Transformers 2007

[Bob]

There are multipule backstories depending on what continuity you follow.  Cartoon, U.S. comic, U.K. comic, and there was also a whole different Japanese continuity.  For the film, I think they are making up their own backstory.  Its best if you want to see this film, don't get to familliar with any of the continutuies until after you see it.

Gotcha, thanks.

[Sharktopus]

I was at Borders today flipping through the Transfomrers movie prequel novel. I sure hope the bots' dialogue in the movie is not that shitty. I know they're robots, but they can still have personality. It was "I am Bender. Please insert girder" bad.

I understand making Ratchet a rescue vehicle rather than an ambulance, but  does he have to be asparagus pee green?

=

TF NERD ALERT! Read no further if you're not a TransFan:

Ironhide in black reminds me of the Nemesis Prime Alternator, which reminds me of my Optimus Prime Alternator, which sucks major ass, which makes me dislike black Ironhide.

[Pak-Man]

Ironhide in black reminds me of the Nemesis Prime Alternator, which reminds me of my Optimus Prime Alternator, which sucks major ass, which makes me dislike black Ironhide.

As long as we're talking pickup truck Alternator and not 20th anniversary, I fully agree.

And while we're geeking out on the toys, how hard would it have been for them to get Cullen to do the lines for the movie edition 20th anniversary optimus? Or at least get Cullen's lines from the movie directly? Or at least try to SOUND like Cullen's Prime?

[Sharktopus]

Ironhide in black reminds me of the Nemesis Prime Alternator, which reminds me of my Optimus Prime Alternator, which sucks major ass, which makes me dislike black Ironhide.

As long as we're talking pickup truck Alternator and not 20th anniversary, I fully agree.

Yeah, the Dodge Ram. I don't mind them making Prime a pick-up, but it's by the far the worst designed Alternator. Masterpiece Prime, on the other hand, is the bestest Transformer ever.

And while we're geeking out on the toys, how hard would it have been for them to get Cullen to do the lines for the movie edition 20th anniversary optimus? Or at least get Cullen's lines from the movie directly? Or at least try to SOUND like Cullen's Prime?

I'm pretty sure 20th Prime's lines are straight from the movie. It's just that the little soundchip can only so good. It sounds good to me. Anyway, it makes the ch-ch-ch transforming sound - that's good enough.

         
                       CRAP                             AWESOME

[Axeman]

Am I the first to point out the whole Transformers show was basically 20 minute toy adverts?  I was a year or two too old when the whole transformers craze hit, so I can happily see it for what it is.  It makes NO sense outside of that, and the reinvented back-story will have to be a cracker to try and get round that massive first hurdle.

[mrbasehart]

Am I the first to point out the whole Transformers show was basically 20 minute toy adverts? 

Basically? Try absolutely! Things like this became so bad that the makers of the Thundercats merchandise actually paid TV stations to air it, even giving them a percentage of sales! 

[Sideswipe]

Am I the first to point out the whole Transformers show was basically 20 minute toy adverts? 

While I agree with the above statement completely.  If the writers and producers of that show had actually taken it seriously, and didn't have Hasbro breathing down there necks to sell toys I think it could have been a really well done and interesting show.  The story works without needing to be an advertisement, thats why the comics did so well.

[Tyrant]

Am I the first to point out the whole Transformers show was basically 20 minute toy adverts? 

While I agree with the above statement completely.  If the writers and producers of that show had actually taken it seriously, and didn't have Hasbro breathing down there necks to sell toys I think it could have been a really well done and interesting show.  The story works without needing to be an advertisement, thats why the comics did so well.

  Amen. Every BotCon. Every writer. Every time. That was always their exact statement anytime someone asked about the writing quality during the panels. Even the comicbook writers admitted they got pressured on numerous occasions to kill off that character, create this story arc over here to introduce this new character over there, ect.. (anyone here nerdy enough to have read the Underbase Saga?) Not as bad as the poor writers for the show, but it still, according to them, got pretty intense down at Marvel's office now and again.

   Besides which, nearly every 80s cartoon was an extended TV commercial. You can't crucify TFs for that unless you're willing to place a few dozen other shows on the same chopping block.

[Sharktopus]

Besides which, nearly every 80s cartoon was an extended TV commercial. You can't crucify TFs for that unless you're willing to place a few dozen other shows on the same chopping block.

Testify.

[BBQ Platypus]

http://www.homestarrunner.com/cheatcereal.html

[Axeman]

I'm not saying that the whole damn thing wasn't worth the money for the company making the toys, but seriously who thought it would make a good premise for a blockbuster effects movie?  Someone saw the Citroen add with the dancing transformer and thought "hey, we can cash in on all that old Transformer crap from the 80's!  Quick, write a no-brain action movie."  I thought the Dukes of Hazzard was a bit thin to deserve a whole movie to itself, but this is just pushing it too far.

[Sharktopus]

Are you saying that Dukes of hazzard has a more valid premise than Transformers? At best I'd say "Two ignorant rednecks repeatedly get into trouble" is at the very most on par with  "Giant alien robots blast each other over Earth." Anyway, from a movie-producing perspective, Transfomers is guaranteed to rake in a ton of money. That's the bottom line. And what could be a better premise for a blockbuster effects movie?

[Sideswipe]

Its going to make money because its something that hasn't been seen before, at least in live action film.  When was the last time you saw a movie about giant transforming robots?  If the effects are as awesome as promised people will watch it regardless. 

[Variety of Cells]

Its going to make money because its something that hasn't been seen before, at least in live action film.  When was the last time you saw a movie about giant transforming robots?  If the effects are as awesome as promised people will watch it regardless. 

Power Rangers.

[Tyrant]

Its going to make money because its something that hasn't been seen before, at least in live action film.  When was the last time you saw a movie about giant transforming robots?  If the effects are as awesome as promised people will watch it regardless. 

Power Rangers.

  Hmm..Point. However, Transformers boasts some qualities Power Rangers never had. For instance, just about everyone in our age bracket knows who Optimus Prime is. He's reached cultural icon status. I don't think the same can be said for any character in Power Rangers. To see a live action Prime in...well...action...is going to be a pretty sacred moment for a bunch of us.