For more pictures, click on the image above Robot Mode: Considering the character’s history, Grimlock’s robot mode is probably the lesser-known mode of this figure, seeing as he spent the larger part of his TV appearances in dinosaur mode. Still, he does have a very nice robot mode, too. Like many G1 figures from the early years (or G2 repaints of same) the robot is secondary to the alternate mode and, as such, hasn’t got much in the way of posability. Grimlock can swing his arms at the shoulders, bend his knees, and do the split. He can move his legs at the hips, too, but only very slightly. Look-wise, Grimlock offers very few grounds for complaint. He’s a bit disproportioned, with a very large chest and lower legs, added to a rather small head and short arms. The head also sits very far back. The dinosaur head and ‘wings’ on his back make him a bit prone to toppling over backwards, but it’s not a big thing. In terms of weapons Grimlock carries a double-barreled gun and his signature sword. The G1 version had a missile launcher for use in alternate mode, but that was left out for the G2 version. All said, Grimlock’s robot mode is certainly not the best of the flock in certain areas, but it remains a classic and the blue looks good on him, too. Alternate Mode: This is, of course, the mode most will recognize Grimlock in: He becomes a Tyrannosaurus Rex. The body design is somewhat anachronistic, as we’ve learned more about how the T-Rex actually looked and walked in the years since this figure was created, but we’re not going for realism here. He’s a robotic T-Rex and he looks damn good. The T-Rex is actually more posable than the robot. The legs can move at the hip and knees, he can swivel his small arms and open his jaw. Not a contortionist, but nice. The T-Rex also features a left-over gimmick from the figures pre-Transformers days, a cockpit on his back where a small driver figure can fit. So all in all a great-looking beast mode and the blue color looks nice, too. Missing Parts: Apart from his gun, Grimlock usually carries a red sword, which I’m sadly missing. Remarks: The first year of Generation 2 consisted mostly of repainted figures from the early years of Generation 1, so it’s not much of a surprise that one of the most popular Transformers characters of them all, Grimlock, should return as well. No one knows why he was repainted blue (seeing as he appeared in his standard grey in the G2 comic series), but probing the deeper meaning of the color choices in G2 is probably a moot point anyway (one assumes that hallucinogenic drugs were involved). Fact is he’s blue and he looks good in blue. Grimlock here was one of the first figures I acquired after I got back into Transformers collecting and I’ve reviewed him before, but it was a very short one with rather bad pictures. Seeing as I recently acquired the original G1 Grimlock at a flea market (he still needs some work, so the review will take some time), I thought it prudent to grace my G2 Grimlock here with a new series of pics and an updated review. The verdict remains the same, though: Everyone should own a Grimlock. And whether it’s grey G1 or blue G2 is a matter of taste and availability. Rating: B+
Phlister, I always enjoy your reviews, but it drives me nuts that I can't see bigger versions of the (clearly well-taken) pictures in the main picture. Is there any way you could integrate more full-size photos into your reviews?
Nefund, the bigger pictures are on my site. Just click on the image map, which will take you there, and then you can blow up each little picture just by clicking on it.
My lack of Transformers knowledge has kept me from knowing about this particular figure. I really love the blue on this version of Grimlock. If I can find an Animated Grimlock cheap somewhere I would love to recolor it in G2 colors. Nice review and thanks.
I don't believe that any of the G2 Dinobots were sold with their G1 launchers, just their blasters and swords. Also, in G2, Grimlock was released in gray and two different shades of blue.
I always wanted the turquoise one, but I like the blue, too. Mine is complete, but floppier than the average drunken floozy.
Yeah, found out about the missile launchers, too. Not included with G2. Now I've gotta go and correct the review. Damn, all for a weapon I didn't even have in the first place.
I passed up on the opportunity of a loose G2 Grimlock and plumped for Snarl instead (My favourite Dinobot). I found Grimlock's plastics to be like the G2 Combaticons - a bit waxy and fragile feeling. My Red Snarl, on the other hand, feels as solid as the G1 original. I say that, but one of the interior leg panels broke and I had to patch him up with some bits from a G1 junker
Can't say that my G2 Grimlock feels fragile in any way. I've compared him with the original G1 Grimlock I got on the flea market and except for the color there is no noticable difference.
am pleasantly surprised by the colors. i woulda thought that they woulda botched the colors as bad as most of the line. but that blue is great.
