Transformers Studio Series Commander Class Hook & Long Haul review

We are entering Part Two of the SS86 Constructicon hype, this time featuring two Voyagers now billed together as a Commander. Yes, it appears Hasbro is not content enough with making this price tag consist of larger bots, characters with trailers, and combiner frames; this approach can be a bit concerning with future characters Hasbro is afraid of putting for a normal price point, but it can at least be justified somewhat with the two forming the overall torso of Devastator. Combined that with a somewhat incentive feature of making a separate trailer made purely for Devastator as well as an option for Long Haul's altmode might help even things out in the end. Let's see if he and Hook are worth the purchase.

Here we have the Long Hook duo in their vehicle modes. They're both green with small bits of purple and black here and there, they have pretty decent plastic quality, and they're somewhat sparse in the sculptwork department. While it can be attributed to the cartoon accuracy the line arrives for, it kind of sucks that there isn't much to make these construction vehicles look undercooked in the visual department. That being said, they are at least able to fill out the Commander Class price tag decently, though not without issues. The trailer on Long Haul does at least add some extra length to him in a way reminiscent of ROTF Overload. I'm sure many would complain about how the add-ons work with him, but as stated before, it is optional. Meaning he doesn't have to use it in altmode. Same thing for Blitzwing's gauntlets (though I still find he isn't exactly worth $55). 

Long Haul can sort of dump his load, but 1) he has no space for his bed, and 2) the wheels get affected by this since they are attached to the bed. As for Hook, he can rotate his crane's base as well as extend it (somewhat) in addition moving up and down. Still better than Combiner Wars.

For a size comparison, the scale with the G1 Constructicons is whack, but I have to admit, I ma.hrowing excited in getting the rest of the team. Scavenger and Mixmaster can't come soon enough! Funny enough, if you swap Scrapper with Scavenger, you get the four alt modes of the Build Team from RID01.

Hook's transformation is pretty straightforward. Feels like you're adding a few steps onto the G1 version of the character. Granted, it is one of the things he does as a combiner, but after being used to the way Motormaster and now Superion work, he feels a bit underwhelming. His robot .ode looks about what I'd expect, down to the whole "looking-like-the-vehicle-stood-on-its-front-end". You even have the crane arm serving as the tripod for support since his feet suck at keeping him balanced. I don't think I expected him to have some creative license to look visually distinct, but he feels the least interesting out of the six. He's literally every Transformers costume in every viral video only his alt mode faces backwards.

His head sculpt is not bad, though it is the second Constructicon with a visor and exposed mouth. His articulation consists of a ball jointed neck, shoulder rotation, outward arm movement, bicep rotation, double-jointed elbows, universal hips, thigh rotation, hinged knees, and ankle pivots. No waist swivel, likely due to transformation.

As for Long Haul, he at least is a little more involved in his transformation, no doubt resulting in a more identifiable robot mode with his front end. While he still looks chunky as hell, it is at least nowhere near as morbidly obese like with the Combiner Wars version. See why I said the benefits of having Devastator's waist as a separate piece can help? He does look wider than the cartoon models but then again, I'd blame the cartoon for being too simplistic with its character models. That and he still needs color break up beyond the few paint apps on his chest and knees.

His head sculpt is a dome of silver glory, though ruined somewhat by the black panel on the back. But hey, Geewun accurate. His articulation is the same, though he has ball joints in his elbows. Still no waist swivel. 

Here we have all of the Constructicons available so far. I appreciate that Hook and Long Haul are taller than the Deluxe and Deluxe with Benefits. Let's see if Scavenger and Mixmaster will be good. Probably average but most reviewers will praise them for being Geewun accurate.

Turning them into is thankfully a little more involved with these two no doubt thanks to Hook becoming a fairly asymmetrical bust for Devastator as well as Long Haul integrating himself with his trailer to form Devastator's lower torso. Hook's transformation is more creative, however. I also appreciate that the tabs are heavy and sturdy. Better be since this thing is pricy. 

Combining the three components results in a limbless Devastator. You can complete the look with the chest plate to cover up his gappy structure. So far, the figure looks sturdy apart from the treads untabbing from the chest, and at least Scrapper won't crumble thanks to a weak ass tab. Until Devastator gets his right arm and left leg, I will recommend you get this set if you are already committed to the rest of the Constructicons. Hook is a bit lame apart from his torso transformation, Long Haul is at least the literal better half of the set, the trailer at least adds some value to this Voyager 2-pack, and Devastator is at least shaping up to be a good combiner. Otherwise, you don't need this if you aren't into the team; I say that because unlike their ROTF Constructicons, there is little identity beyond the alt modes. Cue the triggered Geewunner tears.

Final ranking: ⭐⭐⭐ and a half out of ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐