While it does seem like most of the figures from the movie line released recently has been worthless repaints, just beeing thrown on the pegs for the sake of it. Though, there seems to be a few gems amongst the hideus repaints. Stockade and his "nemesis" as I'd like to refer to him as, Landmine (more on him in another review) are two of the three and a half new molds available in the Allspark Power series, so, it seems like I will be able to forgive Hasbro for delaying Animated just a little longer.
The Allspark Power sub-line revolves around... well, the Allspark. During the battle at Mission City, the power of the Allspark granted life to earth vehicles and turned them into transformers, though it doesn't make sence that these guys are divided into factions, seeing as the robots granted life in the movie where violent by default. It does make for some pretty neat alt-modes.
Vehicle ModeStockade's Alt mode is a SUV of sorts, made to resemble the vehicles that the government group Sector 7 uses for field missions in the urban environment. It doesn't really look like any real vehicle to avoid licensing issues, but it does resemble the vans from that very memorable scene outside the Witwicky residence very well. The main colour is... Black, yup. and there isn't really much more on it. The windows are translucent blue, as are the front lights. The grill, rims and vents are painted silver, the roof rack are grey and the tail lights are painted red. On each side, under the mirrors there's a S7 logo, just in case someone failed to see the connection between Stockade's alt-mode and Sector 7. still, it's not as bad as on Landmine.
If you dislike where robot parts are viable underneath, this is where you should either stop reading completely, or just skip to the robot part of the review. Stockade has lots of viasable robot parts. You can clearly see his arms through the windows and the entire legs aren't even trying to hide underneath.
Still, I do like this mode, even though the only thing it does is look failry cool and roll around. No gimmicks present at all in this mode. Much like many other of the movie figures. And I'd prefer if they kept it this way as it gives for more cleanly designed vehicles. So, without further delay, I give you the Robot mode!
Robot ModeI won't lie. Stockade is a breeze to transform! much welcomed after the complicated, hard to line up and sometimes fragile puzzles that have been the movie line. Simply:
- Pull down the front of the car
- Fold the panels under the windows back
- Split the roof apart and swing the entire sides down
- Fold the hood to the back of the legs and flip out the heels and feet
- Straighten the arms and open the "windhshield and trunk"
- flip up the panel that covers the head and the head will automorph into place.
And you're done! Simple as that! No parts that pops of, nothing jams, no springs, nada! and going back to vehicle mode is as simple as transforming it in the first place. And it doesn't even loose the movie vibe.
Stockade's one fantastic looking robot! This is where I really like this figure. The arms are huge compared to the body, the legs, while massive, still look agile, the chest is wide and looks really powerfull and the head... it just screams emotionless.
He gains a little more colour in this mode, everything from the vehicle is still there, as well as darker gray for his upper legs, arms, chest and head and that oh so horrible "Alsspark blue". Although it doesn't look that bad on Stockade, it's still a little of an eyesore. It does help to break all those dark colours, and it desn't look all that out of place. But reaaly, who came up with the idea? I'll jsut stay neautral on the subject, as part of me wants to hate it anda nother wants to like it.
As far as articulation goes, he has a lot of potential. Head is on a balljoint, although the movement is limited due to the hinge behind it. Shoulders are balljointed as well, and due to the tranformation, they can go forward as well. Elbows are on two hinges, but can only bend 90 degrees due to the car roof stuck to them. FISTS! hands have two fingers each which are individually articulated and a fixed thumb. A very welcomed detail on a deluxe! Waist can rotate, hips are balljointed, knees bend and the feet can pivot up and down. Not the best in the world, but it does the job. Stockade can strike a lot of menacing poses. And it's nice to see that they havn't forgotten how to do a waist joint without using a floppy balljoint *looks at 09 Bumblebee*
The gimmick in this mode is an "Auto-punch attack" not as much of a punch, as an extending fist. Simply slide the grey rail on either arm back, and the fist will go out a couple of centimetres. I like this gimmick, A LOT! Nothing has been sacrificed for the sake of it, it's non-obtrusive, simple to use and it doesn't go of as soon as you breathe at it.
So, even though articulation is so-so, and the vehicle mode is sort of boring. I'll have to give Stockade a 8.5-9/10. Even though it has some flaws, as the lacking articulation in the elbows and such. it just looks so darn good! and he shows a lot of character.
Stockade =
Recomended!
This post has been edited by Tformer: 5 April 2008, 23:05
Reason for edit: Added images
TFTM07: Allspark Power Stockade, Text contains movie spoilers...but I doubt anyone cares at this point.
7 April 2008, 18:39
Esbjerg Ø, Denmark
Sweden
