmons and two Sector 7 operatives.
- Final Stand - Repaint of Longarm (with Mikaela figurine inside) with a legless version of Robot Replicas Bumblebee.
[edit] Voyager
A size class larger than Deluxe but smaller than Leader. Figures in this size class are:
- Wave 1
- Ratchet - Autobot 1/30 scale Hummer H2 Search and Rescue vehicle.
- Blackout - Decepticon 1/89 scale MH-53 Pave Low IV helicopter.
- Wave 2
- Ironhide - Autobot 1/35 scale customized GMC Topkick.
- Starscream - Decepticon 1/90 scale F-22 Raptor.
- Wave 3
Some confusion results in Optimus and Megatron's wave placements. In one source, Megatron is part of Wave 3 and Optimus is part of Wave 3.5. Other sources declare Megatron a revision of Wave 2, and Optimus part of Wave 3.
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- Optimus Prime - Autobot customized Peterbilt semi-truck. 1/45 scale.
- Megatron - 1/59 scale Decepticon Cybertronian jet with "ice" decoration.
- Starscream - Decepticon 1/90 scale F-22 Raptor. Target store exclusive with G1 Redeco Colors.
- Wave 4
- Rescue Ratchet - White/red redeco made to resemble the G1 color scheme.
- Thundercracker - Redeco of Starscream.
[edit] Allspark Power
- Wave 1
- Offroad Ironhide - Blue redeco.
- First Strike Optimus Prime - Redeco sporting G1 colors.
- Evac - An Autobot redeco of Blackout with a new head mold. In addition, the Scorponok figurine is replaced with a raft that doubles as a weapon.
- Wave 2
- Incinerator - V-22 Osprey helicopter.
- Wave 3
- Inferno - Redeco of Armada Red Alert. Toys "R" Us store exclusive.
- Mudflap - Redeco of Cybertron Mudflap. Toys "R" Us store exclusive.
[edit] Ultra
The only Ultra class figures in the movie line are redecos of Cybertron Ultra figures and are Toys "R" Us exclusives.
- Wave 1
- Jetstorm - Redeco of Cybertron Jetfire. 1/327 scale An-225 jet.
- Wingblade - Redeco of Cybertron Wing Saber. 1/69 scale A10 jet.
[edit] Leader
The largest size class with more than one figure. They feature electronic gimmicks and are the only mainline figures with a "Try Me" on the packaging. The figures in this class are:
- Wave 1
- Optimus Prime (Customized Peterbilt truck) 1/37 scale.
- Wave 2
- Megatron (Cybertronian jet) 1/46 scale.
- Wave 3
- Decepticon Brawl (Modified M1 Abrams tank) - 1/35 scale*
[edit] Allspark Power
- Wave 1
- Nightwatch Optimus Prime - Redeco of Optimus Prime in stealthy, dark blue colors.
- Deep Desert Brawl - Redeco of Deception Brawl in desert deco.
[edit] Ultimate
Overall, the largest size class - and effectively, the most expensive - in the toy line. The only figure offered in this line is Bumblebee (Camaro Concept), which features working lights and sound effects. In addition, Ultimate Bumblebee is animatronic, with his head and arms moving mechanically. Ultimate Bumblebee speaks numerous pre-recorded phrases and plays samples of songs such as the Transformers theme and Devo's "Whip It."
[edit] Cyber-Slammers
The Cyber-Slammers are a set of very simple movie toys aimed at very young children, with pull back motors and one step transformations.
- Bumblebee (Classic Camaro)
- Barricade
- Optimus Prime
- Decepticon Brawl
- Autobot Ratchet
- Bumblebee (Camaro Concept)
- Autobot Jazz
- Ironhide
- Rescue Ratchet
- Cliffjumper (Bumblebee Camaro Concept redeco)
- Scout Barricade
[edit] Fast Action Battlers
A sub-line of the movie toys are the Fast Action Battlers, a set of simplified Deluxe sized toys made for quick transformation and younger buyers.
- Megatron
- Optimus Prime
- Brawl
- Ratchet
- Blackout
- Ironhide
- Starscream
- Bumblebee
- Barricade
- Jazz
- Frenzy
- Ramjet (redeco of Starscream)
- Smokescreen (redeco of Jazz)
- Rescue Ratchet
- Desert Brawl
[edit] Movie Legends
A line of Micro class transformable toys was released for the 2007 Transformers movie. It included individually packaged toys as well as a Target exclusive package with Megatrons and Optimus Primes from the movie and Cybertron lines.
- Megatron - Decepticon 1/142 scale Cybertronian Interstellar jet.
- Starscream - Decepticon F-22 Raptor Jet.
- Barricade - 1/63 scale Saleen Mustang S281 Police Car.
- Blackout - MH-53 m Pave-Low IV Helicopter.
- Optimus Prime - Peterbilt 379 Pickup Truck. 1/112 scale.
- Bumblebee - 1/64 scale 1977 Chevrolet Camaro.
- Jazz - 1/52 scale Modified Pontiac Solstice.
- Ratchet - 1/68 scale Emergency Hummer H2 Search And Rescue Vehicle.
Japan Exclusives
- Bumblebee (Scanning Version) - Hyper Hobby magazine exclusive, molded in transparent yellow to simulate pre-formatting.
[edit] Allspark Power
Released as Allspark Battle two-packs, these will also be released in 2008.
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- Cliffjumper, a red redeco of Legends Bumblebee versus Recon Barricade, a redeco of Legends Barricade.
- Jazz, a minor repaint of Legends Jazz versus Bonecrusher, a new mold of a Buffalo MPCV.
- Rescue Ratchet, a redeco of Autobot Ratchet versus Brawl, a new mold of an M1 Abrams tank.
- Ironhide, a new mold of a GMC Topkick versus Desert Blackout, a desert repaint of Blackout.
- Nightwatch Prime, a repaint of legends Prime versus Stealth Starscream, Black Starscream repaint.
- final battle Bumblebee,improved, versus Scorponok,
- final battle jazz (with battle damage) vs ice megatron (blue)
[edit] Robot Replicas
A line of 4", non-transforming, poseable figures were released recently and included the following figures:
- Wave 1
- Megatron - 1/79 scale
- Barricade
- Bumblebee
- Wave 2
- Optimus Prime
- Jazz
- Frenzy
[edit] Fun4All KeyChains
A wave of Movie Transformers keychains release as smaller version of the Robot Replicas:
- Wave 1
- Optimus Prime
- Bumblebee
- Wave 2
- Megatron
- Barricade
[edit] Real Gear
A line of movie toys made up entirely of original characters who turned from Scout class robots into non-functional, actual-size (or near actual size in a few cases), gadgets, possibly inspired by the ability of the Allspark in the movie to bring electronic items to life.
Oddly the Real Gear toy line lacks any mention of Paramount and the official Transformers film logo on the boxes, making them a bit separate from the rest of the line. It has been revealed that at least some of the molds were originally designed to be in the Cybertron line, as Autobots hiding on Earth.
- Wave 1
- Longview - A Autobot that transforms into a pair of binoculars, he holds a picture of Cybertron Crumplezone in vehicle mode.
- Power Up VT6 - A hand held video game system. Has a jet that looks like Cybertron Jetfire on the game display.
- Speed Dial 800 - An Autobot tho turns into a cell phone. Has the time 7:47 on his display, a reference to the original planned premiere date of the Transformers 2007 film, July 4th, 2007. 1/1 scale.
- Spy Shot 6 - A hand held camera Autobot. In December of 2007 Deluxe sized remakes of this toy started being sold out of China.
- Wave 2
- Booster X10 - A Decepticon who turns from an MP3 player and earpiece into a robotic condor inspired by Generation 1 Laserbeak. He is portrayed as a mean-spirited trickster who enjoys causing accidents. 1/1 scale. In December of 2007 Deluxe sized remakes of this toy started being sold out of China.
- Zoom Out 25X - A digital camcorder, comes with an image of Cybertron Override on his display. In December of 2007 Deluxe sized remakes of this toy started being sold out of China. The Chinese version of this toy has movie Optimus Prime on the display instead of Override.
- Wave 3
- Wire Tap V20 - A Decepticon tho turns into a cell phone. A black/red repaint of Speed Dial 800.
- Night Beat 7 - An Autobot who turns from an MP3 player and earpiece into a robotic condor. A silver/blue repaint of Booster X10. In December of 2007 Deluxe sized remakes of this toy started being sold out of China.
- Meantime - A Decepticon watch.
- High Score 100 - An Autobot who turns into a downscaled video game controller.
[edit] Drought
Many fans were disappointed at the drought of many of the mainline figures when the first waves flew off the shelves in July 2007. Retailers such as Wal-Mart, Target, Toys 'R' Us, etc., underestimated the popularity of the movie and supporting toyline, and did not place enough orders to meet the demand. With several action-themed toylines in the same summer (Spider-Man 3, Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End, Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer and Transformers), they were conservative with their estimates for Transformers, the only relatively new franchise in the mix. Especially with Spider-Man 3 toys underperforming, retailers did not consider ordering more Transformers toys until it was too late to meet demand on time. By August 2007, most Deluxe and larger toys had sold out of nearly all retail outlets - with only the Cyber Slammers and Real Gear toys remaining.
A shipping backlog in China further exacerbated this problem and has led to an unusually long drought. The demand has led to many "scalpers" buying many duplicates of figures to sell on eBay - particularly Deluxe Class Bumblebee (Camaro Concept edition), which fetched high two-digit numbers online during the film's run.
Hasbro has been the target of many fans' anger over this situation, despite the fact that the company does not determine order sizes or distribution. They promoted the movie toyline as best they could, but inventories are not produced unless orders are received for them. Ultimately, retailers simply did not order enough from Hasbro.
