Review: #448
Name: Starscream
Brand: Transformers
Allegiance: Decepticon
Line: Generations - Studio Series
Year of Release: 2018
Size Class: Voyager (Wave 1)
Mold Status: new
JET MODE:
Starscream transforms into a F-22 Raptor, without the tattoos, thus it is the incarnation from the first movie.
This is a great jet mode and the undercarriage kibble is not bad at all. The robot weapon pegs on the bottom at the back and sticks out a bit.
In terms of size, Starscream is on par with other Voyager toys. Above is a comparison against The Last Knight Megatron.
He has three flip down landing gear although the wheels are molded solid.
A great jet mode with no flaws.
TRANSFORMATION:
This version of Starscream takes a huge amount of inspiration from the Dark of the Moon Deluxe version. It effectively takes the Deluxe's transformation scheme as a base, and then adds in some minor tweaks here and there. The biggest differences are that this figure uses more robust hinge/swivel joints instead of balljoints, and the chest pieces have additional panels to fill in the torso. It is a good solid transformation scheme though with the cockpit forming the chest, the legs from the sides and the arms from the fuselage.
ROBOT MODE:
Starscream's robot mode is fantastic and one of the best that we have had (on par, if not better than the Leader version from a few years ago).
He doesn't have much kibble although the back looks very flat and the crotch doesn't have anything behind it to make it more substantial.
The headsculpt is fantastic, and it is on a swivel joint so can only look from side to side.
As part of the Studio Series line, he comes with a cardboard diorama, this one from the city battle from the first movie.
While looking good, the diorama does take up a lot of space when fully opened.
A quick comparison with the Deluxe version, and you can see the Voyager is basically an upscale but has better proportions, joints and sculpting.
Starscream is quite big in this mode, he feels solid in your hands and is actually a bit taller than Megatron.
The articulation is strong. As mentioned, all his joints are now hinges and swivels, making them a lot more robust.
His wrists are balljointed which is fantastic, it allows Starscream to have more expressive poses.
The sole weapon in this mode is the missile launcher, it's a bit flat though.
To use it, you flip either hand back and then peg the launcher in. As it does not have to incorporate a spring-loaded missile gimmick, it's a lot more compact and screen accurate.
When not in use, the launcher can peg in one of three holes on his back (the two on his wings and the one in the middle of the back).
He also features pegholes on the outside of his forearms, allowing the missile launcher to be situated there too, and it looks pretty good.
His knees can be a bit awkward to pose thanks to the way it is jointed but the heelspurs are fantastic.
A fantastic robot mode.
OVERALL:
Despite being an upscale of a previous Deluxe toy, Starscream doesn't feel like a lazy attempt. It takes the transformation and improves upon it giving us an amazing jet mode, and an equally strong robot mode. This is one of the best Starscream figure we have had, and more importantly, the transformation is fun while being intuitive. Starscream is recommended, even if you have the DOTM or the HFTD Leader versions.
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