Prelude: In a series of movies that treated the Transformers mostly as disposable cannon fodder / special effects instead of characters, Ironhide was one of the few exceptions. Oh, he wasn’t a terribly nuanced, intricate character in any way, shape, or form, but at least he was more than yet another soon-to-be-killed drone. His death in Dark of the Moon was among the few death scenes that caused more than a shrug from the audience (if that much). So it’s nice to see Ironhide return in the Studio Series. Here we go!

Robot Mode: Okay, most important thing about this figure first: back in 2007 I really liked the original Voyager-Class Movie Ironhide except for one thing, the fact that his shoulder pieces never really tabbed in properly and usually wobbled around loosely. There were some ways to somewhat stabilize them, but it never really worked all that well. When I took Studio Series Ironhide out of the box, I immediately feared this would be the same here, as his shoulder pieces wobbled something fierce. Turns out, though, that they simply weren’t tabbed in properly (and the tabs are somewhat difficult to find, too). Once tabbed in correctly, though, everything holds together very nicely and looks great. Nicely done!

Still comparing this figure to the original Movie Ironhide, one notices how the figure is a good deal smaller, but far more intricate and screen accurate. In fact just about the only way Studio Series Ironhide differs from his CGI model from the movies is the big bumper on his chest. It’s a single solid piece on the figure, whereas it wrapped around his torso on the screen. Two tiny little joints left and right could have solved that, but that’s really just nitpicking here. So in terms of character recognition, no problem. Studio Series Ironihde looks almost as if he’d just jumped down from the movie screens.

Looks aside, the figure is very nicely detailed and highly articulated. Due to the thick legs he always has to stand somewhat wide-legged, but it doesn’t inhibit his movements. The arm movement is somewhat restricted by the shoulder plates and those small grey discs you’re supposed to unfold where the tires are in vehicle mode, but he can still adopt numerous gunslinger poses. Speaking of guns, Ironhide comes with two of them, which fasten to his arms. Here, too, the detailing is very nicely done and the guns look great. If removed, though, his arms look somewhat tiny.

Bottom line: this is the best version of Movie Ironhide so far. Small details aside, it’s pretty much the exact robot we saw on the screen. Thumbs up!

Alternate Mode: Ironhide still transforms into his familiar mode of a licensed GMC Heavy Duty Topkick 6500 4×4 Crew Cab Edition. Here, too, the figure is a good deal smaller than the 2007 Voyager, but that was to be expected. Scale aside, the two vehicles look pretty much identical. There are no visible robot bits as such, though one can see the robot feet on the underside. They also cause the car to have very little clearance (which kind of defeats the purpose of a 4x4, I think, but that’s another story). The big guns don’t really become part of the vehicle (though they have some details on them that give the impression), but can be stored on the back of the truck. That kind of ruins the disguise aspect, of course, but it can be done.

Overall Ironhide’s truck mode is good with but a few minor drawbacks.

Remarks: Ironhide was among the original Autobot team from the 2007 Movie and managed to survive the confusing slaughter of Revenge of the Fallen, too. He partook in some impressive battle scenes in Dark of the Moon, too, before being shot in the back by Sentinel Prime, who revealed himself as a traitor. Ironhide died, rusting away to nothing, and while one may presume that the Autobots mourned him, the movie itself was too busy showing us the shenanigans of Shia LeBeouf instead.

Ironhide’s presence in the Studio Series is hardly a surprise as he is among the more prestigious Movie characters and the toy itself is very nicely done. A few minor things here and there could have been improved (the front bumber in robot mode, the clearance in vehicle mode), but overall he’s very nice. Definitely recommended to all Ironhide and Movie Autobot fans.

Rating: B+

Source: Transformers-Universe.com!

 

I would say put a spoilers tag about Ironhide dying, but if you are on a review for SS, then not seeing the movie is pretty bad.

All that aside, Ironhide has always been one of my favorites from the Ark crew and Bayverse. He easily had some of the best lines, and his death was even more dramatic. Honestly, how does everyone keep coming back after death but him??? (him rusting after being killed by Sentinel definitely drove home the point about no resurrection).

Great review!

 

I think I shall call my belts this now. Eh I need to get back to the gym on a more regular basis.

I finally picked this guy up after "thinking about it" for a bit too long - it dried up from the retail shelves but I managed to get the last one from the local collector shop. I like him quite a bit. I sold all of my movieverse Ironhides a few years ago with no regrets (none of them were really "great" toys). Glad to pick this up to go with my VERY selective assortment of Bay movie styled figures, it's hands down the best movie Ironhide I've had. Locking shoulders and nice detailing overall, good stuff.

 

Well, Dark of the Moon was the better part of a decade ago now, so I think a spoiler tag would be kind of overdoing it.

Thanks!

 

While I would normally say that is best to never assume, if they are on a SS thread for Ironhide, they probably saw the movie, lol. Just teasin' of course.

 

I figured, don't worry.  

 

I havr only seen this guy ONCE in the wild....hope amazon gets him soon

 

. I was avoiding this page until my wife told me she found IH at target! And this is just an amazing job, well done! Please post more pics!

 

This figure is great, he looks even better with some silver and gold paint (and properly transformed chests as well).

 

I got mine yesterday. Gotta agree he is an amazing figure. I bought the DNA Design kit too which should fix the bumper. My only gripe is his right eye has SO MUCH paint on it. I know it is a common occurrence but it really does not look right when you compare it to the movie model and see that that eye should be smaller.

 

I actually took a silver sharpie with a thin tip and painted the are above the actual pupil to reduce the sea of blue. It helps a lot!

 

Mind posting a picture so I can try something similar?

 

Sure thing, I actually realized I missed a spot upon taking the picture:

 

Thank you! That looks infinitely better. I'll definitely try to give that a go.

 

Does anyone know where I can get one? Everywhere I'm looking, he's almost double normal retail price.

 

You missed your chance I think. He wasn't around for very long for some reason, and I just barely got mine. I think he's due for a repaint for ROTF or DOTM, isn't he?

 

That's still just a rumor, but yeah, he is definitely one of the most rare SS figures. I'm glad I was able to snag one when I got the chance!

 

Im down to double dip on this mold. This is the mold with the best quality for me (voyagers)

 

Did some shopping on Amiami and saw they had Ironhide available. So I decided to toss him in the cart. Should be here tomorrow.
Due to his rarity, I didn't want to risk missing out, and figured I wouldn't have another opportunity to get him.

 

You won't regret it - it's a great one.