General Information
Release Date: November 2023
Price Point: $9.99 (depending on retailer)
Retailer: General Release (Amazon, BigBadToyStore, Entertainment Earth, Target, Walmart etc.)
Accessories: Blaster
Official images and text in italics are from Amazon.com
- TRANSFORMERS: BUMBLEBEE STARSCREAM: This Transformers Studio Series Starscream action figure is highly articulated for posability and features movie-inspired deco and details
- TRANSFORMERS TOYS STUDIO SERIES CORE CLASS: This 3.5-inch (8.9 cm) collectible action figure is highly articulated for posability and designed with specs and details to reflect the Transformers movie universe
- 2 ICONIC MODES: This Studio Series Transformers toy features classic conversion between robot and jet modes in 14 steps
- AWESOME ACCESSORIES: Transformers figure comes with a blaster accessory that attaches in both modes
- ARTICULATED FOR PLAY AND DISPLAY: Transformers figures feature articulated heads, arms, and legs for action poses
- COLLECT STUDIO SERIES MOVIE FIGURES: This action figure toy makes a great collectible figure gift for any Transformers fan. Look for more Transformers Studio Series toys to build a collection (each sold separately, subject to availability)
Bring the epic action of the Transformers movies from the big screen into your collection with the Transformers Studio Series Core Class Starscream action figure, inspired by Transformers: Bumblebee! Transformers Studio Series toys are collectible action figures that feature movie-inspired details and accessories. Convert the Studio Series Transformers action figure from robot to jet mode in 14 steps and pose with the included blaster accessory. Look for more Transformers Studio Series collectible figures to build a movie-inspired collection (each sold separately, subject to availability)! TRANSFORMERS and HASBRO and all related trademarks and logos are trademarks of Hasbro, Inc. © 2024 Hasbro.
Background:
In the opening of the Bumblebee movie fans witnessed the battle on Cybertron that sends Autobots escaping their home planet to parts unknown. This is the battle that ultimately leads to Bumblebee coming to Earth. During this scene we get to see the movie versions of classic Transformers characters in their Cybertronian forms. Among them was Starscream featuring some design elements that call back to G1 Starscream. After being a Voyager Class figure, now fans can have a pocket sized version of this character as a Core Class figure.
Packaging:
Starscream is packaged in the standard Core Class Studio Series box. The box is rectangular with a flap on top. The box portion features an open window to show off most of the toy. There is no plastic window, aligning to the eco-friendly packaging of the time. The background of the box is black while the Studio Series logo uses light blue colors. The vertical Transformers logo is on the right and the top flap has the character's artwork showing him holding his weapon.
The back of the packaging mostly uses various shades of red. The figure is shown in both modes calling out an 14 step transformation. Below that section is a ton of legal information in multiple languages.
The figure is bound to a cardboard insert with rubber ties. This cardboard insert also doubles as the Studio Series style backdrop, featuring the cityscape of Cybertron.
Accessory:
Unlike G1 Starscream, this version of the character holds a blaster instead of having two Null Rays connected to his arms. This blaster is flat on the bottom with the weapon barrel on top and a vertical fin. The end of the blaster features a Blast Effect attachment point and a 3mm peg at the bottom for the figure to hold. This piece is made of grey plastic with no paint applications.
Robot Mode:
Unlike the Starscream seen in the 2007 live action film which did not resemble G1 Starscream at all, this version is clearly based on the 80's design with modifications. Here's a rundown of the G1 influences:
- Head: The head design features a "helmet" section with a crest on top of the head in the center and the sides have "vent" panels. He also has a face featuring two eyes, a nose and mouth (unlike the more insectoid face of the 2007 version).
- Wings: The wings from the vehicle mode wind up on his back and angled upwards.
- Torso: The torso features the cockpit from the vehicle mode in the middle, though a piece of the nosecone section winds up set horizontally over the cockpit window, giving it a unique spin on a classic Seeker feature. The chest sections also feature openings that have vent details inside.
- Legs: The legs feature thrusters on the sides instead of the front, but the idea of the lower legs having the thrusters on them remain intact from the G1 figure.
- There are rectangular shapes flanking the head set towards the back.
There are some significant changes from the classic G1 Seeker design. While the torso has features of the G1 design, its actual shape is different, featuring the piece of the nosecone section set horizontally over the cockpit window. Another big change involves the arms. Unlike the G1 Seekers who have their weapons mounted on their arms, here Starscream carries his weapon in his hand (and he only has one). Despite these differences, this figure is instantly identifiable as having been influenced by the G1 Seekers.
This figure is made up of grey and blue plastic. Paint applications are done in black, gunmetal grey and orange. The left side wing in this mode features a purple Decepticon symbol. These are classic Starscream colors and I really like the way the red and blue colors contrast with the grey. The gunmetal grey adds a bit of the "machine like" feel that the movie's CG model presented. However, being a Core Class figure the designers were not about to go wild with paint so he winds up looking very Clean as opposed to the much rougher looking on-screen model.
There are nine points of articulation in this mode. That doesn't sound like a lot, but eight of these are ball joints so his range is pretty good for a Core Class figure. He includes one blaster which can fit in either hand. The end of the blaster is designed to fit a Blast Effect.
Transformation to Vehicle Mode:
- Detach the blaster if attached.
- Straighten out the arms and legs.
- On each leg, swing the blue fin halves forward and then flat against the lower legs.
- Rotate each foot so the toes are pointing inward.
- Rotate each lower leg inward and then push them together, connecting them using the tabs and slots on the feet and fins.
- Lift up the robot head and the panel it is attached to.
- Swing the section with the wings, head and arms back, then rotate it around on the large ball joint.\
- Swing the robot head section under the vehicle.
- Push the robot legs down against the section with the wings and arms. It connects via tabs (on the feet and thighs) and slots (on the section with the wings and arms).
- Swing the front of the nosecone out from under the cockpit.
- Attach the fists to the pegs on the sides of the hips.
- Attach the blaster to the bottom of the vehicle.
Vehicle Mode:
The Seeker design in the Bumblebee movie was inspired in part by the "Tetrajets" from the original G1 cartoon. They had a roughly pyramid shape with the rear tail stabilizer fins forming the "top" of the pyramid and the wings angling out to the sides like a triangle. The weapon being mounted on the bottom of the vehicle reinforced the suggestion of a triangular shape throughout this design. This figure largely succeeds in recreating this though due to the size class there are some design sacrifices. For one, there is a large gap in the middle of the vehicle on top which looks kind of awkward. Also, the fins do not come up very high, so the "top of the pyramid" detail is de-emphasized visually. There are also blasters seen on Starscream's wings in robot mode that do not appear on this figure which is a shame since those details could have just been sculpted on without the need for additional accessories. Still, for a Core Class figure I give the designers lots of points for getting the design this far given the budget limitations.
This mode mostly shows off parts you already saw in robot mode so there are no real color surprises. The only "newly revealed" part is the front of the nosecone which is blue plastic.
Final Thoughts:
To some, the choice of Bumblebee movie Starscream as a Core Class figure was an odd choice, but not to me. Making a Core Class Seeker sculpt is a no brainer in my book. You can redeco this figure over and over as a bunch of different characters and I wouldn't be surprised if we saw this given a new deco as Blitzwing with modified head. Then Skywarp. Then Thundercracker (you get the idea!). I think this is a neat (but not perfect) little figure. If you did the Core Class and fun transformations, this figure is for you. Recommended!
Pros:
- Really nice sculpt in robot mode.
- Bright, attractive colors (though you lose some screen accuracy in the process).
- Fun and unique transformation.
Cons:
- The big gap in vehicle mode is awkward looking.
- While out of bounds for a Core Class I imagine a much darker, "grimier" deco would have looked amazing on this figure.
