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Deluxe-class Autobot Chromia

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27 comments posted
About the mysterious lever,

About the mysterious lever, it's a plug to connect all three sisters and form a combinded robot. This idea was dropped from the movie, but not from the toys, at leat fully. So, the instructions remain silent on this, but the toys probably are still able to merge. We need Flareup released to prove this theory, though.

Wallas's picture
Posted by Wallas on 29 August, 2009 - 03:20
One of the things you need

One of the things you need to understand about my reviews is I use sarcasm and deception. While I may say that I don't know what something is or why it is, off-the-record I usually know the reasons behind it... just like the levers on both Chromia and Arcee. In review, I intentionally keep things a mystery- this encourages the reader to read future reviews by me on CDX!
Another example: when I get around to covering the DX Shinken-Oh, in that specific review I will not reference any of the the super combos or accessory mecha that came later... even though the review is coming out months after we learned all of this!

This is a technique that a lot of writers [not just on CDX] use- keeping back enough information to keep the reader interested. Deception and misdirection are some of my favorite writing techniques. However, I will not outright lie- I may casually say something along the lines of 'I'm not certain...' in the text of the review, but I will tell you if I don't know something for certain!
I write everything as if it is brand new, with no foreknowledge of what is to come later in the toy line; that includes in my videos as well.

So, yes- I knew about the lever's purpose months ago, and that Flareup is needed for the combo to be seen. And since I intend to cover all three sisters, you will be hearing from me on it!

. . .

Other than the above, what did you think of my review?

I wonder if the combo will be called Elita-One? lol
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CollectionDX Staff

EVA_Unit_4A's picture
Posted by EVA_Unit_4A on 29 August, 2009 - 03:32
Heh, I know, I use sarcasm

Heh, I know, I use sarcasm and irony a lot in my reviews as well, deception varies, sometimes I do it in a long run, some times just for few paragraphs, I suppose sometimes exposure of information can be equally as effective method of keeping the reader amused as hiding it. But everyone choses his own path in reviewing :) Still it's nice of you for explaining your ways ;)

I'm going to run Chromia's gallery-review as well (not here at least) after I finish dealing with Skids's text review and wonder how will it work.

To answer your question on my feedback for the review. It's good, I see a lot of your personal style in it and I like that. I think you could interlude the paragraphs with more pictures though, it's both more legible and interesting. I think I'd prefer it to hyperlinks to the gallery. I'm not saying you should give every photo here, but a few more would probably do the trick. Also, while I admire your ability of background information gathering, I do not find such extensive background really important that often. It works here, but when you review Super Sentai toys I sometimes overload with information that are completely new since I was never interested in the shows themselves

But that's just me, if it works for you, it's okay, one can always skip the intro and proceed to the main toy review, which I usually do.

What I would recommend without sticking to the "it's your way of reviewing things" catchphrase is your photo background. I know the toy is the important factor here, but a solid background, even if only rested on the edge of the table and the wall, would make things look smoother and even more likeable, at least it works in my case. Just to show what I mean, a rough excerpt from my Chromia's WIP gallery folder.

http://odsiebie.com/pokaz/5142239---881e.html

Anyway, I'm looking forward to your next review and hope you don't mind that I snatched Voyager Starscream by creating his gallery folder on CDX, I'll probably handle him between my Microman/ GI Joes reviews :)

Wallas's picture
Posted by Wallas on 29 August, 2009 - 04:31
:/ ...actually, I was

:/

...actually, I was thinking of reviewing Voy Screamer for CDX. But, if you want to, go ahead; I can cover Leader Screamer instead (though I was waiting to see what he looked like before I committed to buying him).

To prevent from stepping on each others' toes, we CDX staffers reserve reviews ahead of time.
For the record, I will be covering all of the new fully-transformable Autobots from RotF that appeared directly in the movie except for Wheelie. I may cover a few Decepticons (Demolishor and Scalpel are waiting to be published), but I'm still undecided if I wanna cover Leader Megs and Supreme-class Devastator or not.
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CollectionDX Staff

EVA_Unit_4A's picture
Posted by EVA_Unit_4A on 29 August, 2009 - 12:28
I know, even though I'm not

I know, even though I'm not in the staff I have access to content and saw what TFs you were going to review, but Starscream wasn't simply there. Tell you what, since I'm not even sure in what time I'll tackle that guy, I'll give him some thought and then we'll decide together who's doing him :) Still, I find him one of better ROTFs.

But he's the only toy from the line I think of covering, the others just don't make enough sense for me. Instead I want to cover some TF reissues, two Revoltechs (one is almost finished) and few more Micromen and Joes... maybe even my Binaltechs :)

Eva, I hope you didn't buy Devastator already, he's not worth the MRSP of 99 dollars. I Had him briefly in hands when I was distributing some stuff from Hasbro to my photo-helpers and I think he just isn't worth it.

Wallas's picture
Posted by Wallas on 29 August, 2009 - 12:42
No- I haven't finalized my

No- I haven't finalized my list for the Decepticons. I'm thinking of getting Long Haul (despite his over-the-head kibble), and as I said above, I already have Demolishor and Scalpel.
I prefer to get the toys that are in-scale as much as possible.

Beyond that... :/

Scrapper isn't coming out, nor are Hightower and Overload, I turned down Sideways (didn't like the toy), Rampage is "meh" in toy form, Soundwave is too small and a triple-changer (both "meh"), and I don't want Ravage even though he's cool on-screen.

There's Leader Megs that I'm still debating (I won't get the Voy of him because I want him standing eye-to-eye with OP), but I don't know if I can swallow his bulky vehicle mode and poorly-articulated right arm even though he has some great detailing & features.

And, like I said, I was waiting to see how Leader Screamer turned out before I commited to getting/reviewing him, but I would have been satisfied with the new Voyager ver of him.

If I can find the Candy Toy-like version of Devastator, I may get that instead. While the Supreme-class's lights and maw are impressive, I'm not sure about the simplicity of the rest despite his amazing bulk!
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CollectionDX Staff

EVA_Unit_4A's picture
Posted by EVA_Unit_4A on 29 August, 2009 - 12:54
We'll see about that Voyager

We'll see about that Voyager Starscream, Eva :)

Trust me, he's only about 1/4 bigger than Supreme Unicron and by no chance holds to scale even within the set. I wouldn't pay 100 dollars for electronics, no matter how cool.

If you don't like the transforming versions of Constructicons, you can always get the EZ Collection (Legends) from TakaraTomy, they are small, but transform in both ways and still combine.

I don't like ROTF toys that much either. I think I prefer the Classics/ Universe 2.0 style of robot designs. Which gives me enough funds to buy some older stuff :)

Wallas's picture
Posted by Wallas on 29 August, 2009 - 13:03
Leader-class Starscream spotted

TFormers.com just posted images of Leader-class Starscream. From the few they have of him, they look good; very intricate like Optimus Prime is!

I need to see his vehicle mode before I nail down covering him, but the robot mode has me convinced thus far.
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CollectionDX Staff

EVA_Unit_4A's picture
Posted by EVA_Unit_4A on 15 October, 2009 - 01:05
I just wish I could find

I just wish I could find all the completed CGI models of these guys as opposed to their painted concept artwork-!
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CollectionDX Staff

EVA_Unit_4A's picture
Posted by EVA_Unit_4A on 29 August, 2009 - 12:40
Good review

I appreciate the review. It's the best look at the toy I've seen yet. I just can't get too enthused about the design, though. It was passable on film, but in my opinion didn't translate into toy form very well. I've found myself buying far fewer Transformers for this movie than the first.

djinniman37's picture
Posted by djinniman37 on 29 August, 2009 - 09:12
Yeah- I wasn't as

Yeah- I wasn't as impressed with the toy offerings this time around either, and had to be convinced of a few of them. (I won't get any of the repaints, The Fallen, or Wheelie.)

For Chromia, her leg wasn't as detailed as I'd like, but the rest is fine.
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CollectionDX Staff

EVA_Unit_4A's picture
Posted by EVA_Unit_4A on 29 August, 2009 - 12:30
Nice, indepth review...

But, I just can't get on the "Bay-formers" band wagon.

Kenny G's picture
Posted by Kenny G on 29 August, 2009 - 11:24
A lot in the second film

A lot in the second film made me finally question if Bay should helm the next one. But, I won't discuss that here...
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CollectionDX Staff

EVA_Unit_4A's picture
Posted by EVA_Unit_4A on 29 August, 2009 - 12:35
I agree. There isn't

I agree. There isn't anything about the toys or the movie that I find appealing.

"Dinobots, destroy Devestator!"-Optimus Prime TFTM

Goldenage's picture
Posted by Goldenage on 29 August, 2009 - 11:46
Oh, the special effects

Oh, the special effects and sound were fine- it's a lot of the rest I had the problem with! But I won't get into that here...
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CollectionDX Staff

EVA_Unit_4A's picture
Posted by EVA_Unit_4A on 29 August, 2009 - 12:32
Nice review, I like how much

Nice review, I like how much research you put into it. I'm an avid motorcycleist, been rideing for nearly 16 years now, most of which has been on supersport bikes. I currently own a 2003 Suzuki TL1000R as well as a 2004 SV-650S...The TL was kinda Suzuki's unsuccessful attempt to take on Ducati -great fun V-twin super bike, but a little too porky and with some strange engineering solutions for the task of raceing....The SV is a great fun everyday kinda bike, sorta Suzukis version of the now classic Ducati Monster.

Naked sport bikes are a fairly new subclass that is basicly factory produced "street fighter" style bikes. More about style than performance (although they can and do perform quite well). The B-King uses a detuned Hayabusa engine and is more of a muscle bike (like muscle cars -more at home on the drag strip than turning corners on a race track).

BraveMSW's picture
Posted by BraveMSW on 29 August, 2009 - 16:49
Nerd...

Ah- thank you for the technobabble!

For the any alt mode in any series/movie that has real vehicles involved, I try to bring in as much of its info as I can, as much as I do of the fictitious character's background. But- as I pointed out- I am not a morotcycle enthusiast, and so wasn't certain of any highlights I should mention.
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CollectionDX Staff

EVA_Unit_4A's picture
Posted by EVA_Unit_4A on 29 August, 2009 - 18:55
Do they really say the three

Do they really say the three bikes are one intelligence? I didn't get that idea from the movie.

I have to agree with those of you saying they aren't too fond of these toys. I bought Rmapage,and he was just impossible to transform back and forth. He moved away to atticville. The only other ROTF figures I bought were Skids and Mudflap as an ice cream truck,but that was more because of the hillarious vehicle than how good of a toy it was.

kidnicky's picture
Posted by kidnicky on 29 August, 2009 - 18:38
Well, that's the thing-

Well, that's the thing- the toy manufacturer says one thing, and the movie's team says another! And then I read the reverse of both, so I have no solid answer! Even though they were written as individuals by Orci, Kurtzman, and newcomer Kruger(sp?), this was supposedly a decision that Bay made- to make them a hive mind with separate bodies. Thus, Hasbro, presumably, is working off of the earlier script drafts where they were individuals.

But, as I stated above, there is no direct evidence stated in the movie itself to suggest that they are a hive mind rather than unique personalities. (We only see them in action twice, and Arcee only speaks once before she and Chromia are hit by Decepticons in Egypt.) And all of this, of course, becomes even more confusing when you take into consideration that Mudflap and Skids are unique individuals despite being 'twin brothers' (though Hasbro did allow for them to share a telepathic link for the company's sake).

The common theme, though, is that Arcee is team leader regardless.
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CollectionDX Staff

EVA_Unit_4A's picture
Posted by EVA_Unit_4A on 29 August, 2009 - 18:51
You barely see them...

In ROTF it's very hard to discern each because of "Bayformers" (like this new phrase) action. Arcee, Chromia & Aunt B, there designs are unique but not very attractive. A mesh a scattered parts discernable in the movie action sequences. There was so much buzz and blur of motion during there actions scenes. Oh ya, and as we all know no further character development for any of robots from the first film. The only Arcee I know is a pink car from Transformers G1 movie, the best.

Lizardspock's picture
Posted by Lizardspock on 29 August, 2009 - 21:34
In Bayformers-2, the three

In Bayformers-2, the three sisters are Arcee, Chromia and Flareup.

Okay, we're kinda moving into dissecting the movie itself here rather than the toy, but... One thing I was ever-so-grateful in the second film was that, in intence moments of giant robot action, there wasn't foreground sh*t passing between them and the camera; that pissed me off to no end in the first movie.
And really, if you have seen the first one, then you are kinda acclimated to the fighting style and the blur of 10,000+ parts. Aside from trying to keep track of what they were actually doing (the slow-motion really did help in those instances), my mind didn't freak out this time around.

(One thing I didn't like was how The Fallen's face was a mask of sorts- there should be no under-face for dear ol' Optimus to rip off! Either decapitate him with a sword, or blow his head off.)

True- we didn't get much furthering character development... unless you count Mikaela's tan, and Sam's marked propensity for immortality. :/
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CollectionDX Staff

EVA_Unit_4A's picture
Posted by EVA_Unit_4A on 29 August, 2009 - 22:46
In Bayformers-2, the three reply

I feel like this site needs a whole new discussion forum to cuss positive or negative about ROTF, all of us I thing have a lot of opinions still whether you love it or hate it, and seeing these toys sometimes brings out certain comments about the movie. When we should stick to the toys "I" and maybe other see the image of that movie character from Transformer and start to make comments about ROTF movie. I still do it can't help it at times... I only saw the movie once, but I'm pissed we never got to know, Sideswipe and the other blue car that pulled Optimus & Jetfire together to fight the Fallen, WTF! Hey just saying. Your a staff member maybe set a forum or something... maybe it's nonsense but as Transformers fans I think it's good to talk about the movie more, positive & negative opinions as long as we don't get out of hands (including myself). And yes, I commented on the forum/podcast comments when I think that guy Andy did it?

Lizardspock's picture
Posted by Lizardspock on 30 August, 2009 - 18:05
FIgma?

Is this in anyway in scale with the figma toyline?

exia00astraea's picture
Posted by exia00astraea on 1 September, 2009 - 16:59
Re: FIgma?

I'm sorry- in scale with the wha-?
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CollectionDX Staff

EVA_Unit_4A's picture
Posted by EVA_Unit_4A on 2 September, 2009 - 15:51
Re: FIgma?

The Deluxe-class triplets are not in-scale with any other fully-transformable figure, if that's what you're asking.
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CollectionDX Staff

EVA_Unit_4A's picture
Posted by EVA_Unit_4A on 2 September, 2009 - 15:53
i meant to say..

what i meant was if the triplets in any way in scale with good smile company's figma action figures or Shouhaku henshin so i can use as a bike

exia00astraea's picture
Posted by exia00astraea on 2 September, 2009 - 23:11
Oh, I have no clue since

Oh, I have no clue since I've never even heard of those lines before. Perhaps someone else on CDX could answer that better than me.

For Bayformers-1, people were fairly consistent online in keeping track of what scale all the fully-transformable figures were to their real counterparts, but that seems to have been left by the wayside this time around.
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CollectionDX Staff

EVA_Unit_4A's picture
Posted by EVA_Unit_4A on 3 September, 2009 - 00:15