Pictorial Reviews for Transformers Studio Series Starscream and Optimus Prime

Saturday, March 17th, 2018 9:31PM CDT

Categories: Movie Related News, Toy News, Reviews
Posted by: william-james88 Views: 33,972

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Fellow Seibertronian Ironhidensh has bought the latest Transformers Studio Series voyagers, both Optimus Prime and Starscream, and has given us a pictorial review for both. Without further ado, here it is below and let us know if his words change your mind about wanting to own them or not or even convinve you to pay the high price they are currently going for at the Kroger family grocery stores (where they have been found). If you want to see videos showcasing the transformation of either figure, we have posted one for each toy at the end of the article.

...

So here are my thoughts on the first two voyager class studio series figures, Starscream and Optimus Prime. Hope you enjoy!

First off, we will take a look at the packaging.

Transformers News: Pictorial Reviews for Transformers Studio Series Starscream and Optimus Prime

It is really quite sturdy, as well as good looking. By just holding the boxes, you can tell this line was made for collectors first, and not children. A nice and welcome change from the norm.

Transformers News: Pictorial Reviews for Transformers Studio Series Starscream and Optimus Prime

Then you get inside the boxes, and find not only the figure, but a nice little diorama display stand. The artwork on it depicts a seen from the movies that the figure appeared in. Starscream's is from the city battle at the end of the first movie. Prime's is from the forest fight towards the beginning of the second movie. Sure, many will find them a bit cheesy, and I myself will not use them for display, but it's still a really nice touch, and I like it.

Starscream is a hair large for his though.

Let's look at the Robot modes.

As you can see, Starscream is great. You can't tell in a picture, but this guy is super solid in n hand. All his joints are tight so he can hold a pose and stand just fine on his own. The same holds true for Prime, though he could use quite a bit more paint apps. The black hinge in the middle of his chest is honestly not as bad in hand as it looks in pictures. I also find his arms to front of semi transformation worth it.

They also have nice weapons storage on their backs. Always a plus.

Here are a couple of comparison shots with previous versions.

In vehicle mode Starscream is, once again, the clear stand out. His design actually manages to hide his parts rather nicely for a jet mode transformer.

The underside is still a tad ugly, bit much better than the standard "legs pushed up and arms held at sides" take.

Prime turns out to be a fairly clean semi, but once again he needs more paint apps. For god's sake, Hasbro, paint the goddamm rims.

The weapons have storage points in alt mode as well.

Honestly, this whole line has knocked it out of the park for me. This is the first line of non masterpiece style figures I've been truly xcited about in several years, and I'm not even that huge of a movie fan.

...

Credit(s): Ironhidensh

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Re: Pictorial Reviews for Transformers Studio Series Starscream and Optimus Prime (1946772)
Posted by Victinoko on March 17th, 2018 @ 11:49pm CDT

Prime looks nice, might actually get him. Starscream looks like an oversized KO of the DOTM screamer. Sad to me because the idea of a larger version of that mold sounds great to me! I guess I'll have to wait till I see him in person to make a decision!

Re: Pictorial Reviews for Transformers Studio Series Starscream and Optimus Prime (1946780)
Posted by LevelRage on March 18th, 2018 @ 1:43am CDT

Would like to see a shot of that Starscream next to his leader class self, see how he compares with him. Would also sell me on him if he's big enough. Might get him anyways if not. Still unsure about Prime, he just doesn't look all to great. I do like his swords though. Still feel the HFTD voyager figure is the best representation of that form of him in that scale, with the evasion mode and tlk voyager figures at close seconds.

Re: Pictorial Reviews for Transformers Studio Series Starscream and Optimus Prime (1946785)
Posted by budmaloney on March 18th, 2018 @ 2:50am CDT

That Starscream looks incredible, I really like when the F-22 detail pops. I think the DOTM tattoos ruined the plane look for me. Also the smaller Optimus might scale better than Evasion mode Prime. Evasion mode Prime was just huge.

Re: Pictorial Reviews for Transformers Studio Series Starscream and Optimus Prime (1946789)
Posted by DMSL on March 18th, 2018 @ 4:05am CDT

Prime doesn't look good to me. I already have two versions of the ROTF mold that i am selling and i have the MP so i don't need this. Starscream is too big compared to Prime and is basically a sized down version of the HFTD Leader with some simplifications. I have that Leader so getting this is pointless for me.

Re: Pictorial Reviews for Transformers Studio Series Starscream and Optimus Prime (1946792)
Posted by ZeroWolf on March 18th, 2018 @ 4:14am CDT

DMSL wrote:Prime doesn't look good to me. I already have two versions of the ROTF mold that i am selling and i have the MP so i don't need this. Starscream is too big compared to Prime and is basically a sized down version of the HFTD Leader with some simplifications. I have that Leader so getting this is pointless for me.

Actually it's more of an upscale of the dotm deluxe with a bit more added. Also I thought that was how the scale was supposed to work when looking at the scale charts someone posted up...

Re: Pictorial Reviews for Transformers Studio Series Starscream and Optimus Prime (1946794)
Posted by budmaloney on March 18th, 2018 @ 4:36am CDT

ZeroWolf wrote:
DMSL wrote:Prime doesn't look good to me. I already have two versions of the ROTF mold that i am selling and i have the MP so i don't need this. Starscream is too big compared to Prime and is basically a sized down version of the HFTD Leader with some simplifications. I have that Leader so getting this is pointless for me.

Actually it's more of an upscale of the dotm deluxe with a bit more added. Also I thought that was how the scale was supposed to work when looking at the scale charts someone posted up...

Are you perhaps referring to this charthttp://www.tfw2005.com/boards/threads/aoe-scale-chart-thread.966670/?

I just googled scale chart and that's the first thing that came up. But I have to admit that having real life scale in a collection would be the best. I'm wondering if anyone actually did it? Would Leader class blackout, Megatron, Starscream, and Deluxe Prime et al be accurate? Has anyone done it?

Re: Pictorial Reviews for Transformers Studio Series Starscream and Optimus Prime (1946803)
Posted by Emerje on March 18th, 2018 @ 6:13am CDT

budmaloney wrote:
ZeroWolf wrote:
DMSL wrote:Prime doesn't look good to me. I already have two versions of the ROTF mold that i am selling and i have the MP so i don't need this. Starscream is too big compared to Prime and is basically a sized down version of the HFTD Leader with some simplifications. I have that Leader so getting this is pointless for me.

Actually it's more of an upscale of the dotm deluxe with a bit more added. Also I thought that was how the scale was supposed to work when looking at the scale charts someone posted up...

Are you perhaps referring to this charthttp://www.tfw2005.com/boards/threads/aoe-scale-chart-thread.966670/?

I just googled scale chart and that's the first thing that came up. But I have to admit that having real life scale in a collection would be the best. I'm wondering if anyone actually did it? Would Leader class blackout, Megatron, Starscream, and Deluxe Prime et al be accurate? Has anyone done it?

That's basically the point of the Studio Series line. Aside from Grimlock, which is still too small as a Leader, and a just slightly too tall Jazz, the rest of the line respects movie scale for the most part. Blackout is going to be a "short" leader that measures his height from the top of his back rather than his head to give him the same head height as Starscream, an average height Voyager. Likewise Optimus is a short Voyager to make him shorter than the Decepticons while Megatron will be a tall voyager to make him taller than Starscream and Blackout.

Emerje

Re: Pictorial Reviews for Transformers Studio Series Starscream and Optimus Prime (1946807)
Posted by Ironhidensh on March 18th, 2018 @ 6:57am CDT

LevelRage wrote:Would like to see a shot of that Starscream next to his leader class self, see how he compares with him. Would also sell me on him if he's big enough. Might get him anyways if not. Still unsure about Prime, he just doesn't look all to great. I do like his swords though. Still feel the HFTD voyager figure is the best representation of that form of him in that scale, with the evasion mode and tlk voyager figures at close seconds.

I'll try to do this today.

Re: Pictorial Reviews for Transformers Studio Series Starscream and Optimus Prime (1946809)
Posted by ZeroWolf on March 18th, 2018 @ 7:20am CDT

Darn you ironhidesh, I know want that starscream.

Re: Pictorial Reviews for Transformers Studio Series Starscream and Optimus Prime (1946816)
Posted by -Kanrabat- on March 18th, 2018 @ 8:00am CDT

I'm not sure about Prime because I have so many Optimuses already. But that Starscream will be a sure buy.

Re: Pictorial Reviews for Transformers Studio Series Starscream and Optimus Prime (1946818)
Posted by Ironhidensh on March 18th, 2018 @ 8:49am CDT

LevelRage wrote:Would like to see a shot of that Starscream next to his leader class self, see how he compares with him. Would also sell me on him if he's big enough. Might get him anyways if not. Still unsure about Prime, he just doesn't look all to great. I do like his swords though. Still feel the HFTD voyager figure is the best representation of that form of him in that scale, with the evasion mode and tlk voyager figures at close seconds.

Re: Pictorial Reviews for Transformers Studio Series Starscream and Optimus Prime (1946853)
Posted by Sabrblade on March 18th, 2018 @ 1:13pm CDT

All these pics make me realize how the Studio Series figure of Starscream appears to have the cleanest body proportions in its robot mode of any Movie Starscream figure.

Re: Pictorial Reviews for Transformers Studio Series Starscream and Optimus Prime (1946940)
Posted by rusevkdc on March 18th, 2018 @ 7:04pm CDT

Is the Studio Series Starscream the same size as the TLK Megatron Voyager? Or is it bigger than this? If it is high, could you bend his legs more so that it is up to the Megatron TLK? I'm with a translator, do not make fun :c

Re: Pictorial Reviews for Transformers Studio Series Starscream and Optimus Prime (1946975)
Posted by D-Maximal_Primal on March 18th, 2018 @ 9:15pm CDT

So since TRU is shutting down, do we have word of how we can get this Thundercracker? I really want him since TC is my favorite seeker and that is an awesome mold

Re: Pictorial Reviews for Transformers Studio Series Starscream and Optimus Prime (1946994)
Posted by Autobot Roadburn on March 18th, 2018 @ 10:09pm CDT

Struck gold today and found both these two by chance at Fred Meyer! I really like them both, especially Starscream - he was the one I wanted most from the entire lineup outside of Blackout. I like Optimus more than I expected too, ctually a bit more than the Battle Blades voyager. Despite having no painted rims, the paint that is there is great and he's super complex. I also really like that they finally went with gunmetal for him instead of light silver, the plastic and paint match better this way. Can't wait for Blackout to hit now, he's the only one I want left from wave 1 (unless Grimlock is wave one, I'd like him too). I have them all so far except Stinger.

Re: Pictorial Reviews for Transformers Studio Series Starscream and Optimus Prime (1947346)
Posted by D-Maximal_Primal on March 20th, 2018 @ 10:45pm CDT

Tossing this out there: if anyone finds the studio series Thundercracker and would be willing to pick it up and ship it to me, I would greatly appreciate it!

Re: Pictorial Reviews for Transformers Studio Series Starscream and Optimus Prime (1947508)
Posted by Va'al on March 22nd, 2018 @ 4:42am CDT

According to Reddit user MaximumBoneage - who is based in Auckland, New Zealand - we have a sighting of the entirety of the first wave of the Transformers Studio Series line, meaning that leader class figures Grimlock and Blackout are also out in the wilds now!

The image below shows off the shelves of the Farmers store in Auckland where the figures were sighted (Grimlock is hiding behind Blackout, the poster confirmed), and we can only make out the price of the Voyager Starscream figure at 59.99 New Zealand dollars - equivalent to 43 USD at the time of writing. If you come across any of these figures anywhere near you, make sure to use our Sightings Database to hep out other fans, and join the regional sightings section of the discussion boards too!

Re: Pictorial Reviews for Transformers Studio Series Starscream and Optimus Prime (1947520)
Posted by william-james88 on March 22nd, 2018 @ 9:53am CDT

Of all countries, New Zealand is the one where Transformers Studio Series Leaders Blackout and Grimlock were found first. They are even available online, in an assorment, at New Zealand site The Warehouse for $89 NZD earch (which is roughly $65 USD). It was only a matter of time before we got in hand images. And we have A LOT. Over 50 images of leader class Blackout were posted on the TFND Facebook page.

You can see Blackout in all his glory below, which also includes images of the accompanying Scorponok accessory and where you can store it in robot mode. You also have compairsons to the voyagers in this line where you ca clearly see that inly the robot modes are intended to be in scale with one another (since the alt modes are not). Let us know what you think of this toy and if you will be picking it up the moment you see it.

Re: Pictorial Reviews for Transformers Studio Series Starscream and Optimus Prime (1947523)
Posted by TulioDude on March 22nd, 2018 @ 10:03am CDT

I love it!

Re: Pictorial Reviews for Transformers Studio Series Starscream and Optimus Prime (1947525)
Posted by Lore Keeper on March 22nd, 2018 @ 10:04am CDT

He looks amazing! I am concerned about how well that cardboard stand will support his weight over time, though. Not that it's an integral part of the toy.

Re: Pictorial Reviews for Transformers Studio Series Starscream and Optimus Prime (1947533)
Posted by Deathsaurus1 on March 22nd, 2018 @ 10:24am CDT

My nitpick is his hands. But otherwise a great leader class blackout!

Re: Pictorial Reviews for Transformers Studio Series Starscream and Optimus Prime (1947534)
Posted by Ravage XK on March 22nd, 2018 @ 10:46am CDT

Could use a few splashes of colour to break up the rather drab colour scheme but Reprolabels can sort that out.

Its been a while since I was interested in adding a new figure to my collection that wasn't a Masterpiece figure.

Re: Pictorial Reviews for Transformers Studio Series Starscream and Optimus Prime (1947536)
Posted by ZeroWolf on March 22nd, 2018 @ 11:15am CDT

That looks quite good, though I kinda wish they had done more with scorpoknok on his back

Re: Pictorial Reviews for Transformers Studio Series Starscream and Optimus Prime (1947540)
Posted by Evil Eye on March 22nd, 2018 @ 11:31am CDT

He looks superb. The undercarriage (or rather lack thereof) is a bit of a shame but I can deal with it.

Re: Pictorial Reviews for Transformers Studio Series Starscream and Optimus Prime (1947547)
Posted by Hip-Hoptimus Rime on March 22nd, 2018 @ 12:12pm CDT

Hubba-hubba! Leader Blackout will be bought on sight! My b-day is in early May, perfect timing.

Re: Pictorial Reviews for Transformers Studio Series Starscream and Optimus Prime (1947549)
Posted by william-james88 on March 22nd, 2018 @ 12:18pm CDT

TF Factory and NDA-Toys have posted new stock images of the upcoming voyagers coming out in wave 2 of Transformers Studio Series. These are final product shots of Megatron and Brawl, so our best look yet at what we will get in hand. As you can tell, Megatron is indeed not painted in silver. We also get a very good look at the alt mode for Megatron and where the robot mode bots line up, which makes it look like a simpler transformation than what we have gotten in this line so far. And we see its visible head. These toys are scheduled for a summer release and will retail for $29.99 USD or more depending on the retailer.

For those unaware, these are fully new voyager class figures of movie Megatron in his Revenge of the Fallen body and Brawl from the 2007 film. They are both part of the Studio Series line, a toyline that will feature Transformers from all across the different live action films, from the 2007 movie and even the newest Bumblebee movie.

Re: Pictorial Reviews for Transformers Studio Series Starscream and Optimus Prime (1947550)
Posted by Quantum Surge on March 22nd, 2018 @ 12:29pm CDT

Sucks that the gray isn't silver. Better than making the gray look beige, but I won't complain as I have the convenience of painting him with a silver Sharpie.

Re: Pictorial Reviews for Transformers Studio Series Starscream and Optimus Prime (1947569)
Posted by Etseterrestrial on March 22nd, 2018 @ 1:56pm CDT

I wonder what's Megatron's shoe size? :-?

Re: Pictorial Reviews for Transformers Studio Series Starscream and Optimus Prime (1947573)
Posted by Silverwing on March 22nd, 2018 @ 2:32pm CDT

Etseterrestrial wrote:I wonder what's Megatron's shoe size?

"More than you imagine, Optimus Prime."

Re: Pictorial Reviews for Transformers Studio Series Starscream and Optimus Prime (1947577)
Posted by Fires_Of_Inferno on March 22nd, 2018 @ 2:41pm CDT

Those feet are mistransformed though, right?

Re: Pictorial Reviews for Transformers Studio Series Starscream and Optimus Prime (1947581)
Posted by kriksix on March 22nd, 2018 @ 2:59pm CDT

nnnnope. guess we're waiting on MPM Megatron then....

Re: Pictorial Reviews for Transformers Studio Series Starscream and Optimus Prime (1947589)
Posted by DMSL on March 22nd, 2018 @ 3:33pm CDT

Blackout looks fantastic. Seeing it together with Starscream and Prime in altmodes...who is Hasbro kidding, that's not proper scale LOL. I hope Blackout looks great next to MPM Prime in his botmode.

Re: Pictorial Reviews for Transformers Studio Series Starscream and Optimus Prime (1947593)
Posted by ZeroWolf on March 22nd, 2018 @ 3:50pm CDT

I think they wanted more bot mode scale than alt mode.

Re: Pictorial Reviews for Transformers Studio Series Starscream and Optimus Prime (1947599)
Posted by Deathsaurus1 on March 22nd, 2018 @ 4:10pm CDT

Blackout and starscream look closely scaled together in vehicle modes.
Optimus prime would need to be a deluxe

Re: Pictorial Reviews for Transformers Studio Series Starscream and Optimus Prime (1947602)
Posted by Centaurus Prime on March 22nd, 2018 @ 4:29pm CDT

whirl remold confirmed!

Re: Pictorial Reviews for Transformers Studio Series Starscream and Optimus Prime (1947605)
Posted by Rated X on March 22nd, 2018 @ 4:38pm CDT

Damn the ugly grey plastic on an otherwise awesome figure. :SICK:

Re: Pictorial Reviews for Transformers Studio Series Starscream and Optimus Prime (1947616)
Posted by Spider5800 on March 22nd, 2018 @ 5:53pm CDT

Megs looks awesome, but i'll wait til I see it in person before I decide to buy.

Does Blackout's spinning weapon peg into either arm? Only ever see people put it on his left arm when it was on his right in the movie and its driving me nuts. It looks like it unpegs, and there's peg holes on both arms, but none of the pictures have it on the other arm. :BANG_HEAD:

Re: Pictorial Reviews for Transformers Studio Series Starscream and Optimus Prime (1947628)
Posted by -Kanrabat- on March 22nd, 2018 @ 7:24pm CDT

Blackout look nice. Especially that head sculpt. However, the feet panels just kill the figure for me. Maybe on sale...

As for Megatron, maybe the gray plastics have a shine that stock photos can't pick up. Let's wait for in hand pictures shall we?

Re: Pictorial Reviews for Transformers Studio Series Starscream and Optimus Prime (1947629)
Posted by ZeroWolf on March 22nd, 2018 @ 7:24pm CDT

Rated X wrote:Damn the ugly grey plastic on an otherwise awesome figure.

I wouldn't have said the plastic on megs was that bad, could it have been better? Of course but for what it is I would take it.

Re: Pictorial Reviews for Transformers Studio Series Starscream and Optimus Prime (1947637)
Posted by Hip-Hoptimus Rime on March 22nd, 2018 @ 8:45pm CDT

Eesh, that Brawl is awful. The head is too big, the arms are just molded into tank body panels, and those knees are scrawny.

Looks like a Fast Action Battler.

Re: Pictorial Reviews for Transformers Studio Series Starscream and Optimus Prime (1947641)
Posted by L3281 on March 22nd, 2018 @ 8:56pm CDT

Are those coins holding Brawl's foot up? That may just be a new low, even for Hasbro.

Re: Pictorial Reviews for Transformers Studio Series Starscream and Optimus Prime (1947645)
Posted by LevelRage on March 22nd, 2018 @ 9:23pm CDT

Heh, those are actually meant to help keep him upright while the photographer takes the photo. Toy companies do this all the time (or at least their photographers do) and it's a pretty simple solution too. All they gotto do afterwards is edit it out and obviously they forgot to do so here. Makes me wonder if he doesn't have one of those pegholes somewhere in his back that allows a stand to be used with him.

Re: Pictorial Reviews for Transformers Studio Series Starscream and Optimus Prime (1947646)
Posted by TF-fan kev777 on March 22nd, 2018 @ 9:29pm CDT

Um, is Megatron playing peek-a-boo from the front of the tank? On purpose? or is this another Hasbro mis-transformation.

Re: Pictorial Reviews for Transformers Studio Series Starscream and Optimus Prime (1947647)
Posted by Mechastrike on March 22nd, 2018 @ 9:36pm CDT

although i don't like the movie line anymore, i wish they'd make a Leader Class Fallen. all i ever saw was a Voyager class but it just didn't feel right.

Re: Pictorial Reviews for Transformers Studio Series Starscream and Optimus Prime (1947649)
Posted by -Kanrabat- on March 22nd, 2018 @ 9:49pm CDT

TF-fan kev777 wrote:Um, is Megatron playing peek-a-boo from the front of the tank? On purpose? or is this another Hasbro mis-transformation.

No, it's actually the genuine design. Proof that before DOTM, Megatron didn't give a fawk about hiding in disguise.

Original leader:

Original voyager:

Original CGI:

Re: Pictorial Reviews for Transformers Studio Series Starscream and Optimus Prime (1947650)
Posted by TF-fan kev777 on March 22nd, 2018 @ 9:56pm CDT

-Kanrabat- wrote:
TF-fan kev777 wrote:Um, is Megatron playing peek-a-boo from the front of the tank? On purpose? or is this another Hasbro mis-transformation.

No, it's actually the genuine design. Proof that before DOTM, Megatron didn't give a fawk about hiding in disguise.

I knew about the leader and had the voyager, but both of those at least had some other non-head parts partially blocking/hiding them. The new one is basically treads, head, treads. That's why I was wondering if they forgot something.

Re: Pictorial Reviews for Transformers Studio Series Starscream and Optimus Prime (1947655)
Posted by Sodan-1 on March 22nd, 2018 @ 10:08pm CDT

They don't look like bad figures, but I still think they could be better.

Re: Pictorial Reviews for Transformers Studio Series Starscream and Optimus Prime (1947656)
Posted by -Kanrabat- on March 22nd, 2018 @ 10:10pm CDT

TF-fan kev777 wrote:
-Kanrabat- wrote:
TF-fan kev777 wrote:Um, is Megatron playing peek-a-boo from the front of the tank? On purpose? or is this another Hasbro mis-transformation.

No, it's actually the genuine design. Proof that before DOTM, Megatron didn't give a fawk about hiding in disguise.

I knew about the leader and had the voyager, but both of those at least had some other non-head parts partially blocking/hiding them. The new one is basically treads, head, treads. That's why I was wondering if they forgot something.

If the Studio Series Megs have the "tank face-mask" thing, I'm pretty sure it may have been either forgoten, or the photographer never knew it was there.

Re: Pictorial Reviews for Transformers Studio Series Starscream and Optimus Prime (1947662)
Posted by Albatross250 on March 22nd, 2018 @ 11:26pm CDT

>Sees Brawl
>Sees the Original G1

insignia

Alright, i'm so getting Brawl.

Re: Pictorial Reviews for Transformers Studio Series Starscream and Optimus Prime (1947663)
Posted by Spider5800 on March 22nd, 2018 @ 11:30pm CDT

Yeesh, not digging Brawl at all. His head looks out of proportion with the rest of his body, there's panels covering half his hands, and all the weapons look too long and thin. The old leader, and even the old deluxe look better IMO.