Transformers Studio Series 86 Dinobot Sludge review
Team building in Transformers is always fun. That typically means gathering a squad to create a combiner, but the original dedicated squad in the Transformers was the Dinobots. After the stellar work on the Studio Series Grimlock, I’ve been eager to get the rest of the crew. Today I’m looking at Sludge, the last of the original three. I’m jumping ahead as a buddy picked up Slag for me and I still need to get him.
Sludge was hardly the brains of the group but made up for his lack of intelligence with ferocious firepower and strength that was only surpassed by Grimlock. He was one of my favorite of the Dinobots so hopefully those warm feelings remain intact after breaking down his Studio Series figure.
Packaging: All of the Dinobots are massive so Sludge is a leader class figure complete with an enclosed box. I’m not the biggest fan of this as it’s hard to tell how the figure actually turned out or note any problems with paint apps or missing accessories.
The front of the box with the wider artwork at least looks pretty cool showing Sludge obliterating a pack of Sharkticons.
With the larger box and less plastic, I’d like to see that balanced out with a more detailed bio and stat card, but it’s still the same presentation on the rear package as before — a one sentence synopsis of a specific scene from Transformers The Movie.
Likeness: For most of the movie, the Dinobots were in their alt mode. I always found that a bit odd since they were typically in robot mode in the cartoon series. The only time Sludge is in robot form is when Optimus Prime sics them on Devastator.
Sludge has a stern expression fitting his character and his ‘wings’ look accurate to how they’re done in the cartoon and movie. You probably don’t want to focus too much on his back in robot mode as the dinobot head is just kind of there and not obscured in any manner.
That helps make this figure look even more impressive with all of the paneling Hasbro included. This was a case where going simple and basic would have been just fine and accurate to the source material yet the extra effort is really appreciated.
Alt Mode: Sludge transformers into a Brontosaurus. This is the more dynamic looking of Sludge’s modes so it’s not shocking that this is the “default” look for him. It’s impressively big and looks very formidable compared to other Kingdom/Studio Series figures.
The thing that is a little tricky with Sludge is getting his panels to line up and stay properly tabbed and locked in.
Scale: The Dinobots towered over their fellow Autobots so I’m glad Hasbro went with the larger scale for the figures. Sludge stands about the same height as Grimlock in bot and dinosaur mode. And they all are taller than the average Autobot.
Paint: Sludge doesn’t have as much cool gold, metallic elements as Grimlock in bot mode — he’s mostly grey with some red and black accents along with gold feet. I haven’t had any issues with the paintwork on any of my Studio Series figures and Sludge doesn’t break the trend now.
Sludge shines (pardon the pun) again when he’s in Brontosaurus mode thanks to the golden sheen head and back pad. They help break up all the grey of the base body.
Articulation: Sludge has terrific articulation in both modes. I was impressed by how easily he moved in robot mode. He can strike some fun poses and seems ready to bash Decepticons in either form.
As is apparently the case with every figure, my Sludge had the gimpy knee issue. This significantly wrecks his ability to stand without tipping forward or backward. There’s some detailed YouTubes explaining how to fix this issue, but it’s the kind of thing Hasbro really shouldn’t have approved through the testing phase.
The good thing at least is this convinces me more to keep my Dinobots in dinosaur mode, which makes for a more interesting visual on the display anyway.
Sludge has:
- neck
- jaw (dino mode)
- bicep
- ball-jointed shoulders
- elbows
- wrists
- wrist hinge
- torso
- waist
- hips
- thighs
- knees (double-jointed)
- ankles
Accessories: Like the other Dinobots, Sludge comes with his big cannon blaster that he never actually used in the movie since he was primarily in dinosaur mode throughout the film, but it’s a nice addition. It’s got a good amount of detail and has some gold paint around the barrel and scope to break up the all black look.
In keeping with the theme of this series, the inner package backdrop features a diorama from the Dinobots dramatic courtroom appearance. It’s not perfectly scaled, but it is a nice touch and from the right angle can work just fine.
Worth it? I got Sludge for $55. That’s not a terrible price, but I did get Grimlock with a bonus Wheelie accessory for $50.
Rating: 7 out of 10
If the awful QC with the knees were fixed, transforming Sludge back and forth would be a lot of fun. As is, I’m probably rarely going to change him to bot mode once I have a complete set of Dinobots. At least in that mode he’s a great addition to the series.
Where to get it? I’ve seen Sludge at random Targets and Walmart stores. If you aren’t having any luck, you can always order him from Entertainment Earth. Amazon doesn’t have him in stock right now and is letting secondary sellers dictate a crazy price.
As an Amazon Associate and Entertainment Earth affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases.