Toy Review - Alternity Starscream

[griffin]

Toy Review - Starscream
Series - Alternity
New/remould/redeco - New
Wave - (5)
Released here - not released here (Japan May 2010)
Approximate Retail Price - $40-60
Approximate Size - 15cm
Allegiance - Decepticon
Alt-mode - Mitsuoka Orochi Sports car
Main Features/Gimmicks - partial auto-morph
Main Colours - White, black, red
Main Accessories - None

[jaydisc]

A really clever tribute to a fighter jet built into a car transformer. Unfortunately though, it's the weakest Alternity mold yet. It lacks the automorph of its predecessors. The doors are too heavy and very difficult to transform without popping off. The thigh ratcheting joints are way too stiff and uncomfortable to rotate. The car mode, as always with Alternity, is perfect though.

Specific to Starscream, the head mold really sucks; It sort of has double eyes. The paintjob and choice of colors is excellent though.

[SharkyMcShark]

I can't agree Jaydisc - I think this is the nicest Alternity mold. Also it does have automorph - when you rotate the chest segment into place the faux car hood slides down to reveal his head.

For my money it's main weakness is the doors falling off, but otherwise I've had no problem with it. Everything else locks into place in robot mode and it's got a really alien vibe that I like - the head and the long bent legs really help this vibe. It really looks graceful in robot mode.

Admittedly the aesthetic of this mold (and especially Starscream with the head) is out of place somewhat compared to the rest of the line, but then really this applies to both modes - the Orochi looks a lot more organic than a Skyline (/Suzuki Swift/350Z) and this carries over to the robot mode.

While the slightly more classic head of Skywarp and Thundercracker may appeal to some, if you're looking for the full experience I'd recommend Starscream, as I'm of the belief that passing over this figure because of the head is kind of missing the point.

Now if only we could see Hot Rod as a Lamborghini, my life would be somewhat complete.

[kurdt_the_goat]

I think it's the nicest Alternity as well. It's the first one to have arms/shoulders in the right position, and the legs are incredibly solidly formed yet very pose-able. Compared to Bumblebee and the minute pieces that make his knees troublesome, it's a joy! Perhaps Alternity Convoy is still the nicest car mode though, the Seekers bonnet is a very tight fit with the head so close, occasionally it will pop up.

[gamblor916]

I quite like this mould too. Apart from the auto aesthetics which can't be helped, the design quite good. The bot mode is sleek and angular which suits the seekers. The only issues I have with it are Starscream's strange head sculpt and the doors popping off while transforming the thing.
I would agree that this is the best Alternity to date.

[jaydisc]

Wow! A lot of disagreement, and from those with judgement I respect. I will have to have another play.

the Seekers bonnet is a very tight fit with the head so close, occasionally it will pop up.

I found that rotating the head 180° prevented this from happening.

[griffin]

Out of these two, I prefer the Skywarp one because the dark colour hides all the lines and joins. And has the better robot head.
But I think Megatron is the best Alternity so far, as this pair has some design flaws, like the heavy doors not having load-bearing connections, so keep coming off. The back panel also doesn't really work for me - it was a nice idea to emulate wings, but feels more like avoidable kibble. The weight distribution is off, primarily with a fair bit of it being tied up in kibble (the doors).
To me, Megatron looks nicer in both modes, has nice weapons (the 'seeker' guns just look pathetic), and all the alternitys seem to be fairly equal in difficulty... so it comes down to the other factors for me (like visual ones - hence the preference for Skywarp which hides the flaws (joins) of the car mode).

[Grievous]

While Megatron is still my favourite from the Alternity line...
Starscream is amazing in his own right.

Unlike many others...I love the creepy double optics and
the robot mode wings...

I think I'll eventually pick up Skywarp and Thundercracker
as well...the three of them will make a great display piece.