Review: #446
Name: Stinger
Brand: Transformers
Allegiance: Decepticon
Line: Generations - Studio Series
Year of Release: 2018
Size Class: Deluxe (Wave 1)
Mold Status: new
VEHICLE MODE:
Finally, we get a Stringer who transforms into a Pagani Huayra and this is a wicked vehicle mode.
The vehicle looks stunning and we finally get a Deluxe that isn't lacking in paint, with plenty of black paint highlighting the sculpted details, and the silver striping along the sides.
Above is a comparison against Age of Extinction Bumblebee and Stringer is a little bit smaller than most Deluxes.
The robot weapons attach to four different spots on the underside of the car.
However, if you store them this way, then they stick out the sides.
This is a sleek vehicle. The only play value though is the rolling wheels.
It is nice that the designer managed to squeeze into the budget some paint on the back as well, since all too often we get a nice sculpt but nothing to make it stand out.
This is a fabulous vehicle mode that does the actual vehicle justice.
TRANSFORMATION:
Stinger has a really innovative transformation. He is not a simple reshell of Bumblebee and features a complex yet ingenious transformation scheme. The legs are simple being the back of the vehicle, as are the arms which are formed from the sides. The clever part is how the torso is formed from the body of the car, which flips inside out and has the windshield being tucked into the robot torso via a series of rotations. It is neat and is just so satisfying when you first complete it.
ROBOT MODE:
Robot mode looks amazing as well and despite in the film being a red/black Bumblebee with a different head, this is a neat interpretation of the design.
Stinger is relatively kibble-less. He has the four wheel spikes on his back but they are situated a bit too far out from the back to look like the film. There are joints that allow you to situate it to your liking though.
The headsculpt is great with the neon green eyes really popping.
In terms of size, he is once again a bit smaller than most Deluxes.
As with all Studio Series figures, Stinger comes with a cardboard diorama which depicts a key scene. For Stinger, he is designated number 2 and features the Hong Kong battle scene from Age of Extinction.
While the diorama looks nice, it does take up a lot of space.
Poseability is fantastic with jointed shoulders, elbows, hips, knees and neck.
His right arm has a stinger weapon formed from the side windows of the car. This is a neat usage of what is otherwise kibble and gives him an asymmetric look.
The four wheel spikes can be detached (and they are required to be detached for transformation), they are made from a type of soft bendy plastic.
In addition to form his iconic back kibble, the wheel spikes can attach onto Stinger's forearm as a type of weapon, but looks stupid in the process.
The headlights on his shoulders can also be tailored to your liking, whether it cover more of his shoulders or less.
There remains plenty of paint applications here as well and what could have been a really bland red toy instead looks amazing with the combination of black and red.
This is a fabulous robot mode and does justice to the character.
OVERALL:
The Studio Series has really nailed it with its focus on screen accuracy and complex yet elegant transformations. Stinger is one of the best Deluxes we have had and he is absolutely fantastic in both modes. The only negative relate to his small size compared to other Deluxes but otherwise, Stinger is definitely a must buy.
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