Size: Ultra
MSRP: $24.99
OUT NOW
Meeeeeeeeeeerry Christmas to everybody! Here we are fellow TransFans, another year has passed, and July 2007 is approaching fast! But let’s get serious, time goes by too fast and I have so many TFs to open… and to review, still! Directly from Giant Planet, here he comes… MENASOR!
And you thought that Decepticons were over numbered.
Giant Planet… I mean, we are in the end of a series, in a climax-like atmosphere… we finally arrive to a “Giant” planet, and, guess what? There’s only ONE Decepticon. A giant planet with only 3 characters, and only one is a Decepticon. Hasbro, Hasbro, Hasblow… with all the repaints and retooling you regularly do couldn’t you have done things better for this deserted globe? Sigh. Anyway, Giant Planet TFs have proved to be very particular, and Menasor surely is the most particular one. Let’s make it clear: Menasor’s transformation SUCKS. Just because I don’t want you to think that maybe there is some secret step in the sequence that nobody ever told you: most minicons have more complicated transformations. Just for you to know: straighten legs, join waist halves, open the front “shell” part and move arms down. Do you recognize any similarity with Micromasters from 20 years ago? The correct answer is: d’oh!
Do you recognize any similarity with anything else that old? As you may have guessed yourself, Menasor’s head is a direct homage to the G2 Decepticon logo, and that’s a sweet homage, I tell ya.
Once there was a single gimmick, called: “Transformation”. Damn youngsters.
As early as it is, many would not be wrong saying that Menasor, having an awful transformation, directly gets labeled as awful TF. But, but, Menasor is, in the end, a fun toy, thanks to its many gimmicks and features. First, there’s its own minicon, Heavy Load, a very small robot that fits into Menasor’s chest and attaches to its right arm to activate a drilling gimmicks and 2 claws. It can also connect with Menasor’s alt mode to create the Assault Dozer Mode, which is… worthless, actually.
It’s a tiny minicon, only Ramjet is smaller… but it’s a totally new sculpt and it has a nice alt mode, even if it could have some more paint applications.
Menasor’s left arm has 2 wheels, one above and one below it, that when rolled make the drill on his arm rotate. A Cyber Key can be inserted to activate an awful “drilling” sound, nothing great actually. A dead minicon connection point is available too, here. There is a pair of movable cannons located on Menasor’s chest panel; these weapons give the idea of Menasor as a walking fortress; a huge machine that is so big that it has offensive systems all around its surface. I really appreciate this feature.
Menasor’s legs can be reversed, separating the waist like in vehicle mode, to change into “Work Mode” nothing special, really. Please note that the instructions are wrong, too; they start with the vehicle mode having arms in the wrong positions, with the shoulders bent outside: there are connectors behind the heels and elbows that actually allow everything to lock in position when this TF is in its alternate mode… whatever it is.
To Transform or not to Transform, that is the question.
Well, Menasor has many positive sides: it’s highly articulated and fun to play with, thanks to its many features; please don’t forget that we are talking about a toy, primarily designed for children.
Nonetheless this toy is a Transformer; a “Robot in Disguise,” and a highly unrealistic vehicle mode and a very bad transformation doesn’t satisfy me at all. It seems that Menasor was mainly designed around its robot mode, as suggested from its great articulation, details and features; but… it’s a Transformer that we are talking about, and I don’t remember this brand becoming as successful as it is with robots whose transformations were just an afterthought, as in this case. On Elohim’s scale, I give Menasor 6 cubes out of 10.
See you in 2007! May this Christmas bring ridiculous amounts of TFs to all of us!
Take care,
Alessandro “Rikkomba” Riccombeni
The Bottom Line
Charles Emanuele– Alessandro is 100% correct. When I first got Menasor I thought I would hate the figure but with all the Minicon gimmicks I ended up really digging him. My only complaint is that he is to top heavy to be supported properly in “Work Mode.” I also feel that making him a Decepticon was a mistake since he is only bad for a handful of episodes, but like Alessandro said, there are only 3 “Official” characters for the Giant Planet so one of them had to be a bad guy. I would suggest buying him now that most of Cybertron is on sale for the holidays.
