Kenibatz

This unique Batcave playset comes from the Minimates C3 (Create, Construct, Customize) toy line.

For a building-block play set, this is a *massive* structure and shows three levels of the Batcave. The top floor has the classic grandfather clock secret entrance that leads to the lair. The middle floor features a functional elevator (hidden in the image) and a vault for Batman’s multiple costumes. The bottom level has space to park the Batmobile as well as room for a rotating computer area.

The set came with three Minimates: Bruce Wayne, Joker (based on Jack Nicholson’s movie version), and Armored Batman. The Joker shown here is based on the animated series.

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The Toys:

• Comes with “Battle damaged” Optimus Prime and Megatron, plus a DVD
• Highly detailed figures and very nice articulation points (similar to Mirage from the Transformers Classics line).
• Although I’m not a big fan of “battle damaged” gimmicks, the paint jobs won’t detract from the overall aesthetic look of both figures. Plus, they’re mortal enemies so they’re supposed to be fighting and damaged, anyway.
• The transformation process is fun and challenging. Watch out for the torso section of Optimus Prime because there’s a part where you have to carefully slide out the “chest” part to convert it to the “cab” part.
• If you’re keeping this set Mint On Card to show-off to your friends and little nephews, the placement of the figures look very nice.

The DVD
Two somewhat lacking features:

1. a very small gallery of TF Animated toys (which you can view online or at the toy store, anyway).
2. the episode of TF Animated that was cut short at an inappropriate time. This was probably done to entice the kids to actually follow the series, but would it have been too much to ask to at least complete the story on the free DVD?

On a positive note, if you haven’t seen any of the Transformers Animated episodes, this will be a treat to watch. The story is solid and has references to the 80s cartoon. The characters are fun and the re-imagined universe is very likable.

The artwork is reminiscent of Western-style “Anime” such as Teen Titans. Very slick and beautiful. Much better than the half-hearted effort given to the Armada series.

The Cost.
At the time of this writing:

• this set sells for P1500 at SM Toy Kingdom
• this version of Animated Optimus Prime is the most affordable one that matches what he looks like in the new cartoons. In contrast, the Deluxe figure that sells separately for P700 is actually patterned after his pre-Earth robot form. Also, the face-plate for Battle Damaged Prime can’t be removed, but in the cartoons, he is often seen with it in battle (and old school fans probably like it that way, too).
• This is also the most affordable Megatron. The only other Megatron figure, Voyager Class Megatron, sells for P1500. Since Voyager Class Optimus was nowhere to be found, I’m guessing poor Megatron will be a pegwarmer just like his movie counterpart. It’s a shame too because Voyager Class Megatron looks pretty awesome despite it’s hefty price tag.

The Recommendation
Based on the current figures from this toy line, this 2-pack is worth it if you’re on a budget or want only Optimus Prime and Megatron. The money you save from not buying the Voyager Class Figures can help you to instead complete the other Deluxe figures and thus complete the set. And even if you’re not a completist, this is a very fun set.

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A couple of weeks ago, if you asked me to solve a Rubik’s Cube, I’d probably think you were out to torment me because up until that point, I could only solve one one face of the cube.

But I’ve seen people solve the cube in mere seconds. I’ve seen them solve the cube behind their back or blindfolded. I’ve even seen them solve it with just one hand. So I knew it was possible; I just needed to learn how.

And in learning how to solve the cube, I learned some other bits of wisdom:

• Life is like a Rubik’s Cube. It’s colorful. It’s complex. It’s fun.
• Obstacles in life are like the mismatched pattern of a cube. A messy life is like a messy cube.
• Success in life is like a cube with all the colors in proper harmony.
• Just like success, solving the Rubik’s cube can be achieved by learning the proper patterns and repeating the patterns.
• The goal in solving the cube is to set all the colors of a face in proper order. Setting a goal is important because without one, then we’re just aimlessly playing around.
• Achieving success is a matter of setting certain levels of life in proper order. Once these levels have been formed, you can build on them to achieve more success.
• Once you’ve solved a cube once, it is possible to solve it again and solve it faster. But as with any success, it requires repeating the proper patterns as well as sacrificing time and effort to focus on the solution.

Every time I play with a 3×3 Rubik’s Cube, I reflect on these thoughts to the point that solving the cube has become a zen experience for me.

So if you ask me to solve a Rubik’s Cube now, I’d think you’re probably just asking me to share some philosophical musings.

Which I would gladly share. In just a few minutes.

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