Optimal Optimus - Beast Wars - Figure

What would Transformers be without the name Optimus? It's a hallmark (not the greeting card) of the Transformers universe. And Optimal Optimus outdoes all the other Beast Wars toys and then some. The fourth version of the Maximal commander (he was a bat, a gorilla, a Transmetal gorilla prior) is his largest and most impressive form yet.

Robot Mode
In robot mode, he towers above the rest at 9 inches (12 inches if you count the shoulders and wings). Optimus features the first articulated hands I can recall in the Transformers line. The four fingers move together and the thumbs can be positioned as well. He features over 18 points of articulation as well as a nifty paint job. Blue chrome covers his lower legs and shoulder plates while purple-ish chrome covers his upper arms. He also has the Maximal emblem on said upper arms.

He is also the first (and only) Beast Wars toy to feature a light-up action. After installing the 2 AA batteries in his backpack/shoulder area, pull back on the two rear-most thrustors to activate the lights in the missile launchers and robot eyes. Just be careful not to look directly in front of the missile launchers while doing this. It hasn't happened to me (yet), but I've heard of others being shot in the eyes by Optimus while attempting to get a good look at the lights in the launchers. My advice would be to either fire the missiles before hand or pull back slowly and stop as soon as the lights turn on.

Transformation
While Optimal Optimus does have three modes in addition to his robot form, they are a tad on the disappointing side. The gorilla mode is almost a mirror of his robot mode, with only the rocket launchers being on his back and having a gorilla head.

The land cruiser is the gorilla laying down on it's stomach with the hands clasped together in front and the jet mode is the same except that the arms are off to the sides and the wings extended outward. The nicest part is the cockpit. The clear canopy opens up to a spacious one-seated cockpit with all kinds of controls and do-dads. Especially nice is the fact that the micro figures from the Beast Wars Micro-Universe line fit inside perfectly.

Overall
Overall, Optimal Optimus is a terrific toy that most kids (and grown-ups for that matter) will enjoy.

Reviewer	ViceGripX
Date	November 1st 2001
Score	(8 out of 10)
Reads	10824