Optimus didn't want to look at the camera.

So, pictured are Bumblebee (in his '74 Camaro form), Jazz, and Optimus Prime from the shouldn't-be-available-for-sale-yet Transformers movie line.  Well, BB and Jazz are to be available now, but I got them before Hasbro lifted the June 2nd release date on them, so they still count in my book.

I picked up the Leader class Optimus Prime toy last night at a local Fred Meyer.  He's a real piece of innovative engineering, let me tell you.  His transformation is almost Alternators-level of irritating at first.  But, after a couple times through it, it's not nearly as bad as the Alternators (worst TF line ever IMO).

Optimus has amazing articulation.  I would list off all the points, but that would make for a boring read. The only things that would imprive the articulation would be if his head could look up and down and if there was a swivel waist.  The design of his transform negates any chance of waist movement and the electronics do the same for additional neck movement.  Ah well.

Speaking of, Optimus has electronic lights and sounds, but they're limited in their use.  In truck mode, the press of a button gets you light-up windows and a truck horn.  During transformation to robot mode, as his head raises out of the chest, the windows and eyes light up with some accompanying laserific sounds.  However, once in robot mode you get nothing. Not that I'm a big fan of the light and sound gimmick, mind you.  It just would have been nice to not have to dip his head into his chest every time you want to light up the eyes.

He is huge in both modes and while I usually frown on Transformers larger than the deluxe class, I really like Optimus.  The paint apps are pretty good, the articulation decent, and his transformation is complicated yet fun, unlike those damn Alternators.  His swing-out blaster is pretty neat too.