Ratchet (Movie)


 * Ratchet is an Autobot from the Movie continuity family.



Ratchet, the Autobots' medic, is probably the bravest of them all. He'll risk his life to pull any wounded comrade from the battlefield. Indeed, he did not join Optimus Prime's team to be a soldier; rather, he's there to save lives, and thinks Prime is the best chance the universe has for peace.

Transformers Magazine
Ratchet used to be a politician - Optimus Prime's chief liaison to the High Council of Ancients. He tried to find a peaceful solution to the civil war and when this failed, he became a battlefield medic.

He would later be one of three Autobots who tried to prevent Megatron from reaching the All Spark. They hadn't, however, expected for Devastator to be demented enough to set off a foldspace warhead at pointblank range - a weapon that warped everyone to different parts of the galaxy. Ratchet found himself stuck in the middle of a genocidal alien war that uncomfortably mirrored Cybertron's own; by challenging and defeating the local tyrant, he became ruler of the Thraal faction. He then ordered a ceasefire and oversaw an interim alliance, effectively bringing peace to the planet single-handed.

Transformers (2007 film)

 * Voice actor: Robert Foxworth (English) Takeshi Watabe (Japan)

Hearing Bumblebee's call of assistance, Ratchet and the other Autobots under Optimus Prime's direct command came to Earth, with Ratchet crashing into a storefront. As emergency crews and bystanders observe the wreckage, Ratchet assumed the vehicle mode of a nearby Hummer H2 rescue vehicle and drove away.

Ratchet linked up with Ironhide and Jazz, then made their way to a deserted ally to meet up with Optimus Prime, Bumblebee and their new human friends. After being introduced as the unit's medical officer, Ratchet remarked that his sensors have indicated that Sam's pheromone levels suggests he wants to mate with Mikaela. (Neither Sam nor Mikaela appreciated this comment.) He also explained how Bumblebee's voicebox was damaged, and that he had been having trouble fixing it for some time.

Following Sam to his house, Ratchet and their other Autobots unwittingly caused much destruction to the Witwicky yard and stress to Sam when they attempted to help the boy look for his grandfather's glasses. After Sam told them to hide, Ratchet accidently backed into some powerlines, which shocked him enough to make him fall onto a greenhouse. Ratchet found the experience tingly, suggested to Ironhide that he try it, and Ironhide, sarcastically, mused that it looked fun, but unfortunately this caused a neighborhood-wide blackout, making the search for the glasses much more difficult. Ratchet attempted to help by activating his powerful floodlights which only suceeded in making the parents investigate his room. When Ironhide remarked that Sam's parents were annoying and requested Prime's permission to 'take them out', the normally peaceful Ratchet nodded vigorously and points Ironhide's left cannon at the house. Maybe that powersurge did more damage than we thought it did.



Soon, Sam, Mikaela and his parents were captured by the mysterious Sector Seven, Ratchet and the other Autobots totally outclassed the S7 agents by instantly disarming them of their weapons, then rescuing the boy and his girl. Their dramatic escape was to be short-lived when Bumblebee was captured while saving his human friends' lives. The next morning, the remaining Autobots gathered to discuss their options. Whether through intuition or some technological means, Ratchet announced that the Decepticons were preparing to make their move. Optimus Prime declared that if they could not defeat the Decepticons, he would fuse the All Spark with his own spark, hopefully destroying it. Ratchet cautioned him against this action, as the raw power of the artifact would likely kill him. Prime replied that it was his own choice, and to save the humans from destruction and the mistakes of the Transformers, it was a sacrifice that he was willing to make. Inspired by his words, the Autobots headed to Hoover Dam, before encountering Bumblebee leading a column of Sector Seven vehicles headed in the opposite direction.

As the large group arrived in Mission City, it was attacked by Starscream, with the explosion crippling Bumblebee. At the same time, Devastator attacked the surviving human soldiers, prompting Ratchet and Jazz to engage the large Decepticon. As Jazz destroyed one of Brawl's rocket pods, Ratchet used his buzzsaw to slice off the tank's left arm.



Captain Lennox ordered Sam to take the All Spark to the rooftop of a nearby, run-down building so he could pass the cube to a military helicopter that would soon arrive. Ratchet and Ironhide volunteer themselves to protect Sam as he made his escape. Unfortunately, the villianous Starscream swooped down to block Sam's path, forcing the Autobots to engage him in a rather one-sided battle that saw the both of them knocked down.

Unable to assist Sam any further, Ratchet headed to Jazz, in an attempt to repair him. However, his Spark had already faded. After the defeat of Megatron and the destruction of the All Spark, Ratchet somberly informed Optimus Prime that he could not save the fallen Jazz. Later, as Optimus declared that Earth was their new home and that his team would be waiting for any surviving Autobots to gather there, Ratchet spent the remainder of the day observing Sam and Mikaela making out on the hood of Bumblebee's vehicle mode.

Toy Tech Specs
Ratchet, despite what he said previously, fixes Jazz up just fine. He also learns a little more about Earth and decides to change to what he feels is a more typical "rescue" deco. The new look feels more natural to him.

Transformers (2007)

 * Autobot Ratchet (Voyager Class, 2007)
 * Japanese ID number: MA-02




 * Voyager Movie Ratchet transforms into a AM General Hummer H2, customised as a fire search and rescue vehicle. Mostly accurate to the prop vehicle (though the wheels are rather incorrect), Ratchet is missing some sculpted detailing for the rear doors and lights, as this is where his knee joints are situated. Ratchet is also missing significant amounts of paint applications, with unpainted wheels, emergency tools, and light details, as well as a underpainted face, resulting in a rather monochromatic toy.


 * During transformation, unfolding his legs will activate his Automorphing feature, which folds out his kneepads and feet, and 'bulges' out two small panels along his inner calves. In robot mode, Ratchet is bulkier than his CGI movie design, with larger, blockier limbs, evoking a more 'traditional' Transformers appearance. He features a reasonable amount of articulation, though his windshield halves and the rear brush guards may occassionally interfere with his arms and legs.


 * The only Autobot to not feature a ranged weapon, Ratchet's right forearm unfolds into an axe (based upon a weapon concept study), and the removable rollbar/roof rack can either be mounted on his left arm as a shield, or stored on his back.


 * Oddly, though Ratchet's thumbs are articulated, space is so restricted that they are all but useless. His left thumb can only move a millimeter due to his wrist armour getting in the way. His right thumb does have more space to move, but pushing it will invariably disengage the fold-out axe from his forearm.


 * Autobot Ratchet (Legends Class, 2007)




 * An inexpensive, small-scale version of Ratchet, he remains relatively faithful to his vehicle mode (though highly simplified), but transforms very differently due to his simplicity. In robot mode he has a faux truck-front chest that's more faithful to the CGI design than the Voyager toy's chest, but the rest of his robot mode is (understandably) inaccurate and limited in articulation.


 * The original production run of the toy sported a significantly wrong shade of green. A running change variant that quickly replaced the original version corrected the error, now sporting the same shade of green as the Voyager toy. Still, the color variant was not limited to the US market, as both versions also popped up in Europe.


 * Axe Attack Autobot Ratchet (Fast Action Battler, 2007)
 * Japanese ID number: QC-03




 * Rescue Ratchet (Voyager Class, 2007)




 * Rescue Ratchet is an extensive redeco based in part upon Generation 1 Ratchet's Marvel comics appearance. Aside from the deco and name change, the toy is otherwise the same in functionality to the previous Voyager class release.


 * Autobot Ratchet (Cyber Slammer, 2007)




 * Cyber Slammers Ratchet is a cute little super-deformed Hummer H2 that transforms into a cute little super-deformed Autobot medical officer. 'Slam' his robot mode down into van mode and he rolls along, slowly transforming back up into vehicle mode. Like most Cyber Slammers, Ratchet manages to cram most of his vehicle mode's major details into a compact, super-deformed version of that mode.


 * Rescue Ratchet Vs Decepticon Brawl (Legends multi-pack, 2007)


 * Released as part of the AllSpark Battles refresh of the Movie toyline, Legends class Rescue Rarchet is, naturally, a redeco of the previously-released Legends class Ratchet in his white Generation 1-inspired colours. He comes packed with an all-new sculpt Legends class Brawl.


 * This set was released in Australia at mass retail in 2007, because Australia is awesome. And drunk.

Transformers Premium Series
A subline under the main Transformers movie toyline, the Premium Series is a range of store exclusive Movie line figures repainted in enhanced decos and metallic paint and/or plastic, presented in robot mode.


 * Autobot Ratchet (Voyager Class, 2007)




 * Ratchet was one of the first figures in the Premium Series, released on October 16th, 2007 exclusively at Best Buy for the lauch of the Transformers movie DVD. Ratchet's main plastic has been changed to a metallic yellow, with an additional coat of metallic yellow paint over the top of those parts (and others), resulting in a much more accurate colour scheme in relation to the actual Movie character and prop vehicle.


 * Ratchet was presented in robot mode, within a special display package similar in shape to the packaging for the Hasbro release of Generation 1 Masterpiece Starscream.

Titanium Series

 * Autobot Ratchet (3" Robot Masters, 2007)




 * Titanium Ratchet is a die-cast metal and plastic figurine, with an accurate sculpt based on the CG model owing to the fact he doesn't need to transform. Being a figurine, he only has articulation in his shoulders, neck and waist. For some odd reason most of his face is left unpainted. Ratchet comes with a Movie-style Autobot symbol display stand.

Merchandise

 * Ratchet AllSpark Blaster (2008)



Trivia

 * According to Meet the Autobots, Ratchet has X-ray vision, which lets him see for miles.


 * He also has the Autobot logo on his vehicle form, seen on both doors.


 * In the hardcover Movie Guide, it is noted that Ratchet can cannibalize his own parts for emergency treatment of a patient. (He carries within him redundant systems for such situations.) He can also tow up to 300 lbs over his own weight in vehicle form, and his specialization isn't listed as being a medic, but in actually getting to the wounded.


 * Although Ratchet is enlisted as medic, he has a variety of weapons. His Voyager-class toy has an axe and a forearm claw. His FAB toy has an axe that fires missiles. And in the movie, he is showed as having a chainsaw and two machine guns (though the second only appears in one scene). Huh. Surprisingly well armed for someone who doesn't like to fight.


 * Ratchet's toy packaging proclaims he has an "Automorph Forearm Cannon". However, the toy obviously lacks this weapon.  At the Hasbro Tour during Botcon 2007, an early resin prototype of Ratchet was displayed during a slide show, with similar callouts.  Presumably, the forearm cannon was attempted, but dropped due to either engineering issues or cost.


 * In the film, a part of Ratchet's transformation involves his entire upper body rotating around. The toy does not do this, but Ironhide's does.


 * According to this chart, Ratchet was originally going to be a red and white GMC ambulance. This was probably changed as to allow Optimus Prime to be the predominantly red robot.