I've heard this a lot, didn't seem like it to me at least. They both fought relatively unarmed for most of the fight (oddly Megatron only ever used a weapon against Prime after Prime did...). Though Optimus did show he was being a bit more careful when sliding down that building, unlike Megatron...
Well said, but isn't the first movie's Optimus closer to what we know since..... G1? Or at least it is what we think and prefer a Prime should look like instead of the slash and dice Holywood style hero?
Prime still offed Bonecrusher rather quickly in the first film, so he wasn't using kid gloves on everyone. He definately was holding back on Megatron as it seemed be more of a lubricating contest while two of them scuffled than either of them truly trying kill each other. Like two brothers fighting, as neither seemed to be going all out. Prime would rather died than kill Megatron as he just wanted to hold Megatron off while the Allspark was taken to safety if possible.
Megatron likely wanted prime to be alive during his moment of victory, as he seemed more intent on breaking Prime in both revenge of the Fallen and first film, than purely just killing him as he lectured Prime both times as they fought. (which Prime told him He'd never stop at one, and all hell broke loose.)Megatron ultimately respected Prime enough to want him at his side if possible.



