Darth Vader was designed from scratch. But Starscream has a history and a tradition. It's not about relating to the villain, it's about giving Starscream the persona that he's always had and just isnt Starscream without. And the image you swore I would like only further proves that no pose or body movement will work at all without the signature "Starscream face" with a broad smirk and furrowed "eyebrows". Seriously he looks ridiculous there. The cocky arrogant tough guy pose comes to a screeching halt as soon as you see the blank look on his forever-frowning face. The dumbass looks like he's staring into space half-dazed even if he's meant to be smirking...why? because his face doesnt emote. there's no better proof than in that image

 

and dont give me that beak bullshit either. Because that right there will cost you the argument...Starscream never had a beak before and he never should. Beaks dont work..and again, the image proves it! As does my sig image!

 

a ^ will ALWAYS indicate a frown. Because if it was a neutral expression, it'd be a - or if he was smiling it'd be a v or half of one if he was smirking. but ^ is totally a frown.

 

I mean for god sake his grin FLASHED IN THE LIGHT in an episode of animated. They knew how to do Starscream right! ILM clearly does not!

Is that why Animated Starscream rubs me the completely wrong way and I abhore everything about him from design to personality to voice?

Is that why Animated Starscream rubs me the completely wrong way and I abhore everything about him from design to personality to voice?

 

 

I suspect you were molested by Chris Latta as a small child.

 

 

 

 

(j/k)

I have 750 million reasons to think they did fulfill that function just fine for people who aren't obsessive fans on the internet. :shrug

 

But "less" well than good ones would have.

You're right, an audience can't truly invest in a villain unless he's able to display a full range of human facial expression.

 

That's why Darth Vader never really caught on.

 

 

On the contrary, that's why the Tradition of Darth Vader's stone face made whiny prequel Ankakin such an anathema.

 

Plus having like, 200 more lines is a boon to characterization.

You guys know he was being sarcastic, right? Vader caught on like a wild fire...

You guys know he was being sarcastic, right? Vader caught on like a wild fire...

:roll

Yeah really. Vader and Starscream can hardly be compared. But Ender is 100% correct

I hope Devastator dies in the movie, so we never have to see him again.

 

Sideswipe is ready to roller boogie! If a Transformer still needs wheels in robot mode, then he might as well stay in car mode.

I like Devy!

 

Just not the toy

Body language is not good enough for any sort of Starscream character. Movie laws don't overrule that!

 

For the last time....movie characters indeed dont need an expressive face to be appealing...But all STARSCREAMS do! Movie character or not, the rules of Starscream still apply! And his smirk and grinning is one of his signature features. Why do you think almost all Starscream fanart is of him smirking? You can't use this being a movie as an excuse!

 

I mean I cant see this character taunting at Sam in that scene where he has him pinned down or blasting through a bunch of autobot grunts yelling out taunts with a broad grin on his face. Body language doesnt do shit to help that.