In all the twenty odd years of the many Transformers ranges, Ratchet has never had a decent toy. But now, with the Transformers (2007) range it could be that, at long last, his new form has come to the rescue.

Of the Autobot redesigns from the live-action film, it seems that Ratchet’s is the most extreme. Putting flames on Optimus Prime is nothing compared to taking Ratchet’s original vanilla white “Nissan Onebox” form and changing it to the make-way green “Hummer” off roader. It’s a radical change of clothes which just about fits.

Ratchet’s vehicle mode boasts the same detail and authenticity as the likes of Jazz and Bumblebee. This would be okay if it wasn’t twice the price. A lot of detail (such as rear doors) is missing from the back of the truck.

What the vehicle mode lacks, the robot mode makes up for. Ratchet is imposing, articulated and very sturdy. Joints are strong, and allow a lot of freedom. Like Jazz, the abdomen section is missing.

The head sculpt is nicely detailed and is a very close match to the Ratchet seen in the film. (Better than a sticker on a red plastic stub, owners of the original Ratchet might guffaw.)

The uselessness of both the “automorph” feature and weapons/accessories is exasperating. Rotating Ratchet’s feet pushes up the knees and, er, flexes the calves. The right forearm can transform into what can only be described as a plastic butterfly, and the roof rack can be mounted the left arm and opened and closed for the purpose of who-knows-what.

The weapons here are a far cry to the lethally serrated arsenal Ratchet deploys in the film.

Ratchet could almost be called disappointing, but in vehicle mode he could almost pass for an Alternator, and the robot mode is a formidable addition to the Autobot ranks.

Small details like the “Hummer” and “H2″ and the Autobot/rescue decals and the fact that Ratchet is unique among the hundreds of other Transformers to have a chest made from an upside-down vehicle front, give it extra points and nudge it into the “recommended” pile.

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Category: Transformers [Movie] (2007)
Tags: Emergency | Green | Ratchet | Truck

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