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Tech Specs: Rank: 8 Courage: 9 Firepower: 7 Skill: 8 Fast Action Battlers are the successors to the 1-2-3 Transformers and Playskool Transformers, they are larger figures developed for younger kids to play with. The Fast Action Battlers generally feature simplified transformations and action features are combined with sculpting similar to mainline figures.
Packaging: Fast Action Battler Jazz is the one figure in the FAB assortments so far that harkens back to the Go-Go-Gobot Transformers that preceeded this line aimed at younger kids. While his formal name is "Autobot Jazz" I will just refer to the figure/character as "Jazz" for the sake of this review.
Robot Mode: The Fast Action Battlers definitely seem to be designed to up the ante on detail level for figures even if they are intended for younger kids. The head detail has the same "face" as the deluxe action figure, with the visor down and battle mask over Jazz's mouth. It's not just a simple one layer with a triangular shape. Instead there are several layers to the visor and mouth piece. On the arms and legs you'll find tons of sculpted detail. The arms have his claws and other raised sections such as armor plates and tubes. The legs are more sleek looking than you would think judging by the thickness of the vehicle mode. They are sectioned off from the joint connecting it to the waist, then the thighs, then the lower legs. The most impressive bit of sculpting is on the lower legs, which have armor sections overlapping pistons that start at the top of the lower leg and actually go behind armor plates and reappear towards the bottom. Jazz is cast in silver and black plastic. His visor is painted in a really interesting way. The visor itself has a metallic blue tinge to it, but then a purple tinge is overlaid on top, giving it the appearance of the lenses on sunglasses. The faceplate is painted black, as is the grille on the chest and portions of the waist and lower leg. A black Autobot symbol can be found on his waist piece as well. The aforementioned pistons are painted copper and the headlights are painted metallic blue. His missile is cast in translucent blue plastic. There are six points of articulation on this figure, pretty standard for a Fast Action Battler. On the left arm you cn insert Jazz's missile which launches using the black trigger on the top of the arm. He also has an additional action feature. Torso twist his upper body towards the right and let go and it snaps forward in a "punching" action similar to what the old 80's He-Man figures had. Overall a fun robot mode. Transformation to Vehicle Mode:
Vehicle Mode: On the top of the hood, each side section has several raised vent lines angling outward. This leads to the middle section which includes such small details as the sideview mirrors and car door handles. The left side even has the gas cap door sculpted in. The rear section has the semi-circle rear lights and an indentation for the license plate, all features found on the real life vehicle. Colorwise there are few surprises here. The primary color reminas the silver Jazz is cast in. The round lights under the headlights are yellow and blue (half and half) while the windshield and windows are all painted metallic blue. The headlights are metallic blue as well, but a lighter shade. The rear lights are all painted red. The sides of the wheels are painted black.
Final Thoughts:
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