The Energon Pub

News Credits: 7 · by **shortround** » Sat Jan 05, 2008 11:04 am

Well I have to say that I liked the 4th episode of the new animated t.v. show. I liked how prowl is taking on the jazz role of being interested by organic life forms and learning from them while bumblebee has that impatent streak in him. So what do other people think.

News Credits: 1 · by **Cascadia** » Sat Jan 05, 2008 12:14 pm

I will give my review when I watch it...it will be on in little over 60 minutes from now.

News Credits: 3 · by **MYoung23** » Sat Jan 05, 2008 11:52 pm

Prowl and Megatron are the only remotely interesting things about the show.

This is the Krypto, the Wonder Dog of Transformers shows. Autobots playing Twister? :roll:

They already have their continuity error. Prime transforms into his Cybetronian mode instead of firetruck mode while saving Bulkhead. I guess you can call it another G-1 nod.

News Credits: 767 · by **Dead Metal** » Sun Jan 06, 2008 5:23 am

MYoung23 wrote:Prowl and Megatron are the only remotely interesting things about the show.

This is the Krypto, the Wonder Dog of Transformers shows. Autobots playing Twister?

They already have their continuity error. Prime transforms into his Cybetronian mode instead of firetruck mode while saving Bulkhead. I guess you can call it another G-1 nod.

No he transforms into his earth mode without the backend of the firetruck.

I kinda liked it, I just love that Megatron, wanna bet that Starscream won't last for very long after Megs gets his new body?

by **Klusterprime** » Sun Jan 06, 2008 10:50 am

prowl learning from nature neato stuff and megatron returning to life with no body gonna get good now.
The story Line is great one of if not the best story line ever, prowl and megs are the stars of this show, but the kindergarden animation is killing me this is by far the lowest grade animation transformers had ever done.
megs is the only one that looks good and thats not right in my book

Clusterprime

News Credits: 3 · by **MYoung23** » Sun Jan 06, 2008 10:51 am

FinnanWhat sense does that make?

A firetruck is one big vehicle. There is no back piece that comes off.

News Credits: 3 · by **Stormwolf** » Sun Jan 06, 2008 10:52 am

I liked the series pilot, but damm, a sleepover party? :roll:

Although it was cool to see Megatron back online.

News Credits: 767 · by **Dead Metal** » Sun Jan 06, 2008 11:12 am

MYoung23 wrote:FinnanWhat sense does that make?

A firetruck is one big vehicle. There is no back piece that comes off.

I know it's kinda strange, I was like WTF at first but then I remembered that his axe and other weapons turned into the back of his altmode.
Besides the color scream, design and fron of the truck is his earth mode.
But one other strange thing is, on the CN site they have his firetruck mode without the back aswell

News Credits: 1082 · by **Tigertrack** » Sun Jan 06, 2008 11:37 am

I enjoyed it this morning. I thought the malice of Megatron's head and the light heartedness of the Autobots learning more about human society through Sari's POV--that of a 10 year old girl--sleepovers, avoiding school, talking with friends, annoying parents-- was interesting.

I am still onboard with this. While I look to IDW's comics for my more 'adult' telling of Transformers, the Animated show has a nice bit of flavor and dun to it. And no matter what anyone says, it is better than reruns of Cybertron/Armada/Energon anyday of the week.

I say enjoy it for what it is. I will also enjoy the toys too, but probably a bit more than I enjoy the show! :wink:

by **Ploptimus Prime** » Sun Jan 06, 2008 11:49 am

That episode was two tons of FAIL.

Slumber party? Ghost stories? Haven't these huge robots JUST recently landed on this strange new planet, with this supposed mission... and THAT'S what they spend time doing? Twister?!?

Also, I'm already completely played out on the art style. I understand the need for anime styling to be "hip" and "current", but they could tone it down a notch or two. When the girl started doing the little "dance" when the rivet gun was firing at her, you couldn't have gotten any cheesier.

Another problem I have with the show so far is that even in what are supposed to be serious scenes, characters are CONSTANTLY cracking jokes. Serious lines of dialogue are rare. I know this isn't G1, but do they HAVE to turn TF's into another "Ben 10" or "Teen Titans" ?!?

They really geared this show towards small children... it skews much younger than G1 did. This show makes the dialogue, pace, and storylines of G1 look like Shakespeare. I guess the upside to this is that the animated figs will fly off the shelves and I'll be able to get ahold of Classics 2 with less trouble.

by **OptitronPrime** » Sun Jan 06, 2008 4:26 pm

It was great.People who are complaining are just freaks that what an anime TF show with robot blood and all that crap. Everyone else can keep reading the KISS comics with robots making out with girls :?:

Animated is the best thing we've had for 5 years but keep complaining I'm enjoying

by **Jaz-Zen** » Sun Jan 06, 2008 7:14 pm

I agree with tigertracks. Overall, I'm enjoying the series for what it is, and I realize that I will probably like certain episodes better than others. Again, overall I liked this episode, but I think it is the weakest one so far. I mean, there's a difference between *learning* about Earth culture, and actually *playing* twister. When Sari suggested that, the Autobots should have been like, "Um, sorry Sari, but we really can't bend like that."

But, again like tigertracks said, I can't wait for the toys... I'll really enjoy the toys, because, yeah, I'll admit it: When I'm actually transforming them or posing them or whatever, I'll be thinking of them with their G1 personalities.

News Credits: 668 · by **Autobot032** » Mon Jan 07, 2008 7:34 am

I give the pilot movie a solid A+ (and no, I'm not kidding).
I'd give episode 1 (technically 4, but still..) a solid B-

Too much action, not enough story. Too...frenetic.

I think Sari is adorable and one of the best supporting cast members that the TFs have ever had.

She's whipsmart, funny, and it's cute how she interacts with the Autobots.

Okay, so the sleepover idea was a tad...goofy. But the Twister, was priceless. I laughed and laughed and laughed.

I know what the problem is with the show and why people don't seem to like it: It's good natured and has a lot of very sweet moments that go for the emotional, not so much the slam bang action thriller that everyone's expecting.

Gee, a TF show with heart? Characters that actually are likable and have fun? *LE GASP!* The world is coming to an end!

Seriously, it's about time we had a TF show that was lighthearted and not so dark and sad. There's a moment here and there in the pilot, but it evens out in the end.

The Bay Movie ruined all of us in a way...we're used to seeing Prime beheading people, the human counterparts talking about their reproductive abilities, and wall to wall to wall action for the last thirty minutes of the film. (I still love the film by the way, in it's own way)

This show is a different take on the mythos from all of them, and that's a really, really, really great idea.

G1 turned from campy, corny action/adventure into a Faustian pact and the chosen one destroying the dark lord. Followed by seasons of subpar campy, corny dark action/adventure.

G2 was just a CGI'd rehash of some of the worst episodes of G1, so we'll strike it from the record.

BW was campy and corny but only in key spots and it was required for the humor. (which worked well) It balanced story and action, perfectly. The characters were engaging and lovable (yes, even the villains) but it too turned into a good vs. evil, Faustian pact type of thing. A tad darker in spots than it should've been, but since it was aimed at us, the older fans and collectors...I'm fine with it. (My number 2 favorite show.)

BM was preachy, spiritual dreck in which the characters and the toys look absolutely nothing alike, it's always dark and ugly, and the acting was so over the top it made you want to pour bleach on your brain so it would just stop the pain.

RiD was your typical Japanese Anime. Stupid, bright, flashy, loud, ridiculous and goofy. I watched the episodes and while some made me laugh (like X-Brawn trying to swim) the rest of it bored me. Bored me long time.

Armada was another stupid Anime (all of the RiD criteria fit here as well) and the kids were flat out annoying. They didn't like each other and constantly whined. It didn't get better until the very end of the series during the Unicron story arc. Even then, it still wasn't what I'd call...entertaining. (Fortunately, the toys rock so hard you bleed.)

Energon still fits the RiD/Armada criteria, but the visuals were really nicely done. I loved the cell shaded designs, gorgeous. The story was another mind number, unfortunately...it didn't get better (nor did it get worse) it was just fail from beginning to end. (Again, the toys rocked. Well worth the pain of the show.)

Cybertron improved upon the visuals and tied up the Unicron trilogy nicely. On the other hand, while the toys were nothing short of fantastic...the show was your standard "we're tryin' to be Poke'mon Part Deux" crap...AGAIN. I watched maybe...10-12 episodes (some of them the truncated Hasbro.com hosted episodes) and it was just pure crap. Crapola von crap.

Fortunately...the BW/BM cast lent their pipes to the Unicron Trilogy and they at least tried to make it enjoyable, which was a miracle...given the material.

Animated is the pinnacle of TF shows. It handles humor, action, adventure and story on an even keel and does such a nice job of entertaining you. It's not too dark, but has enough moments to wow and shock you. It's not too campy or corny to the point you say "Ugh. I feel brain dead for even having it on in the same house." The characters win you over and you want to see more and more, and if you're like me...you even felt a little sad when the credit rolled...because it was over. You had just gotten attached to 'em and *BAM* "Show's over folks, come back next week." Other than Beast Wars...none of the other TF shows did that for me, at all.

Sure, the animation style doesn't always work.
Sure, the ideas are radically different. (Doesn't mean it's bad.)
But doggone it, it's a LOT of fun and addictive. I've missed that about TF shows. We're so used to it being so stupid your brain actually has dead cells, or so dark that it makes you say "WTF? This is a cartoon, right?" We were ruined by the hack shows and their hack ideas.

TransFormers: Animated might just save the 'toon franchise yet.

Proof that you can be entertaining without compromise.

by **Aerrow** » Mon Jan 07, 2008 7:50 am

I liked this episode. Sure the "sleep over" was a bit odd but I think the over all story worked (at least for me it did).

I like that they are bringing Megatron back but not in one episode. I would really like to see that take some time before he comes back. Prowl's interest in Earth life is a neat twist and something I think works for the character.

Looking forward to the next episode (and reading about how so many people hate it but still watch it. The just amuses the heck out of me).

-Aerrow

News Credits: 5 · by **Oilspill** » Mon Jan 07, 2008 8:43 am

Hmm.. I'm afraid I must say I was quite disappointed with that episode. I loved the first 3 episodes, they were right up there with Beast Wars in terms of quality characterisation/story/action/dialogue and perhaps even better since the Decepticons were actually a real threat to the Autobots.

But episode four was a big jump in the juvenile direction. I know the show is aimed at 6-10 yr olds, but I think big action heroes (essentially what the Autobots are) playing twister and having sleepovers will seem a bit ridiculous even to kids. When I was that age I watched stuff like Transformers and Turtles and Centurions and they were saving the planet and fighting bad guys, not playing hopscotch and painting each other's toenails.

Having said that, I'm definitely not saying "ZOMG this is teh worst show ever". And in fact, even ol' G1 did have a good few silly/kiddy episodes (mostly in season 3), and BW had 1 or 2.

Prowl was excellent and Megatron's lines were quite good. Bumblebee was a bit more of an annoying teenbot but not to excess - just enough to make the group dynamics more interesting. The episode was OK, just not up to the high standards set by the first three eps.

All in my humble opinion, of course

Anyway, here's hoping that the next episode will be a tad better.
And bring on the toys, they look awesomely posable!

News Credits: 3 · by **Archanubis** » Mon Jan 07, 2008 8:48 am

The new episode wasn't too bad, though I'm still trying to get used to the animation style. The sleepover premise and 'bots playing Twister didn't disturb me all that much; I can almost see the Twister game acting, as Prime called, dexterity training. Besides, other than the occassional skirmish with Decepticons and catching human villians, what else do the Autobots have to do while they wait for the Elite Guard to show up?

I did like how they handled Megatron's resurrection and how, whenever he's enraged, equipment shorted out. Not only does it show the his power, it also to be expected when you have an advanced alien machine hooked into "antiquated" tech.

I also found it interesting that Megatron didn't find the Allspark at Autobot's base. It's entirely possible that the "pocket bot" was too small to adequately search the premises, but it also suggests that the Allspark is either in a secure location on the base, or is being kept back on the Ark. It should make for interesting plot point later in the series, if done right.

News Credits: 2 · by **Moonbase2** » Mon Jan 07, 2008 10:47 am

I really like how this episode was more light-hearted, after the carnage in the last (I mean, three dead or dying autobots!). They just shifted gears for this one a bit with the slumber party, which I thought was kinda cute. What kid wouldn't want a slumber party with robots?!

As much as I love G1, it's kind of nice to skip the constant puns, and for the character's personalities to have slightly more dimension to them (well, as much as a kid's show has). Some TFs in G1 seemed to have ONE personality trait and that was the extent of it. For example, Sunstreaker thought he was the most beautiful thing in the world, and that was IT. At least they are trying to develop these guys a little bit. Or something.

by **AxiomScion** » Mon Jan 07, 2008 7:49 pm

Thunderscream wrote:I did like how they handled Megatron's resurrection and how, whenever he's enraged, equipment shorted out. Not only does it show the his power, it also to be expected when you have an advanced alien machine hooked into "antiquated" tech.

I also found it interesting that Megatron didn't find the Allspark at Autobot's base. It's entirely possible that the "pocket bot" was too small to adequately search the premises, but it also suggests that the Allspark is either in a secure location on the base, or is being kept back on the Ark. It should make for interesting plot point later in the series, if done right.

Both interesting points to ponder ThunderScream (i've been partial to the name starcracker :mrgreen:

) With allot of the tech being reverse engineered from Megs when he does get a body the slagmaker should stand to warrant the name.

As for the matri... er allspark

so long as it doesn't just suddenly show up in Primes chest... I can deal with that :wink:

News Credits: 7 · by **Geekee1** » Mon Jan 07, 2008 7:51 pm

I also found this episode to be very enjoyable. I like the that the personalities of the bots are being fleshed out. And I may be in the minority, but I've found that I'm really enjoying the humans. I haven't found them to be annoying at all yet.

And I so want an Angry Archer figure.

News Credits: 8 · by **Liege Evilmus** » Mon Jan 07, 2008 7:57 pm

I liked Prowl, he's a saving grace of this series for me, plus he uses Kaye's Megatron voice which I love!

I liked BBs sled action cause I use to do something similar with my G1 fig.

I liked alot of the battle damage on Ratchet.

What I didn't like was pretty much everything else, especialy that Robin Hood thing they started with!

This show does have potential, but it needs some serious retooling if it's gonna last.

News Credits: 7 · by **Geekee1** » Mon Jan 07, 2008 10:19 pm

Liege Evilmus wrote:What I didn't like was pretty much everything else, especialy that Robin Hood thing they started with!

Man! The Angry Archer was my favorite part of the episode! I know it was corny and everything, but I found it hilarious.

News Credits: 2 · by **Moonbase2** » Mon Jan 07, 2008 10:33 pm

I thought it was kinda funny...

News Credits: 97 · by **Savage** » Mon Jan 07, 2008 11:40 pm

Meh.
Megatron was the saving grace of this episode for me. His voice this episode was giving me a Hannibal Lecter vibe. Creepy.
Prowl was also very good this episode.
Still going to keep watching.

by **Pyrostrata** » Tue Jan 08, 2008 12:21 am

Savage wrote:Meh.
Megatron was the saving grace of this episode for me. His voice this episode was giving me a Hannibal Lecter vibe. Creepy.

Since I saw it, I was searching for a equitable reference to gauge the new Megs' voice to, and you hit it square on the head! A creepy Hannibal Lector is a PERFECT corrolation!
Thanks!

http://www.youtube.com/user/Pepsimus · by **Black Bumblebee** » Tue Jan 08, 2008 10:47 am

I did enjoy the humor, but I think it went a bit too far. The archer thingie was just stupid. Didn't seem angry to me, just sounded mock British... plus, the amount of things he destroyed while Prime was chasing him probably cost more than the money he stole.

Bumblebee I find annoying in this version... he needs some toning down.

Megatron, though, was handled perfectly.

Did anyone catch, however, that the pocketbot that Megatron used was described towards the end of being both mechanical and ORGANIC. Why organic? Hmmmm....