Review: #721
Name: Wheeljack
Brand: Transformers
Allegiance: Autobot
Line: Generations - Studio Series
Year of Release: 2022
Size Class: Deluxe (Wave 15)
Mold Status: new
VEHICLE MODE:
Wheeljack transforms into a Cybertronian sports car, and it looks awesome here.
The back isn't as good as it's a gaping hole where all the robot parts are visible.
The robot gun can attach onto the roof, and in addition to the rolling wheels, that's about it for play value.
That said, the painted details are quite nice, and he has transparent plastic. The angular headlights look wicked.
Despite the poor vehicle rear, and spoilers that doesn't seem aggressive enough, this is a great looking vehicle mode.
TRANSFORMATION:
For some reason, Wheeljack has a complicated transformation, compounded by the fact that he's small and this means he is fiddling to transform. The torso is most annoying as it's got several panels that are supposed to tab together but due to poor quality control, isn't as solid as one would like. The front and the side form the legs, while the arms were hidden at the back of the vehicle. The torso is formed from the rest of the vehicle, including folding up the windshield and roof.
ROBOT MODE:
Despite the annoying transformation, Wheeljack's robot mode is worth it. He looks pretty decent but still has some proportion issues.
Surprisingly, he doesn't carry too much kibble. This mode is based upon the version that appeared at the start of the Bumblebee movie, which had taken place on Cybertron.
The head sculpt, just like the rest of the figure, is an excellent blend of G1 and movie aesthetics.
Unfortunately, it seems like toys have shrunk yet again while prices have gone up. Siege Sideswipe is already a small Deluxe but Wheeljack is now even smaller, it's pretty disappointing, although it seems most of the budget was spent on the parts count for the complex transformation.
Like the rest of the Studio Series figures, he comes with a cardboard stand depicting Cybertron.
He has fairly good articulation, with joints for his head, shoulders, elbows, hips, knees and ankles.
His legs aren't that great, since his ankles doesn't have enough range to be flat against the surface unless you don't have his legs too far apart.
He comes with a weapon, a gun that can be held in either hand.
It's a shame that the onscreen design didn't use the front of the vehicle as the feet like Wheeljack usually does. The angular headlights would have made for a great looking robot.
You're also able to store the gun on his back when not in use.
The other negative here are the way his wings are attached. They're attached on the shoulders, rather than his back, so if you pose the arms in anyway, the wings move and aren't symmetrical anymore.
Otherwise, this is a good looking robot, just don't pick him up as otherwise you'll feel the fragility and the loose joints from poor quality control.
OVERALL:
Wheeljack could have been better. Either simplify the transformation or make the toy bigger, actually, doing both would have been preferable. As it is, what we got is still solid, albeit having a few minor annoyances.
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