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If there is possibly a Transformer to compete with Optimus Prime for Iconic Supremacy, it’s Starscream.  Every series has it’s Optimus Prime and it’s Megatron, and nearly every series has it’s Starscream.  Heck he even made a cameo or two in Beast Wars.  Only Beast Machines and Robots in Disguise completely lack a Starscream character.

It’s extremely appropriate that he appears in the Classics’s initial line up.  Jet planes are somehting that are easy to make generic, unlike say, Bumblebee’s Volkswagon.  As such, Starscream’s alternate form is essentially identical to his old form.  Well, it’s identical in shape.  The coloring is a little off.  The stripes don’t match up on it at all for starters.  The paint scheme certainly does envoke Starscream but anyone who is excessively purist will have a whole mess of complaints about it.

There are a few more noticeable faults however.  Due to the way the nosecone transformation works, there is a gaping hole in the front of the plane under the nose at the start of the fuselage.  It’s really pretty ugly looking and soime sort of flip up panel seems like it would have been easy to incorporate.

Also his front landing gears leave a lot to be desired.  I understand why they couldn’t put a regular nose cone flip out gear due to the way Transformation works but the little nubby fold out wheels fail to impress mostly because ‘planes don’t have 4 wheels.  Or at least, they don’t have rectangle staggered car wheels.  It’s kind of sort of really lame.  At least it keeps things level when he’s on a flat surface.

Transformation is highly evocative of the original toy as well.  However instead of the “push the nose through” mess of stumpy arms, the chest folds open and things are allowed to flip out to the sides or down from the top as needed.  My biggest gripe is that the wings don’t appear to peg anywhere in the finished robot mode.  They are floppy as a result.

So, pushing onto the root mode, and going off of the floppy wings, I’m going tohave to lodge another related complaint about the arm cannons.  While I like them on the shoulders, they stick out so much the arms can’t be moved without making the wings problem worse.  You can go without the cqanons but they are a staple of G1 Starscream’s design.  They “make” the robot mode.

Also once again the pain apps are off for Starscream’s design.  I hate to bitch about something as simple as paint layout but everytime i look at the toy I can’t help but feel something is “off”.  There should be more red and all of the colors really need to be a bit bolder.  The gray plastic used also has a slightly ugly transparent look to it.

Finally he just flat out feels undersized.  I can’t help but think the Seekers would have been better made at a slightly larger price point.  I don’t expect a jet to scale with the cars but the Decepticon Jets should be aslightly taller than the Autobots certainly not slightly shorter looking.

In the end, what I’m saying is that Starscream is just a big mess of dissapointment.  I was really looking forward to the perfect Starscream  toy but I fear I may have allready hadit with my Energon Starscream from the Energon line.  Sure, this toy looks more G1-like but his distracting flaws keep me from really enjoying that part of the toy.  It’s not a bad mold though and it’s likely that the coloration and paint issues may be resolved for the future Skywarp repaint and possible future Thundercracker repaint.

Final verdict is kind of neutral.  If you’r in love witht he character you’re going to pick him up anyway.  If you’re not sure on if you want to collect all of the Classics line, this is a good plae to start trimming.