Transformers Generations: Wheeljack

Presenting the Hasbro version of Transformers Generations Wheeljack. One of the most famous and beloved Transformers, co-creator of the Dinobots, and one of the supposed holy grails of the Transformers Generations line is unfortunately nothing more than a re-tooling of Transformers Generations Tracks.

I was initially excited about getting Transformers Generations Wheeljack so you can imagine my disappointment to find out he was a re-tool.

In his defense though Transformers Generations Wheeljack's re-tooling is more than just a new head, accessories and a paint job, they gave him a new body-kit - a rear spoiler and a front spoiler/air dam. The final transformations are also different as tracks has to twist his lower torso to complete his transformation while Transformers Generations Wheeljack just splits his legs open and that's it. I purchased this particular figure on e-bay courtesy of Victoyoyoys for PhP 790 inclusive of shipping.




Transformers Generations Wheeljack's card reads "Wheeljack is a brilliant risk taker, both in his lab and on the road. His inventions are both the cause of and solution to many problems as he pushes the boundaries of science and engineering in his quest for the next big thing. Due to the daring nature of his experiments, his lab needs to remain isolated - mostly because it blows up on a regular basis."



Transformers Generations Wheeljack was originally a Lancia Statos Turbo sporting Alitalia (Airlines) livery (Although the Alitalia logo was not visible in the cartoons, just their colors). Transformers Generations Wheeljack also drops the Alitalia logo but maintains the green and red stripes. He also - as previously mentioned, drops the Lancia Stratos Turbo body in exchange for Track's Chevrolet Corvette C6 married to a Dodge Viper with a front and rear spoiler thrown in.

We should note at this point that the front spoiler severely reduces the  maneuverability of Transformers Generations Wheeljack  -  a vehicle this low and with such a front spoiler tends to always scrape the ground given a slight increase in incline.

Transformers Generations Wheeljack is one super long car

At this point you can see a major paint boo-boo:  The paint at the edge of the roof and the windshield is pretty rough. At first I thought that the product was damaged, but upon closer inspection I realized that it was painted that way.

Also like Transformers Generations Tracks, he has an alternative flight mode:

Now here is Transformers Generations Wheeljack side-by-side with what he should look like from the cartoons:

Yes, wrenches.

Unlike the attempts to keep Transformers Generations Kup as true to the original as possible (i.e. cylindrical arms, etc...) because they decided to re-tool Transformers Generations Wheeljack, most of items that would have brought it closer to the original - other than the paint scheme - is gone. Of greatest note is the disappearance of the rounded chest-plate which Transformers purists will hate. The bulky block chest-plate that Transformers Generations Wheeljack has actually makes the figure even more awkward as can be seen here - it actually gets in the way of what would otherwise have been fine articulation.

So much so that you actually cannot make Transformers Generations Wheeljack look good except at certain angles. More often than not, Transformers Generations Wheeljack comes across as bulky and dare-I-say... fat.

Another prominent problem would be Transformers Wheeljack's eyes. The image on the left shows the un-augmented natural look of the Transformers Generations Wheeljack. His eyes are dark and they are further darkened by the ridge of his helmet. The image on the right has my Adobe Photoshop changes to his eyes just to bring it out. This isn't quite the fault of Hasbro, it's more of the natural progression of his face, but if there was a way to lighten it, it should have been taken into consideration.

Alternately, you can take Transformers Generations Wheeljack's extending shoulder cannon and use it as a pistol, mounting the wrenches on his shoulders instead. I actually kind of prefer this look.

Which brings us to the closing of this review. Transformers Generations Wheeljack could have been much much better and it would have been much better if Hasbro wasn't trying to make a quick buck by re-tooling a figure and passing it off as another character by popping off his head. If you want this particular figure for the hype, go ahead, but prepare to be disappointed.

Oh and one more thing: Transformers Wheeljack is short!

Yes you're short.

Yes you're really short

And you're fat too!!