Post by kamadoma on Jul 10, 2007 11:43:47 GMT 8
Transformers Movie Voyager Class Starscream Review
by kamadoma
by kamadoma
I've put off buying this toy mainly because I was busy with TF Classics and now I really wanted it I failed to get it. Luckily I was able to go to SM Megamall after arranging a deal with Marc (Clowz) and I brought in some cash and was lucky to have bought one of these after seeing that there's only 2 left in Toy Kingdom.
I really liked the concept of Starscream and after watching several video reviews I was convinced that I need to get one of these. He was one of the more common Voyager Class Movie toys and I wonder why because Starscream is such a character that he should be the one to be bought first before the others.
Now on with the review!
PACKAGING: Again with my impatience I opened this at the food court so this picture is just how it basically looks like without the wires holding the figure in the box. On the side of the boxes is a description of the Automorph Technology incorporated in the figure. Behind is just like you basic character biography and specs/stats.
ALTERNATE MODE: F-22 RAPTOR
The alternate mode of Starscream is an F-22 Raptor with some modifications for the robot mode. I really like the concept of him being a different form but still sporting the sleek fighter jet configuration. The jet has metal color to it and some black shading effects. The Decepticon logos are visible in the wings. Here you can see that beside the guns, there is a foldable thingy where you can store the missiles, but it's pretty loose, though it won't let your missiles fall.
Now one of the major flaws in the jet mode is that you can clearly see the head of Starscream in the thrusters. The remedy of most collectors here is to spin his head 180 degrees to hide it more.
And one of the gimmicks of this toy is that underneath the guns are wheels that make the guns spin. When you place on the missiles in the guns and roll the plane, the missile triggers will hit a specially placed panel to push down the triggers, firing the missiles. The missile triggers are sensitive because of this purpose. If they make the triggers more firm, the panel would have a hard time pushing down the trigger and the gimmick won't work. I think the jet looks awesome with the missiles on the guns.
Summary of F-22 Raptor mode:
- missile firing gimmick
- missile storage
- visible head
- sleek, look with more realistic colors.
I'll give the alternate mode a 9.5 out of 10. I really don't care much about the missile gimmicks, it's the visible head that took off some points for me.
TRANSFORMATION TO ROBOT MODE:
Starscream's Automorph occurs when you separate the wings and push up the cockpit. The wings split apart and up, forming his chest's bulk. I have found a possible troublemaker with the legs because of the number of joints. There's no breakage risk but one of the joints getting removed damages that joint and will have to be AVOIDED AT ALL COSTS. I have tackled it in a more in-depth thread here.
Now another issue is that some people remove the rear wings to make way for flipping back the main wings. I think this isn't necessary because you can do it with some extra care. I have transformed mine for many, many times and it only fell twice.
As you fold the main wing back this is how it should look like. As you fold it, the smaller wing will just go along and through with it. Another solution I've seen is to fold it the other way to the front for more clearance. It's your choice, flip it to the back, to the front, or "cheat" and remove it.
ROBOT MODE: Decepticon Air Commander
Starscream becomes a huge gorilla-like robot when standing, but I think this robot mode is pretty good for a change. The Voyager class size is well worth it for this figure. Some red appears in his chest as part of the Automorph. His guns in the jet mode become his arms and you can open up the claws. And you can place the missiles and fire them by pressing the triggers. Other than that he has pretty good articulation and looks pretty fine. Like in his other toys his cockpit becomes his chest, with his wings on his back, but this time the wings are folded back.
Summary of robot mode:
- very good articulation
- missile firing action
- size worthy of a Voyager class toy.
I'll give the robot mode a 10 out of 10.
OVERALL: 9.75 out of 10.
MY THOUGHTS: People might be skeptical about this figure on the first look but it really looks awesome in person, and has a good variety of gimmicks, a cool color scheme and a nice transforming action. I think everything pretty much adds up to the awesomeness of this toy. For the price of PHP 1350, it's very worth it. I think Starscream and Seeker fans would surely want to have one. I myself will be waiting for the G1 recolor of this toy and also the Thundercracker version. So get yours now!
Thanks for reading!
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keeping the site active as a place to dump info for easier backtracking. 