First review, first Voyager Movie Starscream.

Well that was a lie. This is a premium repaint of the first Voyager Movie Starscream mold.

Back in 2007, after watching the first live action movie, I wanted the Voyager Starscream and the Leader Optimus Prime the most.

I got this guy last year and still don’t have the 2007 Movie Leader Optimus.

Better late than never, onto the review!

Vehicle mode

While as kid you or I probably wouldn’t really mind the jet mode… as an adult collector it looks like Starscream doing really uncomfortable yoga more than a jet.

This guy only looks convincing as a jet from right above and even then the seam down the middle and the turned around head would make you suspicious that this jet is hiding something.

But that all can be forgiven. Why? Just look at that paint job. Even the latest Masterpiece Movie line paint-jobs can’t keep pace with it. It’s hard to comprehend that Transformers used to come with paint this nice not too long ago. I mean have you seen The Last Knight Premier Edition Bumblebee? ‘shudders’

When this first came out, a lot of people took issue with the gigantic missile launchers on his sides. I didn’t take issue with them back then and I don’t mind them now. If they could, I bet every military in the world would shove at least one death launcher onto all of their vehicles. They look dumb because they are ridiculous but they also look cool because they look so ridiculous.

All and all, a flawed but ridiculously well painted and fun jet mode.

TransformationYou could probably fiddle around and guess what to do to get to robot mode. A bit fiddly with the wings and… back wings I guess? But the Automorph on this Starscream is still great 11 years later.

Robot mode

This toy should be completely obsolete 11 years into the future. But when you pick it up there’s something he has over the latest crop of Voyager Transformers. You know what it is?

Heft.

This guy feels like he’s twice as dense as say, TLK Voyager Megatron. He doesn’t weigh that much more but something about his plastic feels so durable.

One thing Movie Starscreams tend to lack is flexibility in their posability. This guy being the first mold is of course plagued by it.

He has a swivel head, universal shoulders, bicep swivel, elbow bend, universal hips, hip swivel, multiple knee joints and feet that go forward and back. He has joints in all the correct places (except a waist swivel) but can’t really use them for much. Flexing while pointing my gun fingers at you is about the most dynamic you can make him look.

He’s still a great looking robot for your collection, just lacking in his posing ability.

Gimmicks

I miss when mainline Transformers had campy action gimmicks.

This guy has two, his Automorph feature is the first.

Lifting the cockpit transforms his chest real quick into his iconic dorito chest for you. Starscream was never reported to have much problems with his automorph, so if you get him it’ll probably still be smooth as better.

His second are his double death launchers that rotate while firing six missiles.

One funny observation, his missiles are molded to look like fingers. Starscream doesn’t have a rocket punch, he has a rocket poke.

To annoy Megatron, I guess?

Great, functional gimmicks but they come at the cost of his chunky jet mode and his handlessness.

Worth it.

Toy or collectible?

I’d recommend it as both really. You got a durable, hefty figure with an easy enough transformation and two fun modes. It looks good on a shelf but could probably stand a beating.

Also, he’s recommended as both at toy and a collectible on the grounds that he is Starscream. 10 out of 5 stars.

Closing

He’s an odd fish. Technically the Leader Class and Studio Series Voyager beat him hands down on every front. But he feels like he’s so unique he’s not even competing with them. I recommend him even if you’re looking into the other two Starscreams. He’s got so many repaints if you don’t want a repeat character, you can buy a Skywarp or Ramjet for your collection to experience the mold.