Robots in Disguise Landfill
First off I'd like to mention that I often mix the American and Japanese names of these
guys, so Wedge is Build Boy and Landfill is Build King, and the team is the Build Team, though
Hightower, Heavyload and Grimlock keep their American names. There really wasn't a point to
all that, so on to the review!
Build Boy
Build Boy, or Wedge (his American name) is the leader of the Constructicons, though you'd never
know from the tech specs since they don't say anything about him. Anyway, he's a pretty cool
looking bulldozer in vehicle mode, rolling along on his little tracks (which are static, he
really rolls on small wheels under them). This mode is prety solid, I have no gripes about it.
The only thing that sets this apart from the rest of the Build Team is that he's a bit smaller
than the rest (which makes sense since he's supposed to be the youngest member).
Transformation isn't too tough, though the legs may confuse you at first as they twist a lot. Once
transformed he's pretty cool. However, the major problem is his complete lack of heels, making it tough
to get him to stand, or even keep him standing once he's up. Having him hold out his arm with
his gun attached helps since it puts more weight on the front of his feet.
Grimlock
Grimlock, no longer the dinosaur we all know and love, is a green steam shovel. I never saw a green
steam shovel, but the color works in its own weird way on this mold. Like Build Boy he has static
treads with tiny wheels for him to roll around on. The major problem I have with vehicle mode is
his shovel, which has very limited movement. It's not overly necessary, but it would have been nice.
Transformation is a bit tougher on Grimlock since his legs have some complicated hinge joints
(which play a big role whe he's the arms of Build King) which may give you trouble. I had to resort to
the directions for that part. The final result is not too impressive as Grimlock has legs longer than the
rest of his body and his shoulders are too close to his body so his arms look all funny. Grimlock is
by far the tallest Constructicon, even taller if you attach his steam shovel to his back. He completly
towers over Build Boy, who barely comes up to Grimlock's waste. Grimlock, like Build Boy, also has
some trouble standing, though not as much, and he lacks any sort of gun, with only his shovel for
defense.
Hightower
Shares the same name as the original Constructicon crane, though this Hightower is red, not yellow
or green. His crane mode is pretty cool, though the parts that form his legs don't seem to want to mesh
together too well. Other than that it's pretty solid, no complaints.
Late Update: Heh, the original crane's name was 'Hook', not Hightower. Hightower was the huge dude in Police Academy. Don't ask me how I mixed them up.
Transformation is pretty simple, but the end result is very blocky. Hightower has massive shins and
shoulders and skinny lower arms and thighs. However, I'll overlook that because his crane gun
is pretty cool, as Hightower has by far the best arsenal. Speaking of which, he even has a little
handgun that stores in the drivers seat of the crane. He's the only one to come with a gun of
that sort, so I guess he has to protect Grimlock and Heavyload who are essentially useless in
battle (well, Heavyload has a big shield, but Grimlock looks like he would only be able to get
shot). Hightower doesn't quite look as ominous as Grimlock when standing next to Build Boy, but
he's still taller by two heads.
Heavyload
Heavyload is the only construction vehicle with actual construction colors (well, maybe Build Boy
as well, though orange isn't too common anymore). His vehicle mode has the same blocky design
as Hightower, with the same leg meshing problem I mentioned. However, his dumping thing (the actual name
of it escapes me at the moment) works like a real dump truck, so we can overlook it I suppose.
His transformation is erily similar to Hightower's, with the end result being the same pretty
much with a few exceptions. First is that his dumping thing stays attached to him (actually, it can be
removed, but then he has a gray tab hanging from just under his chest which has a suggestive sort
of look to it) as a shield/weapon, so it makes him look kinda stupid. Second he has no weapons to
speak of, unless you count his shield which also makes this chomping action. I don't count it. Finally
he has a funny smirk on his face, unlike the others who are all frowning or have a neutral look. Pretty
funny actually, worth picking it up for that smirk alone I'd say.
Build King
I really don't like the name 'Landfill', they should have come up with something better for the
love of god. Hell, why not just name him 'Compost' and be done with it?! Whatever. Anyways,
the cool thing about ol' Build King is that any of the three limb folks (Heavyload, Grimlock and
Hightower) can be any limb. Two are the legs and one does some major bending to be both arms.
Build Boy finishes it off by being the chest and head and adding some shoulder pads. Seems cool,
but using Hightower or Heavyload as the arms results in two annoying things. First off the arms
become stumpy looking, and second off Grimlock makes a really bad leg, so I always use Grimlock
as the arms.
Assembling Build King is simple with the exception of whoever becomes the arms. The two legs are
pretty much just vehicle mode, as is Build Boy. The arms must undergo some major changing, but the
end result is pretty cool I'd say.
Build King is slightly out of proportion. He has stocky legs, but a small upper body, so it's
clear he was probably designed in mind to have Hightower or Heavyload be his arms since they add
some extra width to his upper body. However, like I said, Grimlock is a sorry excuse for a leg,
so I guess if you want to buy an extra Hightower or Heavyload instead of Grimlock, Build King would
look a whole lot more symetrical and proportioned, but who the hell would do that?
So, flaws aside, Build King is pretty cool, though of his components, only Wedge (Build Boy) is
worth it as a standalone, as the others have some weird feature or another to them. However, buying all
four, while it will probably cost you over $40, is probably worth it, though the combiner is
nowhere near as cool as Omega Prime, but still, cool anyway.
'Nother Late Update: Sorry if it annoyed you that I kept calling them 'Constructicons' as Constructicons are Decepticons, but come on, can you not see the connection?!
