Today is a great day because I already got the highly anticipated MP-52 Starscream! This is the 3rd time the Seeker has been made into a Masterpiece. The first time, MP-03 had way too much Macross influence. It resulted in a magnificent robot, but the cartoon accuracy was basically zero. Then years later, they remolded it into MP-11. A much more cartoon accurate Starscream with coronation gear. However, some faults of the ancient mold remained and what's worse, an unforgivable drop in quality.
And then today, finally, the most cartoon accurate Starscream ever, MP-52, is here in a brand new and original mold!
Without further ado, let's unbox this bad boy!
At the bottom of the box, the main pieces of the stand.
Starscream come packed in jet mode, with all of it's accessories in full display.
Unlike MP-11, the null-rays are detachable and count as accessories. Of course there's the obligatory faces, blast effects, and gun Megatron. Let's not forget the tidbits that were used in ONE episode, meaning the drill, claw, and rock.
Right from the start I'm blown away. The null-rays actually TRANSFORM into the jet's missiles! There's also two display options. For a more streamlined look, the missiles are separated from the side of the jet and simply peg under the wings. The other is to attach them on the arms as it was with MP-11.
From the top, the jet is very clean and perfect.
Here's the side with his landing gears out. The jet here is wrong. So wrong... from a "true" jet perspective. In fact, that silhouette is 100% cartoon accurate! They could have just left the bot to "hang underside", but the designers went the extra mile to give it that very specific look. Impressive!
Secret weapon of the nosecone as it was for the previous versions:
Opening cockpit:
The stand is not the best, but it does the job:
(Also, obligatory card.)
There's a pair of blast effects specifically designed for the jet in flight:
If you want to plug in gun Megatron under the jet, better be prepared to play with Jet Starscream by going whoosh! and zoom! around the room because Gun Megs plug in where the stand must peg.
Here's MP-52 compared to MP-03G. No comparison with MP-11 because I don't want to transform that damn thing.
MP-03 really have the PERFECT jet mode. No contest. But ironically not cartoon accurate.
Transformation is much more straightforward than I expected. The instructions are clear enough and I was rarely stumped.
So we begin with the "gerwalk" or more accurately, "starting to transform" mode. I did not expected that mode to be official. There's even hinges and joints designed specifically for this mode! The flight stand is mandatory once you are done:
When transforming, there's a secret weapon revealed. Powered by solar panels. For when Starscream is in orbit?
When the transformation is done, you end up with the most cartoon accurate Starscream ever! As if he popped right out of the screen! The transformation was no harder than MP-03 or MP-11. Plus at no point was I afraid of breaking something.
However, that Starscream have a serious flaw appart the lack of a waist joint due to transformation. He have very hollow and light legs and he's VERY top heavy. The knees are too weak to support all that weight. This limit poseability by a large margin.
Still, he's incredibly beautiful.
Considering that a great deal of the jet (if not all) goes to the back, the backpack is insanely compressed.
Compared to the MP-03 original, the differences are as night and day.
Guess we will compare with MP-11 too...
MP-03 is a kibble explosion compared to the newest MP-52:
MP-11 was barely an improvement.
Friendly reminder why MP-11 was such a disappointment:
(And the thing cost the same price as MP-52 at the time!)
Compared to MP-11, MP-52 feel like a QUALITY and PREMIUM toy. He also stay SOLID in hand.
He also have a perfect head sculpt:
Spare faces:
The one-shot-deal accessories. Not too shabby and they are small enough to not be a significant factor in the overall price.
Starscream can hold his null-rays in his hands because why not? However, it's a challenge for him to hold them because it's the usual bad slot design.
Same deal with gun Megs:
"All right, I'll shoot you over-glorified Targetmaster."
What?
"Nothing."
FIRE IN THE HOLE!
The stand is pretty much useless in bot mode. It can only plug in on the back so flight poses a impossible. At least this will make sure Starscream's weak knees won't betray you.
STARSCREAM WILL RULE THE DECEPTICON!
MUAHAHAHAHA!
Oh yeah, breasts missiles!
Overall, this MP-52 Starscream is the best MP seeker ever and truly worthy of being called the true successor of MP-03. I still adore MP-03 for what it is, but MP-52 truly deserves the title:
MASTERPIECE.
Truly glorious:¸
If you wonder where MP-11 went, he got demoted to the "random" Starscreams shelf.
So, what do you guys think of this new seeker mold? Have you already secured yours? Are you tempted to get one? Will you catch-em-all the obvious repaints?
Let us know what you think down below!
will stay attached to his back, but will un-tab from itself for the movement. see the pics attached. also, found a new sig
