Review: #486
Name: Jazz
Brand: Transformers
Allegiance: Autobot
Line: Generations - Studio Series
Year of Release: 2018
Size Class: Deluxe (Wave 2)
Mold Status: new
VEHICLE MODE:
Jazz is based off the first movie and thus transforms into an accurate Pontiac Solstice. Perhaps the most impressive thing about it is that he is doused in silver paint from top to bottom!
This is a great vehicle mode although care needs to be taken during transformation otherwise he'll scrap the table when trying to roll him.
His robot weapon can store in this mode by attaching to the rear spoiler. It looks ridiculous but it is better than leaving it loose.
Unfortunately, the silver paint comes at a cost and that is his size. Jazz is extremely tiny, above is a comparison against a Titans Return Deluxe and also his wavemate Lockdown. It's pathetic really and disappointing to say the least.
While the amount of detailing and paint is amazing, the size lets this mode down.
TRANSFORMATION:
Jazz's transformation is worthy of a Deluxe, even if he size isn't. It takes a lot of cues from the Human Alliance version of the character but makes it simpler and has better proportions. Getting him back into vehicle mode can be a pain thanks to the way the legs fold up and are supposed to peg onto the roof. This is because it's fiddly.
ROBOT MODE:
Jazz's robot mode is one of the best we've had for the character, unfortunately, the silver paint doesn't extend to his robot mode since a lot of the pieces are left unpainted grey.
He carries a fair bit of the vehicle's shell on his back. A necessary sacrifice considering his character model and the size-class, there's only so much the designer could do within the budget.
The headsculpt is pretty good. His visor is not retractable.
Once again, the size lets you down. Here's a comparison with Quake and Lockdown as per before, he is literally two-thirds the size of them. For added insult, a comparison against Legends Beachcomber show that while Jazz is bigger, it's not that much and in actuality, Jazz is around the same size as a Scout toy from years ago, :(.
As part of the Studio Series line, he comes with a cardboard backdrop.
The backdrop is based upon the first movie's climactic scene in Mission City.
Jazz's poseability is excellent since he has joints above the normal standard of a Deluxe. This means he can pull off the pose he had in the promotional shots of the first movie.
In addition to all the joints for his shoulders, elbows, hips and knees, he has ankle articulation as well as double joints in some areas.
His weapon is his Crescent Cannon.
There are two ways for Jazz to wield his weapon. The first is folding his hand back and then attaching the weapon directly at the exposed wrist.
The other way is Jazz holding it. You might notice that his right hand is clawed while his left is shaped to have a 5mm hold, this corresponds to the 5mm post on the weapon.
There are no other gimmicks to speak off. His waist is fixed due to transformation.
Jazz has a good robot mode with plenty of details.
OVERALL:
Jazz has engineering worthy of a Deluxe, it's just a damn shame he is so tiny in size. It gets to the point where you feel like you got ripped off since he is minuscule in your hand. Otherwise, the silver paint looks nice in vehicle mode, and his robot mode packs plenty of details.
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