Review: #86
Name: Starscream
Brand: Transformers
Allegiance: Decepticon
Line: Autobot Alliance/Hunt for the Decepticons
Year of Release: 2010
Size Class: Leader (Wave 1)
Variations: none as of this date
JET MODE:
This version of Starscream is based upon his movie incarnation, as such, he transforms into a gunmetal F-22 Raptor fighter jet. It's not the best looking fighter jet Transformer but it's a really decent attempt and considering what it had to do, it's very impressive.
Starscream features three point landing gear, and they all fold down, featuring actual wheels, so you can roll him along a table if you really wished to. Starscream is big, and very heavy. Most panels lock together well.
There's electronics here, pressing upon a button with the Decepticon insignia on it, will activate one of two sounds, first one is a plane engine sound, and the second is "No one can defeat Starscream", while the engine intakes and cockpit light up.
While streamlined in regards to the front section of the plane, Starscream has horrendous undercarriage kibble. It's extremely thick, and very very obvious. This is the liberty taken when you've got all of Starscream's robot limbs tucked in there and not sticking out.
The tip of the jet is made from soft plastic, that said, it's still fairly hard and pointy. The cockpit is a clear amber and there's a transparent set inside too (it's transparent since it lights up).
Starscream is covered with molded detail, from the back you can see the thrusters (and robot kibble underneath that...). There's bronze pieces here and there, which kinda breaks up the colour scheme and ruins it.
Perhaps most surprisingly (for me anyway), was that two missiles were included. The plug (in the classic G1 Seeker fashion) underneath the wings, and look okay there, but do seem a bit too small. Starscream also has intricate 'tattoos' on the topside.
A decent vehicle mode that's held back by all the kibble. It makes him really big and bulky, when he should be more streamlined. However, at the time, it was the most accurate F-22 Starscream yet, and it's still a strong vehicle anyway.
TRANSFORMATION:
Initially daunting, but is actually easier and much more fun than ROTF Optimus. The engineering is very impressive, especially when there is a sound box and speaker incorporated into the figure. The whole jet basically breaks apart and then pieces are pegged together in ways that surprise you. I love how they incorporated a lot of the pieces into vehicle mode, and how they unfold. One of the most impressive features of the figure, and a major highlight. While folding the cockpit down or up, you will activate a button, which makes a transformation noise when depressed or let go, it lights up the cockpit and air intakes since they're all linked. Some joints feel prone to breaking though, and things peg together better than you'd expect, so it takes some much needed force to pull them apart (which may damage the figure itself). However, this is an excellent transformation, going both ways.
ROBOT MODE:
Truly, the robot mode is a masterpiece (literally), and this is the mode where you should display him. Frankly, the jet mode is just a sideshow for this figure, from just looking at him, you can't believe that he can transform into a convincing jet, it's just simply amazing.
There is a TON of detail, which is just as it should be at this scale. I really like all the molded detail that you can find on him, particularly his torso. He is screen accurate, and doesn't have too much kibble (part of the wings and tail fin do fold up onto his back). And the best thing? He doesn't have that weird fat diamond torso that plagued the earlier figures.
I guess the worse thing, and it's a minor thing, is that the back juts out, or rather, his hips and legs jut forward, it looks really weird. It doesn't impact anything, just aesthetically annoying. Starscream portrays the skinny yet bulky look from the movie really well (as in, thin limbs but bulky torso).
The head sculpt is great, and the best movie Starscream head. It no longer looks freaky or weirdly proportioned, it looks exactly what it is supposed to look like, detailed and expressed the character well. We can now start to head off to the gimmicks. First off is a Mech Alive-esque gimmick, pulling out his cockpit will move the transparent seat inside, and opens Starscream mouth, while lighting up his eyes and cockpit, spitting out one of two phrases. "No on can defeat Starscream" and "Decepticons will crush the Autobots" will alternate, I like how they used two phrases instead of one, which dulls down the repetitive nature just a notch.
Next are weapons linked to the arms, which is really ingenious and fun. On the inside of each forearm is a small red trigger, depressing it will flip out, on the outside of the forearm, a weapon (seen in the movie too!). The left arm houses a pair of missiles.
While the right has a small gatling gun. I find that the colour scheme of Starscream is somewhat bland, but the gunmetal grey used is nice and is more than enough.
Another great gimmick is the inclusion of a missile launcher that Starscream used back in the first movie. When you fold his hand in, you can plug in an attachment, and by the way it's coloured, it looks just as if Starscream's hand has morphed into the weapon, which is awesome. You can plug it on either hand.
The two missiles that he came with, you can attach one to it, but it doesn't look that it belongs there, and it's best left unloaded. Plus, you get two missiles, which is more than you'd need. That's kinda it for the gimmicks though. You might think Starscream has problems standing on his two small feet, but he's actually really sturdy and stable.
If you don't want to plug the missile launcher, there is a space to store it on his back, which is nice.
His hands are one of his weak points though. He doesn't have a wrist swivel, normally this isn't a problem, but he hands are molded in such a way that you can only bend his elbow forwards with his palms facing up into the air, it's somewhat annoying. Articulation wise, Starscream's articulate, he even has a second shoulder joint so that he can flex his outer body in, amazing.
An impressive figure, and frankly, this is the mode you should buy Starscream for, and display him in. The detail to robot mode is amazing, and with a heap of unobtrusive gimmicks, versatility and poseability.
OVERALL:
Okay, this is an amazing figure (I've used that word so much now...), and one of the best Leader sized toys ever made. Transforming him is fun, but just looking at that robot mode, and what it can do, it blows you away. Sure, there are some flaws, honestly, you would not be disappointed by him (unless you really hate the movie aesthetics). Seriously, get this figure.
---------------------
Various other reviews can be found here.
