Post by zephon on Jan 15, 2008 21:24:58 GMT 8
I guess since I got the Reprolabels from GT GH that I owe them a copy of this review:
Jazz has always been one of the more enigmatic characters during the G1 cartoons. He had a unique way of talking which projected his image of someone into style and attitude. He was alive and kicking in the animated movie and even went as far as to have a Pretender toy of him made.
When the first run of the Classics line came out, we were treated to an updated take on familiar G1 characters such as Optimus, Bumblebee, Jetfire, Grimlock and Mirage....but there was no love Jazz. Then the movie came (and you know what happened to him there) and we got an exclusive repaint of TFTM Deluxe Jazz in G1 colors. But to me, that still wasn't my "Classic" Jazz.
In my opinion, the Alternators version of Jazz is the nearest toy that's currently out that would fit my definition of "classic" Jazz. He may be a Japanese car now, but it's still a Japanese car with style!
Alternators Jazz is a white Mazda RX-8. His Binaltech version came out as an off white/pearl white metal body Mazda AND a red one. The Alternator version came out in the initial red box packaging and the latter bubble packaging for Alternators.
This model of the Mazda RX-8 features an opening hood, trunk and all 4 doors. It even has the unique "suicide" type passenger doors.
Being a part of the Alternators line, Jazz also has a detailed car interior. Since the Alternators are targeted for the US market, this Mazda RX-8 is a left-hand drive (as opposed to the right-hand drive Binaltechs).
I did mention that this is a 4-door sedan so it would only make sense that there are 4 seats on this car. The passenger seats can also be seen for this model:
errr....hold on...do I hear someone complaining? ...that this white Mazda RX-8 is too plain to be taken seriously as a classic take on Jazz?
hmmm.....well, that is something we just have to fix
I was lucky to grab a sheet of Reprolabel stickers to pimp this ride as worthy successor to the "Jazz" name!
Now, this is what I'm talking about!
The Reprolabels for Alternators Jazz evoke the G1-style details on the Mazda RX-8. A "Martini Racing" sticker is placed on the windshield; a couple of bumper details were added; and most importantly, the "4" and the red-and-blue racing stripe are now on the hood.
Over at the rear end, the racing stripe goes all the way from the hood then to the roof and ending at the trunk. Additional "Martini Racing" details are also placed on the rear bumper.
Over at the side, more racing stripes are placed and the all important "4" and "Martini Racing" decals are placed on each front door.
The effect of the Reprolabel is very very beautiful, to say the least!
Jazz' transformation from car to robot mode is quite similar to the transformation model of the Subaru Alternators -- minus the popping out shoulders. One can consider this as a refinement or "take 2" of the Subaru transformation model.
The details added by the Reprolabel decals can also be seen very well when Jazz is in robot mode.
The robot's face is undeniably G1 Jazz! No such thing as "it's Jazz coz we say it is" like the Jazz in the 2007 TFTM!
Just like with all Alternators, Jazz' weapon is also concealed within his car mode. In this case, it's not the engine that becomes the gun but rather the muffler:
From this:
To this:
Here's Jazz armed with his weapon. The robot mode features a decent level of articulation. Yes, me may have those HUGE feet but they have these adjustable heels under them to help in his stability. There's knee, hip and ankle movement, there's a shoulder swivel and even a double-jointed elbow. The only thing missing is the bicep swivel on each arm.
Well, we are talking about doing a classic take on Jazz and there still seems to be something missing....Ah, it ain't totally G1 unless we've got those shoulder mounted rocket launchers! Here's a shoulder-mounted rocket launcher from the (unofficial) "Binaltech Arming" set on Jazz. It can't get any more G1 than this!
With all that pimpin' done on Alternators Jazz, I believe the character himself would love it. There's nothing wrong with your basic white Alternators Jazz, but with a touch of Reprolabels, you are gonna marvel at what it will do to Jazz. I have to admit that despite having the 2 BT versions already, I bought an Alternators version with the sole purpose of "Jazz-ing" him up with Reprolabels.
Jazz has always been one of the more enigmatic characters during the G1 cartoons. He had a unique way of talking which projected his image of someone into style and attitude. He was alive and kicking in the animated movie and even went as far as to have a Pretender toy of him made.
When the first run of the Classics line came out, we were treated to an updated take on familiar G1 characters such as Optimus, Bumblebee, Jetfire, Grimlock and Mirage....but there was no love Jazz. Then the movie came (and you know what happened to him there) and we got an exclusive repaint of TFTM Deluxe Jazz in G1 colors. But to me, that still wasn't my "Classic" Jazz.
In my opinion, the Alternators version of Jazz is the nearest toy that's currently out that would fit my definition of "classic" Jazz. He may be a Japanese car now, but it's still a Japanese car with style!
Alternators Jazz is a white Mazda RX-8. His Binaltech version came out as an off white/pearl white metal body Mazda AND a red one. The Alternator version came out in the initial red box packaging and the latter bubble packaging for Alternators.
This model of the Mazda RX-8 features an opening hood, trunk and all 4 doors. It even has the unique "suicide" type passenger doors.
Being a part of the Alternators line, Jazz also has a detailed car interior. Since the Alternators are targeted for the US market, this Mazda RX-8 is a left-hand drive (as opposed to the right-hand drive Binaltechs).
I did mention that this is a 4-door sedan so it would only make sense that there are 4 seats on this car. The passenger seats can also be seen for this model:
errr....hold on...do I hear someone complaining? ...that this white Mazda RX-8 is too plain to be taken seriously as a classic take on Jazz?
hmmm.....well, that is something we just have to fix
I was lucky to grab a sheet of Reprolabel stickers to pimp this ride as worthy successor to the "Jazz" name!
Now, this is what I'm talking about!
The Reprolabels for Alternators Jazz evoke the G1-style details on the Mazda RX-8. A "Martini Racing" sticker is placed on the windshield; a couple of bumper details were added; and most importantly, the "4" and the red-and-blue racing stripe are now on the hood.
Over at the rear end, the racing stripe goes all the way from the hood then to the roof and ending at the trunk. Additional "Martini Racing" details are also placed on the rear bumper.
Over at the side, more racing stripes are placed and the all important "4" and "Martini Racing" decals are placed on each front door.
The effect of the Reprolabel is very very beautiful, to say the least!
Jazz' transformation from car to robot mode is quite similar to the transformation model of the Subaru Alternators -- minus the popping out shoulders. One can consider this as a refinement or "take 2" of the Subaru transformation model.
The details added by the Reprolabel decals can also be seen very well when Jazz is in robot mode.
The robot's face is undeniably G1 Jazz! No such thing as "it's Jazz coz we say it is" like the Jazz in the 2007 TFTM!
Just like with all Alternators, Jazz' weapon is also concealed within his car mode. In this case, it's not the engine that becomes the gun but rather the muffler:
From this:
To this:
Here's Jazz armed with his weapon. The robot mode features a decent level of articulation. Yes, me may have those HUGE feet but they have these adjustable heels under them to help in his stability. There's knee, hip and ankle movement, there's a shoulder swivel and even a double-jointed elbow. The only thing missing is the bicep swivel on each arm.
Well, we are talking about doing a classic take on Jazz and there still seems to be something missing....Ah, it ain't totally G1 unless we've got those shoulder mounted rocket launchers! Here's a shoulder-mounted rocket launcher from the (unofficial) "Binaltech Arming" set on Jazz. It can't get any more G1 than this!
With all that pimpin' done on Alternators Jazz, I believe the character himself would love it. There's nothing wrong with your basic white Alternators Jazz, but with a touch of Reprolabels, you are gonna marvel at what it will do to Jazz. I have to admit that despite having the 2 BT versions already, I bought an Alternators version with the sole purpose of "Jazz-ing" him up with Reprolabels.
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