In 1986, Transformers hit the big screen with its first-ever animated feature film. "The Transformers: The Movie" (hereafter referred to as the '86 movie) not only continued the story from the original G1 animated series but also introduced audiences to a host of compelling new characters and a vastly expanded universe. The death of Optimus Prime and the passing of the Matrix of Leadership, the birth of the new Decepticon leader Galvatron, and the arrival of the planet-devouring, absolute evil known as Unicron—all combined into a thrilling story of adventure and growth that fans still cherish today. Both on-screen and off, the '86 movie left a profound and lasting impact.
Now, nearly four decades after its release, Hasbro—the international toy giant and parent company of the Transformers brand—is celebrating that landmark film with a new wave of commemorative toys in the fan-favorite Studio Series line. In today's review, we're taking a look at four must-have releases from the More Than Meets The Eye Collection and the Studio Series '86 lineup!
▼Here are the stars of today's review, including two Leader Class figures, one Voyager Class figure, and a Deluxe Class 3-pack.
▼The sides of the boxes feature character portraits. Due to space, the Insecticon trio is split between the two sides.
▼Megatron, the tyrannical leader of the Decepticons, has battled the Autobots for years. In the '86 movie, he leads his forces in a surprise attack on an Autobot shuttle and their base on Earth, culminating in a life-or-death duel with Optimus Prime. This version of Megatron is a battle-damaged release from the MTMTE Collection. It uses the highly acclaimed '86 mold with new parts and a new paint job to recreate his battered appearance after the epic fight.
▼Placing the box next to the battle-damaged Optimus Prime's really drives home the epic atmosphere of their "Prime-time" showdown.
▼The front of the box hides a classic quote as an Easter egg. That's right, it's Optimus Prime's famous line before their battle: "One shall stand, one shall fall"!
▼This Megatron features a new head and chest plate to replicate his battle damage, and his lower legs have been changed to a lighter gray. The rest of the figure is largely the same as the original clean version.
▼The battle-damaged head is realized through a combination of sculpted detail and paint application. And no, that leaking fluid is definitely not drool.
▼The chest plate is detailed in a similar fashion.
▼Three weapons are included. The purple pistol at the bottom of the image is a new accessory, recreating the one Megatron surprisingly finds on the ground in the movie.
▼The figure's articulation is identical to the original version and remains excellent, allowing for dynamic combat poses with ease.
▼"...This must be a cheap knock-off that little punk Starscream cooked up. Just wait 'til I get my hands on him..."
▼Of course, the purple energy mace he used in the '86 movie is also included.
▼Two battle-damaged leaders—an absolute must-have for your collection!
▼A clash of titans, full of speed and fury!
▼Tank mode. The transformation design is still incredibly fun. If you haven't experienced it yet, you absolutely need to pick one up and try it for yourself!
▼The damaged chest plate is clearly visible in tank mode, and all weapons can be mounted on the vehicle body and turret!
▼Vehicle modes side-by-side. The battle between the Autobot Commander and the Decepticon Emperor never ends!
▼Starscream, leader of the Decepticon Seekers and Megatron's second-in-command. An exceptional aerial combatant, he constantly covets Megatron's leadership position, always looking for an opportunity to usurp him. This figure is a redeco of the previously released '86 Thundercracker and Skywarp, not only recreating Starscream's classic red, blue, and white color scheme but also featuring a silhouette that is highly faithful to his animation model. Add in that unforgettable treacherous smirk, and this is an indispensable addition for any Decepticon fan!
▼Robot mode. This is a near-perfect recreation of his silhouette and appearance from the cartoon and the '86 movie.
▼The head sculpt features that classic evil grin from the '86 movie scene where he's about to jettison a critically injured Megatron. The eyes are made of translucent plastic and can be lit up with a light source from behind.
▼The wings on his lower legs can be removed to replicate his look from the animated series.
▼The detached mini-wings can be stored on the back of the main wings. This design is just so incredibly thoughtful.
▼Articulation is, of course, no problem at all! With a good flight stand, you can easily capture his magnificent aerial combat prowess!
▼The mini-Megatron pistol included with Megatron is a perfect fit here!
▼This is the face this scene was made for. Let's try to recreate the moment he heartlessly abandons his leader!
"Wait, I still function!"
"Wanna bet?"
▼"Curses, I was so close..."
▼The F-16 fighter jet mode is also designed based on its appearance in the animation.
▼The cockpit can be opened and closed.
▼The landing gear under the nose can also be deployed.
▼This is a stunningly accurate Starscream. You absolutely have to assemble the full Seeker squadron!
▼Astrotrain, one of the most well-known Decepticon Triple Changers, can freely switch between a steam locomotive, a space shuttle, and a robot. He serves as transport for personnel and supplies, and in the '86 movie, he evacuates the wounded Decepticons from Earth. This '86 version features an all-new mold designed with animation accuracy as the top priority. It also includes two different weapons and a chest mechanism to replicate the G1 toy mode, making it an incredibly fun figure.
▼Compared to the Siege version from a few years ago, this robot mode has a visually leaner and taller appearance. But don't judge it just yet, let's keep going.
▼The head sculpt faithfully recreates his distinct features.
▼The center of the body can be extended to reveal a tailfin that unfolds into a chest plate. Combined with the pistol and larger rifle, you can recreate both his animation look (left) and his G1 toy look (right). A huge win for long-time fans.
▼By making full use of the figure's joints, you can achieve your ideal heroic pose!
▼Steam locomotive mode. The design is a fantastic homage to the '86 movie, and the included smokestack effect part is the cherry on top. With it attached, it looks just like a miniature model train engine!
▼In addition to the smokestack effect, which has never been done before, the wheel linkage is a delightful surprise. Once the wheels start turning, the gray connecting rods move along with them—a relatively rare feature in Transformers toys!
▼The rear of the train can also open up, just like in the '86 movie!
▼The included blast effects can also be attached to the rear nozzles.
▼Now for the space shuttle mode. You absolutely have to experience this brilliant triple-changing engineering for yourself!
▼For those who enjoy rolling their figures, don't worry—wheels have been thoughtfully included at the indicated points!
▼And of course, the shuttle mode can also accommodate the jet blast effects!
▼The Decepticon's transport officer and air commander. Megatron says you need both!
▼Insecticons Bombshell, Shrapnel, & Kickback. Rather than serving the Decepticons, this trio of robotic insects is more loyal to their own insatiable hunger for Energon. They only ally with Megatron when it's to their advantage. In the '86 movie, they joined the assault on Autobot City but were abandoned by Starscream during the retreat, becoming raw material for Unicron's reformatting. This 3-pack uses the Legacy molds with a new color scheme to recreate their animation appearance. It also comes with the Insecticons' favorite snack: Energon cubes! For fans who missed out on them before, this is the perfect opportunity to get all three at once!
▼Compared to the previous Legacy releases, this version uses a color palette that is much closer to the cartoon, forgoing toy-centric features like metallic paint and translucent plastic.
▼The head sculpts capture the classic, simple style of the animation.
▼They feature solid articulation, and playing with all three at once multiplies the fun!
▼Robotic insect modes. The three transform into a rhinoceros beetle, a stag beetle, and a locust, respectively.
▼Six Energon cubes are included. They're made of a soft plastic material with a smooth feel.
▼Now you can recreate scenes of the bugs greedily devouring Energon! Have fun creating your own Insecticon swarm scenes!
▼And that wraps up our review of these '86 movie-themed figures. Each one is packed with retro flavor and is highly recommended for all Transformers fans who love the animated film. You deserve them! We'll see you at the next review, bye-bye!
