Barricade

Review by quinncat

When the first figures for Transformers: the last knight were revealed, I have to admit I was skeptical. The $5 price increase made deluxes cost a little too much, and the paint certainly isn't there to justify it. Despite that, I got two of them to satisfy my curiosity.

Barricade, the crooked cop Decepticon who served his time as Bumblebee's rival is returning for this fifth film with an entirely new character design. As a robot, Barricade is a little squat, but still pretty good. He actually features a very traditional hood chest design that is actually kind of refreshing to see on a movie robot that isn't Bumblebee. His design itself looks pretty authoritative and imposing, if a little boring, but that lack of interest found in his drab color scheme is quickly dashed away after
a quick look at those awesome brass knuckles!

Articulation is standard, aside from the fact that Barricade actually has wrist swivels! With that added movement, the figure can use a nightstick, and pistol that can both be held on many different points of the figure due to a tab slot connection system. This means that both weapons can store on his arms, or more appropriately his hips and I think that's an awesome decision. Finally, barricade comes with a gauntlet lined with gun barrels. This ridiculously cool and unique weapon can be wrapped around his arm using the same tab slot system as the other two weapons.

Barricade's size is actually kind of strange, as the figure is weirdly short and stocky when compared to other figures, including his rival, Bumblebee.

Transformation simple and actually kind of boring! The feet fold up, and the legs plug together to form the back of the car; the chest folds up, and the arms swing down, and fill in the remaining space to form the front. Finally, the back pack's doors unfold, and the whole thing connects on top.

In Vehicle mode, Barricade is a very threatening police car complete with a vicious brush guard that looks like it's just begging to cause other cars some serious damage. It's primarily dark blue with some black highlights to break it up which looks pretty dynamic. The white doors and blue and red sirens are a nice touch as well, and they really serve to turn a vehicle mode that could've been very boring into one that looks pretty cool.
The weapons can also store on the robot hips in this mode, while his gun gauntlet can actually be mounted on the rear windshield for an attack mode; what a cool touch!

With everything accounted for, the last knight Barricade is a flawed, but still enjoyable figure whose versatile and fun accessories more than make up for his plain appearance. Quite frankly I think this figure is definitely not worth $20.00, but it still has enough to make getting the figure for any less than that, worth the money