15. Shatter
At the bottom of the list is Shatter, the car version of the character in the Bumblebee movie. This figure is just as bad as her partner, Dropkick, but the difference was that Dropkick was an aerial vehicle and this was a land vehicle. The car mode may look pretty nice but it doesn't stop just how awful the rest of the toy is. Transformation is mediocre, the robot mode design doesn't look refined, and the articulation is not too great. The limbs especially are the weakest parts of the figure, with the arms looking pitiful on the torso while the legs barely move out and are ruined by the doors making the figure look cluttered even more. Also, the head, while based on the rarely seen battle mask from the movie (presumably Cybertron), clashes with the box art since it has her more exposed face. IF you really want to get this figure, I suggest only getting this for the altmode.
14. WWII Bumblebee
Slightly better than the rival of this character, it's WWII Bumblebee. This figure's robot mode looks pretty good (from the front), the weapons look pretty slick, and the articulation is not too bad. The things that pull this figure back are the awful pieces of kibble from the backpack and the legs, along with the altmode being pretty inaccurate to the actual vehicle from the movie. Instead of a Mercedes Benz, he turns into a Humber Light Reconnaissance Car like in the concept art. That wouldn't have been too bad had it not been for the differences with the altmodes. Also, my figure's ball joints felt pretty loose right out of the box. I can only recommend this figure if you want to complete the line. Beyond that, stick with the third party offering.
13. Hightower
Hightower's a figure that's got a unique design, yet describing him was pretty hard to do. The altmode is fine yet has almost most of the tropes found in cranes like Hightower, the transformation's pretty odd, and the robot mode is unique, though I feel it isn't quite as cool as the concept art. Maybe if this figure was at a larger scale, he'd feel more realized. Still, not a bad toy, though I feel you're getting this figure just to complete Devastator.
12. Scrapmetal
Ze little one's figure is not awful but does feel pretty basic. Robot mode's almost Beewun-esque, and I don't really like how the face sculpt has black paint since it obscures the details of the figure. At least it has some neat asymmetrical elements, like with the thighs and arms. Much like with Hightower, Scrapmetal's mainly recommended if you want to get the entire team of Constructicons. At least he's a bit more normal for fans that like their robots looking straight up and down.
11. Bonecrusher
I have to admit, I'm pretty disappointed with how this figure turned out. Not the worst figure, certainly far from it, but there's just something about it that keeps it from being higher up on the list. Maybe it's the arms having the vehicle mode pieces stuck on it, which means the arms don't always look too good when posed. What about his height? I know he is normally seen crouching, but he's slightly bigger than his old Deluxe; certainly disappointing in general. I still recommend him, but mainly at half price (assuming your stores have him on discount)
10. Car Dropkick
While his robot mode may have the tired design elements, at least he is an improvement compared to his helicopter form. Better proportions, nicer plastic, and a transformation that, while is familiar, doesn't make you feel like you're transforming a ridiculously shrunken down robot. If there was an upgrade kit that adds some helicopter pieces, this figure would be even better. I certainly recommend getting this figure, especially if you can still find him at retail.
9. Rampage
I thought this figure would be shit like the ROTF figure was, but it's actually better than I anticipated. The bulldozer mode may look kind of toyetic, but at least the transformation's involved and the robot mode looks a lot better. No stupid gimmicks ruin this toy, and while it may need some elbow joints and more whip-like treads, I'm happy that the figure doesn't have any crappy compromises. I even dig the transformation into leg mode.
8. Long Haul
While he is the best Constructicon of 2019, I have to admit he's still got a few issues. The arm panels and the thighs do get in the way for some poses, and the figure could be bigger while the altmode could be a little less wonky, I dig this design and the brutish bulk it contains. It's the Constructicon that I know most fans would want to get, even if they don't plan on completing Devastator. All I can say is to not look for him across 5 Targets like I did.
7. Sideswipe
The silver skater had a mixed bag of figures in the past. The original Deluxe and Human Alliance figures were a bit too bulky from the back but were otherwise cool, the Sidearms version was neat but some preferred the blades, and the original DOTM figure was pathetic despite being sleeker. This new figure has silver paint on the vehicle shell, while the articulation isn't compromised, and it has both blades and guns! The only problems with this figure are the unpainted helmet while any missing blades will mean the altmode is incomplete. Beyond that, if you can transform this toy with no problem, he is certainly recommended!
6. MV1 Optimus Prime
While he is the most accurate version of MV1 Optimus we've gotten, there are a few issues I have. Let's start with the positives, as the proportions are great, the articulation's pretty good, and the accuracy in the robot mode is well done. The negatives I have with the figure are the way the wheelwells on the legs don't change like on the 2018 figure, the colors being a little too bright (especially the blue), the tires on the hips could get in the way, and the truck mode does look worse than it did previously. Beyond those issues, I think you can get this figure OR the Jetwing version if you want to get the extra accessories included.
5. Dark of the Moon Megatron
I know that we're in the current era of smaller Leader Class figures, and I know this Megatron was never meant to scale with my old ROTF Optimus to begin with, but something about this toy feels a little lacking. The truck mode looks a lot more badass than it did previously, but the robot mode has limbs that are a bit blocker than I'd like. At least the sculpted details and proportions are a lot better than they were on the old DOTM figure. The face sculpt alone is so much better in comparison. You can still get this figure at normal retail, and even at full price!
4. Beewun Optimus Prime
As much as I hate the Bumblebee movie and the robot designs of the movie, I have to admit that Optimus Prime is certainly a good toy in the line. What? If I can't say that I don't like Beewun but want to give its elements some form of credit, what are the excuses of the reviewers that act the same towards the other movies? The figure has a few inaccuracies here and there, but I love the truck mode, the transformation is pretty good, and the robot mode, despite being based on an overrated design, is at least translated well. Articulation is also amazing, but I hate how the neck is tight while the hips were loose when moving them out. I would say that you can get this figure, but the nasty ass scalpers are butt-fucking any chances for other fans to buy this figure at normal retail. I had to get mine on Amazon at thankfully normal retail, but if you want to get this toy now, good luck.
3. Barricade
This bad cop is almost as good as the Masterpiece despite being at a smaller size. Car mode may feel smaller than I'd expect, but the transformation is fun to do, and the robot mode finally has some great proportions for a Deluxe. No stupidly wide chest, and no thin arms this time! Also, love how the hands look much more accurate than the cop-out ones from 2007 or the tiny hands from DOTM. I wish he had a Frenzy or had a chest that locked in better, but this toy's fantastic!
2. Drift
Not only is this the best Drift figure for the movie line, but it's also the best version of the character with a helicopter altmode! The vehicle mode in question is much closer to what was briefly seen in Age of Extinction, but it also feels bigger in hand than Dropkick was. The transformation feels much nicer to do since nothing feels like it'll crumble to pieces, and the robot mode is glorious. Without a doubt, go get this figure!
1. Jetfire
Behold, the ultimate glory of JETFIRE!!! This Grampacon is so good. The transformation is just as involved as before, but nowhere near as annoying. The Blackbird mode is stunning, even with the robot kibble underneath. The robot mode is also a lot more accurate than it previously was, and the face sculpt certainly has the personality Jetfire had in Revenge of the Fallen, as an elderly Seeker that may seem like a needless individual, yet he has both the wisdom of a Transformer that's been around for a long time and the boast to say the first sentence of this paragraph. The best part of this figure? No, he doesn't have the parachutes, but he does combine with Optimus like in the movie! Unlike the old Leader, you actually take this toy apart to make the combination between both figures, much like in the movie!
And that covers my look at the 2019 Studio Series figures I reviewed. That's not all, because tomorrow, I'll be taking a look at the repaints of 2019, which would certainly have a few noticeable aspects worth taking a look at. Stay tuned!
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