Dave's Beast Wars Rant:

     Video-pack Airazor
     Video-pack Razorclaw

     I won't be posting techspecs in this case, since the specs are the same
as in the original versions, except for the addition of transformation
difficulty ratings (which I'll mention).  Each is a recolor of the Third Wave
toy, with a videotape of "Aftermath" and "Coming of the Fuzors Part 1" carded
together with it.  Same video for both, so if you mainly want the video you
only need to buy one.

CAPSULES

     Airazor: The color scheme is much closer to the one on the show and
looks pretty good.  Unfortunately, the plastic used for some of the parts
didn't work the same way in the molds as the original, and some of the joints
are floppy, notably the feet, so it can't stand in robot mode.  Mildly
recommended.  $6.99 at Toys R Us, $7.99 at Meijer
     Razorclaw: Nifty Seacon-like colors, but more vibrant.  Excellent toy,
no new flaws introduced.  Strongly recommended.  $6.99 or $7.99.
     Videotape: High quality, recorded in SP mode, may be your only way to
get second season eps.  No slipcase and no new material, however, and the
same tape is in both.  Recommended if you haven't already taped it off TV (or
have a bad copy...the quality of this is excellent).
     If you only want the tape, get Razorclaw, you'll get a better toy.

RANTS

AIRAZOR
Transformation Difficulty: Intermediate (4)

     The yellow is replaced by a deep bronze, the brown is darker, and
metallic purple ink accents the feathers rather nicely.  Metallics also
detail the beast and robot faces, presumably to give more of a Transmetal
feel.  See my original review of Airazor on my BW webpage for more on the toy
(http://www.physics.ohio-state.edu/~dvandom/BW in the "Classic" directory).
     As mentioned above, the ankle joints are really floppy, and I've heard
from enough people to be pretty sure it's a universal problem, not just with
mine.  The feet are stable enough in beast mode, but it's almost impossible
to stand the toy up in robot mode.  A little glue on the joints (let it dry
before putting the feet back on!) should stiffen them up, though.
     Airazor's a pretty good toy, and if you missed out on the original
issue, it might be cheaper to pick this up than to buy one from a dealer.

RAZORCLAW
Transformation Difficulty: Intermediate (4)

     Razorclaw's probably my favorite of the Third Wave Regular Beasts.  In
fact, it's easily among my three or four favorite Regulars period.  Good
beast mode, nifty robot mode, good stability in poses thanks to the tail.
Again, you can look on my webpage for my original review, and I think I like
it more now than I did then.
     The new color scheme lacks the translucent parts which I really like on
the original, but the tradeoff is a more unified color scheme which is easier
on the eyes and more tasteful, while still being wild.  Here's how it maps
from the original: transparent blue becomes solid maroon, orange becomes
slightly metallic turquoise, gold accents mostly become orange, but the
interior of the "wings" is silver.  Eyes are yellow, mouthparts remain
silver.  It almost looks like a photonegative at first glance, although the
shell patterning is different.
     Even if you have the original Razorclaw and both episodes already on
tape, you might want to consider snagging this one.  It really looks good.  A
recolor I really don't mind.

     Dave Van Domelen, noticing all sorts of little flaws on Airazor which
can be traced back to changing plastic without adjusting the molds....