Official solicit:

TRANSFORMERS ANIMATED Voyager Class: STARSCREAM

No one really likes STARSCREAM, not even the other DECEPTICONS. Who can blame them though? He’ll do whatever it takes to gain control of the DECEPTICONS, even going so far as trying to destroy his commander, MEGATRON. Of course, he’s also nearly as powerful as MEGATRON, and just as sneaky. He’s the fastest flier there is, and even OPTIMUS PRIME would have a hard time beating him in a fight. He’s the best there is at what he does. Even so he sometimes overrates himself, and that’s why he’s still second in command.

This awesome air warrior is ready to make a crash landing right into your collection! Discover the hidden arm lasers or deliver a double sonic shock blast in robot mode! And it’s ready, aim, fire! – with two fierce firing missiles that are ready to launch in fighter jet mode. This STARSCREAM figure is ready to do battle…are you?

JUNE 2008
MSRP 19.99USD

When the Transformers Animated toys were first announced sometime last year, and images started trickling down, I knew without a doubt that no matter which figures I did end up buying, Starscream was going to be one of the first. And since the line has launched, I’ve only gotten a few figures from it, to my amazement. I thought for sure I’d get sucked in and want every figure there was, but really, not so much.

I’m not one of these purists, and I certainly am not one of these wacko’s who thinks the designs are ugly either. I love the cartoony look to them, so much so I’m surprised I don’t already own the Voyager and Leader class Bulkhead figures - ooh he looks so cool maybe it’s time to pick him up too!

But nope, other than the Dinobots, Optimus and Jazz, and of course Starscream, I’ve managed to steer clear. But not for lack of love, as you’ll soon find out…

I know I have already talked about how much I love the look and design of the Animated logo and boxes. And it’s no less true here, either. The bright colors, the open space, and the designs of the characters themselves all really bring the look together. Brilliant.

The back of the box features Starscreams bio, which is also listed above, and it’s not much of a stretch from any version of his bio to come before. Screamer is a megalomaniacal cowardly traitor, but who usually looks pretty damn cool too.

Out of his box, we see Starscream doesn’t come with much aside from 2 missiles, but he really doesn’t need much else as you’ll soon see.

Starscream comes packaged in jet mode, so that’s where we will start. And it’s a pretty good mode to start with anyways, a futuristic attack jet, with a pretty ridiculous color scheme all things considered. Lots of people have complained about why Hasbro decided to use this light blue/purple color for Starscream, which varies from his usual G1 color, but I’m not one of them. Sure, it looks stupid on a jet, but these are toys here. Toys with an inflated animated sensibility, which makes me really dig the change.

As for the jet, considering how inflated some of the design elements in these figures are, the vehicle modes are actually not too far off base. Starscream actually almost looks like a plausible jet design, and features all the things you would see on a jet too. At least a toy jet, I should say. Landing gear, missiles, cockpit, afterburners, vents and all other manner or aerodynamic goodness. The jet design is really impressive, and with a more realistic custom paintjob I could see people who don’t care for this mold, very quickly coming around to it in fact.

Kinda like people did with my custom Grimlock…

Transformation is a little involved, but features an automorph gimmick that speeds up the process from jet to robot, although robot to jet was where I had most of my problems. Still, transforming him for the first time was really fun, and mostly a breeze. Not too hard, but complex enough to actually remind you why these toys are so well made to begin with.

Robot mode is equally impressive, and what really drew me to the figure. There is just something about the way this guy looks, how much detail and articulation, movement, and design from jet to robot that appeals to me greatly. And I don’t even know why that is to describe it either - I mean just look at him. LOOK!

As you can see, his missile launchers stand at the ready, able to extend and ready to blast Autobots or Decepticons alike, pretty much anyone in his way really. The missile launchers have a pretty strong spring too, I popped one off about 5 feet away from desk when I first opened him up! What I didn’t get a picture of, unfortunately, was a close-up of the tips of the missiles which feature a little pair of eyes and open shark-like mouth - nice touch!

Starscream stands around 7.5″ tall, give or take on his wings, and has a pretty wide gait as well. Ton of articulation (I never count them on Transformers because there are usually too many!) with all his major body-parts able to move - head, shoulders, elbows, hips, knees, and even his hands too.

When was the last time, since Alternators, that a Transformer had moveable hands?!!

Starscream has a pretty wide range of movement, so much so he seems more like an action figure of the GI Joe or Superhero variety than any sort of robot. And, as you can see in the far right pics, he passes the Murdershow Karate Kick Test with no problems at all. And honestly, you’d be surprised how many figures fail that test, which really shows the lack of balance in the design of the figure from the start. Not Starscream though, really solid figure.

Also, I’d say aside from his elongated chin, the figure might fit into another line kind of easily, which makes me wonder why some people hate the looks of these so much. Maybe I’m just blind to it, but I think if you gave Starscream a different head he could pass for a figure from a different line outside of Animated easily. Or maybe I’m just nuts.

As you can see, Starscream stands a little bit over the Voyager Optimus figure, and certainly strikes a much more imposing figure. In the new Animated series, all the Decepticons are much stronger and better armed than the Autobots - and that carried over into the toys too. Why, it takes no leap of the imagination to now see Starscream not only take on Megatron for the leadership of the Decepticons and win, but also destroy Optimus Prime singlehandedly as well!

Wow, right?

Back to the review of the figure though, I honestly don’t have much in the way of complaints with him. The legs are liable to pop off at the joints while transforming from robot to jet, because of the type of joint used, but it’s easy enough to pop them back into place and pretend it never happened. Also, as I said, robot to jet mode is a little tricky but isn’t too hard thanks to the automorph gimmick built in.

Starscream is a ridiculously complex figure, with a ton of detail, great paint apps, no noticeable flaws or problems, all such a great design.

I guess my only real complaint would be the fact that Hasbro will for sure be repainting this mold to match the other Decepticon seekers Skywarp and Thundercracker, but will be too lazy or cheap to actually resculpt new heads for them when they do. But I guess that’s more a complaint on Hasbro’s laziness and insufferable cheapness when cashing in on repainting molds time and time again - at least give us new heads!!

NEW HEADS!!