Optimus Prime's alternate mode is a meteor-like "entry mode", seen for a brief period of time in the movie as he crash-landed on Earth. It's a very original idea. The execution on some of the details, though, seems a bit TOO coincidental, what with the wheel-like stubs on the lower sides of this mode along with the front bumper-like detailing on the front and the slanted windows. Besides, that, however, this mode looks really cool, even if it's not the most playable alt mode ever. The mold detailing is extraordinary, with every square inch of the toy covered in it. The colors are very basic, but very realistic for a meteor-like alt mode. It also fits with the movie toys' color schemes anyways, since they aren't about catching the eye with bright colors but instead looking realistic. The robot parts are covered up remarkably well, with many different little panels covering up pretty much anything that might be exposed in this mode. The only exception to this is the robot feet, which are pretty obvious on the back end of the vehicle. The flame piece that connects to the rear part of this mode is a nice touch, and makes the entry mode look "speedier" and more sleek than it otherwise would have been without that extra flame piece.
    Optimus Prime's robot mode is one of the more organic-looking designs in the Transformers movie toyline, due to the fact that a lot of the silver-painted detailing looks a lot like muscle fiber. The overall look is very great, and definitely makes Optimus Prime look "unfinished," almost like he's naked without his truck parts on. He's got a TONS of mold detailing all over the place in this mode, even more so than in his entry mode-- really, this is one of the most detailed Transformers I've ever seen, he looks great. His proportions are also spot-on, while being a tad skinnier than normal emphasize the "unfinished" look that the protoforms have going for them. His face looks somewhat like his truck-alt-mode movie design, but a bit more bird-like and without the coloration of said truck mode-- it looks quite alien, and very cool. Prime also has excellent articulation-- he can move at every single major point, including waist, wrist, and ankle articulation. You can get ton of poses out of him, though his hip joints are a tad loose. Optimus also comes with a gun, though the "firing" transparent orange plastic gun that fits in the gun's hole can't fire at all, it just sticks in its assigned hole, which is kinda lame. The only real problem I have with this mode, however, is that Optimus' back entry mode kibble just kinda hangs off without pegging into anything else or complementing the look of the mode-- there must have been someway to incorporate all that into the mode better, though it doesn't restrict movement all that much, at least.
    Protoform Optimus Prime is a pretty good toy, especially in robot mode where he has stellar proportions, detailing, and articulation. The entry mode may not be very playable and the fake "tires" are rather lame, but it's a cool idea for a Transformer nonetheless. I like Protoform Starscream a tad better (mainly because he has less kibble in robot mode), but I'd still recommend this toy as well-- it's not only original, but cool-looking as well.

Review by Beastbot

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