Transformers Studio Series Core Class Starscream and Frenzy review

The Core Class line began with Kingdom and made its way into Studio Series as well as the Legacy trilogy. Next year, we won't get dedicated waves of the line, though we can blame Beewun Ravage and the first wave of Legacy Cores for warming pegs and made future waves harder to get. The final wave we have here consists of the last new mold (since Legacy United BW Dinobot was canceled) as well as a repaint of a dud from earlier. Let's give them a look.

Here we have Starscream in his tetra jet mode, better matching the CG model somewhat in spite of some new issues it has when it comes to kibble management. In terms of positives, the design is much sleeker thanks to an undercarriage that is nowhere near as obtrusive, and the wings look much closer to how they normally would appear. The entire arms are sadly visible, and I wish there was a way to fill in the gap in the middle. At least the cannon can still be placed underneath.

For a size comparison, the Voyager figure obviously dwarves the Core Class, but I feel the smaller figure manages to have the better altmode by comparison. While the Voyager has the proper details and more visible tailfin, not to mention the addition of null rays, thr undercarriage never sat well with me for how half-baked it turned out, on top of the wings looking clunky with the thickness and reliance on hinges for the outer parts than normal. That being said, it's middle region is more filled in by comparison.

Transformation is different from the Voyager in terms of the arm transformation and how the torso uses a ball joint to rotate it around, but the legs and the nosecones more or less work similarly to the larger toy. The resulting robot mode manages to feel more refined and closer to the design compared to the Voyager, with the better implementation of the wings combined with the the limbs not being too gangly. They overall physique feels more dynamic overall, and the sculpted details don't disappoint (even if I kind of wish the paint apps wouldn't forget about the shoulders).

Articulation consists a very tight neck swivel and ball joints for the shoulders, elbows, hips, and knees; the ankles could rotate due to transformation, and he ironically holds his gun better than the Voyager. While the Voyager has that mannequin look to it thanks to the awkward limbs and how close the arms are to the torso, the Core Class manages to work better as a figure on top of capturing the proportions of the CG model better.

Let's quickly cover Frenzy since he's a straight repaint of Rumble from earlier in the year. The altmode can fit inside Voyager Soundwave and still sucks.

Robot mode is the same in terms of tooling, though the groin and I guess other highlights here and there are different. Functionality is still the same, so no proper elbow joints just like with Rumble.

Overall, Starscream manages to be a not-too-terrible Core Class figure, and I'm relieved he doesn't suck while being the final mold after the blunder that is Steeljaw. As for Frenzy, he is just as mediocre as Rumble.

Starscream's ranking: ⭐⭐⭐ and a half out of ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Frenzy's ranking: ⭐⭐ out of ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐