Alright, let's do this!
So, like i mentioned earlier, MPM Bee is awesome. One of the things that surprised me was the shade of yellow that they used for it. Based on pictures and what people were saying, I was expecting a really bright shade of yellow like the T30 Deluxe Bumblebee. Thankfully, this isn't the case. It's a much better shade of yellow that does look a
little off in vehicle mode (but not enough to bug me), but looks spot-on in robot mode. The other major thing I was worried with for this figure was the part of the head that includes the
logo and the antennae (which is actually die cast, i'm fairly certain) appears to sit on top of his head rather than be integrated with the rest of his helmet like it should be. This was really glaring in the pictures for me, but in person it looks just fine.
MPM Bee is also my first Transformer with articulated fingers (HA Leadfoot doesn't really count), which is SO much fun for posing. His thumb could really use a swivel, but it's not that big of an issue. The paint is superb, they even have the month painted on his license plate. They also finally painted the black details on his shoulder armor, which I've been doing to my own Bumblebees for some time now. The only paint I could think to add is a little bit of yellow on the side tabs that hold his torso in place and a darker orange in the Plasma Cannon barrel. Speaking of the Plasma Cannon, I do like it, but I wish it was integrated into his arm and not a separate piece because I am terrified of losing it. Still looks good, though.
Transformation is good, I love how the entire top of the car folds into his chest, it's a creative way to get rid of the backpack that many other Bumblebees have. The only trouble I've had with transformation so far is figuring out where to put the heel spurs as you transform the legs, but after figuring it out it's not that big of a deal. I will say that I didn't find the instructions very helpful, as they didn't show specific steps, it just kind of gives you a general idea in the direction parts should be moving. Vehicle mode is great. it rolls smoothly and again the paint is fantastic. Everything down to the rear view mirrors and windshield wipers is painted.
Overall, MPM-3 is a fantastic figure which I totally recommend. He does have a few flaws, such as a balance problem and insecure tabs in his feet, but the good far outweighs the bad in a figure that certainly earns the title of masterpiece.
