Transformers Prime

I really like the designs, but I'm getting a similar feeling I got from the movies regarding the individual 'bots. That is, we don't really get a good sense of what they're like (Starscream aside).

I'm glad that Welker's toned down Meg's shrieky voice; his old one was raspy enough to make my throat hurt. Have a sip of water, guy!

And as as cute as the kids are, Miko is getting really annoying really fast. I hope she outgrows her putting-others-in-danger-by-putting-herself-in-danger phase A.S.A.P.

edited 15th Dec '10 6:35:03 PM by RTaco

Did you lot notice Soundwave clenching his fist after Starscream announces his ascension?

Wow, it's actually pretty good so far. I just finished the third episode.

I was hugely disappointed when Animated was canceled, but I'm glad that the show filling in its void is at least good.

The Good

• The writing at parts can be very clever; a lot of the humor is from the script. Beast Wars and Animated were both more visually funny, so it's an interesting change of pace.
• The tone is dark enough to be interesting, light enough for the kids.
• I was VERY skeptical of the visual designs at first. I liked the movies, I liked Animated, but the faces of some of the Transformers (Particularly Arcee and Megatron) looked a bit... Odd. Luckily, they look a LOT better in movement than in still images.
• The take on Soundwave made me giggle. It's unique, and not just "Loyal Megatron servant with monotone voice who turns into a boxy object."

The Bad

• Miko and Ralph really feel forced at times. Luckily, they're not as bad as some humans...
• The story feels "by the numbers" at times. It's like the ideal Transfan's plot... And as a result can be a bit bland.
• Cliffjumper really appealed to me as a character, despite being in only one scene. Did they really have to kill him off so early?
• Also, Cliffjumper zombie really crossed into narm at times. It had to be the voice; I just felt weird hearing that voice come out of that mouth.

Overall, I'd say the new show is okay; it doesn't feel as clever or natural as Animated's beginning did, but it's much better than Beast Wars' opening two-parter. Still, we'll have to wait to see if the rest of the show holds up to the first episodes; after all, a lot can change (Beast Wars Season 2, anyone?).

Well, I better finish the pilot!

edited 31st Dec '10 5:09:27 PM by Scardoll

Regarding Soundwave: You should check out the Marvel UK G1 comics. In there, he's quite the sneaky bastard who aims more for being the power behind the throne than always being loyal to Megatron. Indeed, a one point, he actually helps Shockwave overthrow Megatron on account of it being for the good of the Decepticons. (He's somewhat sneaky in the US stories as well, but gets much more time to shine in the UK stories).

Yeah, it's just that, in many fanboys' minds, Soundwave=Loyal and monotone.

Also, mandatory awesome picture.◊

...So, any info released on the upcoming season?

I think Skyquake may be showing up.

We have some tentative names for the upcoming episodes, with very broad descriptions here. I do hope that they continue with a myth arc using multi-part episodes instead of purely standalone episodes or have too strong of a myth arc that causes Continuity Lockout. I feel that when the continuity is too strong flaws in the story are more obvious.

First image of Skyquake.

Huh - is it just me, or is that CGI looking a little more detailed than it was in the miniseries?

The animation was hit and miss in certain places, but that was largely how the robots fit into their environment (ie the energon mines). The robots themselves were fairly good quality to begin with, and there is room for Art Evolution.

Yeah, I was just noting that if that's representative of the upcoming episodes (rather than just a dolled-up promo), we might be seeing a bit of Art Evolution.

Do you suppose we'll see some of the Autobot footsoldiers at some point?

I doubt it. It would even they playing field too much. Most times the Autobots are shown as the underdog as they don't usually have the numbers of the Decepticons. Even in G1 the Jets usually outnumbered the team on site.

Oddly enough, in Animated, it was the Autobots who had the numbers advantage (Although there were more Decepticons in A Bridge Too Close, obviously).

edited 4th Feb '11 11:13:41 PM by Scardoll

I did say most times. In Animated, however they didn't have the firepower of the Decepticons. Which made sense as they were a group of Robotic construction workers. Thus as always they were the underdogs.

Here's a large page on a bunch of stuff related to Prime, including toy pictures. The toys are looking pretty solid, they manage to have their own look instead of being simple modifications to the movie line. And it looks like the gritty Skyquake picture we saw was from his immediate unearthing, the promos for his fights give him a similar look to the other robots.

I do have to admit I am not fond of Starscreams' design in general, mostly the extremely pointed chin. It is obviously meant to fit with his new lankier body (which I find to be alright) but when he talks it kind of feels like the "Canadian half-head" from South Park, his chin almost detaches from the rest of his head.

WHAT DID YOU SAY ABOUT MY CHIN??!!

Related: The toys remind me of the Transformers Animated line, although hopefully these ones will have better quality control.

Is there a trailer?

GENTLEMEN, BEHOLD!

PART 2.

I'm liking this series a lot.

Must say, that was an impressively equal-opportunity allocation of awesome this episode. Fowler is one very credible Badass Normal.

Pity Skyquake ended up being Too Cool to Live, though.

I'm really liking this series so far, and God damn, Fowler is BADASS. He flies a fighter without a jump suit. It even looks like he doesn't have a freakin' parachute! I have no idea how he isn't affected by G forces, but whatever.

edited 13th Feb '11 12:15:49 AM by Nimitz

... middle-age padding?