Review: #68
Name: Starscream
Brand: Transformers
Allegiance: Decepticon
Line: Classics/Masterpiece
Year of Release: 2006
Size Class: Masterpiece
Variations: a repaint from TakaraTomy's MP-03 Masterpiece Starscream, this was also repainted into Skywarp and Thundercracker
PACKAGING:
Don't know why I really bothered but here's some packaging shots for the figure. Although he's in Classics packaging, in my mind, Starscream belongs to the Masterpiece line since the mold originated from there.
The shape of the packaging is odd, and doesn't store very well. However, it does look pretty good.
On either side, the packaging displays some of the (numerous) gimmicks of the figure.
At least on a packaging this big, you can afford to detail the more intricate features.
The top is nice, with a molded Decepticon symbol and molded "MASTERPIECE STARSCREAM" with silver detailing, which looks really good. I personally still prefer the Japanese packaging though.
The first of Starscream's accessories that he comes with is an all white (except for the face where it's painted) Dr Arkeville, the villain from a few of a the cartoon episodes. It's really really small and easily lost, and he doesn't add much to the playability. Okay, now, please be prepared for a long drawn out review.
JET MODE:
Starscream's alternate mode is a F-15 Eagle fighter jet, just like what his G1 self was. Unlike the multitude of G1 Starscream based toys, this jet is probably one, if not the, most accurate to the actual plane of them all.
There are so many details here it's not funny. The whole body has detail sculpting, and there's a black paint wash over the entire jet. He features three point landing gear, with actual rolling wheels (not that you would expect less at this scale).
Undercarriage kibble is pretty much non-existent, he's very sleek and slim, particularly when viewed from the side. The engineering in the figure to create this is quite a feat.
Once you start delving into the gimmicks, you can tell by the sheer number that the designers has focused more on the plane mode than robot (which makes it a weird twist).
The first is the cockpit. Starscream is big enough such that he can feature an opening cockpit, and there's some nice detailing inside, well, alright, there's only a molded seat and a huge gap at the back (which is completely unnecessary) but it's nice that they included the feature.
You can also put Dr Arkeville into the seat, he's molded to fit into the seat comfortably. Although I don't see much point since he just rattles inside there anyway.
Next up is the nosecone (which has black spray fade out effect) which opens to reveal a radar dish (but unpainted).
Starscream also comes with a small black clip that pegs onto the underside of the nosecone and if you've got Masterpiece Optimus Prime/Convoy (or any of it's repaints/repackages), then you can plug the mini-Megatron underneath. This configuration emulates the one time in the cartoon that they did that (however, in that instance, Megatron was as big as Starscream himself, sadly, you can't attach Masterpiece Megatron instead).
Then there's the various panels on the plane that opens to reveal detailing (?), I'm not really sure if this is realistic but they must have put it in for a reason...
There are also opening panels by the thrusters.
The thrusters themselves are on balljoints.
The wing flaps are also adjustable (although they're more so because they are required for transformation).
Starscream is big, very big, he's actually longer than Masterpiece Optimus (the one in the picture is Universe Deluxe Starscream though).
He's just barely longer than Leader Movie Starscream (which is a pretty big leader toy itself). Starscream's size is impressive.
Another gimmick he has is that he has interchangeable weapons. Well, one's primarily for his jet, and another's for his robot, but you can plug whichever one you want. The first is the missile racks. Or you can opt to use his iconic null rays instead.
If you use the null rays, this makes him just that slightly less realistic, but you'll get a more authentic Starscream jet... it all boils down to personal preference.
And now, FINALLY, the last part. Starscream comes with a stand, which I recommend using since it makes him look so much better. It shows off Starscream in a kind of taking off angle and this angle really emphasizes how sleek he is.
The stand also serves as a storage point, you can plug in most of the unused accessories here. The extra weapons can plug in at the front, while the Megatron clip goes underneath. Sadly, the Dr Arkeville figure doesn't really go anywhere but I guess you can put him in the cockpit.
An excellent jet mode that's perfect for display. He looks great, and if you're not looking closely, you can't really tell that he's a Transformer. The stand is a great addition and the paint job is good.
TRANSFORMATION:
Starscream has a very complex transformation. The way the two side torso pieces fold out can be annoying (as bits seem to get in their way). It feels elegant though, and works very well. Getting the transformation to start can be somewhat heart wrecking, due to how everything is pegged together tightly and getting just that first panel out is hard (it feels like the plastic is going to give way first). The tail fins are somewhat fragile, especially the white ones, as they are attached only via friction joints, and those joints stress very easily if by mistake you fold it the wrong way. Generally, the basic transformation is similar to all the other Starscreams out there in that the cockpit folds to become the chest and the head is revealed there, arms fold out from the torso and the legs extend. Not a bad transformation, does take some getting used it, but at times, it feels that the transformation doesn't go easy on the plastic.
ROBOT MODE:
First of all, I recommend using the stand for robot mode, not only coz it looks better, but more importantly, it's more stable. Starscream has huge trouble standing on his own (it's possible, but unstable), and he's fragile, so you don't want him falling over any time soon.
Other than that, he's an okay robot, you can clearly tell that the designer focused more on the jet mode coz there are some things left to be desired. He has considerable panel kibble, although they don't protrude much, the way they fold and are situated, it makes Starscream quite unwieldy. Then there's also the huge tail fin pieces on either side of the hips, you would wonder would it have been so hard to integrate it to the legs just like the original?
Starscream has a very stylised design, and it takes some getting used to, particularly when compared to other Masterpiece figures. In terms of accessories, you can keep the missile racks attached to the wings (which is now on the back) and since Dr Arkeville doesn't plug in anywhere (and doesn't fit in his cockpit anymore), you can get Starscream to hold it in his hands.
Speaking of his hands, Starscream's hands are articulated. Due to the smaller size, it's not to the same degree of flexibility as Optimus'. His forefinger and thumb are individually articulated (forefinger has two points of articulation) and the rest are all jointed as one. Even though, it's quite flimsy and more often than not, it'll fall apart as you're trying to make him grab something.
Starscream can also hold the Megatron gun that came with MP Convoy (or any of it's iterations), and he looks much more suitable here. Starscream's poseability is okay, hindered primarily by his reliance on the stand, and his hips cannot lift too far due to the tail fins.
Another gimmick that Starscream has is that his chest turbines can lift up to reveal the missile launchers that he used once in the cartoon.
The very last gimmick involves his head. If you don't like the neutral expression, you can swap it for a more lively smirking one.
Despite how large the plane was, he's only really Leader classed size in robot mode, which is disappointing as he's a huge chunk shorter than Optimus or Megatron.
A robot mode that takes some getting used to. There are many elements that you can hate here, from the tail fin placements to his forearms, but this is a good display piece.
OVERALL:
Starscream is, and always will, be a display piece. He is too fragile to be an action figure, although being in the Masterpiece line, I highly doubt you'll have him do anything else. The plane mode is where Starscream shines, but the robot mode isn't bad either. Both modes are packed with gimmicks, and they don't affect the engineering at all. The transformation has enough twists to keep your interests. Although I would only recommend this figure if you find him at a decent price, particularly because a revised/retooled version is coming out (which fixes many many flaws).
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