Modern dino.

Classics Grimlock wasn’t on my radar when he was released. I’ll tell you that I was honestly more excited for Classics Bumblebee back then.

Well, I got my hands on a Classics Grimlock. Let’s see how he holds up.

Alternate mode

Grimlock is an updated T-rex. He doesn’t drag his tail like G1 Grimlock. Classics Grimlock is a predator. He’ll chase you down and eat you before you can blink. Even if you’re a literal sports car.

Grimlock has much more posability in dino mode than a regular animal Transformer. He can bend his tail at four different places. His legs go in and out as well as rotate. They bend at the knee and move forward/back at the feet. His T-rex arms are on ball joints. His head only goes up and down though. His jaw also opens. If you untab the torso, you can also twist the torso around.

Transformation

You’d think that the transformation would be simple and standard for an animal Transformer but Grimlock’s got some neat tricks up his sleeve. One of which is a literal cool twist.

Robot mode

Grimlock is also sporting an updated robot mode. He’s lacking his usual gigantic dino parts backpack. His chest is also looking pretty unique. Grimlock is looking less like a pro wrestler and more like an athlete. It’s a nice new look.

In terms of posability, Grimlock also surprises. He’s got a lot for a figure from 2006. His head swivels all the way around. His shoulders go in and out as well as rotate. He swivels at the biceps and bends at the elbows. Grimlock also swivels at the waist. His hips are ball-jointed and rotate at the thighs as well as bend at the knees. His feet and heels can also be posed slightly.

Gimmicks

Kinda sparse on that front. Like all the Classics figures he has a heat sensitive rub sign. It reveals Grimlock’s an Autobot. Shocking! Also, it changes colours depending on the temperature like a mood ring.

Onto his weapons. Grimlock has a missile launcher that fires a translucent red missile. It’s cool that the missile launcher has a golden bayonet. His melee weapon is his dino tail which is removable. You’ve got options with this. Because the handle can be put in different positions, Grimlock can hold it like a giant sword or a giant lance. Also, I know it’s supposed to be a whip. It is not a whip. The most I’m willing to budge on this is that it’s a whip sword.

Oh right. Both robot mode and dino mode heads have red light piping. Both heads look great when picking up light.

Toy or collectible?

Grimlock would be a fantastic Transformer to give to an older child. His T-rex mod is great, his transformation isn’t too simple or too complex and his robot mode is good. He’s also just plain fun to play with.

Adult collectors are spoiled for choice for Grimlocks now. The CHUG scale ones are a mixed bag though. POTP Grimlock doesn’t look great compared to Classics Grimlock for example. There’s one major problem with Classics Grimlock though. The size. Why is Grimlock a Deluxe?! If you’re not hung up about the size, Grimlock is a great figure for collectors. A nice design, good posability in both modes and a very well done dino mode. That’s a great package.

Closing

The biggest issue with Classics Grimlock is his size. Grimlock shouldn’t be Deluxe sized. Voyager minimum.

That said, this mold is a lot of fun. The T-rex mode is still one of the most posable dino modes out there and his robot mode is pretty sharp looking. I’d recommend you give this guy a shot. Even if he’s not your main CHUG Grimlock, you can repurpose him as your updated Pretender Grimlock.

Ideas!