Transformer's Starscream: A Collector's Review

I thoroughly enjoy collecting toys and figures, especially anything that reminds me of my childhood in the 80's. This particular figure, Starscream, is from the Transformers Deluxe Classic series and looks like the character from the original cartoon. I don't know how important this might be to you, but I prefer the retro looking Transformers to the modern ones. There's just something about the newer styled ones that just doesn't appeal to me aesthetically. I picked this one up at Wal-Mart last week, it runs about $10, and I think it's a really good figure. He stands about five and half inches tall and transforms from a robot with two large blaster cannons into a realistic looking F-15 fighter jet. The blaster cannons are removable and can be used in both modes. They are spring loaded with plastic projectiles that you can fire by pressing a button on each one of them.

Overall, Starscream is pretty well articulated and poseable, especially his legs and arms. Between all the joints and his blaster cannons, there are a lot of options for playability. The only draw back is that his head is stationary, you can't move it at all, and he doesn't turn at the waist.

If you're a collector you know how important it is that figures actually stand instead of falling over. Nothing is more frustrating than having the figures on your shelf fall over every time there's a slight breeze in the room. All of the collectors out there will be happy to know that Starscream actually stands and does not fall over..

There's also no gimmick included with this particular Transformer, as there often are with toys that are marketed at children. Many of the Transformers that have been released in the recent past included some little plastic piece that functions as a key of sorts that causes a piece of the toy to open to reveal a hidden item. Also, like the original Transformers from the 1980s, this one has a heat sensitive decal that reveals the Decepticon logo when you press your finger against it.

With Christmas not far off you may be asking yourself if Starscream would be a good present to get for your child. I think that a child would really enjoy this particular figure. However, if you're considering buying this for a very young child, you will want to take into consideration that Starscream is not the easiest to transform from its vehicle to its robot mode. Of course if your child is already familiar with Transformers they may handle it just fine. But if they can't figure it out, you can bet that you'll be the one transforming it for them.

With the overwhelming variety of toys that you could possibly buy as a present for your child or your collector, Starscream is definitely one of the better ones, a child will love it and a collector will adore it.