Review – Transformers Rescue Bots Chief Charlie Burns & Rescue Cutter

Line: Transformers * Manufacturer: Hasbro * Year: 2011

The entire line of Transformers Rescue Bots toys* is nothing but a trap. After playing with the Transformers Rescue Bots Optimus Prime (review here) there was no way I could avoid Prime’s partner, Chief Charlie Burns. And I’m already planning to go back to Target for more of the toys in this line.

Do not read this review!

Another Open Package

It’s looking like the packaging for this line is gonna be all about the open design, which means that every tiny little kid that walked through the store before me probably covered my toy in germs. But hey, what doesn’t kill you make you stronger! And now Transformers toys are making me stronger so look out, world!

Rescue Cutter

At $6 I’ve gotta say that these small human/vehicle toys in the Transformers Rescue Bots series* are a pretty good price. The Rescue Cutter rolls on wheels, is about 4-inches long and roughly 2.5-inches tall, and the blades open when you squeeze the two yellow buttons. And Chief Charlie Burns, as you can see in the pics, fits perfectly on the vehicle.

And as you can see, the Rescue Cutter can even ride on Optimus Prime. I don’t know if this was planned, but the small vehicle nestles in quite nicely when Prime’s in truck mode; the fit is so perfect it feels like to had to be designed to work this way.

Regardless of what the plan was, the Rescue Cutter feels durable and looks great. The colors go perfectly with Prime and the toy rolls smoothly across the floor. Perfect for kids who wanna drive this little vehicle around.

Chief Charlie Burns

This is the first of the Playskool Heroes* action figures that I’ve bought and I already know that it’s just a matter of time — say about three hours or so — before I rush out and grab another one. At 2.5-inches tall Charlie is a small action figure, but the distorted design and rugged construction make me think that I could really become a fan of this series.

And the toy’s even reasonably well articulated for such a small figure (designed for pre-school kids). Swivel joints in the wrists and neck, ball-hinge shoulders, and a hip joint that allows the figure to sit (both legs move together) all work perfectly. It’s not a lot of articulation, but it’s just enough for the target age group . . . and plenty for my childish mind when I start playing with Charlie and Prime.

Prime + Rescue Cutter

And the Rescue Cutter vehicle transforms, flattening out and turning into a tool/weapon that fits into Optimus Prime’s hand. It’s not quite as cool as I was expecting — actually, this is the weakest part of the toy’s design — but it works even if it does mess with Prime’s balance a little. The photo below shows how the two parts combine; I just wish there was somewhere for Charlie to ride on Optimus Prime when the two toys are combined like this.

Closing Thoughts

I am a hardcore fan of the Transformers Rescue Bots toys*, and I can safely say that after just two purchases in the series because both are so well constructed and such durable toys. And looking at the series — see the official Hasbro site — I can already see that I want more of these toys.

I am sure I’ll be laughed at for enjoying these toys that were aimed at very young kids — they are simple toys and don’t require any real thought at all to transform — but I don’t care. Hasbro did a great job with these and I’m totally gonna tell everyone who enjoys toys to at least try one of the releases in the Playskool Heroes* series.

Philip Reed thinks he should probably go ahead and grab the Star Wars Landspeeder in this series now before it becomes tough to find.