Transformers - Beast Machines

Beast Machines Opening


Beast Machines Alternate Opening


Beast Machines is the continuation of the Beast Wars series where upon returning to their home world of Cybertron, The Maximals have become fugitives to a world where Megatron is the supreme ruler and is ruling Cybertron with an iron fist with an army of mindless "Vehicons" drones. The Maximals can no longer transform due to a transformation virus, The "Oracle" made contact with Optimus Primal and "Re-Format" the Maximals into a new more advanced "Techno- Organic" state.

Key to Vector Sigma


In my opinion... this is perhaps the most well written transformers story line to date. No other TF story lines are as well written and intricately woven together with the G1 history and lore. Iconic G1 related subject matter like "The Key to Vector Sigma", "The Plasma Energy Chamber" and even the "Hate Plague" ( As seen in the Season 3 episodes of - "The return of Optimus prime" ) sends chills down my spine as i watch the story unfolds.

Perhaps the most ingenious story line, is it's main plot... where the "The Oracle" urges and guided the Maximals about the need for Techno-Organic balance and that Cybertron was originally "Organic" before becoming a complete "Technological" planet

There are a multitude of gems popping up throughout the whole series which is divided into two seasons - Season One consist of 13 episodes and Season Two consists of 26 episodes.

Tankor - Pic Source - www.bwtf.com


The plot twists of this series are mind boggling...by actually revealing that "Tankor" is actually a reformated "Rhinox". Rhinox consciousness eventually surfaced which appears to have been corrupted due to Megatron's tampering of his spark... Rhinox plots to overthrow Megatron as "Tankor" using the "Key to Vector Sigma". when Megatron learns of the key existance, he plans to use it to eradicate all organic matter on Cybertron... Tankor/Rhinox used the Oracle to inform Primal of the existence of "The Plasma Energy Chamber' which is capable of destroying all technological matter... the whole ordeal lead to the destruction of Tankor/Rhinox.


Silverbolt - Pic Source - www.bwtf.com


A second plot twist is Black Arachnia's plight to find "Silverbolt" and hope to reformat him using the green organic goo obtained deep in the heart of Cybertron .. She had originally thought that Silverbolt's spark is being reformatted in the body of the Vehicon "Thrust" only to find out that it was "Waspinator's " spark that's in Thrust and "Silverbolt's spark is actually in the body of "Jet Storm". She suceeded in reformatting Silverbolt by trapping Jet Storm and pouring the organic goo on him. Silverbolt's new techno organic form is fugly at best.... his beast form is a condor and his bot form makes him looks like some samurai reject in an old Jap samurai movie!!! Hehehe

Savage/Nobel - Pic Source - www.bwtf.com




Savage/Nobel Design Concept


The third plot twist is the introduction of a "Beast Changer" named "Savage/Noble" which was actually Megatron's spark in an organic body. Savage/Noble is a beast changer because he actually doesn't have a robot form but rather transforms from a wolf like creature calling himself "Nobel" and a dragon like creature named "Savage"... Megatron in this form, tricked a rookie Maximal named "Nightscream" into helping him to gain access back into his inner sanctum in an attempt to extract his spark from the much hated organic body so that he can be made technologically perfect once more... When the mindless and sparkless form of Savage/Nobel was killed by Megatron... Nightscream uses his "Sonic Scream" on Megatron which almost destroyed him... Megatron's spark was temporarily stuck in the form of a "Diagnostic Drone". But even in this small body.. he proves to be a formidable adversary to the Maximals... Now that's what u call a mechanism befitting of the name "MEGATRON"!!!

Nightscream - Pic Source - www.bwtf.com




Other gems of this series includes the introduction of a new character name "Night Scream". He's the only survivor when Megatron came back to Cybertron and extracted all the sparks from the Transformers in Cybertron. he fell down a hole and survived when his built in comuter scan for life forms to reformat him to adapt to life. His computer scanned the fossilised remains of a Bat and reformat him into a bat. The Maximals found him and Primal with the help of the Oracle reformats him into his new techno-organic form.

Botanica - Pic Source - www.bwtf.com




Another interesting gem is the introduction of a female "Autobot / Maximal" named "Botanica" She is a Transformer who was dispatched into another planet where she adapted to life as a living chlorophyll based life form ( Intelligent Plant Life ). Her introduction into this series makes it even more interesting as it compliments the story line of the Oracle's plight for techno-organic balance in Cybertron, since Primal's team have managed to assume "Beast Modes" from the "Beast Wars" series, it only makes sense that the need for plant life DNA would complete the whole techno-organic concept.

Strika - Pic Source - www.bwtf.com




The introduction of yet another Fembot in this series is "Strika" who is the consort of "Obsidian". These two bots are created by "Megatron" utilizing the sparks of two of the most famous Cybertronian war tactician and generals in Cybertronian history. These 2 are added into the vehicons rank due to the recent lost of both Tankor and Jet Storm in the Vehicons rank.

Night Slash Cheetor!!!


Savage/Nobel - Pic Source - www.seibertron.com/




The toys for "Beast Machines" are very interesting as well... and like all other Transformers series.. there are tons of toys that are inspired by the show but never appeared in the show... One of the most interesting show inspired figure is "Night Slash Cheetor".. well Cheetor did show up in the show.. but not in this color.. n this particular toy is very sought after and was never made available in locally as well... the same goes to the toy of Savage/Noble.

This series is the only Transformers series that doesn't have a Japanese of it like what was done with the Beast Wars series.... the toy series by Takara Japan came much later as well...

The ending of the series gives me chills... i have not seen another TF series with an ending as touching and awesome as this... words cannot describe it... so..y not u watch it for yourself on youtube!!! Below is the final episode of Beast Machines, courtesy of www.youtube.com.. Njoi!!!







Overall... my grading for this series and it's toys is a solid 9 out of 10 "Sparks"... I have not seen a TF series with such brilliant story line ever since.

Cheers!!!
N_M

Transformers - Transtech - The TF line that never was...

Transtech Optimus Prime Concept Design!!!


Transtech Megatron Concept Designs!!!




Earlier on in my blog i talked about a line of TF that lost out to TF-RID... This line is called Transtech. Now Transtech is probably a TF line that most people have not heard about unless ofcourse... u r a TF fan.. then u most probably have heard about it.

"Transtech" was suppose to be the next installment of the "Beast" series after "Beast Machines". It is meant to be very futuristic... featuring the TF's in a more "Techno Organic" state. Alot of the designs r very very edgy featuring the main casts of the Beast Wars / Machines characters with some G1 fav characters like Shockwave and Starscream!!!

Transtech Starscream Prototype Figure!!!




Cheetor Vehicle Mode Prototype Figure!!!


Hasbro gave the task of designing these new futuristic looking TF's to a company named "Draxhall Jump" and they churned out a bunch of really cool designs and even a few prototype of the toys. Cheetor and Starscream was among the prototypes that were made. Above are the prototypes of Starscream and Cheetor's toy. Cheetor's new Transtech dragster mode is Schweet!!!!

U can find more pictures of these prototypes at - http://www.behindthetoys.com/forums/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=7195

Here is the link to more designs sketches of the characters - http://tfarchive.com/fandom/transtech/index.php


Black Arachnia's Concept Design!!!


Cheetor's Concept Designs!!!




The above design sketches of Black Arachnia and Cheetor are simply awesome and breathtaking to behold... One can just imagine how cool these characters would look like in the CGI styled animation like the earlier two "Beast" series!!! Heck, i know i am.. i get giddy just imagine how awesome it would be!!!

I really could not understand why Hasbro decided to scrap this concept... maybe because the designs were too futuristic and perhaps even too dark for a kids friendly "Transformers" feel?? These designs look way way darker then any of the previous TF lines Perhaps Hasbro thinks that the fans are not ready for such dark alien like designs for the bots . But hey..i think the fans are ready now.. take a look at how alien the TF's are in the recent Michael Bay - TF Movie!!!

Alas.. perhaps these designs r not for naught...because as u can see from the above design sketches for Megatron.. it does look somewhat like the design for "Transformers - Armada" Megatron. Some even said that these very futuristic and dark designs influenced that of the 2007 Mike Bay TF- Movie characters designs...what say you??... :P

Cheers!!!
N_M

Transformers - R.I.D / Car Robots

Transformers - Car Robots Opening


Hey there guys...Ok, this time around i'm gonna talk about "Transformers Car Robots / Robots In Disguise ( R.I.D )

This series is a departure from the earlier and hugely successful "Beast Wars / Machines" series. This series almost didn't come to be as Takbro was actually working on a third installment of the "Beast Wars / Machines" series called "Transtech", but decided to scrap it and decided to go with this series instead. More on "Transtech" in my next blog update

But Takbro wasn't sure what the fans reaction would be towards RID by bringing back vehicle form Transformers, especially with the success of the two earlier installment of the "Beast" series. So this series is actually a hodge podge of both "Beasts" and "Vehicle" form Transformers. This series also marks the beginning of Japanese done animations that stretches till the recent Transformers - Galaxy Force / Cybertron series.

Well, since i only manage to watch only 2 episodes of this series and didn't like it much.. and everyone who have watched it didn't quite like it either... i'm gonna approach this series at the "Toys" perspective.

Omega Prime - Merging Sequence


In many ways, this series serves as a ground breaking series which kick start a whole new tradition in the new era of Transformers. "Optimus Prime" is back and so is "Ultra Magnus". Optimus Prime makes a come back as a fire truck, a departure from his hugely popular gorilla beast form from the beast series.Ultra Magnus also makes a come back with an updated look to his G1 transport trailer truck look. The most awesome part about these two making a come back in vehicle form is the fact that these two figures are now able to combine to become one huge super robot named "Omega Prime". So begins the whole "Barbie Doll and Accessories" concep. LOL

I mean...toy collectors will never pass up a chance to get an "Optimus Prime" toy.. so what better way to make more money out of this character by making a bunch of characters who are able to merge with him to form different and bigger looking powered up Prime's... right???

Transformers - Scourge / Black Convoy


Perhaps the most exciting addition to this series is a character that pays homage to a post G1 TF - Movie character name "Scourge"!!! Scourge aka "Black Convoy"is a design taken from the G2 "Lazer Optimus Prime" toy mold and repainted it mainly black in color with metallic green trimmings and a gleaming chromed trailer/tanker... and he comes with a kick ass red energo sword as well!!!. Needless to say, this was and still is a very cool figure and a fan favorite. This also kick starts the whole craze of painting the various Optimus Prime toy mold in black and naming it "Scourge" and slapping a "Toy Exclusive" tag on it!!! What's so cool about Scourge is that.. this is the first time ever.. TF fans get to see a black colored Prime and he's evil!!! A drastic departure from the typical straight arrow Prime that we are used to.

This series also features the return of the "Combiner/Gestalt" concept and i don't mean show inspired toys only.. but they actually appeared in the show. The ruturn of the G1 combaticons as "Bruticus" renamed - "Mega Octane", a four construction vehicle team that combines into a combiners named "Landfill" and a three bullet train team that combines into a combiner named "Railracer"!!!

Car Robots TV Commercial




Also making a return, are the "Car Brothers" paying tribute to the G1 trio of "Prowl, Bluestreak and Smokescreen" the new car brothers are - Prowl, Side Burn and X-Brawn"... The toy mold designs for these trio puts all the previous and future Transformers toy mold to shame.. with the exception of the "Binalternators" line.



Then come the ultimate gem of this line... the return of "FORTRESS MAXIMUS"!!! This toy was never made available to the Hasbro line due to safety reasons.. so only Takara gets to reissue this toy and named it "Brave Maximus", apparently there is also a Korean version of this toy. I was lucky to be able to obtain this particular piece locally.



Like all the other Transformers series... "Megatron makes his return... but this series marks the G1 tradition of G1 tradition of turning Megatron into Galvatron towards the end of the series. The Megatron of this series is actually a 6 changer and Galvatron is a 10 changer!!!

The RID toy series also churned up a few very interesting toys like a smaller version of the G2 Optimus Prime and named it "Destructicon Scourge" as well as a G2 Megatron repainted and named "Bludgeon". Figures also include a repainted Beast wars Transmetal II Megatron in blue named "Cryotek", a huge toy that's a show accurate version of Beast Machines Optimus Primal called _ "Air Attack Optimus Primal" as well as a Beast Machines Megatron that transforms into a huge head as seen in the show. This figure is named - "Megatron Megabolt". A repainted version of Beast Machines "Jetstorm" is also made available and named after a G1 comic book character named - "Jhiaxus".

Most of these figures are actually store exclusives in the States and are not made available in the local market... Thankfully i am able to obtain most of them except for an elusive figure named "Bruticus'.. it Transforms from a three headed Cerberus-like creature into a robot.

Like what i've mentioned earlier on, since i am talking about this series at the Toy's perspective... i would grade this entire toy line :- 8.5 out of 10 "Sparks". It receives such a high grading from me mainly because of it's incredibly cool toy designs of it's time. mainly also due to it's refreshing departure from the typical beast transformers toy designs and a somewhat nostalgic G1 feeling to the toys.

Here's a link to Transformers - R.I.D toy list - http://www.bigbot.com/transformers-robots-in-disguise/

Cheers!!!
N_M

Transformers - Armada / Micron Densetsu

Transformers Armada - Opening




Hello again everyone... i'm gonna cut the small talk and get right into it this time around hehehe... Well as promised, i'm gonna continue with my thoughts on the the various Transformers series... The subject matter for this topic would be - Transformers Armada / Micron Densetsu.

Transformers Armada / Micron Densetsu is the very first series of a pre-planned trilogy that stretches into TF Energon and TF Cybertron. It is also the first series to finally depart from TF with realistic beast modes like TF- Beast Wars and Beast Machines. Takbro was basically taking a gamble with this series to bring back TF in it's vehicular form since the success of the revival of the G1 "Transformers" comics in 2002 by "Dreamwave". Dreamwave was owned by "Pat Lee" and it single handedly threw every TF fans in the world into a frenzy.

Takbro had tested the waters with the earlier installment called "Transformers - Robots In Disguise / Car Robots" or better known as "Transformers - R.I.D ) where a mix of TF in vehicular form as well as beasts forms... More on this particular series in my next entry :)

Anyway seeing how well fans have taken to the whole G1 craze... Takbro basically went all out on TF - Armada, and introduces vehicles and planes into a series that is almost completely devoid of any beast form transformers.. with the exception of a quirky looking video cam that transforms into a bird like figure named "Laserbeak".

The series literally splits into two halves, with the later half being known as "Transformers Armada - the Unicron battles " Yup, u heard that right.. Unicron is back.. "The Chaos Bringer".. "The Planet Eater" is finally back since it's untimely demise in the hands of "Rodimus Prime" and the "Matrix" back in the 86' animated TF - Movie.





The excitement of this series is basically built around the impending appearance of "UNICRON" !!! But homages of old G1 favourites have already started popping upin the series and the long avaited return of "Starscream" in a TF series. Other notable mentions are - Jetfire, Blurr, Cyclonus, Thundercracker, Skywarp, Thrust and even a character named "Overload" that looks like a re-vamped version of G1 "Ultra Magnus". A character named "Hotshot" is also being introduced into this series and he is pretty much roughly based on G1 "Hot Rod".

Here's a link to the "TF - Armada" toy lines - http://www.bigbot.com/transformers-armada/

Transformers Armada Toy Commercials






Uniron is really the center of attention in this series and it's been a long time coming seeing this figure being finally being made and mass produced. I am sure millions of kids who had watched the TF - Movie back in 86" spends their time in bed musing with the thought of owning a Unicron toy. So when it was finally announced that Unicron is gonna be made n mass produced, the whole TF fanbase goes into a frenzy!!!

Optimus Prime - Super Mode!!!


Jet Convoy!!!


Optimus Prime is back and this time he is once again a truck that comes with a trailer!!! This also marks the begining of "Optimus Prime" being all promiscuous by merging with various bots to form his armor . So begins the whole "Barbie Doll and Accessories" concept!!!

Optimus Prime & Overload


Optimus Prime & Jetfire & Overload


The "GOOD PART" of this series is that there's atleast some kind of character dynamic instead of just A-Bots fighting D-Cons endlessly. Starscream is portrayed as an individual torn by his emotions and loyalty towards the D-Cons. He even joined the ranks of the A-Bots briefly and died under the mighty fire power of Unicron!!!

Another very refreshing part of the story is.. Megatron / Galvatron actually did not die in the hands of Optimus Prime.. Infact, he sacrificed himself in order to stop Unicron. This alone is enough to put this series story lines among the best in the TF hstory and mythos.

Now comes the "BAD PART", the introduction of a bunch of irritating kids and the beginning of endless gimmicks created solely to increase sales. TF - Armada introduces the existance of a smaller sub species of Transformers called - "Minicons" affectionately known as "Ninicons" by fans.

The Minicons main functions is to act like tools used by the bigger TF's. By hooking themselves up to a Minicon, they discovered new features and powers being made available to them, which was otherwise unknown to them at all until they had one. So begins the planet wide race to find the much sought after Minicons. Among the garden variety Minicons are three groups of special Minicons that can merge into three legendary weapons!!! Both A-Bots and D-Cons scramble all over the planet earth hunting down those pine sized TF like a time deprived mother on a frantic Christmas eve last minute present shopping spree!!! This "Minicons" concept was candidly compared by the TF community to that of the concept of "Pokemon" with it's tag line - "Gotta catch'em all"

Overall... i would say that this series did very well indeed, Story line is much better than TF - Cybertron and the conflicting issues of Screamer and the bringing back of Unicron into the new generation is simply AWESOME!!!

Overall, i would give this series an 8 out of 10 "Sparks", and that's quite a pretty impressive score if i would say so myself... because in my opinion... having a perfect score of 10 "Sparks" is only rightfully reserved for "Transformers - Generation One" or it's direct continuity.. Hint! Hint! hehehe

Cheers!!!
N_M

Transformers - Energon / Superlink

Transformers Energon Opening


OK.. let us continue on talks of the different TF series that's been released over the years... So let's get on with it. Transformers - Energon / Superlink is perhaps my most fav series among the Trilogy of TF Armada/Micron legend - Energon/Superlink and Cybertron/Galaxy Force. Transformers Energon/Superlink is the second installment in the trilogy following the success of Transformers Armada.I will dwell into the success of TF Armada in my next post, For now i'll try not to stray and stick to the topic

Ok, let's Roll Out!!! First of all i must say that this series is literally bursting at it's seams with G1 homages. There r so many newly designed characters that pay homage to G1 favs that u get giddy just wanting to chase after them and get em all. Some notable mentions r Rodimus,, Scorponok, Omega Supreme, Iron Hide, Shockblast, Megatron/Galvatron, Starscream, Slugslinger, Sharkticon, Ravage and a heck lot more!!! Arcee is the GEM of the lot...( Sadly she is now being repainted and reissued to hell ) and arguably a TF milestone in my opinion... A QUINTESSON TOY!!!! Alpha Quintesson or Alpha Q as it is known in the animation. They had to do some changes for the name of Alpha Q to Alpha Quintesson because if u were to say - Alpha Q quickly and repeatedly, it would end up sounding like a profanity.. as in " Ah..Fuck..U"

Another notable mention is that in all three installment of the trilogy, a common character aside from Optimus Prime making repeat appearance is "Hotshot" a character roughly based on the G1 "Hot Rod".

What else could you possibly ask for in a series full of G1 homages. Nothing u say??.. Well how about combiners!!! yes, this series reintroduces updated look of G1 fav's like Devastator (Constructicon maximus ), Bruticus ( Bruticus maximus ) and Superion ( Superion maximus ). Still not enough?? How about throw in 2 Dinobots, Grimlock and Swoop.. n yes, they do powerlink as well. U also get a G1 "Springer" inspired character named "Bulkhead"!!!

Here's a link to the this series toy lines - http://www.bigbot.com/transformers-energon/



This time around, the gimmick that was introduced into this series is the ability to combine to A-Bots into One new figure. This concept is called "Powerlink". The Japs called this concept "Superlink". The above video clip from Youtube, is a rather ironic depiction of "Hotshot" a "Hotrod" character clone... powerlinking with "Rodimus" literally an evolution of the "Hot Rod" character in the G1 TF Movie and season 3 series.



This series also decided to bank in on collectors by introducing the army builder concept. the "Terrorcons" and the "Omnicons". The Terrorcons r mindless drones belonging to the D-Cons while the "Omnicons" are like the working class of A-Bots miners who mine for Energon and convert them into "Energon Stars", serving as a temporary power boosts for the A-Bots when using em.

Arcee is the only single character Omnicon among the A-Bots while the other Omnicons r like clones, all looking the same. As you can see from the somewhat awe inspiring and funny video clip of Energon Arcee.. She is indeed the "Gem among gems" in this series. it's been a long time coming since we finally got a TF toy of Arcee that really looked like her G1 counterpart aside from the fact that she is a bike now and not a Cybertronian car.

Transformers Energon Commercial


Now for the "BAD PART"... I know that i have mentioned it earlier about the "Powerlink" features...so why am i repeating myself here?.. Well it's somewhat of a "Love, Hate" thing for me... i love it that the playability is more fun when they powerlink...plus u get a new biger toy... but i also hate how some of the toy look after they have powerlinked. The lack of articulation and some even have their partners head behind their arse after linking up!!!

This time around like every other TF series aside from the "Beast Wars/Machines" series, An irritating human character is introduced, he serve as the main human character in the show while there r other human interaction as well. This time around.. it's a biker punk named "Kicker" which i just wanna kick his head in all four directions n throw him into a lion's den. this kid is damn bratty!!! I get all fired up whenever he goes "Aww man"!!!

Power Ranger Optimus Prime!!!


Then comes the one gimmick that Takbro can never and will never abandon.. something which i like to call the "Barbie Doll and Accessories" concept and the "Murder of all things Prime". This time around.. they not only make "Prime" merging with other bots to become bigger bots...he also merge with his trailer components and become what is affectionately called "Power Ranger Optimus Prime" among the TF fans!!!

To make it even more insulting on Prime... when he is not powerlinked with his trailer and 4 smaller vehicles components to become "Power Ranger Optimus prime"... he is a rather chunky and stout looking bot.. also nick named - "Fattimus Prime"!!! ... But luckily he still looks remotely good as "Power Ranger Prime" As seen above.. it's a video clip from youtube candidly depicting Prime powerlinking with the "Power Rangers" theme!!!

Well honestly speaking... there isn't much that i don't like about this series... It is definitely a plus to have so many homages of the G1 inspired characters. I would give this series a B++. The story is not bad too... Arguably perhaps the best of the trilogy...

Cheers!!!
N_M

Transformers - Cybertron / Galaxy Force

Transformers Opening Titles: Cybertron


Hello again guys... today I would like to talk abit about the various versions and reincarnations of Transformers Cartoons.. lets work backwards starting from the most recent one... Transformers Galaxy Force / Cybertron...

OK, let's start off with what's good and interesting about this series. First of all, I must admit that this Prime is the best looking vehicle form Prime ( Excluding G1 prime.. because that's a classic and unbeatable ).

In fact most of the bots designs of this series are pretty awesome. Especially Starscream, and lets not leave out the first appearance of the TF god himself.. "PRIMUS"!!! It's somewhat surreal when i am holding a Primus toy in one hand and the other hand is holding Unicron.

Transformers Cybertron Toy Commercials




The toy designs reflects the look and articulations of the show to a certain level and they look like their cartoon counterpart as well.. unlike the vintages that most of us have and still love to bits.

This time around, TF GF/Cybertron introduces yet another gimmick to the show and toy.. the "Cyber Planet keys"... well i guess i can live with that as long as i am not forced to buy "Mnincons" just to complete my collection.

The show and toy introduces some pretty interesting characters like "Vector Prime" who is one of the 13 original transformers created by "Primus" and the return of our old G1 monotone friend - "Soundwave"!!! To make it even more interesting.. there are 5 equivalents of "Primes" in the show. each planet is lead by a "Prime" like character taking the leader role.. this is reflected in the Jap Galaxy Force series by giving each of these leader type characters the last name of "Convoy". Than ofcourse, there's the interesting and enigmatic character "Sideways'. he's both cool in the show and in toy form.

Ok.. that's about all i have for the praises of this series... Now let's get to the "BAD PART" of the show. Honestly speaking... this is perhaps the weakest series in terms of story lines from the whole TF Trilogy of Armada - Energon and Cybertron. I find it very frustrating that the A-Bots r soo damn wussy and easilly defeated... i mean, it takes 3-4 A-Bots just to take on Screamer.. n screamer still kicks their butt!!!

Galaxy Convoy Transforms!!!


The whole show feels like a frickin TF toy commercial.. every time the bots transforms, they have to announce themselves out load and go into a short transformation clip... and this is done all throughout the show. The transformation sequences alone could have shaved atleast 5 mins of story telling from the episode.

Another thing that gets to me is that the D-Cons r way too powerful and what's with the whole tradition of making Prime looking like a frickin wuss. The G1 Prime takes on Megs on his own. There was no need to put on extra armor by way of another A-Bot merging with him. I can accept it that he merges with his trailer like G1 powermaster prime... technically it's still him. But the last three installments of TF makes prime looks like Barbie and he likes to accessories himself to power up

This time around.. Megs/Galvie decided to join in the whole "Barbie Accessories" craze as well.. he went n got himself a black kitty cat clone n put on a cat clawed glove LOL

Final Battle Between Prime n Galvatron


Sadly, all the great graphics and great looking toys could not safe this series from very crappy story lines... it gets tiring sometimes when we all know that Prime will end up in a battle against Megatron or rather.. Galvatron... and i feel as if Takbro would never ever allow Prime to die again LOL. It killed the TF market back in the 80's when Optimus died and Rodimus take over. They brought him back ofcourse.. but it was too late, the damage is done LOL.

I do hope that future incarnation of the TF series will have better storyline that would reflects the awesomeness of the toy and character designs of the show. I honestly could not make myself sit through a single episode of this series without forwarding all the long winded conversations and those irritating kids.

Overall, i would give this series a .5 out of 10 "Sparks" and that's only because it's got super cool toy designs...otherwise, this series would have tanked BIG TIME !!!

Here's a list of the TF Cybertron's toy lists - http://www.bigbot.com/transformers-cybertron/

Cheers!!!
N_M

Transformers - War Within

Transformers fans all throughout the world went Transformers crazy back in 2002 when "Dreamwave Production" brought back the G1 Transformers in a new comicbook series. but none was more anticipated than this new title - "Transformers - War Within" illustrated by the talented "Don Figueroa" and written by Transformers comic veteran writer "Simon Furman".

It was fresh new take at Transformers, exploring their adventures during a Pre-Earth era. This would also mean, we get to see all of our favorite G1 transformers in their original Cybertronian form. We had a taste of how some characters look like in their Cybertronain form in the G1 animated series. in the very first episode of the G1 Transformers TV series, we had a glimpse of what Bumblebee, Wheeljack, Jazz, Soundwave, Lazerbeak and Screamer and the seekers in their Cybertronian form. Since then..i have always wondered what the other TF look like in their Cybertronian mode. Thanks to this series..that was finally made possible.

The designs by Don Figueroa are ingenious to say the least. He had given all of the bots a brand new interesting look which made TF fans everywhere wanting more. The designs were detailed yet believable as he made sure that their new look is actually functional and transformable when translated into a toy form. This can only mean good news to all TF fans everywhere... There isn't a TF fan out there who would not give an arm and a leg to own a toy based on the War Within designs.







This series brought back fan fav characters with a brand new look... among them are the Dinobots...or rather "Dynabots" as they are known before they are introduced to us in the G1 series as a bunch of dumb albeit powerful "Dinobots". In many ways, Transformers history have been re-written. Since based on the G1 animated series.. the Dinobots are only created by Ratchet and Wheeljack on earth based on fossilized bones of Dinosaurs found in the caves of the volcano base of the Autobots.





Even Prime had a totally different origin. Instead of being known as "Orion Pax" as he is known in the G1 series "War Dawn", his name is now "Optronix" and chronicles his transition into a reluctant leader of the Autobots and being renamed as "optimus Prime". This series also introduced a brand new character into the Transformers Mythos, a character known as "The fallen", an ancient Transformer. One of the original 13 Transformers created by "PRIMUS"!!!

With such a huge fan base following this series and demands for the toys to be made based on the War Within designs...it was only a matter of time before Hasbro decide to make the toys. The toys were released under the six inches "Transformers Titanium" toy line. I will be featuring this toy line when i write about the released individual characters/toys here in the near future.

However, the future of owning more Transformers War Within toys seems bleak as Hasbro have already announced that they r pulling the plug on the Titanium line due to lack of sales. Honestly...i couldn't really care less if they do scrap the line.. they could always transfer the War Within concept to regular plastic figures like the rest. In fact, i think it would work much better since most of the Titanium figures suffers from loose joint syndrome due to the weight of the die cast parts.

TF War Within Animated







Ofcourse, with such a big fan base following this series, the wish for an animated series is ofcourse not far behind... But there haven't been any news of such a project.. but guess what?? I was just trying my luck fooling around at Youtube and typed in "Transformers War Within" and to my surprise... a few items popped up entitled "War Within Animated Series"... These video clips are obviously a fan made and loaded into Youtube.. but it's still a real threat... it would be so cool if an animated series is actually being made.. Don't u think?? :)

Let's hope that whomever is in charge of making the decision to make a new Transformers animated series would finally give us what we want... I would love to see "Transtech" being made as well..but that's another story all together heheh...

Till All Are One!!!

Cheers!!!
N_M

Transformers - The Movie 1986

Transformers - The Movie ( 1986 )



TRANSFORMERS (1986) A review by CineMassacre


Stan Bush - The Touch


Hmm.. since I've written about Transformers - The Movie ( 2007 ), I guess it's only fair for me to write about the Transformers animated movie of 1986. It's gonna sound abit bias but i am allowed to be bias... This is the transformers i grew up and love... ofcourse I'm allowed to be a little bias LOL.

Transformers - The Movie ( 1986 ) is perhaps one of the most loved and remembered movie of all time.. well to me anyways, and perhaps to a whole legion of TF fans around the globe. But like many TF fans in Asia, Transformers - The Movie came as a surprise to many. Back in the 80's, the Internet wasn't born yet and being slow and outdated with the latest from the States..I didn't know there was a Transformers animated movie until a friend told me about it at school and parade the VHS tape infront of me. I was like... Oh My Frickin Gawd!!!

I begged my friend to borrow it to me... and after much begging, he agreed to borrowed it to me. I remembered that day very clearly. As soon as i got back home from school that afternoon..i couldn't wait to pop the VHS into the player and watch it. i've asked my older bro to watch it with me, but he declined and went for an afternoon nap instead. Ofcourse, i could not wait for him to wake up from his nap to watch it with me... i was too excited about it!!!

When i popped in the tape into the player and watched the first 10 minutes or so of the show..i was both at awe and in shock!!! The "Awe" part come from the superior quality of the animation compared to that of the regular TV series episodes. the opening scene was a huge planet like creature - Unicron - devouring a Cybertron-like planet and it's inhabitants. It was AWESOME!!!...My heart was beating at a million miles an hour as i watch in anticipation of who or what this planet creature is and could it transform??!! The "Shock" part comes from seeing Ironhide, Ratchet, Prowl and Brawn being blown to bits by Megs and gang!!!

The introduction of a whole bunch of new characters like HotRod, Arcee, kup, Springer, Blur, Wheelie, Ultra Magnus, Rodimus Prime and the Junkions was fun The Decepticons have a few new characters as well, namely Galvatron, Cyclonus and Scourge. This also marks the first mention of an object called "The Autobot Matrix of Leadership", something that was never heard of before in the past two seasons of the animated series. The introduction of an alien race called the Quintessons and the Sharkticons also made it's debut in the TF universe in this movie. Come to think of it.. it is only in the 80's could anyone pull off a name like "Hotrod" and not get a snicker and a dirty look from everyone LOL

Transformers: the Movie Optimus Prime Vs. Megatron



The Death Of Optimus Prime.



The most shocking and most memorable part of the movie is the final battle between Optimus Prime and the death of Optimus Prime. The part when Prime said ...

..."Megatron must be stopped... No matter the cost"...

That part just sends chills down my spine no matter how many times i watched it on my VHS, VCD and now DVD!!! Prime was awesome as he blasts all the D-Cons around him as he makes his way to Megatron. Another milestone moment in the movie was when Prime said to Megatron...

"One Shall Stand... One Shall Fall"...

Those words are forever etched into the annuls of the Transformers History!!! What surprise me was, Why a new character like Hotrod who made his debut in the movie is made responsible for the death of Optimus Prime!!! Isn't that bad for his rep and wouldn't everyone ended up hating him for it?? I was like WTF!!! What am i suppose to do now with the rest of the movie?? Am i suppose to hate this young hot headed upstart who is the reason why Prime die in the hands of Megatron or am i suppose to be sympathetic with him and try to understand him seeing things in his perspective?? I mean, not only did he got Optimus Prime killed.. he had to go and steal poor old Ultra Magnus thunder by stealing Magnus rights to be the next leader of the Autobot... what a PUNK!!! LOL Anyway u put it.. the death of Optimus Prime was a real shocker to me. But it also serves as the most memorable event in the entire Transformers mythos!!!

Interview: The Death of Optimus Prime



One cannot help but to wonder.. How in hell do these Transformers get killed so easily in this movie, when they've gone through worse in the past 2 seasons of the TV series!!! The execs at Hasbro were probably pushing for the killing off of old characters and introducing new characters so that they could make more new toys to milk it's fans for every penny they are worth LOL!!!

The birth of Galvatron_The death of Starscream



transformers the movie:unicrons transformation



Transformers the Movie - Unicron dies



There were a few other memorable moments in the movie... One such moment was the Death of Megatron and Re-birth of Galvatron... as well as the final demise of Starscream in the hands of a really pissed Galvatron!!! There goes the long overdue love/hate relationship between these 2 characters!!! Unicron finally transforms at the end of the show into a humongous robot with horns.. that was just AWESOME!!! To say the least... this movie was groundbreaking in many ways for an 80's film and a cartoon to boot!!! You don't see bad guys actually killing off people who pisses them off and u don't see the hero of a show get killed either.

The movie ends with the ascension and transformation of HotRod into Rodimus Prime hurling Galvatron into oblivion and using the power of the "Matrix" to destroy Unicron!!

GI JOE THE MOVIE (Intro)


Well...on a somewhat related note... Transformers - The Movie (1986) serves as an almost identical template for another Hasbro owned brand of action figures toy - G.I.joe!!! The following year after The animated Transformers movie was released, G.I.joe - The Movie was launched. It's theme was pretty much identical to that of the transformers Movie except for the fact that no one dies and Duke survived a fatal injury inflicted by Serpentor. It was probably done so that parents would not repeat the hue and cry they did when Optimus prime died in the TF animated movie. Both Transformers and G.I.joe were the best cartoons in their days and both their movies were memorable milestone in my childhood days.. I love the opening theme for G.I.joe - the Movie. It Rawks!!!

Ok,let's get back to the Transformers Movie...Overall, Transformers - The movie is the best part of the entire TF mythos and no matter how many times i watch it.. i can never get sick of it... This movie also coined the phrase..

... "TILL ALL ARE ONE!!!"

So in tradition of all the TF fans in the world... i say...

... "TILL ALL ARE ONE!!!" ... "TILL ALL ARE ONE!!!" ... "TILL ALL ARE ONE!!!"


Cheers!!!
N_M

Transformers - The Movie 2007.

Transformers 2007 Movie Trailer




Transformers Theme by Black Lab: full video


Greetings all Transformers fans... I'm sure by now everyone of you Tf fans have watched the Mike Bay "Transformers" live action movie atleast once by now. Some of you might have watched it more than a few times :)



Frankly speaking...I've been dreading this movie eversince i first saw the designs for the bots last year. I've done my fair share of the bashing bcoz the bots r just way too FUGLY for me to handle. Mike Bay insists on the concept that the Bots are "Aliens" so they are not meant to have "Human Facial Features"...

Hmm... i wonder if he's ever come face to face with an "Alien' before... becoz the Bots still generally have 2 eyes, 2 ears, 1 nose and 1 mouth. Hmm.. looks pretty human to me, don't u think??

Eventually..i got over the reality that nothing is gonna change no matter how much bashing from the fans Mike Bay got... He was adamant with his vision.. hey, more power to u for believing in your vision dude!! ;P Actually, the whole look and concept finally sank in as the movie draws closer.. Heck, i swore that i won't go watch it bcoz i was so disgusted with the look of the Bots. But in reality..i am itching inside to see just how good they look in the actual finished product. But more importantly... i was hoping against hope that atleast the story/script for the movie was good.

I was pretty patient about watching the movie.. as i finally went and watch it on the 3rd week after it's debut. Mainly bcoz tickets for the show r sold out..it's crazy!!! Shows r sold out up till 2am on weekends!!! So ok..i was finally in the cinema and as the show starts... i find myself entertained by the whole visual feast of eye candies. But that's the bad part... u know how a kid would gorge on all his or her candy after trick or treating on Halloween??.. U get a massive sugar rush then u get sick of it. It's all eye candy and no substance.

The story/script was simplistic at best... I dunno why do i ever put so much hope on Hollywood Directors who takes on iconic characters from either a Comic book or cartoon and turn em into a big budget movie. they always screw things up by wanting to leave their mark on the movie they r making. it's not like there isn't enough history behind the whole Transformers mythos... Mike bay had to leave his "Creative Touches" on it.. pfft!!!

No doubt about it.. the whole show was entertaining.. but half the time u don't know who is fighting who. There just isn't enough character development for the bots and their names are not spoken enough to make a connection. All you see are huge hulking bots beating the crap out of eachother. Plus they were moving so frickin fast and since the bots body design aesthetics are somewhat of a shamble of moving parts n wires n not flat solid... that makes it all the more hard to see em. the whole show was a flurry of moving bots beating the crap out of eachother.

What irritates me the most is... the movie is called "THE TRANSFORMERS"... not "Teenage Kid Burning Loins"!!! More than half the show is wasted on Sam's ( Shia LaBeouf ) hormonal explosion on Mikaela ( Megan Fox ). Honestly, there seems to be so many loopholes in the movie..

- The bots were leisurely walking on top the roof of the secret base where Megatron and the "All Spark" cube was kept.. Aren't they abit too heavy to be all standing on top of the roof?? Won't it collapse??

- How come Josh Duhamel's character trust Sam so readily about the whole Autobot and Decepticon war and supports him on the need to find and free Bumblebee??

- Ok..i asked this before - Why are all the bots brought to live by the "All Spark" cube ended up being like maniacal Decepticons instead of bringing Autobots to life?? The answer i got was... All machinery/technology was derived from the reverse technology from Megatron DNA??? Now this is just weird... so all technology n machinery are supppose to be EVil?? LOL

- Prime was a major wuss fighting Megatron... maybe Mike Bay been watching way too much recent TF series where prime is often not a match when fighting Megatron... Nothing like the G1 Prime at all..

- The ULTIMATE "Castration" of Optimus Prime was how he was robbed of the honor of defeating his age old nemesis by himself. Megatron had to be offed by "Sam"!!! What an American concept... a young all American boy defeat a world threat and save the world... n the fact that his name is "Sam" was a coincident to the whole "Uncle Sam" concept of being "All American" DUH!!!

All in all... as a movie of pure entertainment and eye candy..it scores a resounding 8 out of 10 stars. But story wise, i think a 6th gradder can write an essay with more depth this this... it's a 5 out of 10 stars and that's being generous.. afterall, it's still Transformers.

Transformers Movie Toys Commercial



The hype and demand for the Transformers Movie toys locally is just insane!!! Before the movie hit.. the toys were everywhere. I could see figs like Jazz, Bumblebee and so forth in toy n department stores. Once the movie hits... shelves housing anything remotely related to "Transformers" was swept clean.. even older shelf warmer Transformers toys!!!

Up till now, shelves are still swept clean the moment new stocks came in and the scalpers have snapped up everything as soon as they r restocked and very soon, u see those sold out toys making their appearances at "Ebay" at 2 to 3 times their retail price.. Ecks!!!!

I am wondering when the whole craze will die down as "Hasbro" is well known for reissuing and repainting things to hell and flooding the market with shelf warmers. Wonder when the day would come when a scalper would look at a shelf warmer prime or Bumblebee figure in a toy/department store and say to himself.. "Damn..now what am i gonna do with the 20 BB figures i have in my store room?" LOL

The whole TF craze have gone to an all time high in the "Madness" meter... everything and anything is being made with the TF logo on it..i'm wondering when i would actually see TF men's n women's underwear and even toilet papers with the TF logo's on em LOL!!!

well, However u put it.. LOVE it or HATE it... Transformers - The Movie ( 2007 ) by Mike Bay have officially become a part of the TF history... I guess we will just have to live with it and hope for a better storyline for the sequel!!!


Cheers!!!
N_M

Welcome To New_Megatronia's Domain!!!

Blinkyou.com

Hello everyone... first of all, let me introduce myself. I am known to my local Transformers Toy Collectors Community as New_Megatronia. I've initially tried doing a blog of my own dedicated solely to all things Transformers since last year. However due to a few reformatting of my PC and my short memory span, I've forgotten the password to my account and didn't figure out what it was till last night... Ok.. Now that i am back online... Let's Transform and Roll Out!!!

Challenge Of The Go-Bots


Transformers Opening Titles: Generation One Season 2


OK... I guess the beginning is always a good place to start, so lets start with what got me hooked on all things Transformers. Well, like all kids growing up in the 80's "Transformers" was the biggest thing on TV!!! My love for all things Transformers was first "Sparked" by oddly enough, before the debut of the "Transformers" series. It was the less interesting "Challenge Of the Go-Bots".

That was what got me interested in Robots transforming into vehicles initially. They were cool and all, but they were lacking what Transformers have... a sense of style.. a style that stood the test of time, Something Transformers did effortlessly. ofcourse, when Transformers debut in 1984, Go-Bots was blown right out of the water and into obscurity.



Well, everyone love the show.. even my older brother loved it and I often watch it with him when we were kids. But loving the show was 1 thing... loving the toys was quite another. I grew up in a below average income family, so such luxuries as owning a Transformers toy was out of the question... More stories of my childhood conquest with Transformers will unfurled in the future as i feature my TF toy collections... especially my G1 collections.

Well, as I was saying earlier... owning a TF toy as a kid was something I never really had, well...not in the sense that it was bought for me by my parents or even an Aunt or Uncle. All the TF toy I ever had were bought by myself because I saved up like heck on my own by selling odds and ends to the kids at the marketplace or at school. Ofcourse, that meant I could only afford the smaller TF toys.

My very first TF toy that i bought was "Red Alert"... But ofcourse i didn't know what his function was, I just think that he looks cool and that it's a Lamborghini that transforms into a cool robot. I think I bought it just to impress my older brother hehehe, what a kid would do just to get some attention LOL . Most of my bigger TF toys were all charity project of my richer friends who would pawn them off to me in exchange for certain tasks. Some would feel so sorry for my pathetic lack of a Transformers toy, that they would just never ask for the toys back that they had borrowed me. That's how pathetic i was LOL



To say the least... I never owned a Prime or Megatron toy as a kid as these r the bigger and more expensive toy that one would have to fork out at one go.. and if a Prime n Megs toy is beyond my reach...I can kiss my dream goodbye for ever owning even bigger toys like Omega Supreme...

Well... fast forward 23 yrs later... I now have got more TF toys then i would ever imagine owning and my obsession my all things Prime n Megs have also embarked me on a quest to get all the available Prime n Megs figures I could get my hands on.

On a final note..i am perhaps the only Transformers fan and toy collector in my community that's disabled and wheelchaired bound... That kinda gives the whole notion of "Transform and Roll Out!!!" a whole new meaning Hahahah :p

Well... that's it for now... I will be updating my blog periodically with all things TF related. Pics of my TF collections and TF FanFic will be featured at the following Blogs featured at the links provided at "New Megatronia's Direct Link" situated at the side menu of this Blog.

NOTE: This is purely a fan based blog and in no way is it used as a promotion for any kind of sales purposes. The images that are primarily mine would have been labeled with my blog add on it. Other related images that are not originally taken by me are obtained from various Transformers related sites to help makes this blog a little bit more interesting. Images which i have taken from these sites are all featured at my "Fav Transformers Link" section. Should there be any copyright infringement on my part, pls notify me so that i may remove the images as requested. Thanks

NOTE: I am NOT a member of any or do not have any affiliation with any local Transformers community unless it is in the link that's featured under "My Playground" at the side menu of this blog.

Cheers!!!
N_M