Machinima Transformers Combiner Wars - Prelude to Combiner Wars: Starscream

Kurona wrote:Fellow Seibertronians, the official Transformers Facebook Page has been updated with the third Prelude to Combiner Wars video - this one featuring Starscream, following in his IDW counterpart's footsteps of being the leader of Cybertron. Take a look by following the link below!

Starscream’s no longer a villain? SAY WHAT?! Prepare yourself for a whole new Starscream with this motion comic and remember the 3D animated series Transformers: ‪#‎CombinerWars‬ drops Aug. 2!

Video link

Do I spy another news crew in the making? Va'als army grows stronger still.

Anyhow, only one prelude left isn't there?

A mention of Rodimus Prime. Pardon??

Yeah, the Rodimus bit surprised me as well. So far it's looking like it's IDW focused on Combiner Wars and excising MTMTE... which sounds a little like a horror story, but I'll reserve judgement.

I guess it makes sense. There was a mention or feeling of Optimus leaving things behind; and which character is more natural to take up the mantle of Autobot Leader than Roddy?

The press release that first announced these preludes first mentioned Rodimus Prime and the Mistress of Flame as being the other two of Starscream's fellow council members.

Delta Magnus wrote:

Braker wrote:If only the toy had those proportions...

Agreed. She actually looks pretty good without the broad manly shoulders.

Then use the coptors as arms. That's how I have her always. It's how she first appeared in the comics and its looks nice.

Randomhero wrote:

Delta Magnus wrote:

Braker wrote:If only the toy had those proportions...

Agreed. She actually looks pretty good without the broad manly shoulders.

Then use the coptors as arms. That's how I have her always. It's how she first appeared in the comics and its looks nice.

Doesn't stop the man-shoulders unfortunately. The problem lies with the torso, not the limbs. Plus, I'm not buying her because quite frankly she looks awful, and I'm off official combiners for good.

Kurona wrote:Yeah, the Rodimus bit surprised me as well. So far it's looking like it's IDW focused on Combiner Wars and excising MTMTE... which sounds a little like a horror story, but I'll reserve judgement.

It just inspires from IDW but it doesnt represent it nor does it tie into it. This is a stand alone continuity so it takes inspiration from different things, hence why it sounds like a mix of different story elements.

william-james88 wrote:

Kurona wrote:Yeah, the Rodimus bit surprised me as well. So far it's looking like it's IDW focused on Combiner Wars and excising MTMTE... which sounds a little like a horror story, but I'll reserve judgement.

It just inspires from IDW but it doesnt represent it nor does it tie into it. This is a stand alone continuity so it takes inspiration from different things, hence why it sounds like a mix of different story elements.

I know, yeah. Just taken at face value it sounds scary

YouTube link:

not liking the voice of Starscream

From what I've seen so far, the voices seem like a really good fandub.

Sigma Magnus wrote:From what I've seen so far, the voices seem like a really good fandub.

Well technically this is all more or less of a fan project with official backing. None of this is handled by hasbro studios. Machinima's content is mostly derivitive of other media (video games, films ect), it's not like they deal with big budgets. I mean think about it, the biggest star they employ is Tommy Wiseau

Is that Jon Bailey as Starscream also?

Couldn't help but laugh a little at the Leathel Weapon-esque introspective blues guitar soundtrack.
These are certainly peeking my interest to see how the show unfolds.

Starscream sounds like Frieza in a really smokey blues club.

Moonshot wrote:Starscream sounds like Frieza in a really smokey blues club.

More specifically, the GOOD Freeza voice.

Whoever's voicing Starscream in this is channeling Chris Latta, and I dig it.

Based on his speech, this Starscream is a more noble leader than his IDW counterpart, truly driven by and caring for the needs of his people, but then again, Starscream is an unreliable narrator. Good tease, though!

That Bot wrote:Whoever's voicing Starscream in this is channeling Chris Latta, and I dig it.

I wasn't expecting it to sound like Chris Latta, but the reason why I disliked it was to me it sounded nothing like him, or any other previous Starscream. Just kind of wimpy, generic. So far I am 2 up and 2 down.

Optimus & Victorion I was ok with. Megatron & Starscream, not so much. but I know Megs pretty much wont be in this, so no worries there.

Honestly, I kinda feel that this was the best of the three so far (though, compared to the other two, that's not saying much, admittedly), as it's a nice self-reflection piece that focuses primarily on the development of the character in question, how he's come a long way from how he used to be, having grown and matured from the ambitious schemer he once was into a burdened and more responsible bearer of leadership. Starscream always wanting to take over is something we've seen time and again, but the achievement of his lifelong goal actually opening his eyes to the reality of how taxing a leadership role can truly be is a good angle to use for the character to help him grow and mature as a person. He realizes that it's not all fun and games, and actually ponders if it was truly worth it, but chooses to stick to his guns and do what he must for the good of the planet of which he is now in charge. Good stuff.

I agree it was well written and shows some refreshing development of the character (though I do like the idea of Starscream being a sociopath and actually believing his own lies). But again the voice was just off...I'm sure in the series with full animation I'll be able to overlook it once its in context with the other characters.

It was a nice character piece for Starscream. I just wish the background music had been turned down a few more knotch's as I found it overpowered the monologue in a few places.

I just listened to the video (was at work so couldnt watch it) and the voice is perfectly fine for me. Sounds like Starscream jut a bit less high pitched which is perfectly fine for me.

I dont like that background music though, it was an odd mix with the tone.

o.supreme wrote:not liking the voice of Starscream

same here

2geewun4me

It sounds a very strange medium between G1 Starscream and TFP Starscream to me... and not one I personally enjoy.

It sounds like whoever did the background music, really really wanted it to be Shine on you Crazy Diamond, but Machinima couldn't get the rights to use it.

You know what Starscream's Voice is? It's G1's Tonation, but in the key of Prime Starscream

It reminds me most of Armada Starscream's voice minus that voice's constant "angry" tone and extra raspiness, and with more emotion added to it.

Sounds perfectly fine to me! I can see it being the voice of Starscream.

It's nice to see what Starscream does in his downtime..

Decepticon Stryker wrote:It's nice to see what Starscream does in his downtime..

Your so right its like going for a jog to clear your head!!

Kurona wrote:It sounds a very strange medium between G1 Starscream and TFP Starscream to me... and not one I personally enjoy.

You hit the nail, thats what I thought when I heard the voice!

From the Machinima Twitter account, we have a new clip to promote the arrival of Transformers: Combiner Wars - which starts airing on August 2nd on Go90 (for the US) - featuring Eric Calderon talking about the 'adult' focus of the series, and the changes since G1 in animation and story. Check it out below, along with a 360° Character design look at Starscream!

I like that the second video was only showing character designs. Its also strange because it looks like every time a company license Hasbro's IP they are redesigning/tweeking the characters. Starscreams chin/neck in that last drawing was not flattering.

Someone arrange for this man to sit Michael Bay down and explain Transformers to him !

sky_fire12 wrote:Someone arrange for this man to sit Michael Bay down and explain Transformers to him !

Maybe but cartoon series was no master piece as well look generation 1 how many times prime came back to life and look at other series rid, beast machines beast wars, armada Energon animated prime.

No matter how some fans look at it no transformers series is perfect and some transformers series does not make sense main thing I like about version they look realistic no CD player can fit into human pocket and become 25 foot alien robot g1 sound wave and blaster

dragons wrote:

sky_fire12 wrote:Someone arrange for this man to sit Michael Bay down and explain Transformers to him !

Maybe but cartoon series was no master piece as well look generation 1 how many times prime came back to life and look at other series rid, beast machines beast wars, armada Energon animated prime.

No matter how some fans look at it no transformers series is perfect and some transformers series does not make sense main thing I like about version they look realistic no CD player can fit into human pocket and become 25 foot alien robot g1 sound wave and blaster

I'm not entirely sure what your argument is here. No-one's saying anything prior was a masterpiece and we're not talking about those, and we're not really talking about realism. What are you trying to say?

sky_fire12 wrote:Someone arrange for this man to sit Michael Bay down and explain Transformers to him !

How about you explain to us what Transformers is in a unbias factual essay?

Deadput wrote:

sky_fire12 wrote:Someone arrange for this man to sit Michael Bay down and explain Transformers to him !

How about you explain to us what Transformers is in a unbias factual essay?

I wouldn't mind at all, but I would suggest you listen to what Eric said in the video, as I feel he understands what it means to be a fan whose grown up with the series and gives a perfect unbias perspective as to what the series means to a long time fan of the franchise and what we come to expect from it.

Personally I feel some of the G1 episodes still hold up today, my favorites being "Desertion of the dinobots" and "the ultimate doom". The latter had elements used up in dark of the moon, but was over shadowed with (and this is JUST me) a lot of unnecessary drama, while the transformers story was just there to fill in the action scenes.

Now lets take the most recent movie AOE, don't you think it wouldn't have made for a great connection to have had Optimus talk to Walberg's character while he was driving him and his family around and identify with how he also cares for his fellow Autobots just like the character cares for his family instead of drop them off and leave? that's just my unbias opinion for an example of a missed opportunity to flesh out a meaningful story line. However, if your head over heels for these movies and feel there's no room for improvement then power to ya

sky_fire12 wrote:

Deadput wrote:

sky_fire12 wrote:Someone arrange for this man to sit Michael Bay down and explain Transformers to him !

How about you explain to us what Transformers is in a unbias factual essay?

I wouldn't mind at all, but I would suggest you listen to what Eric said in the video, as I feel he understands what it means to be a fan whose grown up with the series and gives a perfect unbias perspective as to what the series means to a long time fan of the franchise and what we come to expect from it.

Personally I feel some of the G1 episodes still hold up today, my favorites being "Desertion of the dinobots" and "the ultimate doom". The latter had elements used up in dark of the moon, but was over shadowed with (and this is JUST me) a lot of unnecessary drama, while the transformers story was just there to fill in the action scenes.

That was one of my first thoughts upon seeing Dark of the Moon, but it also borrowed from the "Day of the Decepticons" with the autobots loading onto the shuttle to leave the planet.
Hell, Revenge of the Fallen borrowed the idea of it sun destroying weapon from "Changing Gears" solar needle weapon.

Why are we discussing the movies in a blatantly obvious, non-movie thread?

Is there a shortage of threads to discuss the movies in? Feel free to make a few more if there isn't. Just don't clutter up this thread with "ermagherd Michael Bay really doesn't understand Transformers" stuff.

I was hoping Starscream would be a little more Steve Blum. But it's pretty good regardless.

Dr Va'al wrote:

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I can't say I know much about embedding Twitter video but I'm fairly sure this isn't the right way:

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I like the explanation, anyway. It's how DC has seen such success with their more mature animated films.

Machinima released the Windblade prelude on their YouTube channel today:
http://youtu.be/xnGZ0BIoPOg

On this Tuesday afternoon, we bring to you the next round of the Prelude videos for the upcoming Combiner Wars show. This time, the video features Windblade, and she is not a happy camper in the slightest. Check out the video mirrored below, and you can check out the previous videos of Starscream, The Series Teaser, and Victorion.

Windblade, once an official 'City Speaker' to the gigantic 'Titans' is tired of the bureaucratic non-action of the Council, who seem to sit idly while her people and her cities on Caminus perish. She decides that the only way to end the Combiner Wars is to take matters into her own vengeful hands. The full series will be 8 episodes, coming to you Aug. 2!

Bit of a departure from her normal personality... hm. Not entirely sure I enjoy this; especially when the whole "I will get revenge" archetype has been done to death.

So she's a vengeful killer in this. huh. yeah, like Kurona said, far departure from what we've had so far. And we even got a peak at Devastator behind Menasor and Computron there. Wonder why those 2 keep getting the spotlight?

This just further indicates that this is its own little continuity. The Mistress would never abandon Caminus.

They... They turned Windblade into Arcee.

This is a bit weird, wonder why they changed her? Plus this isn't a great change to boot

So she's gonna kill all the titans?

BeastProwl wrote:So she's gonna kill all the titans?

Kill all the combiners unless you were joking...