Lockdown [Star Raiders Collection/Deluxe Class]

Getting back to the Star Raiders is Lockdown. Lockdown original appeared in Transformers Animated, and was so popular that he was worked into other Transformers settings. This newest figure has the bounty hunter joining up with the space pirate crew... and that feels pretty fitting. He isn't wearing a Star Seeker/Raider insignia, so I like to imagine he's either a new recruit or just in for the ride. Either way, a new Lockdown toy is always welcome. Lockdown uses the Axlegrease mold as a base with a newly sculpted head. Axlegrease herself is a retool of Scraphook whom was also reworked into Tow-Line. Clearly that mold has gotten some use over the past few years, I've talked about Tow-Line, whose post will have details I may miss when talking about Lockdown today.

The use of a Junkion mold fits Lockdown pretty well. The spikes and Mad Max vibes fit his design... and that car mode makes me think a Lockdown was intended from the start when Axelgrease was conceived. The head sculpt looks great, I think I like the 'G1' version of his looks the best. It really brings everything together nicely and just works. Being from a Junkion mold, you can combine his parts with other bots or similar gimmick toys to create various armors and weapons. Considering Lockdown's penchant for collecting trophies of his hunts, I like to imagine him wearing another bots parts. Speaking of parts, he's got quite a bit of accessories. An engine block that can be wielded as a gun or split into two guns (that's neat). Two exhaust pipes that one can get creative with. Do what feels natural, man.

Two thrusters that can be combined into one double barreled blaster or held as two. not to be left out is a hook that I believe is in all instances of the mold, but works well for Lockdown as you can combine it with one of those thrusters to replicate his trademark hook hand. In the image I have all his weapons shown without any sort of rhyme or reason other than wanting to show off all the parts. You can get creative and combine them in a variety of ways. Transformation to car mode is relatively easy and I don't have any real complaints. I did have a problem at a few points due to thinking a part fit differently than it did, but that's my fault, not the toys. In car mode Lockdown looks badass. The various spikes combined with the engine block and pipes just makes for a crazy looking car. I'll never drive something like this in real life, but if I did, it'd be awesome pulling up to the CVS for my medication in it. Lockdown is a satisfying toy and it's always good to see him make an appearance. He was a welcome appearance under the tree as part of my Christmas gifts from the Mrs.

Shooting The Chase

Transformers Animated was a pretty good time. A healthy mix of pleasing the fans while doing something fresh. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't jealous of these cool SEGA arcade games featuring the Animated crew. In another time, I could see myself going nuts trying to collect the cards and use them in game. In this time, I could see myself going nuts trying to collect the cards and use them in the game. I'm more partial to 'The Shooting' because there's nothing like a SEGA light gun game. Though 'The Chase' looks fun too. Admittedly I'm a little focused on the generic Decepticons. Specifically the Lockdown based ones. I want to know more about those guys.

The Last Knight Hot Rod

When the first sneak peaks of Hot Rod in TF5 hit the internet around summer 2016, I was excited. Hot Rod/Rodimus Prime is one of my favorite Transformers characters and even though his design wasn't traditional, I thought he looked pretty cool. So when the TF5 movie toys began coming out, Hot Rod was exclusive to Walmart (like Stinger before). Though for whatever reason, waves past the initial push didn't come to stores in the standard time frame or not even at all. Hot Rod was available online, but not on shelves (except for a 3 step toy). Fortunately in the recent months he did appear at Ross stores and his deluxe figure has been making appearances at the stores in the recent weeks. So, you can get a Hot Rod and an ugly pair of Nike at the same place!

Hot Rod is based on the Age of Extinction Lockdown deluxe mold with a new parts and color deco. This works really well and makes for a better Hot Rod than Lockdown oddly enough. It's a good toy mold with ample articulation and good use of color and sculpting. It wouldn't be mistaken for the more premium Studio Series figures, but does look really nice.

If I had any complaints in this mold, it's that the joints on mine were a little too tight and I was worried I'd wrench a part off. The only loose part was one of his weird shoulder pad thingies that came off way to easily. Fortunately it went right back into place, but not without getting cursed out for it's annoyance. I wish Hot Rod had an accessory. Maybe his time freezing gun from the movie, or a cool movie style Targetmaster. That'd be really neat actually. I know, I know, I can buy a gun on shapeways or something. But I bought the figure for 9$, spending 20$ plus shipping for a gun isn't exactly something I'd like to do. That'd be like paying 5$ for french fries to go with a 2$ burger.

Speaking of expensive choices, Hot Rod's car mode is a Lamborghini Centenario. Which is a very fancy car that costs more than I can fathom. Seriously, I've never spent more than 25k on a car. I'm very simple. Seriously, what's making that car so fancy? Does it have cup holders that fit those really big drinks or something? Regardless of the pricey car, it's really cool looking. This is a car I could see a traditional Hot Rod turning into and a little eagle eyeing the car's details could show how a clever paint job could make him look even more G1.

Transforming him, however, wasn't something I enjoyed. I don't hate it or anything, but I don't want to do it often. It's not overly hard, just fiddly enough to get everything to snap into place to be frustrating. One you do, it's in place though. Just like going back to robot mode, just frustrating to get everything into place. Though considering the smooth looking car mode and solid robot, if that's the only complaint, then there's nothing major to complain about.

Like if his name was Rodimus Major.