MediaWiki - User contributions [en]

For safety reasons

2009-12-31T23:01:57Z

99.192.86.71: /* Safety standards */

{{disambig2|why you can't have that awesome toy|the Autobot from Operation Combination|Safety}}
[[Image:G1Megatron toy.jpg|right|300px|thumb|In your dreams, American fans.]]
The United States is a very litigious society. If a child is injured or (heaven forbid) killed by use or abuse of a toy, that child's parents are very likely to sue the toy manufacturer. As such, [[Hasbro]] puts its toys through rigorous testing, '''for safety reasons'''. Sometimes, a [[Toy|Transformers toy]] has to be altered from the original design in order to maintain safety standards, which vary from country to country.

==Safety testing==
[[Image:DVD 20thPrime.jpg|left|300px|thumb|Stubbimus Prime]]
Hasbro has several tests that come up frequently. One of the more famous ones is the "drop test." As its name implies, this involves dropping a toy from great heights in order to ascertain whether or not said toy will break, and if any of the parts which may have broken loose could potentially injure a child (sharp edges, swallowable/chokeable bits, etc.). This is often cited as the reason [[Fortress Maximus (RID)|Fortress Maximus]] has not been reissued in the United States, as well as the reason for the shortened smokestacks on the shoulders of various [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys|Optimus Prime toys]] (it's a common mistake to assume this started in 1988 with the [[Powermaster]] version;<ref>For one thing the pegs on Powermaster Prime's shoulder-canons were brittle as hell!</ref> however, it was actually the Japanese [[Ginrai|Super Ginrai]] version that had the shorter stacks, not the Hasbro Optimus Prime version). This test is also used to determine the durability of a toy's packaging, making sure that ''only'' the packaging is damaged should it be dropped.

Other tests have similar goals, generally concerned with breakage issues. Hence, the Japanese version of [[Vector Prime]] has hard plastic wings, but the U.S. version uses a rubbery material less likely to accidentally snap off or gouge out the eye of a child (or a particularly clumsy adult). Even as early as 1985, [[Jetfire (G1)|Jetfire]] and [[Swoop (G1)|Swoop]] were altered to have blunted nosecones, and the [[Seeker (body-type)|Seeker]] jets had rubber nosecones instead of hard plastic. Again, this was likely to prevent trauma from a thrown or jabbed toy.

==Safety standards==
[[Image:MarvelUS-33.jpg|left|150px|thumb|We don't let lawyers wear armor or carry lances anymore.]]
[[Image:G1Thunder clash toy.jpg|right|200px|thumb|I'm a choking hazard!]]
[[Image:MachineWarsPrime.jpg|right|200px|thumb|I'm not!]]
Besides the safety testing, Hasbro (and other toy manufacturers) try to make sure their products conform to certain standards. Some of these standards are self-imposed, while others are mandated at the state or national level. Most notably, these laws include choke laws, which are designed to prevent small parts (''especially'' projectiles) from being lodged in a child's windpipe; the use of toxic materials like lead-based paints; and toy gun laws, which are designed to prevent scenarios where law enforcement officials accidentally shoot children(you would think they would be too smart to fire at children) or adults who are not armed, but carrying "realistic" toy guns; like say, [[Megatron (G1)/toys|G1 Megatron]]. U.S. law requires that toy guns have either an orange plug in the barrel, or a coat of orange paint on the barrel. Some states have even more stringent laws, which require that toy guns must be brightly colored and must not resemble real-world firearms. (Some retailers won't even carry realistic toy guns ''anyway'', so that's a double-whammy some places.)

Note that the major federal toy gun law was enacted in 1988, and applies to all toy guns manufactured after May 1989. As such, it is entirely legal for dealers to sell original G1 Megatron figures, as they are grandfathered in; but any later American release of the toy WOULD have to meet these standards, hence the "Safety/Lava Bath Megatron" toy, which STILL failed to meet these guidelines, as the entire external surface was not (and likely could not be) made from a single color of plastic.

==Articulation and safety==

During the time Hasbro started to make its own molds to represent characters as toys instead of importing from other toy lines, the company noticed that the safety standards of a toy had to withstand a pulling force of 20 pounds to deem them safe. Because most toys in those days had little to no outward movement in their legs or arms, they would rather quickly break with little force, so most figures were made with fused legs, preventing kids from pulling the legs apart. Because of this, most of the toys dropped articulation to make the figures stronger, turning a large amount of them into "[[brick]]s". During the time [[Takio Ejima]] started working on the brand, he noted that they could make the toys safer by the use of [[ball joint]]s, making it easier for the toy to pass the test, and still have the full range of motion. This idea would even change the standard of articulation outside the Transformers brand.

==Safety standards in other countries==
The USA isn't the only country with rigid toy safety standards that affect Transformers. In fact, some countries have safety standards that are even ''more'' rigid than anything the USA has. Examples:

* Japan apparently has extremely lax toy safety regulations. The Japanese toy safety standard is called "ST", which can be applied to toys aimed at children under the age of 14; however, that doesn't mean that a toy ''can't'' be sold if it ''doesn't'' sport the "ST" seal. The only difference is that parents will receive a compensation if their child gets injured by playing with an "ST"-approved toy.

* In Italy's ''[[Trasformer]]'' {{sic}} line by [[GiG]], many toys' missile launchers didn't have their springs removed, but the missiles ''did'' have comically-huge giant rubber balls attached to the tips. Some of the subsequent, officially-licensed-by-Hasbro ''Transformers'' re-releases of those toys still featured the same kind of missiles. Makes those elongated [[Commemorative Series]] missiles seem not so bad after all, huh?

* Whereas European toy gun laws are more relaxed, hence making the import of [[Megatron (G1)/toys|G1 Megatron]] reissues and [[Masterpiece]] Megatron less of a legal hassle, Australia actually has ''harsher'' regulations than the US, officially classifying MP Megatron as a "firearm replica". Some Australian states even consider the ''possession'' of the toy ''illegal'', even if it was painted in bright orange or sported a permanently glued on orange plug. Apparently, the only way to circumvent this problem requires joining some kind of registered Collectors' Club.<ref>[http://www.csapo.com.au/ttf/TCTF_Club.htm Details about the legal situation concerning the import and possession of Masterpiece Megatron in Australia]</ref>

* Members of the European Union don't consider American safety regulations sufficient, but require their own safety tests, with the toys having to adhere to the European standard EN 71. As a consequence, toys that are perfectly fine to be released in the USA might occasionally not be considered suitable for the European market. And since Hasbro has long since abandoned producing international "variants" of toys beyond mere packaging differences, that would mean those toys simply won't come out in Europe at all. (However, while specific examples are unconfirmed, it's highly doubtful that this affects a large number of toys.)

{{picsneeded|}}

==Trivia==
* According to Hasbro, toys that represent flying characters are given more stringent drop tests and rounded/collapsible bits, as children (and the kind of adults who buy Transformers) are more prone to throwing these figures around or ramming them into things (or people).
* You know how G1 Megatron turns into a realistic-looking handgun? And how there are various laws prohibiting the sale of realistic-looking toy handguns? [http://www.unicron.com/news_item/1877/ Yeah.] C'mon, you knew it was bound to happen sooner or later.
* Besides "turning into a realistic handgun," another Generation 1 [[gimmick]] we won't be seeing again in the future is the [[Sparking gimmick|"sparking" action]] found in the [[Firecon|Firecons]], [[Sparkabot|Sparkabots]], and [[Monsterbot|Monsterbots]], after a Barbie doll with a similar action feature reportedly set a child's underwear on fire.<br><br>No, seriously.<ref>[http://diswww.mit.edu/tla/humor/442 Blading Barbie Sparks Up Hell On Wheels.]</ref>

==External links==
* [http://theswca.com/textf/toydeath.html Page featuring articles on the genesis of the choke-gate test, due to a missile-firing ''Battlestar Galactica'' toy.]
* [http://www.washingtonwatchdog.org/documents/cfr/title15/part1150.html CFR Title 15, Part 1150, the official federal law on "realistic" toy guns and the markings thereof.]
* [http://www.btha.co.uk/about_us/toy_safety_guide.php Overview on toy safety standards in the UK]
* [http://www.cpsc.gov/businfo/toypremguid04.pdf Pages five and six of this article give a brief summary of the federal safety guidelines regarding breakability testing.] (PDF format.)
* [http://www.theonion.com/content/node/28331 ''The Onion'''s slightly snarkier take on the subject, for those who like their snarky snark snarkiness.]
* [http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20080807.wmegatron0807/BNStory/National/home Canadian ruling that Masterpiece Megatron does not constitute a "replica firearm" for importing purposes.]

==See also==
*[[Unpaintable plastic]]

==Footnotes==
<references />

[[Category:Toys]]

Sideways (ROTF)

2009-12-31T20:14:41Z

99.192.86.71: /* Fast Action Battlers */

{{factions|decepticon}}
{{disambig2|the live-action Decepticon|the Unicron-serving backstabber from every other continuity|Sideways (RID)}}
:''Sideways is a [[Decepticon]] from the [[Revenge of the Fallen (franchise)|Revenge of the Fallen franchise]] in the [[Live-action film series|live-action film]] [[continuity family]].''

[[Image:Sidewaysrotf.jpg|thumb|300px|Guess what? I'm not [[Barricade (Movie)|Barricade]]! Had you all fooled, didn't I?]]

Before the war, '''Sideways''' was a simple courier, not exactly a career demanding massive levels of courage. This means that in the battle against the [[Autobots]], Sideways prefers to team up with larger Decepticons. This way, his target-friendly companion takes all the heat! In fact, he generally shuns combat entirely. He's not a courageous fellow. But when he absolutely must face the enemy, he eagerly deploys the spinning saw blades on his arms.

Since he's arrived on [[Earth]], Sideways has started hanging out with the mountainous [[Demolishor (ROTF)|Demolishor]]. There are few larger Decepticons to lurk in the shadow of!

{{bigquote|Just 'cause I'd always ''rather'' flee than fight, don't mean I ''can't''!|Sideways to Arcee, [[Transformers Comic issue 2.5]]}}
==Fiction==
===Titan Magazines===

[[Image:Titan5_Sidewayssideswipes.jpg|thumb|left|200px|]]

Sideways made an early landing in [[Australia]], with [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]] and [[Arcee (Movie)|Arcee]] pursuing him through its northern territories. With his souped-up sports car alt mode, Sideways had them outclassed on the roads and was able to both outpace the Autobots and batter them about. Eventually, Optimus decided to change the terrain by blasting the Decepticon off the road. While willing to fight, the Decepticon gave up when human reinforcements arrived.

However, it became clear (to us, anyway) that he was ''meant'' to get captured as part of a plan to frame [[Skids (ROTF)|Skids]] and [[Mudflap (ROTF)|Mudflap]]: as soon as he was taken to [[Diego Garcia]], [[Scorponok (Movie)|Scorponok]] arrived to free him. Knocking Arcee aside and using debris as a weapon against humans, Sideways made good his escape. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 2.5|Reversal of Fortune}}

[[Image:Titan_deceptitwins.jpg|thumb|right|250px|''There is nowhere to run THIS time...'']]

Unfortunately for Sideways, the other part of [[Soundwave (ROTF)|Soundwave's]] plan was to get Skids and Mudflap into the Decepticons, and there was no escape from the twins talking ''all the time'' and dissing him as an "average, creativity-stifled grunt". When the twins were sent to bring in [[Ransack (ROTF)|Ransack]], he protested that they were halfwits, and was relieved to find out they were just bait and he'd get to kill 'em afterwards.

Trailing the twins with [[Grindor (ROTF)|Grindor]], he discovered to his disgust that the twins had talked to Ransack instead of fighting. That was "the sort of example that ''so'' needs nipping in the bud", so he and Grindor attacked! Unfortunately for Sideways, the twins were only pretending to defect so they could capture a Decepticon; Mudflap engaged Sideways in a game of chicken, forcing the 'con off the road and straight into a tree. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 2.7|Turnabout}}

{{-}}

===''Revenge of the Fallen'' film===
[[Image:ROTF Sideways Chromia.jpg|thumb|left|200px|Sideways desperately tries to flee from a rabid fangirl.]]

Sideways was hiding out in [[Shanghai]] with [[Demolishor (ROTF)|Demolishor]] when [[NEST]] came to investigate a possible Decepticon insurgence. At first, the two Decepticons remained concealed, but Demolishor soon transformed and attacked. While the soldiers and their Autobot allies were busy fighting off Demolishor, Sideways took advantage of the chaos and attempted to make his getaway. He was not entirely undetected, however, as [[William Lennox|Major Lennox]] sent out [[Arcee (Movie)|Arcee]] and [[Mudflap (ROTF)|the]] [[Skids (ROTF)|twins]] in pursuit.

[[Image:ROTF Sideways death.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Ouchies.]]
With Arcee and the Twins on his tail, Sideways turned a corner to an apartment complex in his way. Rather than turn and lose momentum, Sideways chucked caution to the wind and transformed, jumping through the apartment building and out the other side. The Twins were unable to keep up with the chase, and Sideways was soon able to fight off Arcee. Sideways didn't get far, and eventually met his end when [[Sideswipe (ROTF)|Sideswipe]] engaged in pursuit, transformed, and bisected Sideways as he attempted to flee. {{storylink|Revenge of the Fallen (film)|Revenge of the Fallen}}

{{--}}

===Toy bios===
{{notemoviebio}}

Sideways and [[Rampage (ROTF)|Rampage]] burst from their cover when they found [[Breakaway (ROTF)|Breakaway]] and [[Longarm (Movie)|Longarm]] hunting them. While Rampage confronted Breakaway, Sideways battled Longarm through the streets. The final result of this battle is unknown.
{{storylink|#StrikeMission|Autobot Strike Mission toy bio}}

Long reliant on his high speed to make his getaways, Sideways found himself in shock when the body-modifying [[Blowpipe (ROTF)|Blowpipe]] was easily able to keep up with him. {{storylink|#SuperTunerThrowdown|Super Tuner Throwdown toy bio}}

Besides his speed, Sideways enjoys using deception to get himself out of trouble. This doesn't work very well on [[Rollbar (RPM)|Rollbar]], who plans to make the lying Sideways an acquaintance of his fists. Why Sideways decided to change his paintjob for this meeting is anyone's guess. {{storylink|#RollbarVsSideways|Rollbar VS Sideways}}

==Games==
===''Revenge of the Fallen'' - The Game===
:''Voice actor:'' [[John DiMaggio]]

====''Revenge of the Fallen''- The Game (Xbox 360/Sony PS3/PC)====
=====Decepticon campaign=====
[[Image:ROTFTheGame_Sideways.jpg|300px|thumb|Bite my shiny metal ass!]]
The picture to the right is not accurate to the toy.

Sideways operated as a high-speed reconnaissance operative with the ability to snipe at Autobot opponents from afar with his [[plasma sniper rifle]], and slow enemies to a crawl with his [[graviton mine]] when he needed to get away. He sometimes has a flail.

Sideways was deployed to Shanghai after the Autobots and their NEST allies were detected interfering with an important operation in the area. Upon arrival, various [[Protectobot Scout|Protectobot drones]] were sent to stop him, but failed. Later, Sideways was sent to the Shanghai waterfront to retrieve [[Grindor (ROTF)|Grindor]], who had been damaged and captured by the Autobots. The nimble Decepticon sports car used a combination of speed and guile to fight his way through the numerically superior Autobot forces, freed Grindor and escorted his Decepticon brother back to the extraction point. He was sent back to the waterfront again find a cloaked Autobot probe that threatened the Decepticon operations in China. Following the probe's wake, Sideways raced through the waterfront past startled human dockworkers and the [[Protectobot Warrior|Protectobot units]] assigned to the area, destroying the probe as it revealed itself. {{Storylink|Revenge of the Fallen (Xbox 360/PS3/PC)}}
{{--}}

=====Autobot campaign=====
The Autobots were deployed to China when NEST forces detected the presence of Decepticons in Shanghai. Sideways secreted himself within the urban jungle and sent waves of [[Stunticon Scout 2|Stunticon drones]] against [[Ironhide (Movie)|Ironhide]]. After the last batch of Stunticons had been defeated, Sideways revealed himself, taking pot shots at the powerful Autobot with his [[slag repeater]], after which he would <s>cheese it</s> flee through the narrow alleyways where Ironhide had difficulty following. While the Autobot struggled to pass the cramped causeways, Sideways set himself up on the roof of the tallest residential block and fired his plasma sniper rifle. Ironhide shrugged off the blasts, clambered up the building, and with a mighty punch, sent Sideways plummeting to the ground, reducing him to scrap. {{Storylink|Revenge of the Fallen (Xbox 360/PS3/PC)}}

==Toys==
===Revenge of the Fallen===
====Legends Class toys====
[[Image:ROTF-toy_Legends_Sideways.jpg|thumb|right|300px|]]
*'''Sideways''' (Legends, 2009)
**''Japanese ID number:''
* A smaller-sclae Sideways with an extremely Barricade-like transformation. He features ball joint hips, backwards knee things, and ball joint arms for articulation.

{{charstubtoys}}
{{-}}

====Deluxe Class toys====
[[Image:ROTF Deluxe Sideways.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Seriously, how could you mistake me for [[Barricade (Movie)|Barricade]]?]]
*'''Sideways''' (Deluxe, 2009)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''RD-05'''

:Deluxe-Class Sideways features [[Automorph]] action during the conversion from car to robot mode. When the front bumper is pressed, his front pair of wheels automatically flip underneath the hood, and his robot abs flip down. There is also some [[Mech Alive]]: you can see internal gears moving in his fore-arms when moving his arms, as well as a turning disk on each of his elbows. On his right arm is a spinning "saw" blade. He is probably the least film-accurate toy to date (that doesn't fall in a lesser [[Legends Class|size-class]] or different [[Movie (toyline) #Fast Transformers Fun|toy-line]]), but that doesn't make him any less awesome.

:Unlike the other on-screen characters in ''[[Revenge of the Fallen (toyline)|Revenge of the Fallen]]'' who turn into consumer vehicles, Sideways' vehicle mode is merely an approximation of an [[wikipedia:Audi_R8|Audi R8]] and is not an accurate replica. This is because the toy vehicle, lacking Audi signage, is unlicensed. Deluxe class Sideways is missing the black front lid, roof and rear hood seen on Sideways toys of other price points, and the real car. However, all of the toys are missing the unique silver stripes on top of the black areas seen on the [http://www.europeancarsblog.com/apr-audi-r8/ APR-tuned Audi R8], which was the car used in the movie.

:Yet another victim of late mold changes rampant among the 2008-2009 financial crisis, Sideways appears to have had a hinged thumb on his left hand in Hasbro stock photos whereas this is a solid section molded on to the arm on the final toy. Although not indicated on any early photos nor instructions, Sideways' windshield underside has two notches that connect to Sideways' hood on small square pegs immediately behind the front wheels. This requires folding up the two small triangular pieces on top of the hood. Also it seems as if the spinning saw blade was originally powered by gears, the gearbox and shaft for the lever can still be seen on his right forearm but are molded just like his thumb onto the arm.

:Along with [[Breakaway (ROTF)|Breakaway]], Sideways was initially released in two color schemes, a light silver version and a less common very dark silver version. If you move the headlights, doors and legs of the lighter Sideways to the darker one, allowing for a dark hood and roof, and silver everywhere else, it helps to make for a slightly more movie-accurate Sideways. However, the stripes will be missing still.

:This mold was retooled into the Deluxe class version of ''Revenge of the Fallen'' [[Dead End (ROTF)|Dead End]].

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2009/Decepticon/Sideways/sideways.htm More information on Sideways at TFU.info]''

{{-}}{{anchor|StrikeMission}}
[[Image:ROTFAutobotStrikeMission.jpg|thumb|300px]]
*'''Autobot Strike Mission''' (Deluxe class figure multipack, 2009)
**''Accessories:'' Missile

:Available as a [[Sam's Club]]-[[exclusive]], this "battle damaged" version of Sideways was packed with ''Movie'' [[Longarm (Movie)|Longarm]], [[Rampage (ROTF)|Rampage]] and [[Breakaway (ROTF)|Breakaway]].

{{-}}
{{anchor|SuperTunerThrowdown}}
[[Image:ROTFtoy-BlowpipeSideways.jpg|right|thumb|300px|]]
*'''Super Tuner Throwdown''' (Deluxe class figure two-pack, 2009)
**''Accessories:'' Missile
:Another release of Sideways was available with [[Blowpipe (ROTF)|Blowpipe]], a [[Pipes]] homage, as a Walmart exclusive.
{{-}}

====Fast Action Battlers====
[[Image:Sideways ROTF FAB toy.jpg|right|300px|thumb|''"Do your arms hang low...?"'']]
*'''Magna Missile Sideways''' (Fast Action Battlers, 2009)
**''Accessories:''
This was mistransformed in packaging(the side window "wings" are not flipped up, due to the small size of the package)

:Magna Missile Sideways' robot mode has the entire sides of the car becoming his arms, making this toy even more similar to Barricade than Sideways' movie CG and Deluxe class toy robot design. Like most of the Sideways toys and merchandise (bar the Deluxe & Legends class figures), he features screen-accurate black paint on his vehicle front lid, roof and rear hood.

{{charstubtoys}}
{{--}}

==Merchandise==
===R.P.M.s - Robot Powered Machines===
====Speed Series====
[[Image:ROTFtoy-SidewaysRPM.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Sideways? More like UNDERside! OH!]]
*'''Sideways''' (R.P.M. Mini-Vehicle, 2009)
**''Number:'' '''01 of 04'''

: Number one in a series of four [[Robot Powered Machines]] [[Mini-Vehicle]] single packs, Sideways is an untransformable Hot Wheels-like car, unless you count his robot mode being sculpted and painted onto the underside of him.
{{-}}

====Battle Series====
{{anchor|RollbarVsSideways}}
[[Image:ROTF_RPM_Rollbar vs Sideways.jpg|thumb|300px|]]
*'''Rollbar vs Sideways''' (R.P.M. [[Mini-Vehicle]], 2009)
**''Number:'' '''08'''
:The second release of Sideways comes packaged with [[Rollbar (RPM)|Rollbar]]. Sideways' new colours resembles the Deluxe class version of [[Dead End (ROTF)|Dead End]].
{{comingsoontoy}}
{{-}}

===Robot Heroes===
[[Image:Robotheroessideswipesideways.jpg|right|thumb|300px|My shiny metal saw will bite ''you!'']]
*'''Sideswipe and Sideways''' (2009)
: Sideways is part of the first wave of ''[[Revenge of the Fallen]]'' ''[[Robot Heroes]]'' figures and is packaged versus [[Sideswipe (ROTF)|Sideswipe]]. He has rotational articulation at both shoulders and extremely limited neck articulation. Curiously, he holds a chainsaw-like blade in his hand, rather than it being integrated into wheel-kibble on his wrist. However, this is pretty close to how his weapon actually works in the official video game; when Sideways fights in melee, his wheel-blades spread out to form razor-edged ovals, presumably for added reach.

{{-}}
[[Image:Robotheroestwinswidewaysprimedemolishorsideswipe.jpg|right|thumb|300px|The Twins aren't the only vehicle that splits in two in this scene.]]
*'''Shanghai Shootout''' (Multi-pack, 2009)
:Shanghai Shootout replicates the opening action scene from ''Revenge of the Fallen'', featuring figurines of [[Mudflap (ROTF)|Mudflap]]/[[Skids (ROTF)|Skids]] (ice cream truck), Sideways (vehicle mode), [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]], [[Demolishor (ROTF)|Demolishor]], and [[Sideswipe (ROTF)|Sideswipe]] (vehicle mode). Demolishor is a slightly-oversized figure and the centerpiece of the box set.
{{comingsoontoy}}
{{--}}

==Notes==
*When [[Wikipedia:Audi|Audi]] was looking to win screen time for one of its cars in the summer films during 2009, Ruben Igielko-Herrlich, a marketing consultant from Propaganda Global Entertainment Marketing, helped the company to find an opportunity in the film ''[[Revenge of the Fallen (film)|Revenge of the Fallen]]''. Ruben talked the staff from the film into finding a role for the [[Wikipedia:Audi R8|Audi R8]]. Ultimately, an Audi R8 appears in the film as Sideways. Thus, Sideways became the only car Transformer in the movie whose alternate mode is not manufactured by [[General Motors]].<ref>[http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/09_28/b4139068367113.htm Hollywood's Blockbuster Role for Product Placement - BusinessWeek]</ref>

* According to the pre-visualization animation from the movie DVD's bonus material, Sideways was originally supposed to have a Lamborghini [[alternate mode]] as compared to the Audi R8 seen in the film.

* Sideways's toys and merchandise are not licensed by Audi, and are thus merely approximations of the R8. However, Sideways' appearance in the [[Revenge of the Fallen (video games)|''Revenge of the Fallen'' video games]] is fully licensed, so he is accurate to the car used in the film and has Audi's logos and signage.

* According to designer [[Hisashi Yuki]], the wheels on the hands were a rushed late addition due to a design change in the movie character model. <ref>[http://www.tfw2005.com/transformers-news/interviews-27/takaratomy-staff-interview-translation-hisashi-yuki-rotf-rid-prime-bt-skids-and-bwn-unicron-168426/ Hisashi Yuki interview from Takaratomy]</ref> This is why the hand tires are not integrated more properly into the toy.

* When images of his concept design and toy were first leaked onto the internet, many thought this was going to be a new body for [[Barricade (Movie)|Barricade]].

==Reference==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Decepticons]]
[[Category:Revenge of the Fallen characters]]
[[Category:Robot Heroes]]

Sideways (ROTF)

2009-12-31T20:11:07Z

99.192.86.71: /* Decepticon campaign */

{{factions|decepticon}}
{{disambig2|the live-action Decepticon|the Unicron-serving backstabber from every other continuity|Sideways (RID)}}
:''Sideways is a [[Decepticon]] from the [[Revenge of the Fallen (franchise)|Revenge of the Fallen franchise]] in the [[Live-action film series|live-action film]] [[continuity family]].''

[[Image:Sidewaysrotf.jpg|thumb|300px|Guess what? I'm not [[Barricade (Movie)|Barricade]]! Had you all fooled, didn't I?]]

Before the war, '''Sideways''' was a simple courier, not exactly a career demanding massive levels of courage. This means that in the battle against the [[Autobots]], Sideways prefers to team up with larger Decepticons. This way, his target-friendly companion takes all the heat! In fact, he generally shuns combat entirely. He's not a courageous fellow. But when he absolutely must face the enemy, he eagerly deploys the spinning saw blades on his arms.

Since he's arrived on [[Earth]], Sideways has started hanging out with the mountainous [[Demolishor (ROTF)|Demolishor]]. There are few larger Decepticons to lurk in the shadow of!

{{bigquote|Just 'cause I'd always ''rather'' flee than fight, don't mean I ''can't''!|Sideways to Arcee, [[Transformers Comic issue 2.5]]}}
==Fiction==
===Titan Magazines===

[[Image:Titan5_Sidewayssideswipes.jpg|thumb|left|200px|]]

Sideways made an early landing in [[Australia]], with [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]] and [[Arcee (Movie)|Arcee]] pursuing him through its northern territories. With his souped-up sports car alt mode, Sideways had them outclassed on the roads and was able to both outpace the Autobots and batter them about. Eventually, Optimus decided to change the terrain by blasting the Decepticon off the road. While willing to fight, the Decepticon gave up when human reinforcements arrived.

However, it became clear (to us, anyway) that he was ''meant'' to get captured as part of a plan to frame [[Skids (ROTF)|Skids]] and [[Mudflap (ROTF)|Mudflap]]: as soon as he was taken to [[Diego Garcia]], [[Scorponok (Movie)|Scorponok]] arrived to free him. Knocking Arcee aside and using debris as a weapon against humans, Sideways made good his escape. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 2.5|Reversal of Fortune}}

[[Image:Titan_deceptitwins.jpg|thumb|right|250px|''There is nowhere to run THIS time...'']]

Unfortunately for Sideways, the other part of [[Soundwave (ROTF)|Soundwave's]] plan was to get Skids and Mudflap into the Decepticons, and there was no escape from the twins talking ''all the time'' and dissing him as an "average, creativity-stifled grunt". When the twins were sent to bring in [[Ransack (ROTF)|Ransack]], he protested that they were halfwits, and was relieved to find out they were just bait and he'd get to kill 'em afterwards.

Trailing the twins with [[Grindor (ROTF)|Grindor]], he discovered to his disgust that the twins had talked to Ransack instead of fighting. That was "the sort of example that ''so'' needs nipping in the bud", so he and Grindor attacked! Unfortunately for Sideways, the twins were only pretending to defect so they could capture a Decepticon; Mudflap engaged Sideways in a game of chicken, forcing the 'con off the road and straight into a tree. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 2.7|Turnabout}}

{{-}}

===''Revenge of the Fallen'' film===
[[Image:ROTF Sideways Chromia.jpg|thumb|left|200px|Sideways desperately tries to flee from a rabid fangirl.]]

Sideways was hiding out in [[Shanghai]] with [[Demolishor (ROTF)|Demolishor]] when [[NEST]] came to investigate a possible Decepticon insurgence. At first, the two Decepticons remained concealed, but Demolishor soon transformed and attacked. While the soldiers and their Autobot allies were busy fighting off Demolishor, Sideways took advantage of the chaos and attempted to make his getaway. He was not entirely undetected, however, as [[William Lennox|Major Lennox]] sent out [[Arcee (Movie)|Arcee]] and [[Mudflap (ROTF)|the]] [[Skids (ROTF)|twins]] in pursuit.

[[Image:ROTF Sideways death.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Ouchies.]]
With Arcee and the Twins on his tail, Sideways turned a corner to an apartment complex in his way. Rather than turn and lose momentum, Sideways chucked caution to the wind and transformed, jumping through the apartment building and out the other side. The Twins were unable to keep up with the chase, and Sideways was soon able to fight off Arcee. Sideways didn't get far, and eventually met his end when [[Sideswipe (ROTF)|Sideswipe]] engaged in pursuit, transformed, and bisected Sideways as he attempted to flee. {{storylink|Revenge of the Fallen (film)|Revenge of the Fallen}}

{{--}}

===Toy bios===
{{notemoviebio}}

Sideways and [[Rampage (ROTF)|Rampage]] burst from their cover when they found [[Breakaway (ROTF)|Breakaway]] and [[Longarm (Movie)|Longarm]] hunting them. While Rampage confronted Breakaway, Sideways battled Longarm through the streets. The final result of this battle is unknown.
{{storylink|#StrikeMission|Autobot Strike Mission toy bio}}

Long reliant on his high speed to make his getaways, Sideways found himself in shock when the body-modifying [[Blowpipe (ROTF)|Blowpipe]] was easily able to keep up with him. {{storylink|#SuperTunerThrowdown|Super Tuner Throwdown toy bio}}

Besides his speed, Sideways enjoys using deception to get himself out of trouble. This doesn't work very well on [[Rollbar (RPM)|Rollbar]], who plans to make the lying Sideways an acquaintance of his fists. Why Sideways decided to change his paintjob for this meeting is anyone's guess. {{storylink|#RollbarVsSideways|Rollbar VS Sideways}}

==Games==
===''Revenge of the Fallen'' - The Game===
:''Voice actor:'' [[John DiMaggio]]

====''Revenge of the Fallen''- The Game (Xbox 360/Sony PS3/PC)====
=====Decepticon campaign=====
[[Image:ROTFTheGame_Sideways.jpg|300px|thumb|Bite my shiny metal ass!]]
The picture to the right is not accurate to the toy.

Sideways operated as a high-speed reconnaissance operative with the ability to snipe at Autobot opponents from afar with his [[plasma sniper rifle]], and slow enemies to a crawl with his [[graviton mine]] when he needed to get away. He sometimes has a flail.

Sideways was deployed to Shanghai after the Autobots and their NEST allies were detected interfering with an important operation in the area. Upon arrival, various [[Protectobot Scout|Protectobot drones]] were sent to stop him, but failed. Later, Sideways was sent to the Shanghai waterfront to retrieve [[Grindor (ROTF)|Grindor]], who had been damaged and captured by the Autobots. The nimble Decepticon sports car used a combination of speed and guile to fight his way through the numerically superior Autobot forces, freed Grindor and escorted his Decepticon brother back to the extraction point. He was sent back to the waterfront again find a cloaked Autobot probe that threatened the Decepticon operations in China. Following the probe's wake, Sideways raced through the waterfront past startled human dockworkers and the [[Protectobot Warrior|Protectobot units]] assigned to the area, destroying the probe as it revealed itself. {{Storylink|Revenge of the Fallen (Xbox 360/PS3/PC)}}
{{--}}

=====Autobot campaign=====
The Autobots were deployed to China when NEST forces detected the presence of Decepticons in Shanghai. Sideways secreted himself within the urban jungle and sent waves of [[Stunticon Scout 2|Stunticon drones]] against [[Ironhide (Movie)|Ironhide]]. After the last batch of Stunticons had been defeated, Sideways revealed himself, taking pot shots at the powerful Autobot with his [[slag repeater]], after which he would <s>cheese it</s> flee through the narrow alleyways where Ironhide had difficulty following. While the Autobot struggled to pass the cramped causeways, Sideways set himself up on the roof of the tallest residential block and fired his plasma sniper rifle. Ironhide shrugged off the blasts, clambered up the building, and with a mighty punch, sent Sideways plummeting to the ground, reducing him to scrap. {{Storylink|Revenge of the Fallen (Xbox 360/PS3/PC)}}

==Toys==
===Revenge of the Fallen===
====Legends Class toys====
[[Image:ROTF-toy_Legends_Sideways.jpg|thumb|right|300px|]]
*'''Sideways''' (Legends, 2009)
**''Japanese ID number:''
* A smaller-sclae Sideways with an extremely Barricade-like transformation. He features ball joint hips, backwards knee things, and ball joint arms for articulation.

{{charstubtoys}}
{{-}}

====Deluxe Class toys====
[[Image:ROTF Deluxe Sideways.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Seriously, how could you mistake me for [[Barricade (Movie)|Barricade]]?]]
*'''Sideways''' (Deluxe, 2009)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''RD-05'''

:Deluxe-Class Sideways features [[Automorph]] action during the conversion from car to robot mode. When the front bumper is pressed, his front pair of wheels automatically flip underneath the hood, and his robot abs flip down. There is also some [[Mech Alive]]: you can see internal gears moving in his fore-arms when moving his arms, as well as a turning disk on each of his elbows. On his right arm is a spinning "saw" blade. He is probably the least film-accurate toy to date (that doesn't fall in a lesser [[Legends Class|size-class]] or different [[Movie (toyline) #Fast Transformers Fun|toy-line]]), but that doesn't make him any less awesome.

:Unlike the other on-screen characters in ''[[Revenge of the Fallen (toyline)|Revenge of the Fallen]]'' who turn into consumer vehicles, Sideways' vehicle mode is merely an approximation of an [[wikipedia:Audi_R8|Audi R8]] and is not an accurate replica. This is because the toy vehicle, lacking Audi signage, is unlicensed. Deluxe class Sideways is missing the black front lid, roof and rear hood seen on Sideways toys of other price points, and the real car. However, all of the toys are missing the unique silver stripes on top of the black areas seen on the [http://www.europeancarsblog.com/apr-audi-r8/ APR-tuned Audi R8], which was the car used in the movie.

:Yet another victim of late mold changes rampant among the 2008-2009 financial crisis, Sideways appears to have had a hinged thumb on his left hand in Hasbro stock photos whereas this is a solid section molded on to the arm on the final toy. Although not indicated on any early photos nor instructions, Sideways' windshield underside has two notches that connect to Sideways' hood on small square pegs immediately behind the front wheels. This requires folding up the two small triangular pieces on top of the hood. Also it seems as if the spinning saw blade was originally powered by gears, the gearbox and shaft for the lever can still be seen on his right forearm but are molded just like his thumb onto the arm.

:Along with [[Breakaway (ROTF)|Breakaway]], Sideways was initially released in two color schemes, a light silver version and a less common very dark silver version. If you move the headlights, doors and legs of the lighter Sideways to the darker one, allowing for a dark hood and roof, and silver everywhere else, it helps to make for a slightly more movie-accurate Sideways. However, the stripes will be missing still.

:This mold was retooled into the Deluxe class version of ''Revenge of the Fallen'' [[Dead End (ROTF)|Dead End]].

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2009/Decepticon/Sideways/sideways.htm More information on Sideways at TFU.info]''

{{-}}{{anchor|StrikeMission}}
[[Image:ROTFAutobotStrikeMission.jpg|thumb|300px]]
*'''Autobot Strike Mission''' (Deluxe class figure multipack, 2009)
**''Accessories:'' Missile

:Available as a [[Sam's Club]]-[[exclusive]], this "battle damaged" version of Sideways was packed with ''Movie'' [[Longarm (Movie)|Longarm]], [[Rampage (ROTF)|Rampage]] and [[Breakaway (ROTF)|Breakaway]].

{{-}}
{{anchor|SuperTunerThrowdown}}
[[Image:ROTFtoy-BlowpipeSideways.jpg|right|thumb|300px|]]
*'''Super Tuner Throwdown''' (Deluxe class figure two-pack, 2009)
**''Accessories:'' Missile
:Another release of Sideways was available with [[Blowpipe (ROTF)|Blowpipe]], a [[Pipes]] homage, as a Walmart exclusive.
{{-}}

====Fast Action Battlers====
[[Image:Sideways ROTF FAB toy.jpg|right|300px|thumb|''"Do your arms hang low...?"'']]
*'''Magna Missile Sideways''' (Fast Action Battlers, 2009)
**''Accessories:''

:Magna Missile Sideways' robot mode has the entire sides of the car becoming his arms, making this toy even more similar to Barricade than Sideways' movie CG and Deluxe class toy robot design. Like most of the Sideways toys and merchandise (bar the Deluxe & Legends class figures), he features screen-accurate black paint on his vehicle front lid, roof and rear hood.

{{charstubtoys}}
{{--}}

==Merchandise==
===R.P.M.s - Robot Powered Machines===
====Speed Series====
[[Image:ROTFtoy-SidewaysRPM.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Sideways? More like UNDERside! OH!]]
*'''Sideways''' (R.P.M. Mini-Vehicle, 2009)
**''Number:'' '''01 of 04'''

: Number one in a series of four [[Robot Powered Machines]] [[Mini-Vehicle]] single packs, Sideways is an untransformable Hot Wheels-like car, unless you count his robot mode being sculpted and painted onto the underside of him.
{{-}}

====Battle Series====
{{anchor|RollbarVsSideways}}
[[Image:ROTF_RPM_Rollbar vs Sideways.jpg|thumb|300px|]]
*'''Rollbar vs Sideways''' (R.P.M. [[Mini-Vehicle]], 2009)
**''Number:'' '''08'''
:The second release of Sideways comes packaged with [[Rollbar (RPM)|Rollbar]]. Sideways' new colours resembles the Deluxe class version of [[Dead End (ROTF)|Dead End]].
{{comingsoontoy}}
{{-}}

===Robot Heroes===
[[Image:Robotheroessideswipesideways.jpg|right|thumb|300px|My shiny metal saw will bite ''you!'']]
*'''Sideswipe and Sideways''' (2009)
: Sideways is part of the first wave of ''[[Revenge of the Fallen]]'' ''[[Robot Heroes]]'' figures and is packaged versus [[Sideswipe (ROTF)|Sideswipe]]. He has rotational articulation at both shoulders and extremely limited neck articulation. Curiously, he holds a chainsaw-like blade in his hand, rather than it being integrated into wheel-kibble on his wrist. However, this is pretty close to how his weapon actually works in the official video game; when Sideways fights in melee, his wheel-blades spread out to form razor-edged ovals, presumably for added reach.

{{-}}
[[Image:Robotheroestwinswidewaysprimedemolishorsideswipe.jpg|right|thumb|300px|The Twins aren't the only vehicle that splits in two in this scene.]]
*'''Shanghai Shootout''' (Multi-pack, 2009)
:Shanghai Shootout replicates the opening action scene from ''Revenge of the Fallen'', featuring figurines of [[Mudflap (ROTF)|Mudflap]]/[[Skids (ROTF)|Skids]] (ice cream truck), Sideways (vehicle mode), [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]], [[Demolishor (ROTF)|Demolishor]], and [[Sideswipe (ROTF)|Sideswipe]] (vehicle mode). Demolishor is a slightly-oversized figure and the centerpiece of the box set.
{{comingsoontoy}}
{{--}}

==Notes==
*When [[Wikipedia:Audi|Audi]] was looking to win screen time for one of its cars in the summer films during 2009, Ruben Igielko-Herrlich, a marketing consultant from Propaganda Global Entertainment Marketing, helped the company to find an opportunity in the film ''[[Revenge of the Fallen (film)|Revenge of the Fallen]]''. Ruben talked the staff from the film into finding a role for the [[Wikipedia:Audi R8|Audi R8]]. Ultimately, an Audi R8 appears in the film as Sideways. Thus, Sideways became the only car Transformer in the movie whose alternate mode is not manufactured by [[General Motors]].<ref>[http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/09_28/b4139068367113.htm Hollywood's Blockbuster Role for Product Placement - BusinessWeek]</ref>

* According to the pre-visualization animation from the movie DVD's bonus material, Sideways was originally supposed to have a Lamborghini [[alternate mode]] as compared to the Audi R8 seen in the film.

* Sideways's toys and merchandise are not licensed by Audi, and are thus merely approximations of the R8. However, Sideways' appearance in the [[Revenge of the Fallen (video games)|''Revenge of the Fallen'' video games]] is fully licensed, so he is accurate to the car used in the film and has Audi's logos and signage.

* According to designer [[Hisashi Yuki]], the wheels on the hands were a rushed late addition due to a design change in the movie character model. <ref>[http://www.tfw2005.com/transformers-news/interviews-27/takaratomy-staff-interview-translation-hisashi-yuki-rotf-rid-prime-bt-skids-and-bwn-unicron-168426/ Hisashi Yuki interview from Takaratomy]</ref> This is why the hand tires are not integrated more properly into the toy.

* When images of his concept design and toy were first leaked onto the internet, many thought this was going to be a new body for [[Barricade (Movie)|Barricade]].

==Reference==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Decepticons]]
[[Category:Revenge of the Fallen characters]]
[[Category:Robot Heroes]]