Transformers: The Movie

[Figarou]

Yeah. The Japanese may make some good anime, but they definitely have no right handling cartoons that were once American.

Look at this.

http://news.toonzone.net/article.php?ID=11659

[Vuldari]

... but I think they could have used that to sell a better movie. . .

Like a remake of Bucky O'Hare maybe.

...I Remember that Show!...

"Bucky O'Hare", a better idea for a movie?

Either you REALLY, REALLY liked that old, short lived, never completed series...

...or you are totally Dissing Transformers...


If I were you...I wouldn't admit to either.


Or at least not the second one...Lest you wish call the wrath of countless geek fanboys upon Ye'...

Optimus Prime and the other Transformers ROCKED!!!!!

[Vuldari]

Umm. . . Don't get me wrong, I think Transformers could be one of those 80s nostalgia shows that could be updated and resurrected. . .

The movie they are working on, yes.

The one thats on CN right now, NO!!

They goofed on that one!!

Most of G2 was a goof, and every Transformers series after that (Excluding "Beast Wars" which was suprisingly good) was a complete disgrace.

There has been a string of Bad TF shows in the last 5 years or so, all JP remakes, and all really dumb.

[Figarou]

Optimus Prime and the other Transformers ROCKED!!!!!

I'm more of a Decepticon guy myself.


Look what I have sitting on my HDTV.
http://www.figarou.com/images/Bigcenter.jpg


Close up.
http://www.figarou.com/werewolf/Megatron.JPG


I hope Megatron in the movie version they are working on looks exactly like my statue.

[Vuldari]

I hope Megatron in the movie version they are working on looks exactly like my statue.

Though the final forms of some of the transformers remain uncertain, some things are.

The dirrector INSISTS that everything remain true to scale. The Robots are going to be 50-feet tall...therefore, each one MUST have a vehicle form that has enough mass to make a machine that big.

Megatron absolutely, positively will NOT be a handgun in this film. (Sadly )

Most rumors suggest he will be a tank of some sort...and therefore look considerably different from that statue. (Though I would consider it likely that he will still have a large arm cannon, or something like it.)


BTW...the last Pic is ALL Decepticons.

[Terastas]

... but I think they could have used that to sell a better movie. . .

Like a remake of Bucky O'Hare maybe.

...I Remember that Show!...

"Bucky O'Hare", a better idea for a movie?

Either you REALLY, REALLY liked that old, short lived, never completed series...

...or you are totally Dissing Transformers...


If I were you...I wouldn't admit to either.

Oh I liked plenty of shows that only lasted one season. Hell, the shows that get canned the fastest are the ones that have great plots and premesises but no mass appeal. Anyone remember the show Brimstone?

As for dissing Transformers, well. . . The thing about the Autobots and Decepticons is that their seriously outdated. Like I said, one of the most popular Decepticons, Soundwave, transforms into a casette player. He's supposed to be a futuristic robot, and we barely even make those things on Earth anymore. If they'd gone with the more updated Maximals/Predacons conflict, that might've been interesting, but instead it looks like their going straight back to the original "action figure advertisement" format. . .

And no offense, but the Transformers looked ridiculous enough whenever they did G.I. Joe crossovers in the comic books. Shiny robots next to real life actors are going to look corny as hell.

[Figarou]

As for dissing Transformers, well. . . The thing about the Autobots and Decepticons is that their seriously outdated. Like I said, one of the most popular Decepticons, Soundwave, transforms into a casette player. He's supposed to be a futuristic robot, and we barely even make those things on Earth anymore. If they'd gone with the more updated Maximals/Predacons conflict, that might've been interesting, but instead it looks like their going straight back to the original "action figure advertisement" format. . .

Heh...if Sony Pictures was doing this film instead of Paramount, Soundwave would transform into one of Sony products.

[Vuldari]

As for dissing Transformers, well. . . The thing about the Autobots and Decepticons is that their seriously outdated. Like I said, one of the most popular Decepticons, Soundwave, transforms into a casette player. He's supposed to be a futuristic robot, and we barely even make those things on Earth anymore.

What the Hell?


You consider the fact that the original series had the transformers take the form of era-current technology a Negative Point of the series, and of the characters?

Besides...I've read that the dirrector decided to take Soundwave out of this film, because they think he is too important of a character, and they plan to save him for the sequel to make sure they "Get him Right".

#1...in the film version, all transformers are going to be era-current, and size relevant machines. (...as in, NO cassete Players...)

and #2...what the HELL is wrong with old stuff? Old Cars, old Paintings, old literature, old songs, etc. are COOL.


BumbleBee (departing from his volkswagon beginnings) is going to start out as a 70's model Camaro, and later on, after being demolished, is going to be rebuilt as the new Camaro (Shameless GM plug alert) by the end.



"...oh my god...the entire G1 Transformers franchise is soo stupid because one of it's main characters took the form of a device that was very common, and current-tech at the time, but it totally outdated now, so I can not appreciate the characters or the franchise at all ever again because of that..."

That is what you sound like to me.

Stop being so shallow minded.

[Terastas]

Did I say Transformers suck period?! No I did not. I just said I think their going completely the wrong way with this. Unlike the TV series, which have progressed into more elaborate methods of shapeshifting and deeper plot and character development, it looks like their handling this movie the same way they handled all the other comic book hero movies -- by making a live action Episode #1.

BIG MISTAKE!!!

Wanting to "get Soundwave right" is just an excuse. Soundwave had no actual bearing to the plot -- he was the reconnaisance specialist of the Decepticons. If their not including him now, it's because he's the villain with the fan following -- he's the Bobba Fett of Transformers if you will.

And no offense, but while I know I shouldn't judge the movie just by that uber-brief shot of one from the Mars rover camera, I can honestly say I've seen a better animated realtime transformer. . .

In a European car commercial:
http://www.theembassyvfx.com/citroen.html

Just because it was cool then doesn't mean it will be cool now. I foresee just another explodey action dick flick.

[Vuldari]

Just because it was cool then doesn't mean it will be cool now. I foresee just another explodey action dick flick.

Other than giving props to that awsome dancing car commercial, this is one of the only true sounding statements you've made.



I only WISH this film was going to be a faithful recreation of the G1 characters the way the fans remember them.

But whomever has been telling you that it WILL be has been lying to you. They are transforming robots from outerspace, hailing from the planet cybertron, seeking a substance known as "Energon" but all of the characters are merely 'based' on thier namesakes, and absolutely NONE of the transformers will appear in their original (80's series) forms in this film.

It probobly IS just being used as an excuse to show a bunch of CG explosions. ...I wish it was more than that, (not that I don't love a good explosion), but that seems to be the only dirrection Hollywood seems to think is profitable for this genre.


As for your comment on the later series sporting more complex stories and deeper character development...

...what the **** are you talking about?!

"Beast Wars" is the only TF series after G1 and the Original Film that has included memorable characters.

"Technically" some of the characters go through more complicated personality changes in the newer shows, while the original series was more simple and cliche'...

...but the proof is in the pudding...

How many people are fans of the originals?

How many kids today give a **** about the newer incarnations once the "Armada" season ends, and the "Energon" version begins...and again with "Cybertron" and "RID"?

The "NEW" versions, in many cases, are so overly complicated and unreasonably "UBER" that they lack all distinguishing personality. They have dissolved into "The guy with those big spikes, and the hundred and thirty guns, who gets 360 guns if he merges with the motercycle".



...on the other hand...
Retro Nostalgia is AWESOME.

Personally, I agree that in the time since the 80's incarnation, the 'unique' qualities of some of the original characters have become silly looking today...but that is part of the charm.

Watching a Locomotive and a Jet fighter get their butts kicked by a Boom-Box and a medical Microscope is FUN! Where else can you see something like that?


Watching the original series, I laughed at characters like GRIMLOCK and BLURR, whilst simultaniously cheering for PRIME and JAZZ...and wondering in awe at how anyone managed to make a talking tape recorder soo COOL!


Transformers was Awesome and Silly at the same time.



...this argument has really made me think.

You say that things like the absurdity of a Mighty Warrior taking the form of a lowly, obsolite tape recorder were the LOW points of the original series.

...but the more I think about it...the more I see that it was strange things like that which have contributed to the series remaining so Memorable and so Lovable for so long.


LONG LIVE SOUNDWAVE!

[Figarou]

I've seen a better animated realtime transformer. . .

In a European car commercial:
http://www.theembassyvfx.com/citroen.html

There is another one.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ihsHat-SgHQ

Just because it was cool then doesn't mean it will be cool now. I foresee just another explodey action dick flick.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A-dLNwYpAus

[Vuldari]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A-dLNwYpAus

I Love that spoof. I was just about to link to it myself, but you beat me to it.

The CG in the skating one is great...but it's not nearly as entertaining.




...btw Terastas...just what are you comparing the Car commercial to, as judgement of how the transformers will look in the final film?

The blurry outline in the teaser was specifically designed NOT to let you see what they look like, and no other "Official" footage or photographs have been released.

...besides the "Leaked" photo I managed to snag...

[Terastas]

As for your comment on the later series sporting more complex stories and deeper character development...

...what the **** are you talking about?!

"Beast Wars" is the only TF series after G1 and the Original Film that has included memorable characters.

"Technically" some of the characters go through more complicated personality changes in the newer shows, while the original series was more simple and cliche'...

...but the proof is in the pudding...

How many people are fans of the originals?

How many kids today give a **** about the newer incarnations once the "Armada" season ends, and the "Energon" version begins...and again with "Cybertron" and "RID"?

It's called nostalgia. People have fond memories of Transformers for the same reason a part of me still likes Mighty Max and Samurai Pizza Cats -- it's what we grew up with. That's why every comic book movie from Spawn to Spiderman has recieved the same complaint: "it wasn't true enough to the original."

And what do you mean technically they underwent personality changes? Did you see what happened to Rhinox in Beast Machines?

[Neilak20]

I heard the folks that did those Citroen commercials were doing the Special Effects for the Transfomers Film (Could just be a rumor I heard)

I also remember reading that the Director of film said they werent using the "Mars footage(sp)" because it was a teaser trailer they made. Much like the Freeborn movie trailer was made to pitch the idea, not necesarily be used in the finished film.

[Vuldari]

As for your comment on the later series sporting more complex stories and deeper character development...

...what the **** are you talking about?!

"Beast Wars" is the only TF series after G1 and the Original Film that has included memorable characters.

"Technically" some of the characters go through more complicated personality changes in the newer shows, while the original series was more simple and cliche'...

...but the proof is in the pudding...

How many people are fans of the originals?

How many kids today give a **** about the newer incarnations once the "Armada" season ends, and the "Energon" version begins...and again with "Cybertron" and "RID"?

It's called nostalgia. People have fond memories of Transformers for the same reason a part of me still likes Mighty Max and Samurai Pizza Cats -- it's what we grew up with. That's why every comic book movie from Spawn to Spiderman has recieved the same complaint: "it wasn't true enough to the original."

And what do you mean technically they underwent personality changes? Did you see what happened to Rhinox in Beast Machines?

"Beast Machines" was the ending chapters of the "Beast Wars" series, which I listed as the sole exeption.


You are right...that IS nostalgia. ...and its awsome like that.


Do you think any kids today, who watch the Newer Transformers shows are going to look back on the cast and story of "Transformers: Energon", when they are adults, with the same sort of nostalgic love as we do of the 80's originals? ...do you?...

I seriously doubt it.

In spite of the dated "cheese" factor, the G1 transformers had that special 'something' that sets them apart from the countless other shows we all watched back then.

It's really hard to find those 'somethings' if you try to pick the series apart logically...because the stories and diologue was often terrible, the character personalities were cliche', and the animation was often pretty sloppy as well...and yet...we don't remeber it that way. All we remember is the good parts...those special 'somethings' that made that silly old show something really wonderful for us.


It makes fans angry when re-makes and revivals are not true to thier roots, because often the people in charge of the remaking don't quite know what those special 'somethings' were either, and so the true charm and greatness of the series and characters are lost in translation, even though all of the important building blocks seem to be in place.

(In the case of "Beast Wars"/"Beast Machines", as you may recall, the history of the Autobot/Decepticon war was frequently referenced in the series, and the facts remained faithfully true to the G1 story, and film, right down to where the autobot spaceship crashed, and the effect the Matrix had on Future Maximal Optimus when he 'borrowed' it from his mighty Autobot namesake...after giving the "True" Optimus his due awe and respect, that is.

...not to mention the meddling of the ghost of a certain famous Decepticon...)


"Beast Wars" also had that special "Something"...and so I remember it almost as fondly as the originals. ...that was a good show...

[Terastas]

With all due respect, Transformers: Energon was the series that, to me, was most similar to the original.

And I believe that "special something" you're looking for is our youth. Apart from the G.I. Joe movie, my parents never had any love for the aptly named "half-hour toy commercials." We do, however, because we were young at the time, so when we think of them, we naturally think of what it was like to be young again.

That's not something you can reformat for an older audience. All I see is a cartoon thirty-minute toy commercial evolving into a live-action two-hour car commercial.

[Vuldari]

All I see is a cartoon thirty-minute toy commercial evolving into a live-action two-hour car commercial.

Sucks to be you.



As a 25 year old adult, I have come to grow quite fond of more recent childrens cartoons, such as "SpongeBob", "Fosters", "Dexters Lab", "Kim Possible", "Juniper Lee", "Samurai Jack", "Lilo & Stitch", "Megas XLR", and so forth...

...and I can say, with childhood being years out of the question, that "MEGAS" had that special something as well, and is allready remembered with the same kind of loving nostalgia as my favorite childhood shows...even though the series only ended in the last few years, and I was well into adulthood when I first saw it.


You're right. The show was created with the sole, original purpose to sell the toys. That was the reason it came into existance. ...but it became so much more, because in spite of the low-budget and lackluster quality standards the series was built upon, 'LEGENDARY' characters and storylines sprung from the minds of its creators that forever remain engraved upon the memories of all of us lucky enough to be children in the peak years of the Transformers popularity.

I watched ALOT of TV in those years. There are countless shows I know that I watched on a daily and weekly basis that I hardly have any memory of. If re-introduced to any of them, there would surely be a spark of nostalgia that would make me grin...but not the same kind of spark that I get when I remember shows like Transformers, or GI Joe, or my favorite sci-fi action drama from the 80's, Knight Rider.

Yes, they had faults...but they just had that something, that all those other shows I can't remember DIDN'T have.


I don't just love the Transformers because it was what was on TV when I was a kid. I love them because, in spite of being animated toy commericals, they really were worth loving...both then and now.

[Roodhoor]

I'm going to see this one definitely ^^

The Japanese may make some good anime, but they definitely have no right handling cartoons that were once American

I assure you, I 've had the same feelings about Brothers Grimm and King Arthur :)

[Teh_DarkJokerWolf]

Ah yes..I have been following this fer quite sometime..My brother is a big big Transformer fan and has a Large collection of them to prove it and the orginal series all on DVD So I know all about it and am just as interested in seeing this movie!!

[Kaebora]

... but I think they could have used that to sell a better movie. . .

Like a"Bucky O'Hare", a better idea for a movie?

Either you REALLY, REALLY liked that old, short lived, never completed series...

...or you are totally Dissing Transformers...
remake of Bucky O'Hare maybe.

...I Remember that Show!...



If I were you...I wouldn't admit to either.


Or at least not the second one...Lest you wish call the wrath of countless geek fanboys upon Ye'...

Optimus Prime and the other Transformers ROCKED!!!!!

Bucky O'Hare was a GOOD show! The following wasn't strong enough to warrent the making of a second series, but did result in the making of two video games. Talk about a nestalgic overload.

Here's an interesting factoid. Doug Parker, who did the voice of Tital Wave in Transformers Armada, also was the voice actor for Bucky O'Hare.


He's got quite a history.

I hope he puts his talents to use in this movie.

[Terastas]

Bucky O'Hare was a GOOD show! The following wasn't strong enough to warrent the making of a second series, but did result in the making of two video games. Talk about a nestalgic overload.

Here's an interesting factoid. Doug Parker, who did the voice of Tital Wave in Transformers Armada, also was the voice actor for Bucky O'Hare.


He's got quite a history.

I hope he puts his talents to use in this movie.

*nods* I was serious about that. I was thinking mostly about the nature of the antagonist though. For those of you who don't know, the ruler of the Toad Empire is a computer program called KOMPLEX, which was originally created to manage the toad consumer culture, but instead took it over and militarized it.

Seems pretty similar to what the Oil and Arms industries did to the United States if you ask me. Really, I think Bucky O'Hare would be much more appreciated in this day and age.

[Autowolf]

I've always been a Transformers fan and own heaps of TF toys

I can't wait for thuis movie to come out but Megatron just looks stupid & ugly

To see him click this link http://www.seibertron.com/news/view.php?id=8253

Also Starscream looks like an Ape with guns for hands

Now that one way to RUIN transformers

[Vuldari]

I've always been a Transformers fan and own heaps of TF toys

I can't wait for thuis movie to come out but Megatron just looks stupid & ugly

To see him click this link http://www.seibertron.com/news/view.php?id=8253


Also Starscream looks like an Ape with guns for hands

Now that one way to RUIN transformers

...The Hell?!...






...well, my hopes for this film being worth caring about are the lowest they have been yet.


Are they really that stupid and oblivious to what thier fan's want?


...Holy ****!...

[Fang]

Same here, this thing makes me sick!

[MoonKit]

Im glad I never had any interest in it, judging by how upset the fans are.

And Vuldari, I was staring at your avatar and I started to zone out and I swear it winked at me!