This page contains affiliate links. We may earn commissions when readers interact with or purchase items through these links. For more information, see our affiliate disclosures here.
News from Hasbro's Fan Media Event at Toy Fair 2012
NOTE: We will be allowed to take pictures of the showroom between 3:30pm and 5:00pm Eastern. Pictures will begin posting on Seibertron.com around 7:00pm Eastern. Please keep checking back for updates.
Hasbro's presentation started out today with Steven Davis, the president of Hasbro Studios, discussing the various shows on the Hub. My Little Pony, Jaikudo (sp?), Transformers Rescue Bots, Transformers Prime, and Pound Puppies. Jeff Kline and Teresa Hail (sp?) were guests at the presentation. Transformers Prime is an emmy award winning show.
Showed us some never-before seen footage from Transformers Prime Season 2. Scene involved the Decepticons battling the Autobots. Decepticons leave via Space Bridge, Arcee drove through it right before it closed, battles Decepticons at their base, looking for Optimus Prime, while Soundwave watches over.
Transformers brand team took the stage next.
Transformers "More Than Meets The Eye" 2012
Jerry Duboin (Marketing Director) and Joshua Lamb did presentation.
2012: Biggest Year Ever!
- Theme Park Rides
- New TV Shows
- Digital Gaming
- Virtual Worlds
- Video Games
- Digital Books
Rescue Bots Season 1
Prime Season 2
Bot Shots Battle Game Intro
KREO Continues to build
Transformers The Ride - The Ultimate 3D Battle (Showed us the commercial that aired during the Super Bowl)
Universal Studios Hollywood
Opens in May 2012
Singapore launched in December 2011 (showed us some outside visuals)
2012 Product Rollout - Showed us Delue Class Evac and Legion Class Evac (will have its own unique packaging, Bumblebee and Optimus (deluxe) and Voyager Megatron and Optimus in Transformers The Ride Universal Studios packaging.
Jagex - Transformers enters massively multi-player game market in 2012 "Take the Transformers Battle Online"
Showed us trailer for MMO (Massive Multi-player online) "War is coming", "Choose Your Side", "Shape your Destiny", various unknown Autobots and Decepticons battling ... "Join the Battle Online" at http://www.transformersuniverse.com and http://www.facebook.com/transformersuniverse. Teased that the MMO might be a great opportunity for toys later down the road.
Moved on to Rescue Bots
Brand new Animated Series
Showed us the current Rescue Bots toy line
New Mobile HQ coming out in 2012.
New KRE-O Transformers
New theme in the fall "The Quest for Energon"
Looks like the Kreons come with Energon weapons.
Comes with accessories to build the Ultimate Dark Energon weapon
New Kre-O Devastator
29 new Kreons, 16 Transformers Robots to collect (showed Ironhide)
Showed us a Kre-O commercial (the one with the hip hop music with the bouncing car and Bumblebee dancing)
Transformers Prime - Hub
Premieres February 18th
on DVD and Blu-Ray on March 6th, 2012 (has season 2 preview)
Enhanced E-Book apps from Ruckus Media
Gave us an update on First Edition: deluxes and voyagers not available in the US. Was a Hasbro issue, not a retailer issue. Recognizes these are great toys, looking to release them in some format in 2012.
Movie trilogy deluxes shown at SDCC will only be available in Asia.
Movie trilogy deluxe Optimus Prime with trailer will be available
Robots In Disguise - 2012 product rollout
Prime RID toys officially launches on March 1st. Will be out everywhere by then.
Showed us current product line (deluxes Bumblebee, Wheeljack, Cliffjumper, Soundwave, Optimus Prime, Megatron)
Showed us deluxe Ratchet, Arcee (wave 2), Knockout, Hot Shot, Vehicon (wave 3)
Voyager Starscream, and new Bulkhead (doesn't look too bad, both look very represenative of show models)
New weaponizers (similar to Leader Class scale): Optimus Prime, Bumblebee
New Prime entertainment pack available in Canada and Asia only (uses First Edition molds of Starscream and Bumblebee)
New remote controlled wave 1 (Bumblebee, Knockout) remote controlled transformation included to enable battling
Battle Masks (Bumblebee, Optimus Prime) and mission helmet (Optimus Prime w/ Peter Cullen's voice)
Cyberverse
Showed us wave 1 again
Wave 2: Breakdown, Mirage, Evac, Soundwave
Commander wave 1: Optimus Prime, Bulkhead, Starscream, and Megatron
Wave 2: Ironhide (red SUV) and another mold to be announced at later date
Vehicles wave 1: Star Hammer w/ Wheeljack
Showed us Optimus Maximus (on display), holds 9 Cyberverse figures), has battle station mode with wheels)
Bot Shots Battle Game
Official debuts March 1st
Showed us new TV commercial
"Either you're bot or you're NOT!!"
March 1: Online game launch
May 1: player vs player, codes in pack
Fast Action!
44 bots to collect!
Codes inside for online play!
Online: unlockable characters, enter codes to level up, player versus player!
Characters will use come from different iterations of the Transformers universes
Wave 2: Ratchet, clear Bumblebee chase
Optimus Prime and Megatron haulers
3 pack: Acide Storm included
Battle for the Matrix in the fall (sets)
Going through too fast for me to write down toys/characters ... on display down stairs, look for pics later)
Transformers Generations
IDW Comic Books
Fall of Cybertron game from Activision - September 2012
Showed us the trailer from the Spike TV awards (check out Seibertron.com's YouTube channel to watch it)
Matt Tieg took the stage to discuss Fall of Cybertron
Showed us video clip of gameplay as BRUTICUS ... pretty frikkin' awesome, looks amazing! Basically lays waste to everything and everyone in his path. You guys are going to love this.
Showed us another pretty epic commercial that looks amazing - focused more on the FALL of Cybertron. This game is going to rock!
Transformers brand team showed us the toys that will be in the Transformers Generations packaging (fall 2012)
Wave 1 Optimus Prime, Jazz, and Shockwave (looks like a gun/cannon)
Bruticus: deluxe wave 2 - Blast Off, Vortex, Brawl (colors are accurate), Swindle, and Onslaught (official pics look way better than what we've seen online) ... will be on display
Over 40 new Generations Transformers coming down the pipes, really took what the fandom has been saying to heart. HUGE focus end of 2012 into spring 2012
Mentioned 30th anniversary in 2014 ("wait until you see that stuff!")
Gi Joe Toy Fair 2012
Retaliation opens in theaters on June 29th
Dwayne Johnson as Roadblock
Bruce Willis in film
Movie line on shelves in early June.
50 figures including those sold with vehicles + 4 additional Comic Con exclusives
Won't have products aimed at younger children (leaner line)
9 vehicles + 1 additional comic con exclusive
Wave 2 (more movie accurate): Battle Kata Roadblock, Firefly, Flint, Ninja Duel Snake Eyes, Storm Shadow
Wave 3: Joe Colton (Bruce Willis), Lady Jaye, Alley Viper, Cyber Ninja, Dragon Ninja
Wave 4: Kim Arashikage (Jinx, can't use name on toy), Blind Master
Wave 5: Crimson Guard (comes with sticker sheet to customize faction), Night Viper
Ninja Showdown Set Asst wave 2 on shelf sept 2012 (GiJoe Night Ops Team)
Alpha Vehicle Assortment: Ninja Speed Cycle w/ Snake Eyes, Road Retaliator w/ Flint
Bravo Vehicle Assortment - wave 1 June 2012 - Cobra Fangboat w/ Swamp Viper, Ninja Commando 4x4 w/ Snake Eyes
Wave 2 (July 2012) - Tread Ripper w/ Clutch
Delta Vehicle Assortment: Wave 1 June 2012 - Ghost Hawk II w/ Duke, Cobra H.I.S.S. Tank w/ Cobra Trooper
Showed us Shockwave H.I.S.S. Tank, Destro in Decepticon color scheme (purple), also comes with "Constructicon" Bat
Didn't show any regular Joe stuff?
MARVEL Universe Death's Head for 2013. Sculpt looks dead on to how he looked in 1980s.
Hasbro has posted some interesting information on what we can expect to see at the 109th American International Toy Fair in New York, NY. Mr. Seibertron and El_Duque will be on hand bringing you all the latest coverage beginning this weekend. However, the good folks at Hasbro have given a little heads up on some of the products that will be on hand:
Hasbro wrote:Throughout the year in 2012, kids and fans of the globally popular TRANSFORMERS brand will get to experience the “MORE THAN MEETS THE EYE” property in a variety of new and exciting ways. In February, the new animated series TRANSFORMERS RESCUE BOTS and the second season of the hit animated series TRANSFORMERS PRIME, both from Hasbro Studios, will debut on The Hub television network. And, for the first time ever beginning in March, most of the TRANSFORMERS action figure expressions will adopt the TRANSFORMERS PRIME styling to complement the award winning series. Also in March, Hasbro will introduce a new toy segment called TRANSFORMERS BOT SHOTS, a whole new way to play out TRANSFORMERS battles. Available in favorite characters like OPTIMUS PRIME and BUMBLEBEE, kids can choose their power, crash into battle and defeat their opponent. TRANSFORMERS BOT SHOTS automatically convert when you crash ‘em! Sold one per pack, fans can collect 44 different BOT SHOTS figures across the product line. Then in May, fans will have another new way to experience the TRANSFORMERS brand with the launch of the highly anticipated new motion-based thrill ride TRANSFORMERS: THE RIDE-3D, opening at Universal Studios Hollywood. To finish the year with even more entertainment experiences, TRANSFORMERS fans will be able to enjoy the much buzzed about new video game TRANSFORMERS: Fall of Cybertron from Activision and High Moon studios as well as the highly anticipated TRANSFORMERS UNIVERSE MMO from Jagex both launching in Fall. Roll Out!
More than Transformers, Hasbro is bringing a ton of other great products from Bey Blade to My Little Pony and host of new G.I. Joe toys and games to coicide with new Joe film. To read more about the Hasbro Toy Fair contingent, click here! Keep checking Seibertron.com this weekend for all the news regarding Toy Fair 2012!
Andy from Full Metal Hero has just returned from UK's Toy Fair 2012 with some salivating information! Sadly there were no pictures allowed due to Non-Disclosure Agreements, but he certainly wasn't at a lack of words.
Full Metal Hero wrote:1) Generations - returns with the Fall of Cybertron line, on display was a hard copy of Jazz who is a 4 wheeled Cybertronian sports car, the line is officially called Generations and the product packaging still depicts a nice drawn example of the character inside. 8 figures are confirmed for the line one of which might well be Grimlock.
2) Prime Weaponizers - Leader Class figures. Choose from Bumblebee or Optimus Prime who was on display, these new larger scale figures feature 4 modes of play with concealed weapons, Prime himself had a set of gattling guns which can flip out from under his hood in truck mode or mount the shoulders in robot mode. They have been simplified over previous leaders so the core audience of children can transform them more easily.
3) Optimus Maximus - bases make a return to the line with Maximus, a large scale Cyberverse Playset which doubles a fully transforming figure and base for your Cyberverse figures. Featuring light and sound features, firing rockets and launching vehicle this guy was fairly imposing standing somewhere in between Ultimate Op and a regular Leader Class figure. It looked quite bare without any Cyberverse figures locked in but you could see the gun turrets just waiting to be armed by you min faves.
Thats about it for new stuff, what we already know and what is the core line for this year is below and its all about the Prime
1) Cyberverse Legion
2) Cyberverse Commander
3) Cyberverse Vehicles
4) Optimus Maximus
5) RID Revealers
6) RID Powerizers
7) RID Weaponizers
Other items were
1) Battle Masks
2) Bot Shots which is actually a really cool battle game which mixes Bakugan with rock, paper scissors, aside from the single pack figures there are Launchers, Ultimate Packs and 3 packs the idea being 2 figures are thrown together in vehicle mode than collide revealing the winning symbol.
Transformers Prime First Edition will not be hitting UK shelves in anyway shape or form, Cliffjumper and Bumblebee were on display but display is as far as they appear to be going.
Kre-O
New Kre-O sets were on display including the following
1) Decepticon Ambush - 4 Kreon pack with small accessories and a base to battle on
2) Cycle Chase - Prowl and 2 of his troops face off against a Decepticon, again comes with small accessory set and base
3) Kre-O Decepticon Helicopter - the robot with no name looks a lot like Starscream in robot mode and is yellow and red, comes with 3 Kreons and quad bike
4) Kre-O Stealth Bumblebee - new mold Bumblebee comes in black with 3 Kreons and what looks like the checkpoint from DOTM
5) Transformers Prime Kre-O Race Car Showdown - Knock Out and Wheeljack face off in this 2 pack each with the standard Kreons mini figure.
6) Kre-O Optimus Vs Megatron - G1 style set featuring an all new Optimus Prime vs G1 style Megatron who changes into a tank and not a walther comes with mini building and 3 kreons.
7) Kre-O Devastator - 9 in 1 playset - a mix of G1 style robots and movie tradition means you get 4 standard robots in movie Devy colours building seperate vehicles or the might Devastator - for those worried no he doesn't look anything like the hulking movie character. Comes with a slew of Kreons and construction environment.
It is interesting that there was nothing mentioned about the rumoured Movie Trilogy line; however there may be more revealed soon. For Seibertron.com will be covering the American International Toy Fair 2012 on February 12-15th. Stay tuned for more information.
The staff of Seibertron.com would like to wish all of you Seibertronians a safe and Happy New Year! It looks like 2012 is going to be another incredible year in the world of the Transformers with lots of new products in the works with Transformers Prime, Fall of Cybertron game and toys, a couple of MMOs, more 3rd party products, Rescue Bots, BotCon 2012, two new comic series from IDW, and I'm sure there'll be a few surprises that will please everyone!
Please stop by to share your New Year messages with other Seibertronians by clicking here. Stay safe friends ... 2012 "The Year of the Apocalypse" is finally here! Happy New Year!
The Transformers Game facebook page has just posted that Matt Tieger, the game director of Transformers: Fall of Cybertron, will be attending this week's NYCC for a panel discussion with Hasbro. If you're planning on attending be sure to swing by the Activision both!
A schedule of other Transformers related panels can be found here.
Matt Tieger, Game Director of Transformers: Fall of Cybertron will be headed to New York Comic Con this week for a panel discussion with Hasbro. Stop by the Activision booth if you are attending.
TFcon has let us know their 2011 dealer room has sold out, see further details below.
The TFcon 2011 dealer room has sold out all available tables with just under 3 weeks until the convention. This is a new record for Canada’s largest dealer room for Transformers merchandise. The room will be packed with exhibitors selling Transformers toys from all eras including but not limited to Generation 1, Generation 2, Machine Wars, Beast Wars, Beast Machines, Robots in Disguise, Armada, Energon, Cybertron, Universe, Classics, Animated, Crossovers, Commemorative and Encore Reissues, Alternators and Binaltech, Masterpiece, Titanium, Alternity, Generations, plus Movie toys from all 3 films; Transformers, Revenge of the Fallen and Dark of the Moon and 3rd party companies.
http://www.tfcon.ca/tfcon-2011-dealer-room-sold-out
Canada's Annual Transformers Collectors Convention – July 30th and 31st, 2011 – Delta Meadowvale Resort and Conference Centre – 6750 Mississauga Road, Mississauga, Ontario
Seibertron.com's review of Transformers Dark of the Moon: A Fan Perspective
Dark Side of the Moon
I saw Transformers Dark of the Moon tonight. I am not a professional reviewer. In fact, I strongly dislike writing reviews of any sort. Yet from time-to-time I am strongly inclined to share my thoughts in hopes that some of you might want to hear what the owner of one of the largest Transformers fansites has to say. So without further ado, here's what I've been writing for the past 5 hours.
First and foremost, if you don't want to read any spoilers, just stop reading this review. I don't hold back anything in my reviews. It's all here that I was able to jot down since midnight. If you want to be spoiled, please be my guest and read on ...
I'll cut to the chase right off the bat before I go into comments that only us Seibertronians will enjoy reading. If you're looking for the next Academy Award winner or Oscar winner for best picture, go see something else so we don't have to hear you complain about Transformers Dark of the Moon. If you are just looking for a great, fun summer blockbuster with TONS of action, lots of special effects, a pretty girl, some very cool cars (and robots too), and destruction galore -- you should, without a doubt, see this film. If you're a Transformers fan, then this is 100% required watching in my book.
Is this the best film in the world? No. Is it another very enjoyable summer blockbuster? Of course it is. Are there some problems with the storytelling? Yep. But hey … it's Transformers, it's not Revenge of the Fallen, and it was a fun couple of hours watching exciting craziness unfold before my very 3d weary eyes. While Transformers Dark of the Moon didn't surpass the first Transformers film from Michael Bay, it was better than Revenge of the Fallen. However, it shared some of the same flaws from which the previous movie suffered.
As I have said for the past four or five years, I think Michael Bay was the perfect person to be the director of the first Transformers live action film franchise. I liked some of his previous movies such as Bad Boys and Armageddon. Michael Bay is well known for delivering what he promises. He makes larger than life fun movies that appeal to a very large audience. I truly believe that it was his vision that helped introduce our beloved Transformers to people not as passionate about them as are we. The Transformers are a toy line that have overcome many obstacles over the years and have reached the point of becoming a household name and a billion dollar film franchise.
The special effects were absolutely truly amazing. I hope nothing I say in this fanboy "review" plays down the fact that this movie is an amazing feat of technology. The destruction of Chicago is an incredible technological achievement. It looked like they destroyed the city. And it wasn't far away or brief shots like Battle: Los Angeles. It was complex digitally animated (?) extremely detailed and extremely believable mass destruction bestowed upon the city I've called home for the past 9 years. It was truly amazing to see what they did to this city. The Transformers themselves seemed to be more detailed, but in a good way. I didn't have much difficulty telling who was who, even when they were fighting. There even seemed to be some improvements to the facial expressions on some of the robots. There was a moment with Optimus Prime's face that I remember seeing that I thought, hey that's cool that they got him to make that face, and the same with Ratchet in another scene. Academy Award winning movie or not, I think the special effects teams on this movie should get all sorts of awards. Kudos to all of the people who worked on special effects for this film.
If you wish to read the rest of my thoughts, simply highlight all of the text below by using your mouse, touchpad or by clicking "ctrl" + "a" on your keyboard to highlight all of the text.
Houston, we have a problem
A lot of the problems I had with this film was the fact that there was just too much going on. You shouldn't have to read the novel adaptation to understand what exactly was happening during the film. I think the overall story was good. It just needed to be tightened up, and some time that was given to other scenes could have been used to develop some of the characters.
Speaking of characterization, the Transformers continue to serve more as plot devices than actual characters that you know and love. There are few scenes which show the Transformers interacting on their own without humans and many of them get little character development. I love the Transformers characters, I've grown up with them, but without the bond that I have with these characters through three decades of reading the comics, watching the cartoons, and collecting the toys, I don't understand how the general movie going audience is supposed to have a bond with these characters (aside from Optimus Prime and maybe Bumblebee). It is my hope that now that the general world wide audience has been well introduced to the concept of the Transformers brand, that we can movie into a film franchise where the story can be told more from the Transformers' perspective(s) and less from the humans'.
The Chernobyl scene seemed like the they went through a lot of trouble for us, and the Autobots, to find out that the humans had a piece, or pieces, from the Ark on the moon. I get that they were trying to show us that the Russians had tried to harness the power, which caused the 1986 Chernobyl disaster, but it just came across as really forced to me and a very unnecessary scene.
Human Characters and Actors
Overall, the acting was pretty good. I don't recall thinking that anyone had any overly cheesy lines, or poor acting. The only one that really stood out to me was John Duhamel's Lennox. I wasn't a big fan of him in ROTF and I had much the same feeling about him in DOTM. It might have nothing to do with his character and is just how the writers are depicting him. I liked him in the first movie, and I've liked him in other movies that I've seen him in. Tyrese Gibson's Epps was better portrayed in DOTM than ROTF. Shia was much the same … I liked him in all three movies. I think he's a good actor. As much as I love John Turturro's "Agent" Simmons, I just felt his involvement was either too forced or unnecessary. I felt like he didn't really bring anything to the story. Yeah, he wrote a book, yeah, Bill O'Reilly interviewing Simmons because of his new book was entertaining, but not needed. If you felt his involvement was forced in ROTF, you'll definitely feel that way here.
The ever so beautiful Rosie Huntington-Whitely filled her role, and her tight dresses, perfectly. The Transformers film franchise triumphantly shows the world that all you need is some pretty t-and-a to play the out-of-his-league love interest for Sam Witwicky which could've continued to have been played by Megan Fox had she been able to keep her mouth shut. As a fan, I was happy to have Rosie onboard as Carly, who was the love interest of Spike Witwicky in the original 1980s animated cartoon series. I could've done without the gratuitous underwear/butt shot as she was walking up the stairs. Nice to look at in a men's magazine, just 100% unnecessary in a Transformers flick especially in the first ten minutes or so (though I'm sure many would argue that it's the same demographic).
I was both surprised and disappointed at how small John Malkovich's "Bruce Brazos" role was. His eccentric character went unused through the second half of the film. I thought that he and Patrick Dempsey were miscast and should have had the other's role. Malkovich could've played a perfect live action Dr. Arkeville, which would have been a very nice nod to the Transformers mythos. He even looked the part in my book. It would've even fit in perfectly with the whole "humans working for the Decepticons" plot. Patrick Dempsey's "Dylan Gould" was quite the villain surprisingly. Dempsey was definitely "McBadAss" in this film, and not so "McDreamy".
While I always enjoy the onscreen presence of Sam's parents (played by Kevin Dunn and Julie White), I felt the inclusion of Ron and Judy Witwicky was completely unnecessary for the story. Their roles were merely there for the comedic inconvenience and embarrassment that they cause their son.
Pleasant surprise "cameos": real-life Buzz Aldrin, Nixon, JFK, President Obama, and Fox News' Bill O'Reilly.
Toned Down Humor – Smaller Funny Bits
The sexual humor that many found offensive in the previous two films was significantly reduced in this movie. No more lubricating jokes, no more masturbation jokes, no more boxer jokes, no dog humping, no robot humping, no racially degrading comments. There was an oral sex innuendo from Carly to Sam, and a comment from Sam's mom about him being well-endowed, and a brief comment from Brains about Carly's panties or underwear drawer or something, but all of those comments were fairly brief and didn't seem to distract from what else was happening in the scene.
There were no words like "pussy" or "bitch" in this movie, which made me feel a little squeamish in ROTF. Either Wheelie or Brains says "dickhead" if I recall correctly, but it seemed rather appropriate.
The Sound of Music and the Music of Sound
Steve Jablonsky's music score for DOTM continued to please me. Nothing struck me as out-of-place, but at the same time nothing caught my attention emotionally like "The Arrival" from the first film's score. I was glad the "corny" music from the first and second film (cue the music from when Sam arrived at the lake in the first movie) was absent from the third. I'm looking forward to purchasing Jablonsky's score when it becomes available on CD. Linkin Park's "Iridescent" was present in the film if I recall correctly, and I think the Goo Goo Dolls "All That You Are" is as well.
The sound quality of the film seemed great. I don't recall my ears hurting nor do I feel like I was ever having difficulty understanding anything. I don't recall a G1 transformation sound, hopefully someone catches one and can point it out. No complaints here from me about the audio.
Cartoon References or Coincidence
Several elements of Dark of the Moon reminded me of the fan-favorite three part cartoon "The Ultimate Doom". In that story, the Decepticons enslave mind-controlled humans and bring Cybertron into Earth's orbit via a space bridge. In Dark of the Moon, fearful or deceived humans are working for the Decepticons who want to bring Cybertron to Earth in order to use our planet's resources to repower their homeplanet. Very similar concepts.
One other similar concept that seemed pulled from the cartoons, was the Autobots' exile from Earth. While this scene seemed huge, and the Autobot shuttle looked magnificent, I couldn't help but feel that Megatron's Master Plan pulled this exile concept off better somehow … or at least with more emotional attachment. The whole scene should've felt more powerful in my opinion.
Transformers Characters
My personal favorite character, Soundwave, is still Frank Welker's Dr Claw voice minus the voice processing we all know and love from the original cartoon. Soundwave was one of Megatron's right hand "bots", standing by his side during what will be a very memorable on screen moment that had all three big time Decepticons in the same scene standing side-by-side (Megatron, Starscream, and Soundwave). While I was initially disappointed to hear that he transformed into a Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG in DOTM, his role as Decepticon spy was served just as well by going undercover posing as Carly's car, which her Decepticon loving boss gave her as a "gift". His robot mode looked awesome and he has an awesome moment battling the Autobots before he gets slagged.
Laserbeak speaks, to which I feel indifferent about it. I kept having moments of nostalgia from the Japanese version of the original Transformers cartoons when Laserbeak and Ravage would speak. He's a cool little character that really kicks some butt in this film (albeit mostly humans, more about that later). He transforms into a multitude of objects in the movie. It'd be neat to see Hasbro come up with some other toy versions of Laserbeak. He even transformed into a small human sized red Bumblebee-looking robot to pose as a playmate to a daughter of one of his victims. There was an awesome nostalgic moment when Laserbeak rested/landed upon Soundwave's right arm. While he doesn't look exactly like the Laserbeak of old, I think this is a great representation of this character in live action form.
Mirage was named Dino (pronounced "dee-no"), who looked very awesome. I mean, what Transformers fan doesn't love having an Autobot that transforms into a sexy, red Ferrari 458 Italia? Sucked seeing him share onscreen time with Sideswipe, who's basically the same character, when a red sports car should have been Sideswipe all along.
Wheeljack was named Q (Cue? Que?), who was a very disappointing addition to the Autobot roster. It wasn't so much the characterization (or lack thereof; who's onscreen role could've easily been given to the Autobot weapons specialist Ironhide), but the head design basically looked like a robotic skull with Albert Einstein's facial features and hair. I'm assuming they were trying to convey that this is an Autobot scientist or a really smart Transformer, but I'd like to think that most of the movie going audience is above having things shoved in their faces like that. The original Wheeljack has such a unique head design that it was a shame to not see that translate to the big screen. If you didn't like him either, don't worry, Soundwave executes him later in the film during a rather tense moment when it seems like all is lost to the Autobots.
For as big of a deal as it seems everyone has made about the Autobot subgroup known as the "Wreckers" (Leadfoot, Roadbuster, and Topspin), they really had minor roles for the most part. They were part of the crew working alongside the humans on the Autobots ship which they were exiled in, and the other major part they had was going with Bumblebee into the city when they ripped apart a Decepticon pilot who had crashed, and saving Optimus Prime when he got tangled in some wires after battling the Driller that was attacking the falling skyscraper Sam and the other humans were trapped in. I didn't think I'd like how Leadfoot looked onscreen, but he was easily one of my favorite product placements in the film. While I couldn't pinpoint any connection with the Wreckers voices, I can assure all of you that they did NOT have redneck voices which was a huge relief to me.
Ratchet was in it considerably more than ROTF, however he still had few lines. Same voice actor as far as I could tell from the first film. He also seemed to have a modified face, but I'd have to get another look at it. He was with Optimus when they went to the Ark.
Sideswipe had at least one line, perhaps more. I felt like his onscreen time was replaced with that of Mirage Dino.
Sentinel Prime, voiced by Star Trek's Leonary Nimoy (who also voice Galvatron in the 1986 animated Transformers film), was one of the few Transformers to receive some characterization. His character underwent a harsh transformation from being Optimus Prime's predecessor and hero to being one of the major antagonists in the film. His ideals seemed to align more with that of Megatron and his Decepticons than with the heroic Autobots. He seemed far more concerned with saving the Cybertronian race and planet, which seems like all movie Megatron has wanted. There was no foreshadowing of Sentinel's betrayal. After bringing Sentinel back online, there was a nice moment where Optimus tried to give the Matrix to Sentinel, but oddly Sentinel declined. It seems like if he was inevitably going to betray the Autobots, that he should have taken the Matrix. His death at the end of the movie was very fitting, though I think it sucked seeing the heroic Optimus Prime killing his Autobot mentor.
Sentinel's betrayal wasn't the moment that I wasn't expecting. It was how Sentinel viciously attacked the Autobots, and killed Ironhide! I didn't see that coming. I hadn't even heard any rumors of that happening. It was the only moment during the film that I was shocked at. I was especially shocked since Hasbro has heavily promoted Ironhide by having at least five toys of this character available at retail by the release date of the film.
Still no voice for Bumblebee! If you're wondering why he's holding his hands up to his head in the trailer, it's not because the sound is too loud … it's because his holding his hands up before he's almost executed by Soundwave and the Decepticons. Very tense, cool scene.
Shockwave's character was a waste to me. He looked awesome. He looked evil. But without even a full line (he said something at the Chernobyl scene but I think it was just "Optimus Prime" or something very basic), there was zero characterization. He could've just been another drone for all we know, well, a drone leading other drones. I was hoping for just a couple of lines to Megatron about something being logical or illogical, something that says that this is the character we've known and loved over the past 27 years. He was killed during the Chicago battle.
I wasn't sure what to make of Starscream in this film. His character had been reduced to the worst traits of Starscream. Cowardly, whiny (?). He had two moments in the film that should have been more monumental and awe-inspiring … when he single handedly takes out the exiled Autobots' shuttle and when he takes on the sky divers by the Willis tower in the skies over Chicago. One of my favorite scenes in the Transformers film franchise is in the first movie during the final battle when Starscream takes on the other F-22 Raptors going back and forth between his robot mode and jet mode. That scene is one of the best uses of their ability to transform in the film. I was waiting for that "wow, that's so cool" moment to hit me with either of those scenes but that moment never happened.
The rumors about the cowardly villain Starscream meeting his maker were unfortunately true. Thankfully, he didn't get taken down singlehandedly by one of Epps buddies, which was the rumor we heard last summer. Disappointingly, he was taken down by Sam, who used a grappling hook device given to him by Q. Sam used the weapon to attach the hook to one of Starscream's eyes, which damages it. Starscream is ranting about his eyes and not being able to see. All I kept thinking during this scene is … can't Transformers "see" without their eyes. Seriously … how else would they "see" when they're in their vehicle modes if they didn't have alternative methods to see? If Starscream had just transformed into jet mode, would he have been able to "see" again? Starscream deserves a much better death scene than this. Fortunately, we have his far superior death courtesy of Galvatron in the 1986 film.
Ever wonder what happened to my favorite police car Decepticon Barricade? He went M.I.A., literally, during the final quarter of the first film, was M.I.A. for the entirety of ROTF, but finally makes a miraculous return during the Chicago battle scene. I was very happy to see him return. If I saw correctly, it looks like he received an update or two to his character model. It'd be nice to see some comparison shots of this. My happiness at Barricade's return lasted only momentarily as he was destroyed shortly thereafter.
Skids and Mudflap were indeed missing from the film. I didn't even see them as additional robots during the scene where the Autobots were exiled from Earth. I didn't miss them though I do think they would have served as great cannon fodder.
Optimus Prime gets the movie version of his battle axe that reminded me of the axe he had during the Hoover dam battle against Megatron in a G1 "More Than Meets The Eye" cartoon episode.
Megatron says something to the affect of "what would you be without me" to which Optimus replies "Let's find out." and he proceeds to kill Megatron.
Random Scenes and Thoughts
The scene on the highway en route to Chicago turned out very cool. You might remember this as the scene where the infamous accident happened last summer in Hammond, Indiana that left Gabriela Cedillo, an extra in the film, permanently brain damaged and paralyzed. I meant to see if there was any mention of her in the credits, I'll have to look again tomorrow night. The "Dreads" were a very cool group of Decepticons. I really like their overall look, which is odd because I'm not a big fan of dreadlocks. Their unified and unique look just really stands out to me. I wasn't sure what to make of their "Mexican stand-off" with Ironhide and Sideswipe, but they seemed pretty cool in my book.
I felt confused as to why the Decepticons space bridged to Washington, D.C. then proceed to travel to invade Chicago. Why not either space bridge directly to Chicago or invade D.C. instead? The D.C. scene did give us a nice moment at the Lincoln Memorial where Megatron blows off President Lincoln's head, and the proceeds to remove Lincoln's statue so that Megatron could sit in his chair. One of the Decepticons scans a WM garbage truck after arriving in DC (I want this Transformer!).
Lots of humans get killed in this film. The Decepticons have a weapon that just kind of vaporizes a human after it blasts apart. In one scene, we see a human skull roll toward someone's foot after they were killed. Pretty graphic and intense. Not something I'd recommend for the kiddies to see.
I felt very uncomfortable when the Wreckers tore apart a Decepticon pilot. I just kept thinking "Autobots wouldn't do that!" Kind of reminded me of some of the Abu Ghraib situation a few years back.
The Autobot ship did indeed look awesome. Massive. They missed the opportunity to call the ship something like "Omega Supreme", maybe Hasbro will give us an Omega Supreme toy out of it just yet, but I wouldn't count on it. Someone in the film mentions that there are 9 Autobots, but I can't 11 if you count Wheelie and Brains (Optimus Prime, Bumblebee, Ratchet, Sideswipe, Topspin, Roadbuster, Leadfoot, Dino, and Que) who were aboard the ship if I recall correctly. The shuttle scene was a good scene, it just seemed to lack the emotion that such an important scene should have … especially when Starscream takes out the ship after it launches and apparently kills all of the Autobots aboard.
The whole Cybertron coming to Earth plot seemed a little much to me for the general movie going audience to understand. Without showing the full planet of Cybertron in DOTM, it seemed like it was a lot to ask people to understand that "Cybertron", the Transformers planet which much of the audience has never seen before, was being transported to our orbit. As a fan, I had a very difficult time seeing the large object that was coming through the space bridge portal as Cybertron. It seemed so unmonumental and so unnecessary to a Decepticon invasion of Earth that I felt distracted by that entire plot element (though it's what united Sentinel with Megatron). In addition, I couldn't tell what Cybertron's fate was. It looked as if Cybertron had imploded upon itself when the space bridge was destroyed yet without any dialogue in the film or concern from any of the Transformers, it's fate was left uncertain to me.
After seeing more of the same storytelling problems from ROTF creep into DOTM, I can't help but feel that it's time for Michael Bay, Shia, and the rest of the crew to move onto other projects and make way for some new, fresh ideas to brought into the life of the Transformers films. I'd like to see what someone else can do with the Transformers now that they have proven that it's a successful toy-to-film franchise. I'd also like to see what other types of films Michael Bay wants to make as I can't believe that he would want to be best known for making the Transformers films. I think the movies are very entertaining films for what they are. No one claimed these would, or should, be Oscar award winning movies. The people who have worked on these films have done an amazing job, considering the source material started out as a toy line so many years ago.
No need to stay until the very end of the credits.
Honorable 3D Mention
Why no mention from me about 3D yet? To be blunt: I'm not a fan of 3D. Not at all. I see it for what it is … a ploy to give people something special at the theater that they can't get elsewhere and to make it more difficult for the bootleg "market". I'm looking forward to seeing DOTM in good ol' fashioned 2D. When I watch a 3D movie, I feel like I'm staring at those posters that doctor offices had back in the early 90s where you have to cross your eyes to see the hidden image in the picture. I also can't stand wearing glasses in the theater. It's just not my thing. Did this movie seem like a technical achievement in the 3D field? I can't judge that as I haven't seen any other movie in 3D except for James Cameron's Avatar.
3D doesn't make me feel like I'm part of the movie at all, if anything, it makes me feel disjointed from the film because of how many times I notice the "3D" layers. It's extremely distracting and I don't recall ever thinking when viewing a 2D movie that I wished it had been in 3D. I keep thinking of that Best Buy "buy back" commercial where the girl is calling the guy a "silly head" because he bought a 3D TV instead of a 4D TV. I'm hoping 4D gets here soon because I can't stand this very "forced" 3D craze.
I hope someone important in the movie industry read my thoughts about 3D.
Meet The Press
I wanted to take a moment to personally thank Paramount for hooking me up with a Press pass for tonight's show at the AMC River East in downtown Chicago. I had the pleasure of meeting famed movie critic Roger Ebert this evening, who sat directly behind my wife at tonight's showing. It was a great experience and quite an honor. It was also a very fitting moment since Roger Ebert had mentioned Seibertron.com in his explanation about his review of Revenge of the Fallen.
On a personal note, I think I'd prefer seeing a movie like DOTM with a regular audience any day. The press guys didn't laugh or gasp or anything during the movie. Either they thought DOTM sucked or they were all way too busy writing down notes on their pads of paper. To me, a big part of going opening night for a movie, or even some time during the opening week, is to catch the buzz that radiates through a movie theater that is excited about a film. I think it's unfortunate that the press people didn't get to experience this movie with the regular movie going audience. I'm looking forward to seeing DOTM on Tuesday night with family and friends and people from Seibertron.com who I know will be geeked and excited about seeing this film ... and are there to have fun and have a great time.
Wrap-Up
So you might be wondering exactly what I thought of this movie and what my recommendations are. I know I picked apart a lot of the movie above. I'm very, very passionate about Transformers. I'm also very protective of how we, the fans, see our Transformers. I just want our experience to be shared by everyone else. I want people to know why we like and love these Transformers characters. I gave it a 4 out of 5 on my Netflix account just now. If it wasn't a Transformers flick, I'd give it a 3 out of 5 mainly due to feeling that the story was confusing at times or incoherent. The special effects and technical achievements in this film were simply amazing … stunning even! They should win awards left and right for what pulled off with Chicago and for making huge leaps with the computer animation for the robots which continue to look better and better.
As I said at the beginning of this review, if you're a Transformers fan, you've got to go see this film so that you can tell the rest of us what you think about it. Don't base whether or not you see this movie based on my review. It's a fun movie. Go see it. You be the judge and tell us what you think after you see it.
Greg Lombardo - Marketing
Billy Ward - Vice President of Marketing for Transformers
Josh Lamb - Design
Bill Rawly - Design
Transformers Dark of the Moon (MechTech)
---------------------------------------------------
Basic idea was they wanted to incorporate an external piece that didn't get in the way of transforming
Early concept was to combine the weapons
Deluxe wave 5 - 32363 Air Raid (color wise looks similar to Cybertron Jetfire)
Armor Topspin 36106
Dark Iron 36107 (Stingray corvette ... BW Quicksilver looking robot mode)
Deluxe Wave 6 to be released shortly after movie release
Voyager Wave 4 - Cannon Force Ironhide (G1 Inspired Ironhide - RED)
Leader Wave 2 Ironhide discussion
Ultimate Optimus Prime 28748 (fall launch) - discussed overall look of Prime, wanted to keep the piece count down)
SDCC Ultimate Optimus Prime - limited edition in a foil sleeve package, only time packaged in trailer mode, premium foil wrapped display box and sleeve, includes G1 sticker sheet for trailer, removable display case
Human Alliance Roadbuster w/ SGT Recon
Post movie reveal - 1 Human Alliance figure will be revealed after June 29th
Transformers Dark of the Moon (Cyberverse)
---------------------------------------------------
Action Sets wave 3 - Shockwave w/ Fusion tank (29738) will be in case this afternoon
Autobot Ratchet w/ Lunar Crawler
Autobot Ark w/ Roller
Transformers Dark of the Moon (Exclusives)
---------------------------------------------------
Showed all four of the TRU Scan Series figures
Cyberverse Battle Pack (homages the D.C. accident with Bumblebee ... got a laugh from crowd)
More deluxes: Elita-1, Bumblebee, Space Case, Autobot Jazz
Human Alliance Leadfoot w/ Steeljaw (Target exclusive)
Deluxe Two Pack w/ Leadfoot and Topspin (Target exclusive)
Walmart exclusives - Optimus Prime (deluxe), Bumblebee (84), Sideswipe (04 homages Lambor's numbering in Takara's G1 line)
Deluxe and Basic Human Alliance Pack (inspired by a black ops decoaration)
Animated Movie 25th Anniversary Edition Unicron, accurate from Animated movie, will be on display later (Amazon)
20 for 20 Toy Promotion - Starts July 25th - Sept 30th, buy $20 worth of toys, send in receipt and receive limited edition exclusive Optimus Prime t-shirt and retail coupons, QR scan or text and get a free music download from DOTM
Transformers Generations / Reveal The Shield
---------------------------------------------------
Addressed issue regarding RTS/Generations
Generations is continuing through entire year
RTS that you had trouble getting they are working to find homes for them
Transformers Prime
---------------------------------------------------
12-1-11 Transformers Prime
Deluxe Wave 2 - Cliffjumper, "awesome looking toy"
Deluxe Wave 3 - Vehicon, Terrorcon Cliffjumper (Have you hugged a Zombie today?)
Voyager - Optimus Prime (36492) "knocked this out of the park"
Voyager - Bulkhead (36490)
Entertainment pack will include Episode 6
SDCC Prime Optimus Prime - the power of the Matrix is yours to hold and wear, Matrix package that you can actually wear.
2012 Sneak Peak - concepts only, work in progress
Cyberverse Ratchet, Wheeljack (swords on back)
Legion Bumblebee (looks like it comes with 4 weapons)
Legion Arcee (looks amazing for it's size)
Prime Commander Class Iron Hide (truck)
Deluxe Soundwave (drawings only), Laserbeak fits right on his chest and can use him as a weapon
Deluxe Ratchet (with blades)
Deluxe Wheeljack
Voyager Starscream (MechTech features with lights after you plug it in to robot - concept only)
Kre-o Transformers
---------------------------------------------------
Summer 2011
More than meets the eye
Kreons
28 Kreons in launch line
16 Transformers Kreons, 12 humans
Tons of accessories!
Transformers Rescue Bots
---------------------------------------------------
New cast of characters
Created group of guys that are specialized in rescue
Kind of an Elite Force
Blades - helicopter
Chase - police
Heatwave - firetruck
Boulder - Construction vehicle
Optimus Prime
Bumblebee
Will be at SDCC and New York Comic-Con
Q&A
----------------
If there was a WFC 2 video game, some of those characters would get toys [sarcasm aluding to we are getting new WFC toys)
We’ve receive a message from our good friends at BOTFAN Brazil about PLANET CYBERTRON 2011, their upcoming Transformers convention in the capital city of Brasilia, Brazil. The event is being co-sponsored by BOTFAN Brazil as well as GI JOE Brasilia, the country’s GI Joe fan club. The convention will take place the weekend of May 28th and 29th at the University IESB, the school's South L2, 613/614, Distrito Federal location.
All the details can be found in the translated press release below.
BOTFAN Brazil wrote: BOTFAN Brazíl and GI JOE Brasilia present the biggest event ever done by the fan clubs of Transformers and Command in Action in the history of Kodama! Planet Cybertron 2011 features four rooms with toy displays from each series, varied collections, competitions with awards, exhibitions of drawings and films of the series, and even the Market Cybertron. This event will be the first Brazilian event to showcase some of the new Transformers DOTM toy line thanks to a partnership with Hasbro in Brazil!
THE ROOMS
PLANET CYBERTRON
A room theme designed by fans of the famous for most famous series of transforming robots! The theme this year is the TRANSFORMERS MOVIE - 1989 TO 2009 - Revenge of the Fallen. Lots of exhibits, fun, and many contests await all Transformers fans and visitors.
EXPANDED UNIVERSE
A special room for display of collectors and collections of the most varied and curious toys, with the main theme focused on one of the largest Japanese series on display here in Brazil - Saint Seiya!! Also included is an exhibition of drawings and films of superheroes that have delighted fans for decades!
GI JOE (GI JOE BRAZIL)
The newest issue of room BotFan Brazil, dedicated to fans of the series GI JOE and ACTION COMMANDS, a sample of old collections and the latest releases with displays of old and new series. The main theme of the room will be the film GI JOE - THE RISE OF COBRA (2009).
MUSEUM AND MARKET CYBERTRON
This room tells the story of BotFan Brazil from its inception in 2006 up to present day, with over 630 enrolled ones fans across the country! Memorable moments that await all visitors and also the famous Market Cybertron with various toys for sale and/or exchange. If you are interested in a table in the Market, contact botfanbrasil@gmail.com.
The other major attraction will be the Transolimpiadas 2011! Several mad competitions will be held throughout this event. Contest/event details and rules will be disclosed by employees during the day. Sign-ups must be completed 3 hours before each competition.
We are looking forward to you all joining us for the greatest of all events that BotFan Brazil ever!
BOTFAN Brazil team and GI JOE Brasilia Team
President: Glauber Freire
Regional Coordinators: Martinho Borges and Zander Panzini
Office of Communications and Marketing: Milene Mencari and Pollyane
Seibertron member Diem was fortunate enough to attend the final day of Tokyo Toy Show 2010. Here's what he has to say about the event:
I was worried that by the final day of the Tokyo Toy Show there would be nothing left to see. Thankfully, the place was still vibrant and exciting, albeit crowded and humid.
Tokyo Big Sight, the mysterious upside-down multi-pyramid of a building in which many anime, cosplay and toy conventions are held.
As you can see, it was pretty crowded. Even at the very end of the event, people were walking around with filled bags and tired families.
The outside of the TakaraTomy area was pretty Transformer-free, sadly.
Elite Guard Prowls were for sale at the event, but were selling out incredibly quickly. The Dreadwing and Smokescreen set had already sold out!
The next wave of Takara Animated figures were already up for sale, a week ahead of their store date. The Sons of Cybertron sets were unfortunately not present.
Revenge Of The Fallen Dead End was a limited edition figure for Japanese customers of ToyHobby last year. The unsold figures were being sold at the event.
There was an excellent Optimus Prime costumed guy wandering around and taking photos with kids.
Vol.4 of Takara's EZ Collection series was also available there. The series has some very attractive boxart
We'll be posting more about this series soon.
This leaflet was being given out featuring all the latest Takara Animated figures.
It appears to be Leader Class Megatron's in-package leaflet.
The other leaflet included various TakaraTomy products; this was the only Transformers-related item in there.
Well, that was about it for the Tokyo Toy Show. It was interesting to see this stuff first-hand and it's good to know that TakaraTomy are still pushing Animated hard.
For the latest in Transformers Toy News, stick with Seibertron.com!
Goto Page: <<1, 2, 3 ... 10, 11, 12, 13>> 123 total news articles in this section, 10 per page.
* Price and quantities subject to change. Shipping costs, taxes and other fees not included in cost shown. Refer to listing for current price and availability.
![[Valid RSS]](/images/rss/valid-rss.png "Validate Seibertron.com's RSS feed"){kind=small}
