Seibertron.com Energon Pub Forums

[william-james88]

I have read many posts and I have now made up my mind, I wont be getting this figure unless I find it for a really good sale where I wont regret anything. Because seriously, these pics I see of people fixing problems with the toy for things to fit better give me goosebumps. For example, these small parts connecting the truck roof to the sides are are pinned in the wrong direction and thus make it so that the shell cant fit together all that well. So it had to be unpinned and turned around. Man, I swear looking at these pics provided by Jarrod on the TFW boards scare the crap out of me:

[skywarp-2]

Okay, So Again, I wanted to Post what the final paint applied view looks like. Since this is the actual toy forum, go here for a full post on my mods to the figure. Only paint mods, and just enough to make you proud of the Hasbro release. I love my figure now! Buy Hasbro, paint it, minimally, and enjoy!

See link here:
mpm-04-optimus-prime-custom-p1912739.php#p1912739

Beauty Shot!

[shajaki]

Box images of TakaraTomy (proper) MPM-4 Optimus Prime via Mandarake.

[Sabrblade]

Huh. No Latin script name text for this one. That's new.

[skywarp-2]

You know, when they revamp this model and retool the mold in the future for DOTM, I wonder if they will be releasing it with modified forearms. I would like to see the forearms with the twin spikes coming off the back of them like in the movie. They can easily do that with the figure. I also wonder if the new abs section will be molded in the darker grey or silvery style plastic..

It'd be nice if the Molded abs are also diecast. I think also, if they rerelease the MPM-04 as say another MPM for DOTM, they should do the Gold bits on the waist with plastic caps, instead of diecast, so the paint there doesn't rub off over time. I think a DOTM Prime of this mold would definitely be a purchase I will get, and hopefully they paint it well, so it can at least match the MINIMUM paint I did on mine to make it worthy of the title Masterpiece...



If they do a remold, I also hope they fix those tubes that were supposed to hook into the under smoke stacks. I wonder if a piece of flex hose like plastic would work? make it look like a hose is fed to the smoke stacks like a dryer vent hose...or this Lego Hose would work too..


would make the truck mode a bit more cohesive.. and let's hope they fix the tabbing issues for the truck hood to be seamless with the windows..

But for the most part, between MPM-03 and MPM-04, I think I am happy with the 10th Anniversary movie line up thus far. Can't wait to see a fully Masterpiece Megatron, a New and not a repaint MPM Star Scream, MPM Barricade, and of course I want an MPM Ironhide!

Curse You Traitor Sentinel Prime!! I loved Ironhide!! LOL

Ah... Bayverse..

Love it or hate it.. It's exciting!!

After getting the MPM-04, I went back and rewatched Transformers and Transformers ROTF. I think the Transformers movies are great... But for me, TF-1 is like Star Trek the Motion Picture.. while TF-2 ROTF is like the Wrath of Khan, an epic movie out of the original Trilogy, fantastic! I love ROTF, and then there's the icing on the cake.. DOTM! But I love 2-3 the best of the movies.. so much awesomeness, and sadness.. (Ironhide)

But in terms of the MPM-04 and the rest of the 10th Anniversary line up.. I am so happy they have a limited amount of Bots in the 1st movie.. My collection of G-1 MPs and MPMs is kinda running out of shelf space.. so I will most likely get all the MPM line up, and pick and choose certain bots for my DOTM and sequel collections..mainly Rebuilt Megatron Tank/Jet and Sentinel Prime. Can't wait to collect the best of the movie line up!

Also, I think I may have to get the Jetfire Upgrade.. if not, I wonder if Takara Tomy or Hasbro will be doing a MP-Jetfire that can be turned into the armor.. but considering how Jetfire sacrificed himself for the parts to add to Prime, I am cool just buying the Armor, and saying a nice prayer for RIP Jetfire, while enjoying this!!!!!!!

[william-james88]

I ended up getting this toy. Its fine and well worth the price for what you get. Its just too bad so much of him is based on the transformation for ROTF. He feels more like an "advanced" version of that mold rather than something totally new.

The fun part is that my copy has no gap problems, everything fits nice and tight in truck mode

[skywarp-2]

Is that the Hasbro version?

[Ironhidensh]

I ended up getting this toy. Its fine and well worth the price for what you get. Its just too bad so much of him is based on the transformation for ROTF. He feels more like an "advanced" version of that mold rather than something totally new.

The fun part is that my copy has no gap problems, everything fits nice and tight in truck mode

I suppose I should dig this out of storage (the attic) and give it a second go at transforming, but the hate is still strong.

[D-Maximal_Primal]

I sort of gave up on this toy after hearing about the transformation issues and it only really being an advanced version of the RotF version. That and it will never show up at a TRU near me, and I don't want to spend $140+ for this guy online

[shajaki]

I ended up getting this toy. Its fine and well worth the price for what you get. Its just too bad so much of him is based on the transformation for ROTF. He feels more like an "advanced" version of that mold rather than something totally new.

The fun part is that my copy has no gap problems, everything fits nice and tight in truck mode

Happy to hear yours is in good shape!

I have yet to find a TRU one, or transform my Asia version

[william-james88]

Is that the Hasbro version?

Yup yup. And by no gaps, I was referring to the front of the truck which is supposed to be a problem area.

[Quantum Surge]

I don't get the criticism on this figure being just an advanced version of the ROTF figure? MP-10 is in some ways similar to MP-10, transformation wise (torso rotation, arms swing out), and the trailers of both are kind of like enlarged versiond of the G1 trailer.

Anyways, I saw Rob A's review on the Takara version, and even with the added paint apps, it looks kind of naked. Hasbro dark gray plastic may not match up with the silver details, but it gives it a feeling of metal in ny eyes.

[skywarp-2]

Is that the Hasbro version?

Yup yup. And by no gaps, I was referring to the front of the truck which is supposed to be a problem area.

Mine is quite excellent also. I will show you pics of it in Alt mode when I get a chance. My only gripe was the lack of paint applications and it having the title Masterpiece. As I have never owned the Leader Class movie Prime, I'm fine with its transformation. My only goal is to collect Masterpiece because of a lack of space to store and display.

[william-james88]

I don't get the criticism on this figure being just an advanced version of the ROTF figure? MP-10 is in some ways similar to MP-10, transformation wise (torso rotation, arms swing out), and the trailers of both are kind of like enlarged versiond of the G1 trailer.

Yes, you said it perfectly, it is exactly like comparing the change from MP 01 and MP 10. And I also am not a fan of it. I much preffer when the designers try to approach a transformation differently than base it off a previous one. And especially on such prominant toys everyone already has and knows well. Because since I already know ROTF Prime well, it kind of takes the fun out to handle MPM Prime and know right away what to do with his feet (which have an identical transformation). I paid close to 100$ for it, I want to be wowed. I want a new transforming experience, not just something I already know well. I felt the exact same way handling MP 10. I hope that explains some criticism.

[Quantum Surge]

I don't get the criticism on this figure being just an advanced version of the ROTF figure? MP-10 is in some ways similar to MP-10, transformation wise (torso rotation, arms swing out), and the trailers of both are kind of like enlarged versiond of the G1 trailer.

Yes, you said it perfectly, it is exactly like comparing the change from MP 01 and MP 10. And I also am not a fan of it. I much preffer when the designers try to approach a transformation differently than base it off a previous one. And especially on such prominant toys everyone already has and knows well. Because since I already know ROTF Prime well, it kind of takes the fun out to handle MPM Prime and know right away what to do with his feet (which have an identical transformation). I paid close to 100$ for it, I want to be wowed. I want a new transforming experience, not just something I already know well. I felt the exact same way handling MP 10. I hope that explains some criticism.

I can't really agree on the transformation being similar being what takes away from the figure. Sure, lots of elements are taken from the ROTF figure, but I feel that the specific transformation is a staple of the Movieverse Prime design. I'd like to see how the grill becomes the chest,but then I think about how hard it'd be to put in a sliding joint while keeping it from being fragile. The only real issue I have is that I wish there was a proper neck joint so you wouldn't have to see the gap.

I forgot about mentioning something like that with MP-10; even if it's just a smoother version of MP-01 without the pistons, mouthplate gimmick, and light up Matrix, I can forgive it as well when it comes to the transformation being what would define the design of G1 Prime.

Plus, it's common to see a lot of toys have similar elements to previous toys, and I feel that even if one wouldn't be wowed by what's slightly changed, there'd be at least some fans who'd want to give a slightly tweaked Batmobile or X-Wing for example if they missed out on the previous versions.

Back on topic with this, if anyone is worried about scraping the silver paint, I'd recommend using a piece of cloth under his feet to reduce any scraping. It worked alright with one of my cousins who had a Buster Prime (KO mind you).

[shajaki]

So I got my TRU Optimus....



I wanna know what the deal is with the stickers. What sticker? This sticker.



The silver TRU Exclusive sticker. It's been slapped on every TRU MP so far, and I've seen it on MPM'3's. I'm assuming the sticker'd MPM-3's are American, because all of the ones I've found locally (in Canada) are stickerless.

Now that MPM-4 is hitting TRU's on both sides of the border, I'm wondering if it's going to be the same. My Canadian OP has no sticker obviously. But I've Google'd and couldn't find a single image of MPM-4 with that pretty silver sticker.

Has Prime only been spotted a handful of times in the States or something, or can I bank that he's stickerless across the board?

[-Kanrabat-]

Is that the Hasbro version?

Yup yup. And by no gaps, I was referring to the front of the truck which is supposed to be a problem area.

I finally got my own MPM-4 and I just transformed it back-and-forth. The instructions being completely useless. I explored the toy by transforming it on my own. Transformation is hard, but very similar to the old ROTF leader. The hardest part was for everything to tab in properly to have a flush hood. I failed. Then a video review shown me that I missed a step, meaning pushing the hip joints up toward the back of the truck. Oh well, next time.

I really don't like the vehicle mode. Clearly this mode was sacrificed in favor of the most perfect bot possible. Greatest offender being the HUGE gap between the gaz tank and the doors. And it's hard as hell for it to not look like a deformed mess.

Where the bot shine is his bot mode. No voice box mean a more compact transformation and it show. I also LOVE the die-cast of the feet, legs and belly. The Matrix and faces gimmick work well. I prefer the mouth face because most Movie Optimus I have on display are the ones with faceplate. I don't like the weapons, especially with the lips so I use the hands very limited articulations to make him point with determination instead of a battle pose. He look GLORIOUS and ooze authority. Worst flaw in this mode is that his shoulders just refuse to stay tabbed into the torso's pegs. Fortunately, he hold any poses easily.

Overall, was it worth the price? At 107.58$CAN with all the rebates and coupons, it's okay. But I would have been pissed if I had to pay the regular 150$CAN. MPM-4 will be one of those "transformers statue". Meaning I'll transform him very rarely. But man, does it look GOOD in bot mode. I still think my DOTM Buster Optimus is the best toy, but I don't regret not missing out on the flawed but still nice MPM-4.

[skywarp-2]

See I am seriously thinking about going all out and painting my MPM-04 in total like this guy has done in his video. It just looks much more accurate to the movie and CGI model. I think I've done good so far. It's matching the colors without having to mix which is the biggest hurdle.

Watch this Youtube vid below to see what I mean! exceptional paint apps!

https://youtu.be/Ix0sGCwJdlM

In transforming the figure, yes, there are flaws in the design. However, My Alt Mode Tabs together perfectly, it seems like to me, they forgot to add steps in the directions.

I love the overall look of the truck mode, I think the guy in the video did something to make the smoke stacks fit to the pipes underneath, a connection many have complained about. I think maybe there was some assembly problems there?? If there is a fix by simply re-screwing parts back into the truck mode, I would love to know.

for me.. I think I am going paint the silver on my guy.. I will be leaving out the darker grey in areas where there seems to be a lot of movement so as to not effect my paint. I think Enamel is the best bet, and is more durable then acrylics are.



My silver looks great on the legs, and the blue's are proper and very close. What I need to find now is a red, because the forearms have reds on them too..

I still love the mold, it's just the paint apps I have my biggest problem with..


See how the back of the arms need work?




If they just painted him better, he probably would have a better reception, and more fans like myself could overlook some of the problems with the mold..




I figure I'll add more pics to my custom paint thread.. but you see what I mean.. The paint apps lacking are kinda halfassed IMHO.. There should be a future release with proper paint applied, bring back that Premium paint for the MPM line, and keep the MP line as it is..

[skywarp-2]

Here's my bottom line thoughts on MPM-04. I plan to show off his alt mode later, right now I am painting the figure because I wasn't satisfied with his Grey color. I have to agree with the guy in this video...


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ix0sGCwJdlM&t=331s

Essentially, I am PRO HASBRO in purchasing the MPM-04. In the video the guy says that the figure should be painted, and that the only level experience you need is if you did modeling as a teen, then you can paint this guy pretty easy. There are parts that you can paint that WON'T HAVE a flake problem, especially in enamel. The MPM-04's molded details are suffering from not painting the bot the silvers, and golds, and also the missing blue's and Red's. I plan to finish mine very nicely.. I also hope to get one of my Favorite Youtubers to review my guy, and if I get a yes, I will box him up and ship him out for the review. I am working very hard to get my bot in perfect shape, paint app wise.

This MPM-04 deserves a decent paint job. Buy an MPM-04.. paint it, and enjoy it. Tho, if it says Masterpiece, it should be good to go out of the box, but if you do get the Hasbro, paint it. It's worth it. I plan to do a picture painting guide based on American paints available in my customization thread in the customization forum. It will have all the areas and step by step guide that will look professional, so if anyone in the future wants to follow the guide and make theirs look more like the movies, it will be there for you to use. I plan to take pics of mine when done, and along the way to help with people who want to paint theirs.

In final analysis, I think painting my MPM=04 has made me love it even more. I have come to appreciate all the parts, and have become very very close to almost instinctively knowing the bot's engineering. I love this figure, and I am happy I got him. Especially after painting him.

[Quantum Surge]

Here's my bottom line thoughts on MPM-04. I plan to show off his alt mode later, right now I am painting the figure because I wasn't satisfied with his Grey color. I have to agree with the guy in this video...


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ix0sGCwJdlM&t=331s

Essentially, I am PRO HASBRO in purchasing the MPM-04. In the video the guy says that the figure should be painted, and that the only level experience you need is if you did modeling as a teen, then you can paint this guy pretty easy. There are parts that you can paint that WON'T HAVE a flake problem, especially in enamel. The MPM-04's molded details are suffering from not painting the bot the silvers, and golds, and also the missing blue's and Red's. I plan to finish mine very nicely.. I also hope to get one of my Favorite Youtubers to review my guy, and if I get a yes, I will box him up and ship him out for the review. I am working very hard to get my bot in perfect shape, paint app wise.

This MPM-04 deserves a decent paint job. Buy an MPM-04.. paint it, and enjoy it. Tho, if it says Masterpiece, it should be good to go out of the box, but if you do get the Hasbro, paint it. It's worth it. I plan to do a picture painting guide based on American paints available in my customization thread in the customization forum. It will have all the areas and step by step guide that will look professional, so if anyone in the future wants to follow the guide and make theirs look more like the movies, it will be there for you to use. I plan to take pics of mine when done, and along the way to help with people who want to paint theirs.

In final analysis, I think painting my MPM=04 has made me love it even more. I have come to appreciate all the parts, and have become very very close to almost instinctively knowing the bot's engineering. I love this figure, and I am happy I got him. Especially after painting him.

Now you're making me assign you with painting my MPM-4, that is if I had one!

[Bumblebee21]

If you find an mpm-4 with a 72 stanped number code its should tab in correctly.

The 71 stamp code is the ones that dont tab in.

[william-james88]

If you find an mpm-4 with a 72 stanped number code its should tab in correctly.

The 71 stamp code is the ones that dont tab in.

71 tabs. I have a 71 and it tabs when I use the Emgo method.

[-Kanrabat-]

If you find an mpm-4 with a 72 stanped number code its should tab in correctly.

The 71 stamp code is the ones that dont tab in.

71 tabs. I have a 71 and it tabs when I use the Emgo method.

What tab where? Are we talking about the arms that connect to the shoulders/torso for bot mode?

[Bumblebee21]

If you find an mpm-4 with a 72 stanped number code its should tab in correctly.

The 71 stamp code is the ones that dont tab in.

71 tabs. I have a 71 and it tabs when I use the Emgo method.

Mine doesn't. The 72 number has more reported cases of it tabbing in.
His method didnt work on mine either.

[william-james88]

If you find an mpm-4 with a 72 stanped number code its should tab in correctly.

The 71 stamp code is the ones that dont tab in.

71 tabs. I have a 71 and it tabs when I use the Emgo method.

Mine doesn't. The 72 number has more reported cases of it tabbing in.
His method didnt work on mine either.

I think its really a your mileage will vary issue for both of them. There is no hard set rule for any of this.

And Kanrabat I am talking about the truck mode where the sides are all even and the truck nose is flush against the truck windows.