Toy Review - Wheeljack (Studio Series)

QUE
Series - Generations
Sub-line - Studio Series
Hypo-line - Bumblebee
Size/class - Deluxe
New/remould/redeco - New
Wave - 15
Released here - ??? 2022
Approximate Retail Price - $35
Approximate Size - 12cm
Allegiance - Autobot
Alt-mode - Avion Stratos armoured race car
Main Features/Gimmicks - (see accessories)
Main Colours - il Tricolore
Main Accessories - rifle

FORMA MACCHINA

https://i.ibb.co/d5QYWNR/studioseries-wheeljack03.jpg

An interesting blend of 3 vehicle aesthetics: (1) Wheeljack's G1 Cybertronian mode from the Sunbow cartoon, (2) Wheeljack's Lancia Stratos mode, and (3) the Bumblebee movie Cybertronian car aesthetic. Ambitious yet it works surprisingly well on this toy. It has a more forward set cockpit with a larger looking cargo compartment, like the G1 Cybertronian mode. The front is tapered and window rounded in a Lancia-esque way, with the colours and spoilers also being a reference to the Alitalia Stratos. And yet the overall vehicle shape has design elements that are consistent with Bumblebee's Cybertronian mode, making this vehicle look like it belongs in the same universe. The rifle attaches between the spoilers and holds in reasonably well. The canopy doesn't sit perfectly flush, but it honestly doesn't look as bad in hand than it does in photos. Also, it does serve a functional purpose; having the canopy sit slightly higher makes it easier to detach it when transforming to robot mode. Because there's nowhere else to grab it other than from the front.

FORMA ROBOTICA

https://i.ibb.co/h9JrHvD/studioseries-wheeljack01.jpg

The robot mode is quite accurate to the screen model, even working in the split windscreen! Not as insanely accurate as Brawn, but still pretty darn close and additionally impressive considering that the vehicle mode blends 3 different styles. As a character who only appeared on screen for a few seconds, having the toy really makes me appreciate the movie design. The great thing about the character designs in the Bumblebee movie is that every character is instantly recognisable by fans. Wheeljack is never identified by name on screen, but there's no doubt over who he is. I also quite like how the eyes and head-wings are painted with a shiney metallic blue. In contrasts well with the metallic silver and gunmetal grey of the head, but also gives the eyes and and head-wings a luminescent quality. The robot wings are mounted on the back of the shoulders and can swing in or out. I find this to be an improvement over the traditional placement of Wheeljack's wings on his back. Wheeljack's rifle can also attach to his back for storage.

https://i.ibb.co/BZjfdq7/studioseries-wheeljack02.jpg
Comparison with Bayformers counterpart

OVERALL

HasTak have done a very nice job in creating a screen accurate robot mode with an intuitive transformation and pretty neat looking and solid vehicle mode. I really do like what they've done with the aesthetic of the car mode; giving it the same basic "DNA" as Bumblebee's Cybertronian car mode, but also referencing the G1 Sunbow Cybertronian mode plus the Alitalia Lancia Stratos. A few small criticisms of this toy would be:
> The flanks of the robot don't clip in tightly and can be prone to dislodgement during play.
> The front wheels are prone to falling right off when transforming from vehicle to robot mode.
But overall a pretty nice toy. Recommended.