One of the most anticipated figures shown off at Toy Fair 2017 for me was Movie Masterpiece Bumblebee. A higher end, more detailed, more complicated version of Bee than what has come previously with plans for semi-in-scale future figures. As someone who enjoys the Movieverse version of Bumblebee and his alt form Camaro, getting a definitive version was welcome. We have the Asian version in hand, which is out now and shipping from site sponsor TFSource. Read on to check out some additional thoughts and then head on over to Reflector @ TFW2005 to see all 65+ HD pics!
Recent Masterpiece Releases: MPM Bumblebee, MPM Optimus Prime, MP38 Optimus Primal, Megatron, Sunstreaker, Masterpiece Pre-Orders.
MPM-3 Bumblebee : Additional Thoughts
Normally I don’t go into wordy reviews because we all see the same pics and vids, leading up to release and when it’s out – you’ll get it if you dig it. However, I wanted to drop some feedback here. There are a couple issues that are unnecessary and otherwise detract from a great figure.
Alt Mode issues – If this is supposed to be a “general Bumblebee”, then getting specific points on the alt mode isn’t that much of an issue. I let things slide (in my head) when mass-release versions are not exact due to price, time, etc. However, this is supposed to be Masterpiece Bumblebee, and specifically Movie 1 Bumblebee. There are multiple things with the Alt Mode that are just flat wrong if that’s the case.
1 – The front fascia (front end) of the car is wrong. It’s a 2010 mass market Camaro SS version. This is what most toys are, aside from Transformers, because it was the flagship version of the car. However, the concept Camaro seen in the movie was different. The movie is closer to what the 2010 Camaro LS/LT (aka V6) version is. The movie version had what became the V6 bumper lines, and a “mail slot” vent on the upper fascia. The mass market 2010 SS version had the beefier lower lines, and the mail slot. The mass market 2010 LT version had the concept lower lines and NO mail slot. So, this toy has those features exactly backwards.
2 – The wheels are the wrong color. The color used is very close to Chevy’s Midnight Silver option on the 2010 Camaros. It’s should be a bright silver / chrome.
3 – The sidemarkers (side turn signal lights) are from the mass market release. The concept one in the movie had custom thin versions. All versions of Bee did.
4 – The mirrors are from the mass market release. Concept movie version had custom thin mirrors. All version of bee did.
5 – Door handles should have been custom thin, and silver. These look molded off the mass release car, and painted black which neither version had.
6 – Color is off – the color yellow used on this is very similar to the mass market Camaro release, Rally Yellow. No version of Bumblebee used this yellow, and not many, if any, previous Bumblebee toys by Hasbro or Takara used this yellow. See this pic below for how starkly wrong it is even by toy standards.
All this leads me to believe that someone phoned it in on this one. They took a base 2010 Camaro SS mass market 3D file and style guide, chopped it up (brilliantly), and called it Bumblebee. But no one paid attention to the finer details above that makes MOVIE 1 BUMBLEBEE special. Which is sad for a definitive Masterpiece version.
Bot mode issues – Not many here. Engineering is great, but there are some issues with execution.
1 – Balance and weight. The figure is very top heavy, back heavy. I can accept that. However, the legs, specifically lower legs, can’t hold this weight well. There are two little slots down by the feet that are supposed to snap in. Those pop out with dynamic positioning. There is a little peg that pops down behind those slots to add balance. Helps, but doesn’t address things. There are also two extensions that go back behind the figure. These, if they weren’t floppy as hell, would have worked. But they might as well not be there because with any weight due to a dynamic pose, they just bend to the will of the weight. Bottom line, posing him in anything but traditional angles is a nightmare, and if you need to slightly adjust something you will probably need to start over getting the feet right.
2 – Head – the lack of ball joint sucks for dynamic posing. If you get his body in a running or ducking style pose, his head is always cocked weird like he’s got a neck brace on.
3 – Overall – not “tight”. He isn’t loose or flimsy per say. But he doesn’t hold poses well. You adjust the arms, the chest moves. Adjust the chest, the legs move. Feet issues above. Fix those, the back wings move out of place. Getting him “right” is just a pain in the ass.
Now, all that being said, still love the figure. Once you do “get him right”, he’s great. I’d really like him to be a bit bigger, but if it means getting bots close to scale, then I’m ok with it. Just keep it consistent long term.
It’s a valiant first attempt, I’d love to see these issues addressed in a re-issue down the road. Bring on Optimus. And Barricade. And Ironhide, and ….
Check some key shots below, or the full set in our gallery system here!
ShylockZeuss
If I remember correctly, Takara's MPM-3 has grey eyes whereas Hasbro's are blue. For Optimus, Takara uses a light gray plastic instead of Hasbro's dark gray. Other than these 2 figures, there aren't any differences for the other MPMs.
harrismonkey
someone may know differently, but I’m pretty sure in the mpm line there aren’t supposed to be differences.
there is however a whole world of KO’s of this toy with all kinds of differences out there.
Throway
Sorry to revive a dead thread, but does anyone know the difference between the Takara and Hasbro versions?
Cheers
User_136440
I agree with you on all these points (though the cannon doesn’t bother me); to me the thigh panels need to be rotated 180 to look right, they just look awkward as they are. It’s a shame that this and MPM-04 get so much right, but enough wrong that they stop short of being true Masterpieces (plus Hasbro’s choice to remove some paint apps from Optimus doesn’t help) because Barricade and Ironhide both look excellent, all things considered.
miromax
Hi, everyone,
I've jus bought a mpm 3 copy from TF direct, factory leaked version which was cheapier. It seems like it has some flaws, head plate cannot fit properly, when transforming in to bot mode, Also I cannot peg properly chest piece to upper chest/car front, so basically it just stays/lays on top of peg, and so on. Is this common issue, or is it something wrong with this batch? It did came in takara box, it does not seem like it is KO.
airun_71
It is definitely a great attempt of accuracy and bold engineering, quite expensive, yet enjoyable. However, several questionable design choices make it still far from being considered a Masterpiece.
I do not understand the small wings attached to the doors instead of under the roof of the car, possibly with a pivot point to rotate and ball joint to adjust pose; the detachable tip of the cannon (for the sake of symmetry?), instead of a flip up cannon integrated in the arm; the lack of pivot for the thumbs to rotate properly; and last but not least, the lenghty ugly back heels (for the sake of stability), that do not even try to resemble the actuallheels in the movie, which is not really a necessity after all. I managed to replace them right away with more accurate heels and still got good stability (check out my thread in regard Heavy/Scratch: – MPM-3 Bumblebee Custom). (not to mention the wrong model of car and color, that has been pointed out in many reviews)
Tipsycon
Just got a copy of mpm bee and its amazing. Its worth the price. I only wish he had the accesories more from the previous toys before like the throwing stars or the battle blade and etc. Must have been even cooler.
WEEGEE
Whatever opinions you had however good or bad have been made invalid because you willingly purchased tlk grimlock.
Creedog
No way. I've transformed mpm3 several times now, and voyager tk5 megs, opti, and grimlock don't compare. At all.
He's much closer to an MP car, if not more complex than the newer ones like MP-28 hotrod. Also, his alt mode is huge, much bigger than most MP cars, although the same size in bot mode.
My only issue with the toy is the yellow. Wtf? It's like the orange MP -21 bumblebee. Why oh why? I can't believe that takara/hasbro is this stupid. It has to be restrictions imposed on them by the car manufaciurers.
All that said, I would much rather pay $50 for the smaller MP's. And $180 for an MP seeker is r@pe.
Seth Sunthay
Mmm no.
autobotlongarm
Couldn't they copy the vehicle model from NFS Undercover? At least it looked close to Bee, except that the main paint is silver, other than that it could be considered the base model for it.
Sigmus Prime
This is what has me by the throat and won't let me go. I've been anticipating this figure since its reveal and I really like what I've seen of it thus far, but I don't know if I like it to the point where I'm willing to spend $80+ on it. If this was marketed at standard Leader price, I'd jump on it in a heartbeat. But as it stands, I can't say I'm 100% sold yet.
Chaos Muffin
Those pics are sex!
Hope you experiment around with more lighting like that TLK Prime gallery
ar78
It just isn't good enough for $80. $39.99 maybe but not $80. There is barely more to it than a mainline Voyager class. The original Human Alliance Bumblebee is superior when comparing based on price points and features.
Justice for megatron
Am I the only one who thinks that these movie masterpieces don\'t look that Good? The rotf leader optimus and the premier deluxe rotf bumblebee look so much better
Justice for megatron
Am I the only one who thinks that these movie masterpieces don\'t look that Good? The rotf leader optimus and the premier deluxe rotf bumblebee look so much better
Swoop Dogg
Not to everybody. I don't care if it is the right shade of yellow or correct version of the alt mode. MPM-3 rocks!
Ramjet555
…so I'm not sure if you know what the Masterpiece line is, but that answers your question. Not being the right color and alt. mode is kind of a big deal.
[Wing_Saber-X]
Loving those pics, crisp and noice as usual @Tony_Bacala ! The Key shot of the whole group of Bees are awesome! :