(NOTE: Because this is a repaint, this is not a full-blown review. This mainly covers any changes made to the mold and the color scheme, and merely compares it to Prime "Robots in Disguise" Weaponizer Optimus Prime. For a review on the mold itself, read the review of the Prime "Robots in Disguise" Weaponizer Optimus Prime figure here.)

    Given how the "Beast Hunters" version of Ultra Magnus is a remold of the original Prime Optimus Prime, I suppose a remold of the Weaponizer mold into Magnus was inevitable-- having it come out as a "Platinum Edition" instead of a mainline release was a surprise, though. Ultra Magnus keeps his basic "patriotic" color scheme of blue, white, and red intact on this version, but they're VERY nice shades of the color. The dark blue in particular is a magnificent shade-- it's substantially darker than the blues used on other Prime Magnus toys, and contrasts extremely well with both the pure white plastic and dull red parts throughout his chassis. He's also got a few bits of black, such as the requisite tires; some silver paint here and there; and there's a bit of light blue in terms of some paint apps on his chest and on his hammer, along with just a touch of yellow on his headlights (or fake headlights, in the case of the robot mode detailing). It all makes for an incredibly gorgeous color scheme-- I wish more Magnus toys had this dark blue, in particular. Being a Platinum Edition toy, he's also got planty of paint apps (mostly red and white) throughout his form, so no large portion of him is left unbroken by other colors.
    Ultra Magnus also has several mold changes made to make the toy look much closer to his Beast Hunters design. Obviously his head is remolded (with a spot-on, crisp, show-accurate sculpt), but his large shoulder pieces are also new, as is his chest in robot mode and vehicle roof. He's also got a BIG new weapon accessory, the Hammer of Solus Prime that he acquires in the TV series. It's nearly as huge comparative to Ultra Magnus that it is in the show, so it's a nice, beefy hammer that really gives him a "strongman" presence even moreso than he already had. (It also has handles so that he can hold the hammer with both hands at the same time.) The orangish-tan coloration on it looks quite nice, and the light blue paint apps on the center and the "spokes" makes it look like it's humming with power, again giving Magnus another show-accurate detail. This all makes for a very nice-looking robot mode that keeps looking admirably close to his show model-- however, in vehicle mode this all falls apart. The biggest offenders here are his shoulders which-- due to the transformation-- now simply are stuck as large odd protrusions on the sides, and are incredibly unsightly. His robot chest halves also don't even fold behind his cab section, sticking out further behind the big shoulder protrusions. His hammer also doesn't fit anywhere out-of-sight, thus making all those weapon & robot extras in the back of the vehicle mode that are inherent to this mode even MORE obvious. Ultra Magnus has the same electronic features as Weaponizer Optimus (complete with the same red light that shines on when his "Weaponizer" gatling guns are activated).
    "Platinum Edition" Ultra Magnus has a supremely eye-catching color scheme, and the remolding done looks incredible in robot mode-- the headsculpt and weapon in particular. However, the vehicle mode is even MORE unsightly here than it is on Weaponizer Optimus, mostly due to the big shoulder sections sticking out of the sides. If you want a nice, big Ultra Magnus with a cool weapon and the best color scheme, this is the version you want (so long as you can swallow the premium price); but I wouldn't put in him vehicle mode much if I were you, as it's a much better robot mode piece.

Review by Beastbot

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