Transformers fans have waited for years to get a modern update of the G1 favorite Autobot, Jazz. 2010-2011's "Reveal the Shield" line finally brings us what we've been waiting for, and it was definitely worth the wait.





Jazz is back and better than ever in this Deluxe toy that is in the first wave of the "Reveal the Shield" line. He is a modern-looking sports car done in Jazz's traditional G1 deco:





As you can see, it's a standard deco for a Hasbro Deluxe toy. The paint is decent, but could use a few more apps, most notably on the grille. Also, he has a rubsign on his roof, which is the main gimmick of the Reveal the Shield line. If you rub it/apply heat to it, it reveals an Autobot emblem.

While not an exact replication of G1 Jazz's alt. mode, he definitely has a similar shape (really, the only striking difference is the smaller spoiler):




Here are some shots of him with previous Jazz toys:












He's a little smaller than some Autobot cars, like Drift here, but for the most part he's a similar size:



Here is his gimmick in vehicle mode:



Basically, you open the doors and fold two speakers out over the windows. This is an homage to the G1 cartoon series, in which he had speakers pop out in alt. mode to use as sonic weapons.


Transformation is fairly straightforward and easy. I'll leave that part up to our video reviewers, as they do a better job portraying transformation than pictures do. However, for those interested, he has an Automorph gimmick where his head rotates up when you fold the hood/chest down.


In robot mode, he is distinctly the G1-style Jazz we all know and love. He gains more black plastic in this mode, as well as some grey plastic. His weapon (stored behind the grille in alt. mode) is a laser rifle. He is slightly more toy-accurate than cartoon/comics-accurate, due to the "door wings" and tires on the shoulders. I like the look, personally. Also, I know that his "frown" has been a concern with many people. While it may look exaggerated on camera, it's actually not that noticeable. In fact, it's the same expression as Animated Jazz has; it looks more like he's stifling a laugh than being upset at something.





Jazz's poseability is excellent. Hips, knees, ankles, feet, shoulders, elbows, wrists, and head are all points of articulation. His head is ball-jointed, which is a plus. Here he is, posed unsupported:



Oh yeah, unlike many recent Deluxes, he's got waist articulation:




Here are robot mode comparisons with previous Jazz toys:








Here he is with Universe Deluxe Prowl:




So there you have it, Reveal the Shield Deluxe Special Ops Jazz. I can honestly say that he is my favorite version of Jazz so far, and that Spec Ops Jazz is easily my favorite Deluxe Autobot toy that I own. He is a perfect modern update to my second favorite Autobot and is just a really cool toy all around.
Spec Ops Jazz is a must-buy, whether you're a fan of Jazz or G1 or Autobots or whatever. He is not to be missed. If you aren't pleased with his paint apps, then I'm sure Reprolabels will fix whatever the Takara "United" version does not.
In short, 10/10. Jazz is nothing less than excellent.

 

Cant wait for this guy to show up, great review.

 

Cool review. Couple of questions, is it possible to fold his door wings back to get the cartoon look?

And, I couldn't tell by the size comparison but is he actually bigger/taller than Classics Prowl?

 

The doors can fold back, but then they stick out behind his back and doesn't look very good.
Also, he's the same height as Prowl, and most other Deluxes.

 

Nice. Mine was missing the gun. I take it it stores in that empty space behind the front bumper underneath the vehicle mode?

 

Can you please post a photo with Jazz and the rest of the Earthbound Autobot Crew from the "More Than Meets The Eye" Story Arc. (If you have them)

 

I took this one earlier. It's not all of them, and I do have the rest. I'll get a more complete cast later.

 

You are my favorite person ever for posting this review.

It's a good thing the robot mode looks fine, as the back of the car looks, well, white?

Request: can you clip on other weapons to the rails the speakers are clipped on, and show those off in robot mode? Pretty please?  

 

Yes, it can peg into either hole under there.

I'll get a few up once my camera's battery is recharged.

 

i cannot wait for him Tracks and Kup!

 

Nice review. This thing looks small, especially the head.

 

curse you, now I can't wait until I get this baby.

 

His alt mode looks kind of small next to longer vehicles, but he's regular size in robot mode. The head isn't really out of proportion; I think the door wings and maybe even shoulder tire create an illusion of it being small.

 

Awsum-o.  

 

Hmmm... don't get me wrong, Jazz looks unbelievably good, but the lack of paint apps on the front grill is starting to bug me a little bit. The car mode just looks so bland. Do we know if the United version will rectify this oversight, or will it be almost identical but shiny?

 

The only thing that gets me is his shins, wish they were all black. Other than that, can't wait to get him.

 

On one of the more recent galleries of Jazz (from ACTOYS) he does have all black lower legs. I think the earlier pre-production ones (like mine) have half white and half black. Regular release ones will probably be all black.

 

Wow, I'm so glad I got a preorder in for this guy, I definately do not want to miss out on him. He keeps looking better and better with every new pic. Definately the definitive Jazz in my eyes.

Thanks for the review!

I think that has been fixed since we've seen newer pics that show that the shins are all black. I'm guessing this particular unit is an earlier sample.

(d'oh, ninja'd by OP)

 

If I had to guess, I'd say most (if not all) of the vehicle-mode paint budget went into his stripes, which explains no painted grill/taillights/etc.

 

I'm sure Reprolabels will take care of any issues you may have