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Hoitytoity wrote:Despite his amazing voice, simply put all of his lines sound exactly the same. Every single line is delivered with the same timbre, the same attitude, as if every line is supposed to carry the same weight as "one shall stand, one shall fall."

I would so agree with this completely... if it were not for the Orion Pax episodes. In those episodes, Cullen portrayed Orion with a candor naivety and logic-based mind not found in his Optimus Prime portrayal. Orion Pax was a way more engaging and fascinating take on the character than how he's normally like as Optimus.

This reflects how he was portrayed in the Exodus novel, in which he was a youthful idealist with dreams and aspirations of his own, later developing into a capable leader who didn't feel that he was destined for any real greatness, but was still willing to give it his all, even if that meant having to stand against his (former) good friend Megatron.

Hrm, the point you all are making regarding Orion Pax is interesting... perhaps I'll have to go back and re-watch those episodes and revise my argument. I'm really happy to see the discussion is going so well

The oddest thin about this though, is that Starscream agrees. You and him both said prime was pontificating

But really, I agree with the overall assessment here. May revise the way I look at Optimus in the show.

In the end though, that's what I loved about Animated Optimus Prime. He was SO different and so cutloose and inexperienced and relatable that the entire series just lit up every time he was on screen.

Personally I'm surprised at how well the discussion is going considering the rather bold opening statement. I fully expected a more violent reaction.

Anyway, as I said, I was bothered at first, but after watching the show since its premier, I've really gotten used to it. I think this incarnation of Prime is the most fatherly I've seen, and it feels right.

Sabrblade wrote:

Hoitytoity wrote:Despite his amazing voice, simply put all of his lines sound exactly the same. Every single line is delivered with the same timbre, the same attitude, as if every line is supposed to carry the same weight as "one shall stand, one shall fall."

I would so agree with this completely... if it were not for the Orion Pax episodes. In those episodes, Cullen portrayed Orion with a candor naivety and logic-based mind not found in his Optimus Prime portrayal. Orion Pax was a way more engaging and fascinating take on the character than how he's normally like as Optimus.

This reflects how he was portrayed in the Exodus novel, in which he was a youthful idealist with dreams and aspirations of his own, later developing into a capable leader who didn't feel that he was destined for any real greatness, but was still willing to give it his all, even if that meant having to stand against his (former) good friend Megatron.

This. Orion Pax.

Don't get me wrong, I can completely understand and see every complaint and theory about Optimus here. What I see, is a leader that stays strong, calm, and is hardened by years of war and loss. He does it for the team, so that they never panic/feel hopeless. And he does it to enemies to show that he can't be broken, and is in complete control. The Orion Pax episodes let us see that he wasn't always like this, and probably isn't by nature, but rather, he's acting as a leader.

I would say the perfect scene, and possible solution to this discussion, would be some scene with Prime alone, or talking to someone who's dying, or something like that, where he would have to break down and show a lot of emotion...talk about how hard it is to always be the leader he is, how no matter how hard he tried to protect the humans (or whatever), he wasn't good enough, or something like that. Basically let him have a good non-literal cry. Not sure when this would occur (should've occured after CJ), but it'd be nice.

Of course, some may be upset at the sheer fact that Prime IS like this. Personally, I dislike Animated Prime, and much prefer Armada/Cybertron/Prime style Optimus. I understand the coolness of seeing him grow up and become a leader, but I'd rather just read about that in some comic, or see it in a flashback episode, but not have him be that way in the full series.

This topic really attract my attention, all of you are great in this discussion

To me, this Optimus Prime seems the only route they could go on the show - he's not the most interesting character, but he's without question the strongest and wisest character. Movie prime is a badass truck with flames - Prime prime is a stabilizing force - and I think it's just a challenge to give stabilizing forces much intrigue.

But I'm glad he's this classically heroic - it makes the rest of the action make more sense.

That said, I think there is room to reveal doubt, frustration, desperation etc in him - especially when he's alone with Ratchet - the only autobot who Prime addresses as "old friend" and who should know who Prime is beyond the facade of fearlessness and confidence.

I'm not impressed with the narratives on the show, but the acting and characterizations alone make it worthwhile.