The Energon Pub

This is one of the things that always bugged me about the '86 movie, why the hell didn't Hot Rod just shoot Megatron with his arm cannons?

He already used them earlier in the film to take down the space cruiser, and later he uses them against the giant robot squid on Quintessa and against Galvatron in the final battle scene, so why not use them against Megs?

It makes no sense! Hot Rod chose the completely wrong option and as direct result Prime dies. Nice one!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ZolJxbJk-g

So, has anyone got any good theories on this?

In the early script, the scene is different: the autobots stand around Megatron and Optimus while they fight - like in the episode "Heavy Metal War" and Hot Rod sees Megatron reach for the gun, then tries to grapple with Megatron, and tries to grab the gun before him. Since in the script a lot of weapons were not specified, it can be assumed they didn't think about it in-production after the script was finished.

Chaoslock wrote:In the early script, the scene is different: the autobots stand around Megatron and Optimus while they fight - like in the episode "Heavy Metal War" and Hot Rod sees Megatron reach for the gun, then tries to grapple with Megatron, and tries to grab the gun before him. Since in the script a lot of weapons were not specified, it can be assumed they didn't think about it in-production after the script was finished.

That certainly does make sense. I wonder why they didn't think about the continuity error at the time?

Because Optimus(and many others) had to die one way or another. Hasbro had a dozen of new toys which needed to be promoted and sold. Unfortunately, this is the only reason Optimus died. It could be anyone in Hot Rod's place...

Yep, the script was way too careless with killing all the old toys.

A pitty really, they could have done so much more with the characters.

Authorial intent and Hasbro wanted to kill off all the G1 character to make way for the next gen figures. Check the interview in the DVD by Bacal and the other producer (except they(and mostly Hasbro) didn't realize that Optimus has become such an iconic character that.........well the rest is history).

P.S. Hotrod wasn't known as a sharp shooter or sniper so I don't think he could have shot the gun off Meg's hand.

Hotrod was a secret decepticon sleeper agent, sent to ensure the death of prime.

Think about it, the first time we see him is right before primes death. With out his interference prime would have survived and defeated megatron. Well in theory anyway, primes suicidal tendency's not withstanding. (Seriously, can we get suicide prevention hotline on speed dial for him?)

Once hotrod touched the matrix it corrupted the con programing, turning him all emo and angst filled.

Simple. Plot Induced Stupidity.

He's a hotheaded idiot who wanted to show off in front of Optimus.

MightyMagnus78 wrote:This is one of the things that always bugged me about the '86 movie, why the hell didn't Hot Rod just shoot Megatron with his arm cannons?

He already used them earlier in the film to take down the space cruiser, and later he uses them against the giant robot squid on Quintessa and against Galvatron in the final battle scene, so why not use them against Megs?

It makes no sense! Hot Rod chose the completely wrong option and as direct result Prime dies. Nice one!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ZolJxbJk-g

So, has anyone got any good theories on this?

Because that's just too darn easy.

MightyMagnus78 wrote:This is one of the things that always bugged me about the '86 movie, why the hell didn't Hot Rod just shoot Megatron with his arm cannons?

He already used them earlier in the film to take down the space cruiser, and later he uses them against the giant robot squid on Quintessa and against Galvatron in the final battle scene, so why not use them against Megs?

It makes no sense! Hot Rod chose the completely wrong option and as direct result Prime dies. Nice one!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ZolJxbJk-g

So, has anyone got any good theories on this?

I have a theroy.

The film implied the battle went on for several hours, maybe even a day.

Could be HotRod didnt have the energy to use his arm cannons.

Also, his aim wasnt al;l that good, missing the ship a few times, maybe he thought the risk of hitting Prime was to great

sto_vo_kor_2000 wrote:

MightyMagnus78 wrote:This is one of the things that always bugged me about the '86 movie, why the hell didn't Hot Rod just shoot Megatron with his arm cannons?

He already used them earlier in the film to take down the space cruiser, and later he uses them against the giant robot squid on Quintessa and against Galvatron in the final battle scene, so why not use them against Megs?

It makes no sense! Hot Rod chose the completely wrong option and as direct result Prime dies. Nice one!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ZolJxbJk-g

So, has anyone got any good theories on this?

I have a theroy.

The film implied the battle went on for several hours, maybe even a day.

Could be HotRod didnt have the energy to use his arm cannons.

Also, his aim wasnt al;l that good, missing the ship a few times, maybe he thought the risk of hitting Prime was to great

have too agree

Because he was a rash, impulsive young Autobot who didn't think.

DoctorZero986 wrote:Because he was a rash, impulsive young Autobot who didn't think.

In other words, Plot Induced Stupidity. That's it.

Sabrblade wrote:

DoctorZero986 wrote:Because he was a rash, impulsive young Autobot who didn't think.

In other words, Plot Induced Stupidity. That's it.

This

so they could have season 3 and 4 if he shot him no more transformers.