[Toy Review] Trumpeter Model Kit: Bumblebee Movie Soundwave + Ravage – Easy to Build, Impressive Performance

Last Updated on August 20, 2024 by xmiaonline.com

Today, I’m excited to share with you a new release, the Trumpeter model kit of Soundwave and Ravage from the Bumblebee movie. I’ve previously shared some of Trumpeter’s products, and they’ve all been quite decent. This Soundwave is no exception. Although Soundwave had limited screen time in the Bumblebee movie, the scene where he sends Ravage to attack on Cybertron was truly memorable. So, let’s see how this Trumpeter Soundwave performs.

Trumpeter’s Transformers toys packaging style is very consistent, just like their previous releases, without any notable highlights. Before assembling, I took a picture of the parts. This kit has the most pieces among the recent Transformers collection by Trumpeter because it includes an additional Ravage figure, and Soundwave himself is a bit bulkier, leading to a more complex design. Assembly takes about 40-50 minutes, and it’s very easy to handle, even for those with less experience.

After a joyful assembly process, what we have are the main Soundwave figure and Ravage, a pair of replacement hands for Soundwave, a vehicle mode part for Ravage, and a display base. It’s a bit of a shame that Soundwave wasn’t given a gun.

First, let’s look at the front of the figure. Except for the head sculpt, the figure is nearly perfect, with a muscular build that closely resembles his appearance in the Bumblebee movie. Since it’s a non-transforming model kit, anything less than a faithful recreation would be disappointing. The colors are mainly blue and white, all molded in plastic with a decent texture, and there’s no sign of swirl marks. The details on the figure are pre-painted, so even without additional work, it doesn’t look too plain. The front view of the figure is quite satisfying.

The head sculpt is the biggest flaw of this Trumpeter Soundwave. The design is based on early concept art from the movie, so it differs significantly from what we saw on screen. This Soundwave was released four years after the movie came out, and it’s surprising that the manufacturer didn’t update the head sculpt during that time, which is something that needs to be criticized.

The chest compartment can open, but there’s no spring-loaded mechanism. There are some details inside, and Ravage’s vehicle mode part can be placed inside, where it fits securely. You’ll need a tool to remove it.

The side view is also quite good, with the muscle lines giving a strong, bulky feel. The chest is solid, though hollow inside, making Soundwave feel relatively light in hand.

The back is just as well done, with detailed sculpting and paint highlights. There’s a bit of a lobster-back look, but no articulation for bending, which is expected given this is a small-scale model kit, unlike the larger figures from ThreeZero.

The articulation of this Soundwave is relatively average, especially in the lower body, where side kicks are limited to about 30-40 degrees. However, it’s worth mentioning that both the elbows and knees feature double-jointed articulation, a first for Trumpeter’s Transformers action figures.

Comparing the two Decepticons that Trumpeter has released so far, both Blitzwing and Soundwave are characters from the Bumblebee movie, though their design styles are quite different. I’m curious whether you prefer Blitzwing’s fragmented look or Soundwave’s G1-inspired mechanical design. Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments. Blitzwing and Soundwave are nearly the same height, suggesting that Trumpeter didn’t pay much attention to scale.

Comparing Soundwave with Trumpeter’s recent release, Cybertron Bumblebee, the style is a bit more consistent, and the height difference looks harmonious.

Many people who have tried this Trumpeter Soundwave have joked that it’s like buying Ravage and getting Soundwave for free. Indeed, Trumpeter’s Ravage is incredibly well-made, with more parts leading to flexible joints and great detail, even surpassing SS Ravage in some aspects.

Ravage’s head is connected to the body by a ball joint, making it quite flexible. The mouth also has articulation, allowing it to open and close, and the detail on the teeth is meticulously sculpted.

Ravage’s body has two segments of articulation, making it very poseable. The leg joints are all segmented, allowing for dynamic poses. The Decepticon insignia is printed on the front legs, though the eyes seem a bit small, possibly due to their size.

The detailing on Ravage’s back is also impressive, with pre-painted silver highlights along the spine. The tail is a single piece, only moving up and down.

Soundwave and his loyal companion Ravage make for a very harmonious display. However, Ravage seems a bit oversized compared to Soundwave, and if we disregard Cybertronian compression technology, it’s hard to imagine how Ravage could fit inside Soundwave’s chest.

To summarize: This Trumpeter Soundwave is currently the most detailed kit in Trumpeter’s Transformers characters toys lineup, with a slightly more complex assembly process than previous releases. Apart from the head sculpt, which is based on early concept art, the rest of the figure is nearly perfect. The rich detailing and pre-painted parts ensure that Soundwave doesn’t look too plain, and those with some skill can enhance it further with panel lining. Ravage is a standout feature, with excellent detail and articulation, even outshining Soundwave in some aspects. Overall, I highly recommend this Trumpeter Soundwave. That’s all for today’s review. See you next time!

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