Optimus Prime [Big Figs]

So, I might have bought something dumb.

Part of the Transformers: The Movie 40th Anniversary theatrical run included various merchandise. Because, that's kinda the point of why these companies make these things. However, one of the coolest items is the subject of today's post, a Target Exclusive Big Figs Optimus Prime by Jakks Pacific.

Big Figs and other brands like it are massive action figures, generally around 18" to 48" tall. For a while there, they were everywhere. I don't think it was possible to walk into a Toys R Us without walking down an aisle and finding a small gathering of them.

I haven't seen them in a while, but they seem to have become more of an online item lately, as I just don't see them in person as often as I used to. Apparently they're still pretty popular, though, and I get it.

There's nothing like a giant-ass figure of a character you like.

That's why I got this one, a 30" Optimus Prime Big Figs tied into the Transformers: The Movie 40th Anniversary and sold exclusively at Target stores.

He's apparently pretty popular, as stores have been having a hard time keeping him in stock and the thing is getting resold for less-than-favorable prices by resellers. Fortunately, on a whim, the Mrs. was checking the Target app for some cat food for a pickup order and found one in stock for delivery only.

So we jumped at the chance because that's what you have to do in these instances.

Arriving a few days before my viewing of the movie in theaters, Optimus Prime is a lot bigger than I realized.

Like... I knew he was 30 inches.

But the number "30 inches" on your phone screen doesn't really register until he's standing in your living room, mingling with the Halloween blow molds at our fireplace.

Wow...

There's truth in the name. That's a Big Fig.

I feel like I have to say this now, because there's always that one person who's going to ask. And I get it. The line is named Transformers. There are expectations.

However, no, he doesn't transform.

You're not getting a 30" action figure that turns into a truck for thirty-five dollars. You can hardly get a standard Deluxe Class Transformer for that now.

It's probably also worth noting that articulation is pretty limited. He's got shoulders, elbows, and a head. It looks like his wrists swivel, but to be honest, I haven't tried. There's no leg articulation, though I've seen folks in groups modify theirs to allow for it.

Considering how heavy he is, about six pounds, I wonder just how floppy of a mess those Primes are now.

I've been seeing the Shogun Warrior/Jumbo toy guys go nuts over this. Which is to be expected, because this is right up their alley. But he doesn't really have that Shogun Warrior look.

This looks like a big-ass Optimus Prime that you'd expect to see in standard-sized retail packaging.

I've heard more than one person claim that his sculpt is almost identical to the Leader Class Studio Series 86 Optimus Prime toy. Both are intended to look like Optimus as he appears in the 1986 movie, so no surprise there.

It is possible that CAD files were shared, or that one of those Studio Series toys was scanned to make an STL file from. I'm not sure if that's the case or it's just a coincidence. 

But it's safe to say this looks like who it's supposed to.

Which is part of the point.

The other part is that it be big as hell.

Which it is.

Optimus doesn't come with any accessories, but I've been seeing folks 3D-print guns and Energy Axes for theirs. That looks pretty fun. I hope to get into 3D printing soon, and even though I want to focus on smaller projects, I can see how rewarding it would be to deck this guy out with stuff.

Personally, I kinda want to make a Tommy Kennedy to reenact the live-action segments from Season 5.

Really, despite being just a big silly toy, this thing is causing so many fans to have a lot of fun. They're parading it around social media, pretending it's their new child, making things for it, and just generally enjoying their big silly robot toy.

Frankly, it feels like the perfect thing to go along with the 40th Anniversary showings.

I've been jokingly calling it this big dumb thing, when the truth is...

I love it.

In buying something dumb, I got something awesome.