Review of Transformers: EarthSpark Episode 1-2 Secret Legacy
The show wastes no time getting the ball rolling. Within just a few minutes, we are introduced to the main characters and their bond to this strange new breed of Transformers which were formed in a cave thanks to the Emberstone from Quintus Prime. Now, yes, that is one hell of a deep cut, but what I like best is that since the show is clearly aimed at kids and not fans, this reference is not meant for fans but rather the writers using elements from the lore of the past 35 years and introducing it to a new generation of fans.
While many elements of the show will feel familiar, the take presented here is a new one. All the Transformers media we have experienced in the real world are in this show as well BUT in that world they are fictional retellings of what really happened. So you will get nods to the G1 show, IDW comics and loads of Transformers merchandise. This puts a new dymanic here that we haven't seen for years where it's not about robots in disguise but robots living among us and Transformers being seen like the Avengers in the MCU. This media is referenced when showing the new Transformers what they are. We soon get an idea of the conflict at hand where you have a human threat, Mandroid, capturing Cybertronians (specifically Decepticons) to experiment and learn more about their technology and how he can use it. The two parter ends with a showdown against Mandroid and his brainwashed Decepticons.
This leads me to talk about the action: it is excellent. While I am not a fan of some of the human characterizations, the action is what really impressed me. The fights among the bots feels fluid and dynamic, more so than anything I've ever seen in a live action film. We see lots of transformations too and it's incorporated into the fighting. We get to see Megatron in action and I am happy to report that while he is working with humans here, he still felt very much like Megatron to me, not neutered. His personality will feel very familiar to anyone who read the IDW comics, but of course remember that this is within a kids' show so the tone is levelled to that effect.
As for voice work, everything felt fine. I am impressed with Alan Tudyk's Optimus Prime since he aces that difficult balance of having a familiar Optimus Prime voice without it being an imitation of Peter Cullen. Also, regarding Optimus, it seemed at first like they were reusing the Evergreen design but seeing the character model in action it is a new take on it. I especially like how we can see he is a long nose truck in bot mode, with the nose adding a tapered effect to his abdomen where the grill is. Incorporations of the alt mode like that is found across the character models, which is always welcome from me, like seeing the car doors on Elita's shins and all the Transformations look well thought out.
Overall, I like everything concerning the bots in terms of action, designs, personality and story. I am not a fan of the characterizations for some of the human characters (especially the older kid) but it wasn't enough to be a turnoff from the show as a whole. I am glad the show is around and I see it creating new young fans.
