Blackout '07
TRANSFORMERS REVIEW
Even as a "Voyager" sized Transformers toy, Blackout is
too small. Part of the range based on the characters
from the Transformers (2007) feature film,
Blackout is supposed to be the largest of the
Decepticons. But, sadly, as a toy his helicopter mode
is a much, much smaller scale than the rest of the
range.
As a "MH53 Pave Low" military helicopter, Blackout represents the shape, detailing and colour scheme of its real life counterpart almost flawlessly. I say almost, as obviously in real life there isn't a giant switch on the tail fin that activates the rotors. Nor is there an upside-down robot scorpion kept in a fuselage-mounted cage. In this mode, Blackout makes for both an excellent display piece, and an excellent play piece.
In theory, the transformation of Blackout from helicopter to robot should be smooth and logical. But the fact that the "automorph" feature never works and the end result is a small robot with the back-end of a helicopter mounted on its shoulders is both a frustration and a disappointment.
I love the look of Blackout in robot mode. His dark teal colour scheme is splintered with black and grey detailing. And though his robot head looks like it belong as part of the Spawn toy range, and looks nothing like the Blackout in the film, it certainly adds to the menacing nature of the robot. Articulation is limited and the helicopter "back pack" is cumbersome and clumsy. It can be removed and transformed into a weapon as well, but I think it's best left alone.
Blackout comes with a mini-figure of the non-transforming Scorponok, which can be deployed in helicopter mode by despressing a button to open the cage. For its size, Scorponok looks faithful to his film incarnation and the detailing is good, too. There is a "deluxe" sized Scorponok available too that can interact with Blackout, but don't expect to see a review of that on the Hub.
Blackout barely scrapes "recommended" status, and this is only due to the helicopter mode and a personal preference towards the colour scheme. Adding up the faults, faulty "automorph" mechanisms, fragile rotor blades, his pathetic sature compared to the likes of Ratchet or Ironhide of the same size-class, means that, as with a real helicopter, you should approach with caution.
Blackout was released worldwide in 2007 as part of the line based on the characters from the live-action "Transformers" feature film.
As a "MH53 Pave Low" military helicopter, Blackout represents the shape, detailing and colour scheme of its real life counterpart almost flawlessly. I say almost, as obviously in real life there isn't a giant switch on the tail fin that activates the rotors. Nor is there an upside-down robot scorpion kept in a fuselage-mounted cage. In this mode, Blackout makes for both an excellent display piece, and an excellent play piece.
In theory, the transformation of Blackout from helicopter to robot should be smooth and logical. But the fact that the "automorph" feature never works and the end result is a small robot with the back-end of a helicopter mounted on its shoulders is both a frustration and a disappointment.
I love the look of Blackout in robot mode. His dark teal colour scheme is splintered with black and grey detailing. And though his robot head looks like it belong as part of the Spawn toy range, and looks nothing like the Blackout in the film, it certainly adds to the menacing nature of the robot. Articulation is limited and the helicopter "back pack" is cumbersome and clumsy. It can be removed and transformed into a weapon as well, but I think it's best left alone.
Blackout comes with a mini-figure of the non-transforming Scorponok, which can be deployed in helicopter mode by despressing a button to open the cage. For its size, Scorponok looks faithful to his film incarnation and the detailing is good, too. There is a "deluxe" sized Scorponok available too that can interact with Blackout, but don't expect to see a review of that on the Hub.
Blackout barely scrapes "recommended" status, and this is only due to the helicopter mode and a personal preference towards the colour scheme. Adding up the faults, faulty "automorph" mechanisms, fragile rotor blades, his pathetic sature compared to the likes of Ratchet or Ironhide of the same size-class, means that, as with a real helicopter, you should approach with caution.
VERDICT:
Blackout was released worldwide in 2007 as part of the line based on the characters from the live-action "Transformers" feature film.