ROTF Leader Starscream Pictorial Review

Because you demanded it, a pictorial review of Leader Starscream!



Obviously, he retains the F-22 alt mode seen in the films, with the tattoos he got in the prequel comics:



He's pretty big, definitely hefty, especially compared to his voyager version:



He's definitely got more mass than the Masterpiece Starscream, even though side by side MP Screamer is about 1/2" longer (mostly due to the nosecone):



The underside does have some robot bits, but at least this time they did what they could to minimize the impact. It follows the basic lines of the underside of a plane, unlike on Leader Jetfire. The missiles tab in under the wings, no place else I've found to store them in plane mode:



Transformation is fairly involved, but not nearly as frustrating of a first time learning curve as Leader Prime. The legs fold out from the bottom, the arms fold out from the back of the jet and the whole assembly folds in half to form the torso, then the arms and back panels swing up and lock into place, and you have a pretty damn decent looking Starscream!



I've heard complaints about the paint apps, especially on the face, but you certainly can't argue much with the sculpt itself!



Gimmicks in robot mode include his mouth opening when you pull on this canopy (see the vid review, I couldn't get a decent picture one-handed), and his forearms each contain a pop-out weapon. Right arm has a gatling gun and the left has a pair of missiles. Also, his head can turn about 45 degrees to either side and the gimmick still functions.



Poseability is pretty decent, lots of pins, hinges and swivels, and the fingers and "thumbs" move independently. No wrist swivel, but considering how the arms are out together with the pop out weapons, it would have been hard to to do without seriously causing some fragility issues in the forearms.



Either hand can fold up and use the missile launcher weapon:



It can store on his back in robot mode, along with the missiles:



Some quick size comparisons:

With Leader Prime:



With Human Alliance Sam:



With Masterpiece Starscream:



Firing at the visual recording device:



and a quick turnaround with the voyager version:









As you can see, he's a lot better than the voyager version. Not to knock the smaller one, but the leader version just seems *right,* in a way the voyager version doesn't. He's not perfect (back boosters?), but he's pretty darn close. At least for now, he's the definitive version of the movie Starscream design. Highly recommend nabbing him when he comes out.

Video review is up here:

YouTube - ROTF Leader Class STARSCREAM



Request Pictures:


With Jetfire:





With Dragon (Niblet request):

 

Love it, thanks for the comparison with Masterpiece Starscream!

 

Yeah, those comparison shots are exactly what I was hoping for. I appreciate it.

 

Awesome review! Definitely gonna get this Starscream.

EDIT: Looked at the pics again and found something awesome about Starscream - his missle launcher weapon ends up on his back, and that looks like a thruster! It's not the double thursters seen in the movies, but it is something!

 

I so need this now..I need to find where people get these things early from and nab one too.

 

You know, he doesn't have boosters sitting on his back, but his engines DO end up on his back, so I suppose that is something.

This guy is a must get and, with Leader Prime, will be a centerpeice to my collection. I hope Megatron gets a good remold like this for the third movie (assuming his design doesn't change).

Thanks for all your hard work in producing both the pictoral and video reviews!

 

Are there 2 missile launchers in the gun or is the other missile just spare and for symmetry?

 

The gun can only hold one missile at a time.

 

Awesome stuff! Really loving this mould and definitely looking forward to getting him. Does he only come with the one missile?

 

I'd like to be aggravating and request a comparison with ROTF Leader Megs.
>_>

 

OK After seeing how he's not as kibbly I thought he was I'm definately buying him.

 

He just jumped to the top of my wanted list. Love Screamer and I can't wait toget this one.

 

DEFINITE must get!!!!! thanks for the review Peaugh.

 

i already said that but i will say it again,in front of him the voyager looks like crap!

 

I thought that was a bubblebath Prime for a second there! Wow, he makes Leader Prime look like a Novelty Bubblebath holder.... damn, he's so mine!

 

Wow that figure just gets better and better, thank you Peaugh! 

Seeing him stand next to Prime makes me definately want to pick Prime up again(sold him with most my other stuff), they just look perfect together. Sam looks pretty good scale wise but how does HA Bumblebee look standing next to Screamer?

Anyway Starscream is bought as soon as I get the chance, great job Hasbro!! 

 

Awesome looking figure.

 

Awesome Peaugh!

Do you think you could post a comparison with Starscream and Jetfire in their jet modes?

 

Yea this is getting more and more tempting...