Our coverage of the 2009 25th Anniversary Legend class figures continue with a look at both old and new. On one end is G1 Brawn, and on the other end is Starscream from the currently running Animated series.

Brawn

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Fireblast    

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Robot Mode

The original G1 Brawn was a disappointment due to it looking nothing like the show. The 25th Anniversary figure makes up for all those past gripes. It is a perfect tribute to the original in almost every way. The only real complaint one might find is with the head sculpt. While the sculpt itself is spot on, the black paint job tends to hide it's brilliance.

Articulation can be baffling. The knees do bend, but they bend forward instead of back due to the transformation. The hips are set up on ball joints, but due to the overhanging backpack movement is slightly restricted. The shoulders are also on ball joints but have inward flex instead of being able to spread outward. To transform into alt mode, rotate the arms up. Push the hips down and back, then bend the knees forward 90 degrees. Finish by pushing the arms back and inward.

Alt Mode

Fortunately, the original Brawn pics were only prototypes, as he gets black wheels. There is also a riveted spare on the back that is black. The molded details are plenty, with door handles, taillights and mirrors. Some more paint detailing can bring said details out better.

One bummer is that the feet are at the same clearance as the rear wheels. Which is to say, there is no clearance. Use caution when rolling him as the feet can be easily scuffed. These small nuances aside, this is a magnificent update to Brawn.

Score

Robot Mode: - Some headscratching articulation, but otherwise an excellent mold.
Robot Mode: - Careful with the rear wheels.
Overall: - Definitely not worth sweating the small stuff here, definitely an add to the collection.

Click here for more images of Brawn via the Universe Database!

Animated Starscream

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Strength     

Intelligence 

Speed        

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Fireblast    

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Robot Mode

Starscream gets a second dose of miniaturization as a Legend figure. Overall, it's a fair job. The proportions are a mixed bag, though. The neck and head look overextended unless he is nodding his head down. The wings seem to be misproportioned as well and can be a distraction.

Articulation is perhaps the stiffest of the 4 legend figures recently released. The hip are on a socket ball joint, so while there is great bend, there is little spread. Shoulders are balljointed, but you can't utilize them in full due to the wings. Again, there is no spread. However, you can fold the arms inwards. To transform, flip the backpack up after extending the head as far back as it'll go. Rotate the legs back, while rotating the hip assembly in a half-moon. Fold out the nosecone to finish.

Alt Mode

The proportions get worse in jet mode. The nose sticks out far too much. The wings also seem a bit large. Some color could have been added to the wings as well, it may have given the jet more aesthetics. The tailfins don't help by being too small.

Perhaps the biggest gripe is that the head is fully visible from the top of the jet. With the Activator figure being done so well, it almost makes you wonder why they would execute such a poor Legend figure.

Score

Robot Mode: - Limited poseability, slightly off proportions
Alt Mode: - Definitely off proportions and a visible head for added failure.
Overall: - If you have the Activator, this is an easy pass. If you don't have the Activator, save a few more bucks by passing this one up.

Click here for more Animated Starscream images via the Universe Database!

Thoughts

While the Legend figures do show improvement, this is an example that lemons can still be thrown out. While Brawn is a definite recommendation, it's hard to justify Starscream unless you just can't pony up the extra $4 to get the Activator version.

Reviewer	Blitzwing
Date	December 14th 2008
Score	(7 out of 10)
Reads	13338

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