Tuesday, October 21, 2008

Why Do You Like Transformers?

A no news day so thought I would post a query from Greg in Australia for the Transformer fans to answer (politely and kindly please). He has been asking for a while for a response and I just kept forgetting. I don't know it will help him but figure fans will enjoy giving their views on Transformers.
Hi, I hope you're doing well. My name's Greg Baxter and I'm from Australia. I came across your great Transformers blog. I'm writing as my classmate and I are researching and profiling the Transformers in my media course at school. Thanks so much for your time. I hope to hear from you.

Question 1. What made and still makes Transformers and the Transformers universe (preferably the comic, or the animated series), so unique and compelling to you, compared to other sci-fi, or sci-fi fantasy, that
you also admire ?

Question 2. Who are currently your 3 favorite Transformers
characters and please say why, for each one named ?

Sincerely,
Greg
Sadly I don't have a real good response to either question.
1. For me it was the toys that got me going. I have always just found the concept of a real world object turning into a robot to be cool. I like the engineering and creativity that doing something like that requires. From there the original G1 cartoon added a mythology that gave life to the characters in a classic battle of good versus evil that is fun to watch as a kid. As an adult looking at those cartoons they strike as simple and lacking depth but the love remains.

2. I never really developed favorites to be honest (it is probably why I have not been bothered by who does or does not show up in the movies). My liking them was based on more of whether the toy looked cool or not and not much to do with their roles in the cartoons. If forced to choose, I would go with the usual - Starscream (schemers are always fun), Megatron (unabashedly evil and doesn't care), and Optimus Prime (kind, noble, the best kind of leader).

Before people complain, I know, where is the news?!? As always, once there is some I will post it, this is just something to pass the time and for fun.

25 comments:

  1. I could stare at the TV or Movie screen for as long as I could, I could watch the explosioms and gunfiree and have any idea of the story line. For me Transformers were perfect. I did just that, sat and watched, in my head everything was exciting and awesome, but when somebody asked me who i liked i could'nt remember to save my life. (Only Optimus)

    When I was at work one night, I noticed they had the street blocked off at 2 in the morning and there were theser 2 black SUV's ripped in half under a bridge with huge spotlights. I knew they were filming something so I aked the cop, "What are they filming?" he said "Transformers!" I told him that that was going to be awesome and he told me "yea, if you're a f**kn nerd.....

    So here i am blogging about why i like transformers and misc stuff about them. Bottom line is - Transformers kicks ass!!! The cars are cool, the mechs are cool but my favorite part is watching them transform!

    Oh yea, i have pictures of them filming part 1 under the bridge with an old crappy camera...


    Uhh...Check this out, this should be posted on transformer websites everywhere!!!

    GettodeatH is on the left Jalcala97 is on the right...I have no Idea which TF that is, so it would be cool if people could tell me!!!

    http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v515/RealGettodeatH/PA190286.jpg


    Thanks,
    GettodeatH217

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  2. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  3. http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v515/RealGettodeatH/
    PA190286.jpg

    This is the link to the picture. I have no idea why it didnt work

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  4. Interesting questions.

    I like Transformers for a lot of the reasons the TFLive blogger does. The idea of cars, trucks, planes and other everyday machines turning into robots is awesome in my view. The toys were incredibly fun to play with, and the original cartoon series provided a great mythos. The longevity of Transformers through so many different media and incarnations is also a testament to the creative minds behind the mythology. I'm not just a fan of G1; I'm a big fan of Beast Wars, the live action movie and Transformers Animated.

    As for my three favorite TF's, I have to admit I've always been a huge fan of the Decepticons. They just seemed to have a bit more depth to them than the Autobots, who - apart from Sideswipe and Sunstreaker - were your classic, straight-laced heroes. Although I must admit that Optimus is one of the best sci-fi fantasy leaders ever. But back to my top three. They would be Starscream (the first TF toy I ever owned and a classic schemer); Soundwave (loved his alt mode, loved his voice and his minions); and Shockwave (the ultimate techno-villain: cold, calculating, ruthlessly efficient, and an awesome voice to boot).

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  5. hmm i always just thought the whole idea of cars/vehicles/objects transforming into robots was really cool...plus the characters looked pretty cool

    my fav has always been optimus from the start..as far the other 2? probly soundwave and starscream

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  6. I don't know why I like Transformers. Out of all of the other great cartoons in the 80's, it has been the only one with such staying power. I just remember how you couldn't bring any of your Transformers outside to play unless you had Six Shot.

    As for my favorite 3...hmmm, Optimus of course, Kup, and Rumble.

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  7. I echo the same thoughts. The idea that something so normal can transform into a robot is a win-win situation for me. A toy that is both a vehicle and a robot certainly appeals to the "I WANT IT ALL" nature of most boys and girls. And if it transforms, it appeals also to the puzzle-solving skills that we as children are hungry for.

    The shows only deepens the reasons for why we collect these things; it enhanced my love for them, gave them human personalities, and has given us "human reasoning" for what is right and wrong. Lessons learned by GI Joe and stuff, but as we joke about it now, you totally know what I mean when you're a kid and don't know any better.

    And so with that, we all essentially grew up with Transformers like it was our pet dog or cat. I can certainly believe that myself when i watched the Movie in 2007. It was like my favorite pet dog who died a long tmie ago came back to life! A slightly different way, but he was much better and so much cooler.

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  8. Transformers is everything any one could want. It has the god vs. evil thing, awesome characters, and random plot lines. You can watch the show and can see it all happening. You feel for the characters and their struggles. Like when Starscream was banished, when optimus died, when hot rod got the matrix, you feel their pain for some reason.
    my favourites afre optimus (i know but he is just so cool), jazz,again so cool, and starscream,who doesn't like some isiot who doesn't know he's an idiot. Wheelie comes into the list some where...

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  9. Take a property like Batman. Lets say a guy could somehow be wealthy enough to build all the gadgets, train and do what Batman does. If you assume all these things could happen, then add up every adventure of Batman ever written... Lets, see there have been what 800 issues of Detective comics? a similar number to Batman comics. lets say he's appeared in 1,000 "appearances" which include super friends, Justice League, every comic book crossover... THEN, Bruce Wayne would have to be at least a couple hundred years old. Oh, and not age through the entire process. This same logic applies to pretty much every super hero genre.

    I like Transformers because, no matter how many times the franchise is "reinvented" fans like me can still use their imagination to fit the various universes together into one super collosal story arc mythology, with various interpretations and events. There can be many different Optimus Prime personas, many different Hot Rod characters, etc. Doesn't bother me a bit. There is only 1 Cybertron and all of make-believe time to work within this mythology. Love it!

    I also like it because they're just robots, they can be badass, get ripped in half and still have the potential to come back swingin' in a later incarnation. It's also easy to separate reality from the fiction. Unlike GIJoe which I fear has the potential to glorify war, Transformers battles are easy for kids to discern as being make-believe.

    I also love that they are hands down the coolest toys in the world. No question about it, they're the best.

    Love the comics, love the cartoons, love the movies... I dig it all!

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  10. Unfortunately, I didn't exist when G1 first came out. I did see Beast Wars growing up but at that time I was more into animals which is why I tried to catch it early mornings before school.

    Later on I started enjoying sci-fi things more like aliens, space, mech type robots, Like ED209. Robots that didn't look human in any way.

    The main reason I got into Transformers was my boyfriend is a huge G1 fan. I'd watch some stuff with him but what truly got me into it is the movie because of the realism. Robots that looked like robots. That looked real.

    What keeps me so into Transformers is the pure sci-fi that it is. Not just robots, but HUGE robots... and ALIEN robots. Space and space travel. Other planets. The fact that they can transform is just epic.

    As for my favorites. Movie Starscream is my favorite. His design is really cool and he has that arrogant and cunning attitude without the whining and annoying parts from G1.

    I also like G1 Soundwave, Shockwave, and Wheeljack along with TFA Lugnut, Megatron, and Bulkhead.

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  11. Why I love Transformers?

    Transformers is a well constructed Cartoon , Comic and now Live action Movie series.

    The Transformer stories are amazing and well writen.

    watching the transformers was probably the highlight of the day for most young boys and girls.

    Also with the Toy Line it expanded the transformers world fun.

    With the toys you could create your own world! your own stories...

    The live action TRansformers movie, Gave us an insight of what the real world would look like if Transformers fell out of the sky and started war here on earth.

    If i had to choose a fave, it would be Ratchet and from Beast Wars Rinox, I guess i tend to back up the Medic types. lol

    anyways, I like this kind of posts.. Its a change from the norm..

    still I'm always checking for news..

    peace out..

    luv this blog!

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  12. I love the idea of ANY vehicle being a transformer.
    My all time fave is movie style Starscream, cause he cause more about the cybertronian race than neccasarily the allspark. Next, Shockwave,beacuse he's the the ultimate mad scientist. And finally, movie-verse Barricade, cause he's just a conniving bastard!!

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  13. Oh I forgot to mention my fav TFs:

    I know everyone loves Bumblebee, but actually, he's not my favorite at all.

    Surprisingly, it's always been Devastator, Grimlock, Metroplex, and Fortress Maximus. I dunno why, I just never really had anything for Optimus, Megatron, or most of the other popular guys.

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  14. Hi Greg, and hi everyone! Let's see, let's see...these are simple questions, but the answers are not so simple...

    1. For me, the Transformers helped form my personal view of the Universe; the first views I had of good vs. evil, loyalty vs. treason, friends vs. enemies, were all formed based on what I "learned" from watching the show. I've always loved technology, robotics, and outer space, and I suspect that a lot of that love was also influenced by Transformers. Even now, even though I've grown up (and working at NASA!), I'm still completely and utterly dedicated to Transformers. Perhaps it's the possibility that a benevolent race of sentient robots like the Autobots may actually be out there somewhere, watching, waiting, and protecting, or maybe it's the possibility that humanity will rise up and unite against a common threat like the Decepticons, and through our unison develop a greater understanding of and respect for each other. :)

    Once an Autobot, ALWAYS an Autobot!

    2. As for my three favorite Transformers, I've pretty much had three who have been my favorites for quite some time:

    1) Optimus Prime (don't pretend you didn't see this coming): he's the "perfect" leader - charismatic, understanding, fair, open-minded...but he's also not afraid to hand someone his aft on a silver plate if they deserve it. Tough through and through, but still empathic and compassionate, not to mention downright sexy no matter what form he takes.

    2)Chromia: okay, she might be Ironhide's femme, but a lot of the fanfiction released on her is just downright awesome - she's a no-nonsense gal, who's just as trigger-happy as her sparkmate...and who doesn't take slag from ANYBODY, not even her sparkmate! Tough spark, tough femme!

    3) The Twins Sunstreaker and Sideswipe: I know they're two Autobots, but to me they're sort of a single entity...after all, they effectively have the same spark...just split in two. I like how opposite they can be: the one a violent sociopath and the other one a grinning prankster, but both incredible fighters not unable to relate to the little guy. I'm also crazy about the fact that a lot of canon developed to explain them...and explained a lot about Transformers in general, and about what life BEFORE the Great War was like.

    Hope this answers you questions! TF2 - 06/26/09!
    AUTOBOTS FOREVER!

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  15. The best way I can describe Transformers for me is what Orson Welles' character in Citizen Kane felt about his sled Rosebud. I find it so friggin nostalgic because it brings back to a time when I was a kid and wasn't stressed out by the daily grind that I go through now. Those were the good ol happy days, and I still get stoked when I see an old episode on Ytv or something

    As for my favs, I have to put Optimus and Megs for sure, but my all time favorite was always Dinobot from Beast Wars

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  16. Good luck getting a job Greg

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  17. also, transformers the movie changed my life. those fucking oscar snoots can have their citizen kane and godfather part III, but we all know tf:tm is perfection in movie-making. The story. The character development. The score. That one part where Unicron is all "you underestimate me galvatron" - FUCK YES.

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  18. 1.THE FIRST TIME I SAE A TRANSFORMER CARTOON WAS A BEASTWAR CARTOON I USE TO WATCH IT EVER SATERDAY AFTER THAT FORGOT ALL ABOUT TRANSFORMER UNTIL RECENTLY THEN STARTED TO GET REALLY INTO IT I JUST LIKE THE IDEA OF CARS,TRUCKS,PLAN,ETC TURNING INTO ROBOTS1.

    2.MY THREE FAVORITE TRANSFORMER IS
    JAZZ CAUSE HE HAVE A COOL VOICE AND HE WERE VISORE AND I QUESS HE BLACK CAUSE IM BLACK LOL
    SECIND ONE BEING STARSCREAM I JUST LIKE IS ATTATUID AND LOOK IN THE CARTOON AND THE MOVIE MINUSE THE CHICKEN LEGS AND FACE AND HE STAND OUT CAUSE I NEVER SEE A CARTOON WERE THE BAD GUY GOES AGAINST HIS LEADER
    THIRD BEING SOUNDWAVE CAUSE I LIKE HIS VOICE AND HE TRANSFORM INTO A TAPE DECK IT DIFFRENT FROM CARS AND PLANS

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  19. some pepl think juz because they're writting with CAPS LOCK they seem smarter or just want to stand out stupidly.
    Plz, learn how to write before you write anything in this blog

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  20. yes please teach us the wonders of the english language.

    PROTIP: "pepl", "juz" and "writting" are not words

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  21. "yes please teach us the wonders of the english language.

    PROTIP: "pepl", "juz" and "writting" are not words"

    Dude, chill, u r no foon at all...

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  22. Oh wow. Where to start? Let me begin by saying I have always been an odd ball since I, as a girl, never liked Barbie dolls (I popped the heads off of my sisters' dolls. lol) and I was always with my big brother when he was watching boy shows like Power Rangers, GI Joe, etc. We never watched Transformers on TV though, because he and I were die hard against Beast wars, which was the series that was out at the time. We ONLY watched G1. VHS tapes were totally kickin'. I myself loved the story lines, and I have always been pretty into cars, so the fact that you have giant, alien robots that transform into awesome vehicles is a pretty fantastic win for me. I love science fiction, but sometimes it really irritates me with how ridiculous the plots get. One of the best things about Transformers is that, even though the plots and 'facts' presented may be ridiculous, they always managed to make it seem totally plausible.

    As for my favourites, I would have to say Sunstreaker, Prowl, and Starscream. Who couldn't have a soft spot for the psychotic egotist, the overly logical tactition with a 'heart' deep down inside, and the bad-boy scientist who transforms into an F-15 Eagle?!

    It was hard for me to chose just three fav's, though. I would list why I love each and every one of my favourites, but I fear this comment has already become rather wordy.

    I would leave this off with a line like 'Till all are one,' but that would be too cliche.
    How about something a little more kinky?

    "To Punish and Enslave!"

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  23. to MoonblazerX, total agreement. with everything. i think the femmes don't get enough credit and that it would be nice to see them again. what is better than a bunch females fighting shockwave?
    oh, and optimus defenitly sexy...

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  24. Thanks anonymous! The femmes are totally awesome, and definitely need more comic/screen time! I'm so psyched that Arcee will be in this movie, and apparently badass too! And YES, Optimus is SO sexy, not to mention the Twins (double the fun, lol), Jazz, Bumblebee, and Jetfire! Even Prowl from Animated is sexy, lol!

    Primus, I totally agree with lambo_lover! I have so many faves (all Autobots!) that I could easily fill a few encyclopedia volumes with the reasons behind each and every one!

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  25. I love transformers for many of the same reasons that the others commenting do. First, the toys were the coolest toys ever. Second, how awesome would it be if your car suddenly transformed into a robot to wage war with other robots? Third, it captured my imagination when I was a kid and still does to this day.

    It is hard to pick 3 favorites, so I will pick 3 from both sides (from G1).

    Autobots:
    Optimus (duh)
    Grimlock
    Mirage

    Decepticons:
    Megatron
    Starscream
    Soundwave

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