Highly recommended! I haven't met a movie starscream figure that doesn't look a LOT better after 30mins with a panel liner.

This is a very good way to put the difference in the jet modes. Overall this is a better figure for sure, but the jet mode is really based on preference. For bot mode this one is the clear winner over any other movie starscream. Transformation is also quite fun and relatively easy but not simple. Being familiar with 80% of the other movie starscream figures out there will give you an advantage since his transformation hasn't changed much since the hftd one.

 

Went though transformation back to jet mode last night after posing it more. Transformation back to jet is more difficult than jet to robot. My main concern is if transformation will eventually loosen the arm detents/ratchets down. Try not to scratch the painted area behind the canopy as it’s molded in translucent amber plastic.

The arms on mine seem tight enough to hold the bigger weapons high up in robot mode, I hope that lasts.

If you don’t like the gun sticking out too much, there’s 2 spots for it, 1 is closer to the intakes and that’s the one I use. I might be leaving the bigger weapons off, most of the time, they’re sculpted well but I prefer the cannon it comes with.

This does seem designed to have the arms fold inward optionally as points of articulation in robot mode, at the bicep. The pegs on the bicep move through a shallow track that can keep the lower arm in place, without it falling out when bent inwards. This is helpful when posing, it doesn’t make up for the lack of bicep swivels but articulation would be more lacking without it. Some form of butterfly joint that hinges forward(it hinges back on this) would’ve been helpful too. Waist swivel/ab crunch(if even possible) and bicep swivels are the main points of articulation missing from this. The legs have all the articulation I’ve wanted on a movie Starscream figure.

Overall, it’s a good movie Starscream figure that you can actually play with(not just leave on the shelf or just take pictures of and stare at). It doesn’t really feel fiddly until you transform the arms for jet mode. I was shocked at how solid and playable this ended up being.

1 neat thing I noticed when transforming from jet to robot mode surprised me. Not sure if this was on purpose. There’s a way for the side hinges of the fuselage to bend in unison. Reminded me a lot of the 1st movie voyager and the 2009 ROTF voyager figure. Could’ve been since I didn’t use the instructions and just happened to move those pieces when trying to move something else.

 

Packaged in jet mode with the vertical stabilizers folded down. Unfortunately it doesn’t have a top clamshell piece so if you want to put it back on the box, try not to cut the plastic ties that keep the stabilizers flat and weapons in place.

 

This is a great review! It definitely helped sell me on the figure. I was completely content with HFTD Leader, but this is my definitive Starscream now.

My only issue is the ratchet joints in the shoulders. Those are not going to hold up over time.

 

Is panel lining easy? You’ve hyped it up a bit, I’d like to give it a go. I would probably practice on my ER screamer first.

 

Just got mine a few hours ago
My first thought: Choices of and lack of paint REALLY do a disservice to this figure. The color and type of plastic used really isn’t helping it visually either.

 

Yes. I recommend this Gundam Marker GM21 as it’s forgiving so long as you wipe the excess off quickly and it won’t go on too dark:
https://www.amazon.com/Gundam-Marke...ords=gundam+marker+gm21&qid=1598390942&sr=8-1

It’s a water based grey brush marker meant for weathering. I’ve used it on Transformers and other toys before for washes and panel lining. I find it much easier since it won’t wear down nibs(usually used for panel lining) since it’s a brush and after wiping off excess, fills in the lines and you get a subtle weathering effect.

Before that I had used a Pigma Micron black brush pen but you have to wipe off the excess very quickly as it’s denser and more opaque. IMO it’ll look too dark too from previous experience.

 

Man, I got an in stock alert about him over the weekend and was wondering if I should pull the trigger yet. He looks great, but that price...

 

Just got Starscream from Target! Super fast shipping!

This is absolutely the best MPM to date...the colors are much better in person, I love the expressiveness of this guy, and the vehicle mode kibble is actually negligible (in my opinion). The details are beautifully picked out. The accessories make sense. He is pretty solid, and the transformation is super enjoyable. He is a lot of fun, big, and oozes character.

Yes, the ankles are a bit wobbly, much like MP Dinobot, really. The lack of bicep swivel sucks, but there are decent enough ways to work around that.

Go get this figure! He is a step above a lot of other MPM’s, and is my definitive movie Starscream! Enjoy!

 

Thing is, I don’t think it’ll get lower than $150 at Target. In Japan, MSRP is close to $200, even if you get a discount through Amiami, HLJ, you’re still paying more than $160(as far as I checked last night), + shipping.

As for being worth $150, still too early for me to say. I like it, definitely some areas it could’ve been better. FWIW for an MPM I was surprised how sturdy it was.

 

This is the first movie starscream I can think of that can actually take the posture of movie starscream. They always lack the neck to be able to get him hunched and looking natural

 

If you trim away a bit of plastic from his neck, the SS does a decent job too.

 

Man am I excited to open mine and spend some time with it tomorrow. Found it on the shelf at Target tonight. It’s literally been years since I grabbed a Masterpiece figure from a store shelf so I’m still riding the high from that. Currently my favorite movie Starscream figure is the Takara MP release from way back. I think I still prefer the deco on that one.

 

Got mine tonight. Love the figure, but unfortunately my copy's left arm's shoulder ratchet is so weak it can barely hold his arm up and he can't even hold his 2 larger weapons, otherwise I really do enjoy him.

 

I got my copy yesterday and so far I'm pretty happy with him. I'm a little confused why they used that grey-blue down the middle of the jet, but it's not the worse thing ever. All the joints on my copy are holding up the weight fine. He's a little top-heavy, but not too bad. Definitely, a good quality transformer here. I would have liked some more paint apps in the legs and the weapons to break up more of that grey. Thanks to @Shin Densetsu for recommending disengaging the elbow for more articulation to simulate a bicep swivel. Seeing an MP at Target felt good and I hope we will see more of them. The transformation was intricate, but frustrating so that's always a plus. I'll transform him back to fighter mode later.

 

I think you’ll end up preferring the weapon gimmicks(those retractable arm weapons were awesome) on your Takara but may end up liking the robot mode of the new MPM a lot more. The leg articulation is very expressive.

 

The other day I seen it was in-stock at target.com. I gave it a go, figuring it woukd be a canceled order. Nope. Ill have it tomorrow.

Beside paint job, this looks amazing. They are killin it with the MpM line. Besides Ironhide, these are some of the coolest MPs ever. And I can't wait to get my hands on this one.

 

Yeah it's super easy! The best part is if you mess up, on most plastics you can wipe off the excess very easily (I just use the tip of my finger) if you don't let it dry. Try this gundam panel liner marker set or one like it since having both the black and grey is very useful for starscreams. Just be steady and be sure to wipe away the excess so they don't appear too thick. Once you get the hang of it and see the results you will become addicted! Sometimes I even like to take pics after doing half the figure to show what a difference it makes  

I did mention it in the first part of my review actually   Glad you guys are liking yours!

 

I got him yesterday instore after saying that I couldn't pull the trigger on him a day earlier. Everything's been covered for the most part so I'll only add some nitpicks and personal observations.

His bot sculpt is beautiful. This is '07 Starscream. The bad ass that easily took down Ironhide, Ratchet and a group of F22s in the movie... before being neutered in later films. They even changed his voice to make him less bad ass. 

The lack of bicep swivels sucks big time but can be worked around. A gripe is that he can't look down.
 Put MPM heads on ball joints! 
Or even put a hinge inside of the existing neck hinge (see his ankle assembly for an example) that bends the opposite direction. The ankles on my copy will need a dose or two of future. He can stand upright fine but using the forward/back ankle joints is a no go. Should've followed in the leader's footsteps and ratcheted them. The right shoulder ratchet can't support the bigger weapons... luckily Starscream is a lefty.

The rotating gatling gun is pointless and a missed opportunity to put a hole for a blast effect instead. The rotation should've been used on his missile attachment. It would be nice to replicate the arm transformation where the fins rotate one direction while the missiles rotate the other.

He's definitely small. Don't get me wrong. He looks great, but unless you stretch his legs, he's as tall as MPM-4.

The buttflap is an eyesore that didn't have to be there. It looks like it was put there for the flight stand hole... but no flight stand will be able to support Starscream with the little peg from the back. He'll need a cradle or Flightpose for dynamic aerial poses.

I might come off negative but overall I recommend him. Unfortunately the "I'll wait for the improved OSKO" people are still justified. If that even happens now seeing the state of third-party and KO makers.