Toybox REVIEW: Transformers Buzzworthy Bumblebee Studio Series 86 Cliffjumper

Release Date: January 2022

RRP: $24.99/£23.99

If there's one thing that the Transformers franchise has tried to ensure since the release of the first live-action movie back in 2007, it's that everyone should love Bumblebee. The character has been a core part of nearly every Transformers production since then, and now even has his own dedicated toy line in the form of Buzzworthy Bumblebee. Despite the name Buzzworthy Bumblebee is actually a pretty diverse subline - producing a number of interesting releases around the current Transformers toy lines that are often only tangentially related to Bumblebee himself. The ever-popular Studio Series line has also branched out into it as well - with one such example being the Buzzworthy Bumblebee Studio Series 86 Cliffjumper figure. Though not a key player in Transformers: The Movie, Cliffjumper was stationed aboard Moonbase One alongside Jazz as the Autobot planned to take their home planet back from the Decepticons. 

"As MOONBASE ONE is reduced to scrap metal, CLIFFJUMPER boards a ship in an attempt to escape the jaws of UNICRON."

Despite being a subline that is presumably celebrates all things Bumblebee, the packaging of the Buzzworthy Bumblebee range is a bit of a curious case. The yellow and black colour scheme of the box obviously makes sense, but the decision to use a render of Cyberverse Bumblebee on the box (instead of a G1 or even movie-styled one) alongside images of Arcee, Mirage and Optimus Prime (none of whom have toys in the range) is a bit more strange. Choice of images aside, the packaging is styled very similar to the Studio Series 86 line and this is far more reflective in other areas of the box. One spine features some new Studio Series-style artwork of Cliffjumper, while the back has the usual layout of figure images (in both modes), transformation steps graphics, short bio and a strapline placing Cliffjumper at a certain point in the film (in this case "Moonbase One Destruction"). Open it up and you'll see some of the early steps Hasbro are making to reduce plastic use in their packaging, with Cliffjumper and his accessories attached to a backing card rather than a moulded plastic tray.

As per the rest of the Studio Series line Cliffjumper also comes with a background diorama display, although the base has been done in yellow and black in-keeping with the Buzzworthy Bumblebee range as opposed the red of the standard Studio Series 86 line. The background itself is of Moonbase One prior to its destruction by the hands (or rather jaws) of Unicron. The artwork is identical to the piece that was included with Studio Series 86 Jazz, which seems fair given that these Buzzworthy Bumblebee Studio Series figures are repaints and that Moonbase One is the only real place of note that Cliffjumper appeared in the film.

Buzzworthy Bumblebee Studio Series 86 Cliffjumper (a bit of a mouthful, isn't it?) is a repaint of the War for Cybertron: Earthrise deluxe class Cliffjumper figure, giving it a more G1 cartoon-inspired deco with lighter shade of red, grey limbs and painted opaque windows rather than translucent plastic. While some might not be quite as keen on the opaque windows, given the fragility of translucent plastic (especially on transforming toys like these) getting a far sturdier toy seems like a pretty fair trade off. While the base mould might not have changed at all these new colours make Cliffjumper feel like an all new bot - bringing out the cartoon-inspired elements of the design far more than the Earthrise version did. The Studio Series version also adds an Autobot insignia to the chest, which fans will notice is the cartoon variant of the design rather than the movie version seen on the Earthrise figure. The one thing you could perhaps gripe about on this figure is the size given the price point, but Cliffjumper packs a lot of detail in for such a small figure and the size also means he scales well with the rest of the War for Cybertron and Studio Series 86 figures.

Don't let his small size fool you, Cliffjumper still has plenty to offer when it comes to articulation and poseability. Altogether the figure features;

- Ball jointed head

- Swivel hinge shoulders and hips

- Bicep, wrist, waist and thigh swivels

- Hinged elbows, knees and ankles

With massive car feet like these there's little worry of Cliffjumper having balance issues when it comes to posing. The number of swivel joints across the body add a great range of movement where it's most needed, and together with the hinges help create a figure that doesn't just have plenty to offer but is also just a joy to pose in general.

Since his very first appearance Cliffjumper has always been a character that's up for a fight, and the arsenal this figure comes with certainly reflects that. Included here is a large cannon similar to the one Cliffjumper uses in the first part of "More Than Meets the Eye" - previously included with the Earthrise version of the figure but repainted in a more cartoon accurate metallic blue. The cannon can be held in either of the figure's hands, but also has stand pieces toward the front so it can be propped up as it was in the cartoon. As if the size and detailing of this wonderful G1 homage wasn't enough, the cannon can split down into a number of different pieces to truly make Cliffjumper a one-bot armoury. It can be shortened down into a shoulder-mounted cannon, or split apart into twin blasters. On top of all that, the back of Cliffjumper's robot mode (which makes up the back window and trunk of the car mode) can be removed and turned into a shield. Some fans are a bit divided on this since such a significant area of the alt-mode being one solid piece gives the figure an element of part-forming, but those complaints seem pretty overblown. Granted the shield isn't anywhere near as impressive as the cannon and all the things that can do, but it's a fun little extra nonetheless.

Cliffjumper has a 19-step transformation, which is actually surprisingly involved despite the top rear part of the car being a solid piece. Though the pieces themselves might be small, each part of the transformation is relatively straightforward and there shouldn't be fear of anything inadvertently breaking. The only thing to take note off is towards the end of the transformation when the alt mode is finally taking shape, which is getting all the pieces to line up and tab together correctly. Despite falling under the Studio Series 86 banner it's worth remembering that this mould originally appeared in the Earthrise line, and as such slavish G1 accuracy wasn't quite as important when it comes to alt mode. As such this Cliffjumper transforms into a car that lacks the Penny Racer look of his original toy or screen model, but does have some visual cues of the Porsche 924 Turbo it was based on. Though it might not look quite right for fans most used to the cartoon, it's a good look for Cliffjumper and fits in with alt modes other iterations of the character have had over the years as well. Other than the aforementioned new colours one key difference in deco compared to the Earthrise version is that the Autobot insignia is now to the side of the bonnet rather than in the centre (as well as an additional insignia on the roof). In alt mode the cannon can be pegged to the roof, or alternatively split apart and pegged to the underside. This gives Cliffjumper a pair of skis highly reminiscent to the ones he used to travel across water in the part two of "Dinobot Island".

While the various methods of weapon-mounting add a lot to the play and display value of the alt mode, functionally it's largely the same as any other wheeled-vehicle in the Transformers line. Each of the wheels is free-rolling so that the vehicle can glide across surfaces, and when connected to the roof the cannon can rotate a full 360° so that Cliffjumper can take out any nearby Decepticon. Whereas the weapons storage can sometimes feel a bit slapdash and/or cumbersome on modern Transformers releases, for a fighter like Cliffjumper it actually makes a lot of sense here. The variation on the skis from "Dinobot Island" are just the icing on the cake, and a really nice throwback on the designers' part that just goes to show the detail and ingenuity that goes into designing these figures. 

Buzzworthy Bumblebee Studio Series 86 Cliffjumper is a small figure for its price point but much like the character himself it's a toy that packs quite a punch. Collectors may be divided on whether the opaque windows are superior to translucent ones but it's a decision that makes perfect sense given the more cartoon-accurate deco this version has, which works as a fantastic alternative to the original Earthrise version. While the vehicle mode may not have the G1 accuracy many have come to expect from anything under the "Studio Series" banner, it's a great design that suits both the character and toy perfectly. If you picked up the Earthrise version there might not be quite enough here to warrant double-dipping, but if you're all about cartoon accuracy or missed out on the release first time around then this is the Cliffjumper for you.