"Studio Series" Concept Art Megatron Toy Review

06/12/24

General Information:
Release Date: March 2024
Price Point: $54.99 (depending on retailer)
Retailer: General Release (Amazon, BigBadToyStore, Entertainment Earth, Target, Walmart etc.)
Accessories: Fusion Cannon

Official images and product description in italics below are from Amazon:

  • TRANSFORMERS: BUMBLEBEE CONCEPT ART MEGATRON: This Transformers Studio Series 109 Concept Art Megatron action figure is inspired by concept art of Megatron that was planned for, but never used in the Transformers: Bumblebee movie
  • TRANSFORMERS TOYS STUDIO SERIES LEADER CLASS: This 8.5-inch (21.6 cm) collectible action figures is highly articulated for posability and designed with specs and details to reflect the Transformers movie universe
  • 3 ICONIC MODES: This Studio Series Transformers toy is a Triple Changer, featuring 3 converting modes from robot to Cybertronian tank in 32 steps, then to Cybertronian jet in 39 steps
  • AWESOME ACCESSORIES: Transformers figure comes with a fusion cannon accessory that attaches in both modes
  • ARTICULATED FOR PLAY AND DISPLAY: Transformers figures feature articulated heads, arms, and legs for action poses
  • REMOVABLE BACKDROP: Removable backdrop displays the Transformers Studio Series Concept Art Megatron figure in the Cybertron Falls scene
  • COLLECT STUDIO SERIES MOVIE FIGURES: This action figure toy makes a great collectible figure gift for any Transformers fan. Look for more Transformers Studio Series toys to build a collection (each sold separately, subject to availability)

Bring the epic action of the Transformers movies from the big screen into your collection with the Transformers Studio Series Leader Class Concept Art Megatron action figure, inspired by concept art from Transformers: Bumblebee! Transformers Studio Series toys are collectible action figures that feature movie-inspired details and accessories. Convert the Studio Series Transformers action figure from robot to Cybertronian tank mode in 32 steps, then to Cybertronian jet mode in 39 steps. Pose the Concept Art Megatron toy in the included Cybertron Falls removable backdrop scene. Look for more Transformers Studio Series collectible figures to build a movie-inspired collection (each sold separately, subject to availability)! TRANSFORMERS and HASBRO and all related trademarks and logos are trademarks of Hasbro, Inc. © 2024 Hasbro.

The 2018 Bumblebee movie opened with a battle scene on Cybertron that took place before the title character arrived on Earth. During this sequence, many characters were shown in their Cybertronian forms including Arcee, Ratchet and Optimus Prime. One character that was notably absent was Megatron, leader of the Decepticons. Why? While never explicitely stated on screen, Megatron was already on Earth, held captive by Sector 7 on ice as seen in the first live action Transformers film. A scene showing Megatron was in the original cut of the film but ultimately removed. Megatron's appearance in that scene became the basis for this figure, hence the name "Concept Art Megatron". This is quite different from the way he looked in the 2007 film (which you can see as part of a Decepticon multi-pack to be released in July 2024).

Packaging:
Megatron is packaged in the standard rectangular Studio Series box. The cardboard is nice and thick (and at a Leader price point, it darn well better be!). The box itself mostly has a black background with the "Generations" and red "Transformers" logo on the right side. The top has the logo for the Bumblebee movie and towards the bottom is the "Studio Series" logo with the number "109", indicating which release this figure represents. The name is spelled out as "Concept Art Megatron". The artwork for Megatron is heavily based on the concept art from the film. You can see an alternate version of this art on the box for the Rise of the Beasts Titan Changer Megatron box. The figure itself can be seen through an opening with no plastic window.

The back of the box shows Megatron in all three modes. For his aerial mode it shows a 39 step transformation. For the tank mode it is 32 steps. In the corner it shows Megatron with the background included inside the box featuring Decepticons in the background awaiting their leader's command.

Accessories:
Megatron's weapon is his famous (or infamous) Fusion Cannon. The design of this weapon is influenced by the weapon wielded by G1 Megatron. You can see an example of this design on the Siege Megatron figure. This cannon is longer than his arm, measuring 5 inches (about 12.7 centimeters). The front half is a barrel with an end that can fit Blast Effects. The back section is much wider and features a ton of mechanical detailing, looking complex and alien. The front and back are gunmetal grey plastic while the middle is silver. A bit of red paint is used on the back section. The bottom of the weapon has a 5mm peg and there is another on the top. This is a cool interpretation of G1 Megatron's cannon and I'm kind of sad we never got to see it on the big screen.

Robot Mode:
When the 2007 live action Transformers film debuted, it was a hit at the box office and brought the Transformers back into the public zeitgeist for over a decade to come. However, one of the criticisms often lobbed at the film (from fans and non-fans alike) was the somewhat confusing looking design of Megatron. Megatron's 2007 design looked like a lot of metal shards and sharp angles fused together into a robot. While it worked to make him look scary, it also ran very contrary to the look of the character from G1 which was more blocky.

The design of this figure seems to be an attempt to take the classic G1 Megatron design and give it tons of "movie style" detailing. The basic shape of the figure calls back to G1 Megatron. His head has the same "helmet" shape as G1 Megatron, but with tons of more details on it. The chest is roughly rectangular in shape (really it's angled, but you can see the influence). He has armor on his hips that call back to the "saddle bag" type details on G1 Megatron. The legs have a rough shape that calls back to the gun handles that would be formed by G1 Megatron's legs. All that said, every inch of this figure is covered in tech details. His forearms have details like cylinders sculpted into them, the chest has tubes showing right under the armor plate in the center while the legs have small circles that look like a series of rivets holding his armor plates in place. These descriptions only scratch the surface of the detailing on this figure. I'm actually stunned at the amount of sculpted detail on this figure. Every inch has something to look at and the result is a highly detailed and evil looking figure!

Megatron is made up of gunmetal grey, silver and black plastic, all classic Megatron-esque colors. Paint colors on this figure include silver, red and purple. Red is used on the eyes, arms and legs which is a nice callback to G1 Megatron's colors. A purple Decepticon symbol is found in the center of his chest. The deco is gorgeous and it does a great job of calling back to the spirit of G1 Megatron's colors while looking a bit more realistic and machine-like.

Megatron stands at about 7.5 inches (about 19.05 centimeters) tall. He's not super big for a Leader Class figure, but I suspect that being a triple changer and having a lot of articulation factored into the cost and size. How much articulation are we talking? There are twenty eight points of articulation on this figure, which is a lot even for a Leader Class figure! Each arm has seven points while the legs have six. His "hip armor" can also swing out to the sides and back, allowing his legs a broad range of articulation. You can get some fantastic poses out of this figure including a version of the famous "hero pose". I was also surprised to find not only does he have wrist articulation, but finger articulation as well! This figure has four 5mm ports in this mode, one on each forearm and two on the back. His hands also have slots to carry accessories with 5mm pegs.

Transformation to Tank Mode (Starting in robot mode):

  1. Detach the Fusion Cannon and set it aside for now.
  2. Straighten out the arms and legs.
  3. Make sure each hand is balled up in a fist.
  4. Open up the gunmetal grey panels on each forearm, swing the fists in, then close the panels.
  5. Swing the hip panels back.
  6. On each lower leg, swing the silver panels near the ankles out.
  7. On each lower leg, swing out the tank tread sections.
  8. Swing the robot feet into the front lower leg panel, then connect the bottom of the feet to the treads.
  9. Swing the silver panels back in place, then swing the ends of the panels up so they are set horizontally.
  10. Swing the panels that cover the area in between the legs forward.
  11. Pull each leg and the hip joints down.
  12. Swing the hip armor back into place and push the panels from two steps ago down.
  13. The arms and back are all connected together. Swing this section back.
  14. Turn the robot head around then swing it back. At the same time the chest will move up.
  15. Rotate the legs to align with the chest piece then connect them to the tabs on the sides of the robot's upper body.
  16. Under each thigh section, pull the treads out a bit to level them with the treads connected to the feet.
  17. Push the section with the back and arms on it all the way down, clipping it into place.
  18. Swing the arms towards each other and connect them at the shoulders, meaning the arms will be set out at angles.
  19. Rotate the forearms so the elbows bend inward and the 5mm ports on the sides of the forearms face each other.
  20. Swing the top section of the Fusion Cannon forward so the two 5mm pegs align.
  21. Connect the Fusion Cannon to the 5mm ports.
  22. Rotate the cannon barrel so the tab at the end of the barrel faces up.

Tank Mode:
Megatron having a tank mode in the live action movie universe is not without precedent. He had a Cybertronian tank mode in Revenge of the Fallen. This tank mode however is different. Sure there are treads on the sides and a turret in the middle, but really, it largely looks like what I like to call a "because we say so" mode. The arms forming most of the turret section look a bit awkward to me, but I do like how bulky the legs/treads look. The tank really does give a sense of power in its appearance even if the turret is a bit odd looking.

Most of the parts showing in this mode are the same as the robot mode, so there are not a lot of color surprises. That said, I really do like the bits of red paint detail popping from the silver and gunmetal grey colors. Sure there are no real color surprises, but it still looks great.

While this vehicle mode is a tank, the treads themselves do not roll in any way nor are there small wheels on the bottom. That said, the turret can swivel in a circle and you can move it up and down, which is always a pleasant surprise.

Transformation to Aerial Mode (starting in tank mode):

  1. Separate the arms and swing them out to the sides, separating one of the arms from the Fusion Cannon.
  2. Detach the Fusion Cannon and swing the base piece forward.
  3. Move the back/arms piece up.
  4. Detach the legs from the main body and rotate them back.
  5. On each thigh push the tread pieces in.
  6. Move the hip armor back.
  7. Swing the legs back up, locking the hip pieces back into the same position they were at in robot mode.
  8. Under the chest panel, swing out the cockpit sections and swing out the nosecone.
  9. Swing the robot head forward slightly and rotate it around, then push it back into place.
  10. Swing the side panels under the cockpit section in.
  11. Swing the back/arms section back, then swing the back piece forward, covering up the robot head.
  12. Reattach the Fusion Cannon to one arm, rotate it and the other arm so they face each other.
  13. On each lower leg section, detach the treads from the feet, then swing out the treads to turn them into boosters.
  14. Swing the lower leg panels up and connect them to the tab on the boosters.
  15. Swing the legs out to the sides, then rotate the legs so the tread pieces face out to the sides.
  16. Swing the lower legs against the thighs, connecting the tabs on the boosters to the corresponding slots on the thigh treads.
  17. Connect the tabs on the panels between the legs to the silver sections at the top of the thighs.
  18. Tab each forearm into the corresponding slots on the legs.
  19. Reposition the Fusion Cannon so it points forward.
  20. The back of the Fusion Cannon tabs into the section between the robot legs.

Aerial Mode:
Megatron's aerial mode looks a bit like some type of alien fighter craft. Instead of being long like an Earth jet, it is kind of wide with wings at the end and a small cockpit in the front. The Fusion Cannon winds up at the bottom, acting as the primary weapon for the vehicle. Upon initial transformation, this vehicle looks good. However, after moving it a bit and trying to shift parts into alignment the tabbed in parts have a tendency to fall apart. The mode looks good when transformed, but it lacks stability.

This mode mostly shows off darker colors like black and gunmetal grey. The only real "new" part is the cockpit, which is mostly black with a red strip that looks like a cockpit window.

Final Thoughts:
Concept Art Megatron is an absolute treat of a figure. The robot mode is beautifully sculpated and its articulation is amazing. It manages to embody the spirit of G1 Megatron while doing something different with the design. That said, the alt modes are not the strongest to come out of the Transformers line. The tank mode is good, but the aerial mode is not particularly stable. That said, I still highly recommend this figure!

Pros:

  • Excellent robot mode sculpt.
  • Beautiful deco that calls back to G1 Megatron.
  • Amazing articulation.

Cons:

  • Alt modes are not particularly strong.

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