Grimlock's already been covered in my reviews. He was one of the first characters in the Studio Series line, he had the Fall of Cybertron figure on my table, and a while back, the Cyberverse version got the spotlight. They did get smaller as the reviews went along, but now we have the Studio Series 86 version of the guy, who I did want but I wasn't too keen on how the cartoon portrayed Grimlock. Like he and the other Dinobots were the same guy just split in 5, so I kinda preferred Grimlock being more intelligent and even more hateful towards the Autobots in the Marvel Comics. Of course, cartoon Grimlock being stupid won fans over, though I do find it works for his dino mode than his robot mode. Oh and Wheelie's included...he's just there to add to the collection. Now let's get to the review!
Here is Grimlock in his Tyrannosaurus Rex mode, which is in the traditional upright posture he's known for. This guy has the fat yet charming look to him that makes the design iconic to old school fans, and while there are some weird design aspects to him that I don't like, such as the holes on one side of his face or the gray arms looking cheap, he does have a good feel in terms of plastic quality compared to some of the other Leaders in the past. Mind you, it's not 100% as dense as the Masterpiece, but it is close enough if you ask me. The sculpted details look great on him, and the gold for the stomach and neck are nice touches compared to the bright yellow from the initial pics (the neck was originally clear instead). Another weird thing I found on the figure is the lack of front teeth. The articulation on this guy includes a head that looks up and down, opening jaw, neck swivel, hips that move front and back, in and out somewhat, knees that bend, swivels above the dino knees, and arms that move on a ball joint here the shoulders are as well as hinge up and down at the elbows.
He has one of two accessories, which include a nontransforming figure of Wheelie. This gut is smaller than a Core Class figure and has some hollowed parts yet does look nicely painted as well as have a separate accessory for the slingshot. He's even posed to hold the slingshot, but this is a pre-posed figure. He has a ball-jointed neck, ball-jointed shoulders, a waist swivel, and ball-jointed hips. He can sit on Grimlock with the two tabs around his neck and have him sling whatever he uses against the Sharkticons! Grimlock lacks effect pieces but I used Cyberverse Grimlock's fire breath accessory to compensate it.
For a dinosaur mode size comparison, here he is with Siege Ultra Magnus, Earthrise Optimus Prime, and Thrilling 30 Jetfire. I think the size he has is correct, as he should be the size of a real T-Rex while not being in the current posture. He's at the same height as Magnus, taller than Optimus, and shorter than Jetfire. Also shows how Optimus and Grimlock are meant to be in the same line, as the sculpted details between the two are on-par with each other; Magnus is more detailed than either character while Jetfire is somewhat more stylized and smooth. Also lacks some of the WFC-styled weapon ports.
Transformation for this guy is exactly how you'd expect, as he's got the tail-becomes-legs, legs-become-arms, and stomach-becomes-chest type of conversion Grimlock has. Simpler than the Masterpiece version of the guy, but that's not a bad thing since he's still fairly involved. It isn't just G1 with knees, and stuff like the back kibble being on there gives him that distinct Grimlock sihlouette. As for the robot mode, it's undeniably Grimlock as always. He's got the same amount of rich details sculpted from top to bottom, and the gray complemented by the red, black, and gold makes this figure work even more. The dark clear chest piece is distracting at first, but I think it works well and also makes the chest have a little more color to it. The lower legs have these rectangular shin lights(?) that are in the proper colors and also add a bit more color to what would be the more monochromatic part of the toy. If you look at the shoulders, forearms, and lower legs (even the feet and back!), he has more WFC weapon ports than with either character used in the Studio Series 86 line. It's almost like Grimlock was meant to be in Earthrise or what would be a version of Kingdom before the Beast Wars characters were brought in; Jazz, Kup, Blurr, and Hot Rod have 5mm feet, but Scourge and Grimlock feel like the bigger signs that point to the fact that this was not meant to be a Studio Series 86 release.
Head sculpt is perfect for the guy, and while I prefer the red visor, the blue visor is nice, reflective somewhat, and looks cool on him if you ask me. The sculpting is also more detailed here than with the other guys, who look more cartoon accurate while Grimlock's more pronounced. His articulation is the same as with every WFC guy in existence, including a waist swivel and ankle pivots!
The gun he has can be held in his hand with no problem, though he lacks a sword. At the very least, Wheely can perch on his shoulder so the two can take down the bad guys together! Still, a sword accessory would be nice if you ask me.
As the first repaint of an SS86 Leader, the Shattered Glass subline gave us an evil Grimlock, much taller and a better toy than the old Classics Deluxe. I do wish the grey plastic was painted silver on the claws and neck, but I would love to see that metallic purple on a sexy sword if we're going to exclude Wheelie. Still, thr Trypticon colors are good on him.
For a comparison with other Grimlocks made before him, here he is with the Masterpiece and Power of the Primes version of the character. The Masterpiece still holds up as a great figure even without the cartoon style recent offerings had; in fact, I prefer MP Grimlock over the recent MPs! He's got some chrome on him as well as a somewhat-stylized take on him that makes him feel less proportionate to Grimlock's character model, which the Studio Series 86 figure does by having him be beefy. That being said, both are really good versions of the character, but now that I own a nicely-made Grimlock that cost me a good price, I wouldn't really need to put the MP Grimlock in a CHUG display. As for Power of the Primes Grimlock, well, he was fine for the time, but he definitely feels more like a midpoint toy between the Studio Series 86 guy and the Authentics figure that is bigger. Like the proportions are wonkier with that figure, the wings aren't there, and the figure had to compromise its appearance for Volcanicus. Now Volcanicus was a cool idea, but it is proof that with how pre-established Grimlock's design is before becoming a torso, it'll be hard to make the design work well without compromising Grimlock himself. Not a bad toy, but it dated faster now that we have SS86 on board.
And here he is with the same figures I had, which now has Grimlock tower over Magnus by a head while still being shorter than Jetfire. Wheelie is obviously the smallest of them all. The scale works well to me, and while some will say that Siege Jetfire is more accurate, he's too tall next to the other guys and thus requires me to go with Thrilling 30 Jetfire instead. That won't stop me from wanting Siegefire if I get him at a good price. But yes, these guys look good overall, and it makes me hope Hasbro does the rest of the Dinobots. Sludge should be a Leader, while Slag, Snarl, and Swoop should be Voyagers. When and how we'll get them is beyond me, though.
And here he is with other Grimlock figures from different eras of the franchise, consisting of Studio Series Grimlock as he appeared in Age of Extinction, Cyberverse Deluxe Grimlock, and Generations Fall of Cybertron Grimlock. While the AOE guy is the most distinct of them all, he is the biggest (and would also get the help from both RID Grimlocks to shut up naysayers about his appearance). It's funny how I have FOC Grimlock here because some would use him as a CHUG Grimlock compared to Classics if they don't have the Masterpiece, but it makes me so happy to own the SS86 version of Grimlock instead. Like, there's nothing else that he needs apart from a sword and maybe a crown. Forget about a stupid apron and drinks! I don't care about the brain transfer helmet! This guy's perfect and is also the best out of the offerings in the SS86 wave! Still waiting for The Fallen and the other AOE Dinobots, Hasbro. In the meantime, get this guy if you see him in stores, and I do mean it because of how the scalpers are with getting toys.
Final ranking:⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ out of ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
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