Transformers Script Review!!!

[Dark_Convoy]

http://latinoreview.com/scriptreview.php?id=25

:eek:


(found this at the allspark)

[Dark Prime]

If it's true, wow! I'm surprised it he's giving it an A+ but I do welcome it. I'm still concerned they have the "energon cube" in it and hope that its name changes.

[Ktulu]

"The Energon Cube" thing is strange to me too. Anyway, if it's true, great. I still refuse to have an opinion of my own though. I'll just wait til I see the damn thing.

Thanks for posting, DC.

[llamatron]

Yeah, that's some crazy stuff right there. Vortex going postal sounds pretty sweet.

[NotoriousBIC]

Scorponok's actually a part of Vortex!?
Skorponok disengages from Vortex’s back and goes on the hunt for Lennox, Epps, Fig, Donnelly and the other soldiers!

:eek:

[Backscatter]

A 4.5' Boombox Soundwave? Oh well. Mass shifting did have it's merits. ;-) I wonder how the reviewer got this material?

[Laser_Optimus]

If this is the real thing (or the real thing is as good or better) I don't think people have anything to worry about. :thumb

[Weirdwolf]

This sounds soooo cool. I don't want to read any more, because I don't want to spoil the movie...

[NIDARAM12]

I swear this is the same site that had the early Batman Begins review.... and the script review of the Halo movie back when it was making its rounds...

I think they are legit but I can't remember.

[Shaun_C]

I don't want to read any more, because I don't want to spoil the movie...

I kind of quickly glanced over it myself.As like you I don't want to spoil myself.

Hell there's even a chance that what's in THIS script might not be in the movie in it's entirety.

But if this script is accurate,then maybe this'll quiet the general fandom down in regards to the rampant forcasts of doom

[Josh]

didnt michael bay mention something about fake scripts and all that jazz???

*needs a finger up nose icon*

[NIDARAM12]

I still think the Energon Cube is just code for the Matrix. I hate to nitpick but they have to know that we are going to be wondering why there is only ONE Energon Cube when in the show they made them every day like pancakes.

[firebolt]

anyone get the feeling that vortex is really going to be soundwave
1 early on we heard he was going to be a helicopter
2 scorponok detaches from him
3 he is hacking into the military's computer

[Mexi-Con]

anyone get the feeling that vortex is really going to be soundwave
1 early on we heard he was going to be a helicopter
2 scorponok detaches from him
3 he is hacking into the military's computer

Ahh yesss. You make some valid points!

[Ger_Hankey]

Hmm.. taking this one with a bit of salt. For a bloke who reviews things for a living, he really has trouble staying on subject...
His journalism skills are whack!!

P.S. Whoo Hoo!! 100 Posts!!!

[Dio]

I saw something in there about Digital Domain being behind special effects? We had heard ILM up to this point, I'm curious why they weren't mentioned.

[Akumaxv]

anyone get the feeling that vortex is really going to be soundwave
1 early on we heard he was going to be a helicopter
2 scorponok detaches from him
3 he is hacking into the military's computer

Somehow, I firmly believe that's exactly what's going to happen. I seriously doubt they'll take the comminucations specialists that has minions that detach from him and not call him Soundwave. Unless of course they're just crazy and want to piss off the fans.

That would keep the whole mass shifting thing out of the way with Soundwave and get him updated. Sorry, but 4 foot boombox and tape cassettes make zero sense in this day and age. Maybe if this movie was Do the Right Thing meets Transformers.

That opening scene sounds alot like the one from the Dreamwave comic where they find Soundwave in the ice.

So far, I'm not too worried. Just hoping Bay doesn't turn this into a slow motion American Flag waving crapfest (I love America, but Armageddon and Bad Boys was full if this nonsense) and just gives us robots blowing up the $hit out of things.

If they're not destroying things and not killing humans, this might as well be the cartoon.

This is coming from a diehard Geewunner mind you.

[Night Flame]

Good grief. I feel positively arrogant about my writing skills after reading that. If I read the word "wack" one more time today my head will explode.

That said, a four foot and some change Soundwave rocks the house. Seriously, that's pure awesomeness. I don't care how many of the hard-core will cry about it.

I had to give up not long after reading that. I just couldn't take any more of the hip-hop-isms in print.

[Zero Prime]

The script coverage sounds good to me. I do like the idea of Soundwave being the helicopter better though.

[toma]

sounds very nice. glad to see sucre has a big role hehehe

[NotFastEnuff]

Okay, guess I read too much. Spike has a dog...:rolleyes2 What the hell is that? I'll only be happy if a bot steps on it. I'm sorry, I'm not a hater of animals, but they have their place in movies, and it's not this one. WHY!?!?!?!

[DeathscytheFish]

Does anybody else think that if Vortex ends up being soundwave, that scorponok is really code for RAVAGE or one of his other bots?

Also, if Bumblebee truly is what they say he is in the script, I will literally find whoever approved that and murder them by running them over repeatedly with a VW Bug.

[mattjy]

Well it all sounds cool to me. I don't even care that the helicopter that has minions might not be soundwave, and that the boombox is a midget. After all it isn't meant to be G1 as it was, it just takes its inspiration from that era rather than RID/Armarda/Energon/Cybertron.

And I wish people would stop crying about Bumblebee not being a beetle (wow, just realised those are two different insects!), as long as he's yellow and has the same personality, does it really matter exactly which car model and make he is?

[Autobus Prime]

Okay, guess I read too much. Spike has a dog...:rolleyes2 What the hell is that? I'll only be happy if a bot steps on it. I'm sorry, I'm not a hater of animals, but they have their place in movies, and it's not this one. WHY!?!?!?!

NFE:

Huh? I don't get it. Dogs are "Man's best friend", after all. Och, don't folks keep pets where you coom from?

[peteynorth]

My guess at Michael Bay's Rosetta Stone:

Energon Cube = Creation Matrix
Devastator = Bludgeon (character isn't popular enough to make it in the movies, but the name is too bad ass not to include, and the name and alt mode fit)
Bonecrusher = If he lives, Bonecrusher; if he dies, Stonecruncher - I see gestalts definitely playing a role in the sequels
Vortex = Soundwave (smaller TF's attach and detach, audio shriek, accessing military databases...)
Brawl = Runamouk (More appropriate name/alt mode, and like with Bludgeon, little chance of true G1 character popping up in movies so a good redshirt)
Skorponok = Well, probably Skorponok. But instead of a city bot, he's now a minion of Soundwave
Soundwave = Rumble or Frenzy...it's 4'6" for crying out loud


I'm very pleased by this review, though this is the first time I've read anything from this reviewer, and he seems to admit that almost everything he reviews gets a good grade, though his explanation that he simply doesn't bother grading scripts he dislikes is a bit reassuring. But everything about his review indicated he had his shit together; spelling and grammar were perfect from what I could tell, which is a rarety for internet movie nuts, he whet appetites and gave a good feel without blowing any major news or plotpoints, and despite his hard on for TF's and other 80's toys, he seemed fairly objective. I'm becoming less cautious about my optimism.

[fosterlager]

Maybe the dog can play basketball, like in "Air Bud."

[Tenebrouser]

If the script is what he says it is, then I think it looks cool.

[Brave Magnus]

The Matrix is on Earth????? Wow! :rock I can't wait to see a teaser, a trailer will be great but the teaser comes first.

[peteynorth]

What's the problem with Spi...Sam having a dog? Yeah, if the dog is with Spi...Sam everywhere he goes, that could be gay. But for all we know it's simply a case of the kid owning a dog, maybe the dog growling at his new car, which causes the kid to inspect a little too closely, and suddenly Bumblebee is discovered and is in a position where he has to transform and confide in the boy, all while the little dog is yapping his brains out. Which might actually be what happens, as according to the Antarctic scene, dogs can sense Cybertronians.

[Autobus Prime]

My guess at Michael Bay's Rosetta Stone:

Brawl = Runamuck


PN:

Hmm...Decepticon or not, I can't shake the idea that Brawl is going to be named Prowl.

I'll bet 5 shanix the 4-foot boombox will be named Rumble.

[Sy-Rein]

My guess at Michael Bay's Rosetta Stone:

Energon Cube = Creation Matrix
Vortex = Soundwave (smaller TF's attach and detach, audio shriek, accessing military databases...)
Skorponok = Well, probably Skorponok. But instead of a city bot, he's now a minion of Soundwave
Soundwave = Rumble or Frenzy...it's 4'6" for crying out loud

I had the same thoughts. I could see Soundwave being the 'copter what with his 'minions' and even Skorponok (like someone else mentioned) being actually Ravage. I think the 'boombox' would suit Rumble or Frenzy just fine, now how he would tie into Soundwave would be something that I'm not sure about. But it still makes sense for him to be the 4' tall robot.

[Backscatter]

. . . dogs can sense Cybertronians.

woof

:lol

[Brodimus Prime]

Sounds good. Pretty much what I expected. If it's legit, barring a couple of name changes, it should be good. My only concerns are:

1. Energon Cube (I thought they said they might get away with calling it the Creation Matrix. Here's hoping.)

2. 4.5 ft. tall Soundwave (It would be kind of sad to see him pretty much be turned into Rumble rather than the badass he is.)

Other than that, I like it. Makes sense for Spike's real name to be Sam, I think. Still hoping they change Mikaela's name to Carly.

[Golden Age]

eh.

[ManziG]

I stopped reading after "BUMBLEBEE (camaro)"

[Superion33]

anyone get the feeling that vortex is really going to be soundwave
1 early on we heard he was going to be a helicopter
2 scorponok detaches from him
3 he is hacking into the military's computer

According to this script, Soundwave is a 4 foot tall boombox? I'd prefer Soundwave to be the helicopter as he is one of the 5 highest ranked Decepticons.

"And I wish people would stop crying about Bumblebee not being a beetle (wow, just realised those are two different insects!), as long as he's yellow and has the same personality, does it really matter exactly which car model and make he is?"

It kinda matters, I mean you couldn't imagine Optimus Prime as a VW Golf. Or Ironhide as a Prius. Cars have characteristics too. The Camaro is a muscle car. Bumblebee is known for his moxie, courage, ad spirit. Not really synonymous with the Camaro as that is known more for power and strength.

Good grief. I feel positively arrogant about my writing skills after reading that. If I read the word "wack" one more time today my head will explode.

That said, a four foot and some change Soundwave rocks the house. Seriously, that's pure awesomeness. I don't care how many of the hard-core will cry about it.

I had to give up not long after reading that. I just couldn't take any more of the hip-hop-isms in print.

Yo, yo, yo G, how you be playin me jigga? Oh, snap! You done gone off and had to diss on gangsta talk. Fo shizzle, holmes, best rekonize fore yo ass gets clowned.

Verily, canst thou abdicate a prosaic tongue for everyone? Thine posters hail from varied backgrounds. Forsooth, it would behoove us to embrace it forthwith.

[dakroland]

One more argument for the "Vortex is Soundwave crowd", is this quote...

At the loading bay, the bogey lets out a loud shriek, disables all the radar and computers, transforms into the Decepticon VORTEX and attacks the base!

I'd have to say the Helicoptor is definitely Soundwave.

Overall, if this is legit, I may very well take the day off and spend it in the movie theater watching the movie over and over again. Call it my "Transformers Holiday". ;-)

[P0P007]

Orale vato! Latino review was bomb meng! Asi me gusta, esta cabron! Transformers por vida hasta la muerte vato!~

[peteynorth]

The guy used some slang...big F'n deal. I'm by no means an English professor, but I've seen a hell of a lot worse on the web, sometimes even in articles off of the AP.

[llamatron]

Current rumours from supposed 'inside' sources say that...

...Vortex was originally called Soundwave, but then changed to Vortex and has now been changed to "Incinerator."

...the 4 foot boombox is Soundwave and he gets decapitated twice through the film (once by Sam's girl).

...Bumblebee can't talk at all during the film as his voice box has been damaged during a previous fight. He communicates by using songs on the radio.

...Most of the Decepticons don't talk at all.

[Valkysas]

...Bumblebee can't talk at all during the film as his voice box has been damaged during a previous fight. He communicates by using songs on the radio.

...GAY.

:p

[Akumaxv]

I had the same thoughts. I could see Soundwave being the 'copter what with his 'minions' and even Skorponok (like someone else mentioned) being actually Ravage. I think the 'boombox' would suit Rumble or Frenzy just fine, now how he would tie into Soundwave would be something that I'm not sure about. But it still makes sense for him to be the 4' tall robot.

I think Rumble as the "boobmbox" or some type of large radio system would make more sense. It may not go along with G1, but he doesn't need to be one of Soundwaves minions.

Come to think of it, if the script mentions that "Soundwave" is on board the plane with the President, who's to say he's a "boombox" in the sense we perceive it. He may be a communication module of some sort that plugs in. That way, he could plug into "Helicopter Soundwave", and still serve as a minion, much like *Scorponok* is.

[Superion33]

...Bumblebee can't talk at all during the film as his voice box has been damaged during a previous fight. He communicates by using songs on the radio.

Ok, that'd be gay.

Prime "Bumblebee, we'll have to leave you here to guard this outpost"

Bumblebee plays "Bye, bye, bye" from N'Sync


Jazz "Wow, that was one crazy batle"

Bumblebee plays "Livin la vida loca" by Ricky Martin



Rumbe talking smack to Bumblebee

Bumblebee plays "get back" by Ludacris

That'd be completely stupid. It'd be kinda like that annoying guy on Police Academy who made those weird noises with his mouth.

[Akumaxv]

Current rumours from supposed 'inside' sources say that...

...Vortex was originally called Soundwave, but then changed to Vortex and has now been changed to "Incinerator."

...the 4 foot boombox is Soundwave and he gets decapitated twice through the film (once by Sam's girl).

...Bumblebee can't talk at all during the film as his voice box has been damaged during a previous fight. He communicates by using songs on the radio.

...Most of the Decepticons don't talk at all.

Seriously, calling him Soundwave would make infinately more sense. That would please the fans, since it goes along with his abilities, and please those that want a TRUE update to the characters.

If the "decapitation" is part of the supposed funny moments in the film, then I pray for this film.

If that part about Bumblebee only communicating through songs on the radio is remotely true, I will pray for this film, then switch my religion and pray to an entirely different diety.

And finally, if most of the Decepticons don't talk at all, then no amount of prayer in this world will help this film....

[Superman_Alpha]

some folks really need to take a step back and remember that this is a movie about toy robots sold in 1984, and stop treating it so seriously.

[Superion33]

I would think that honoring Soundwave would be to make him the helicopter not some midget robot that is the comic relief. Soundwave is an elite Decepticon, making him something stupid as a boombox would be a slap in the face. Soundwave is a "Communications Officer" or something. What in that title states he has to be a small music player? This is one instance where I hope they take creative leeway with Soundwave. He is by far my favorite Decepticon. Please bring back that eerie monotone!

[NIDARAM12]

I stopped reading after "BUMBLEBEE (camaro)"

Thats all it takes? Honestly a Beetle makes for a crappy transformer its only so big and Bumblebee had alot of anime magic to make those big legs and arms come out of nowhere.

"It kinda matters, I mean you couldn't imagine Optimus Prime as a VW Golf. Or Ironhide as a Prius. Cars have characteristics too. The Camaro is a muscle car. Bumblebee is known for his moxie, courage, ad spirit. Not really synonymous with the Camaro as that is known more for power and strength."

I understand that the Camaro isn't as cutesy as a bug but the other examples are too different imo. Bumblebee is still a car. Its more like, if Optimus went from a flat semi to one with a "nose," or if Ironhide went from a big van to an SUV. Who says Bumblebee always has to be a bug, too? He is one of the only classic Transformers to NOT be homaged or redesigned or featured in any of the toylines in years, and it would be cool to finally see a new take on him, perhaps making him a little "cooler."

I dunno

[Crimson87]

My pick
Code = Real

Vortex = Soundwave
Scorponok in this interview = Ravage
Soundwave = Rumble
Devastator = Blitzwing
Scorponok from previous Bay inteview w/concept art of scorpion = Scorponok

Brawl = Rumamuck, or soon to flip side Prowl.

Bonecrusher = No clue. Useless minion for freebee death?

[Primus]

I understand that the Camaro isn't as cutesy as a bug but the other examples are too different imo. Bumblebee is still a car. Its more like, if Optimus went from a flat semi to one with a "nose," or if Ironhide went from a big van to an SUV. Who says Bumblebee always has to be a bug, too? He is one of the only classic Transformers to NOT be homaged or redesigned or featured in any of the toylines in years, and it would be cool to finally see a new take on him, perhaps making him a little "cooler."

I dunno

I agree. I could see this as bumblebee.....

http://img315.imageshack.us/img315/3489/bb7he.th.jpg (http://img315.imageshack.us/my.php?image=bb7he.jpg)

[Gryph]

If Vortex really is soundwave, that would make scorpinok either Rumble or Frenzy.

Also, if the boombox transforms (and isn't just an easteregg). Maybe it's actually Laserbeak. He was always the one who did that infiltration stuff anyway.

[rattrap007]

I'm tempted to read that, but i don't want to ruin anything.

[Superion33]

Thats all it takes? Honestly a Beetle makes for a crappy transformer its only so big and Bumblebee had alot of anime magic to make those big legs and arms come out of nowhere.

"It kinda matters, I mean you couldn't imagine Optimus Prime as a VW Golf. Or Ironhide as a Prius. Cars have characteristics too. The Camaro is a muscle car. Bumblebee is known for his moxie, courage, ad spirit. Not really synonymous with the Camaro as that is known more for power and strength."

I understand that the Camaro isn't as cutesy as a bug but the other examples are too different imo. Bumblebee is still a car. Its more like, if Optimus went from a flat semi to one with a "nose," or if Ironhide went from a big van to an SUV. Who says Bumblebee always has to be a bug, too? He is one of the only classic Transformers to NOT be homaged or redesigned or featured in any of the toylines in years, and it would be cool to finally see a new take on him, perhaps making him a little "cooler."

I dunno


Who said that Bumblebee HAD to be a VW Beetle. I just think the Camaro is a crappy choice for one of the most memorable Transformers. The Audi TT is a good choice. Mini Cooper, Honda Civic, Nissan Sentra, etc are all good choices. Anyways, teens these days buy the Lancers, Civics, and Sentras as they are cheap, reliable, and good to mod. Sam could even buy a Ford Focus.

To put it another way, it'd be like me making Sunstreaker a Toyota Yaris. Totally doesn't fit his attitude.

[Jetplague]

Who said that Bumblebee HAD to be a VW Beetle. I just think the Camaro is a crappy choice for one of the most memorable Transformers. The Audi TT is a good choice. Mini Cooper, Honda Civic, Nissan Sentra, etc are all good choices. Anyways, teens these days buy the Lancers, Civics, and Sentras as they are cheap, reliable, and good to mod. Sam could even buy a Ford Focus.

To put it another way, it'd be like me making Sunstreaker a Toyota Yaris. Totally doesn't fit his attitude.

I'm betting this is sooooo NOT the script. Come on...you seriously expect me to believe a guy got his hands on the real draft of it? Michael Bay has gone to extreme lengths to keep this film under tight secuirty....and this twit here has his hands on the "real" thing. Hate to break it to you all...but it's a...FAKE! Probably a dummy script they have just incase a moron like this comes to review for the rest of the world to know and ruin. In fact...this sort of thing has happened before. Star Trek Nemesis had a fake script that got reviewed and was completely different then the real movie itself. But the fake script at least sounded better.

I don't buy into the Energon Cube (That is a fake name for it) some how is hurled to Earth buy unknown reasons...cause that just sounds so utterly stupid. And there's not near enough mention on how many Autobots are in the film....did we count the Decepticons compared to the Autobots?? A little one sided don't ya think? Don Murphy said there was going to be the same number on both sides eventhough they're won't be that many.

I'm not buying into this report at all. They wouldn't have gone to all this lenght to keep the project under close wraps only to have this guy discover the script so he could spill the beans. :horse:

[Ghost Rider]

The guy used some slang...big F'n deal. I'm by no means an English professor, but I've seen a hell of a lot worse on the web, sometimes even in articles off of the AP.

lol, i am an english teacher and i don't mind it. hell, a big part of being a writer is knowing your audience


ps
after grading countless student essays, my spelling and grammar are destroyed

[Acid Wing]

Bleh. Doubt it's the final script.

[Jon Heird]

For the above that didn't read everything;

The guy says that this is an earlier draft. Not the final script. There are changes from this one to the script that is the official one that Jon Voigt read the other day with a security guard standing over his shoulder to take it back.

I've read his reviews in the past, and he's pretty spot on. You have to understand that in this industry, no matter how tight of wraps that Bay and Company try and keep things under, something ALWAYS gets leaked. I mean, look at Takara and Hasbro. Huge companies with security and failsafe measures to ensure things don't walk out the door, yet I can look across the room at my prototype collection.

Example:
One of the script writters has a best friend and BEGS him to let him see the script as he was an avid fan in the 80's. The script writter agrees, only if he swears on his life he won't tell anyone. Perhaps it gets left alone for a few hours and it gets scanned, or the script writter gives an earlier draft he has lying around. It gets passed from one person to another.

Point being, until Murphy or Bay come out and say that the review is garbage and they promise the price of admission that none of those things will appear on our screens next year, I'll treat it as real.

[Ultimus Prime]

If that's the early draft, the final one must be amazing!

[butz]

I have serious doubts that its real (or at least not final).

[ErikB]

from what i've seen this is the most believable thing i've read. It fits all the typical movie tricks to apeal to all viewers, and has some nice movie scenes only a movie writer or a scrif junkie could make up. This guys site was more or less dead on on everything else, this, as much as i would like to shoot it down, seems to be a very close deal.

[Quintesson #1]

Scorponok/Vortex kinda sounds like Battletrap, but then two robots one vehicle. >.>

[Shipwreck]

I hope Scorp is a Soundwave type bot and not a Minicon.

[Somebody]

Current rumours from supposed 'inside' sources say that...

...Vortex was originally called Soundwave, but then changed to Vortex and has now been changed to "Incinerator."

...the 4 foot boombox is Soundwave and he gets decapitated twice through the film (once by Sam's girl).
So Incinerator is Soundwave and Soundwave is Waspinator? :)

[Antz]

Forgive me if I'm mistaken, but didn't Bay say in his interview that Bumblebee was going to be a VW?

[Infosaur]

I'm just getting a vision of Rumble walking though Air Force One, causing havok and mouthing off to the president.

,,,with John Leguzamo doing the voice. :stick:

[Cheetatron]

I'm just getting a vision of Rumble walking though Air Force One, causing havok and mouthing off to the president.

,,,with John Leguzamo doing the voice. :stick:LOL that sounds pretty funny actually.

[The Madness]

Forgive me if I'm mistaken, but didn't Bay say in his interview that Bumblebee was going to be a VW?

The 'Aint it cool one?
He was refered to as a yellow 70's type vehicle, it was intentionally missleading, but never mentioned VW.

[Kickback]

I'd be very happy if that script is close to the final one.

[Nitroquake]

Sounds good so far was'nt expecting SoundWave on Air Force One. I think the biggest question is What will Megatron Vehicle form be?


...Bumblebee can't talk at all during the film as his voice box has been damaged during a previous fight. He communicates by using songs on the radio.


So what would he be saying is he sung Madonna song Like a Virgin.

[Cheetatron]

I'd be very happy if that script is close to the final one.Its 3 months old.

[Nevermore]

From what I understand, the helicopter was originally meant to be Soundwave, but the folks at the Don Murphy boards screamed blood and murder, so he was changed into Vortex and a boombox Soundwave was added, but the DM.net gang didn't like that either, so his name might be changed to "Soundbyte".

That's what happens if too many fans get too much input.

[Josh]

stupid fans

soundwave helicoptor pwns the hell out of "soundbyte"

[Feralstorm]

... Which just goes to prove that the only thing worse than not getting what you want is getting it. :)

Anyway, the movie should be at least interesting, though I'm trying to avoid knowing everything about the movie before I see it.

[Cheetatron]

stupid fans

soundwave helicoptor pwns the hell out of "soundbyte"It pwns the hell out of the old mass shifting soundwave as well. A comanche SW would have kicked so much ass.

[Ger_Hankey]

From what I understand, the helicopter was originally meant to be Soundwave, but the folks at the Don Murphy boards screamed blood and murder, so he was changed into Vortex and a boombox Soundwave was added, but the DM.net gang didn't like that either, so his name might be changed to "Soundbyte".

That's what happens if too many fans get too much input.

That sounds about right. I haven't been near Don Murphys boards in a while, but they generally didn't like any idea which deviated from the original G1 concepts at all.
From the sounds of it, the script writers seem to be just changing the names with no regard for the characters, just to keep the fanboys happy.
Or maybe thats just what Bay and co. want the fanboys to think....
They will all go to the movie expecting to see Vortex smash up a military installation, only to have him transform, turn to the screen, stick two fingers up and say (in a monotone voice) "Ha Ha Ha, I am Soundwave!!! F**k you, stooges!!!"
Bay did say that even Don murphy didn't know who was what in the movie, maybe thats why...

[Cheetatron]

^pfft lol "I'm Sound, Wave bitch", "I'm one of the prettiest, most talented motherfuckers in here"

[Wreckie]

That sounds about right. I haven't been near Don Murphys boards in a while, but they generally didn't like any idea which deviated from the original G1 concepts at all.


Generally is right. That's why such statements are called generalisations. :rolleyes2

I post on there. There are huge differences of opinion between posters and - just like this board - those opinions are voiced with varying degrees of eloquence and tact.

[Angelophile1]

From what I understand, the helicopter was originally meant to be Soundwave, but the folks at the Don Murphy boards screamed blood and murder, so he was changed into Vortex and a boombox Soundwave was added, but the DM.net gang didn't like that either, so his name might be changed to "Soundbyte".

That's what happens if too many fans get too much input.

You understand wrong.

The helicopter idea was POPULAR on Don's boards. Most people embraced it. There's a load of polls from the time where the majority were cool with the helicopter. So blaming that one on Don's boards is inaccurate and misleading.

At that time Hasbro requested that Soundwave should have a musical device alt mode as well, though. Seems most likely the writers rewrote the helicopter as another character and inserted Soundwave as a boom box.

However, you're right about Soundwave as a non-mass shifting boom box not being liked. But I haven't seen the idea of the stretching 4 ft boom box Soundwave being welcomed with open arms on any other boards either. Does anyone like midget, tin foil Soundwave?

I think most people would be heaping adoration on the team if the helicopter WAS Soundwave and Kennywave had been ditched.

[Ger_Hankey]

Generally is right. That's why such statements are called generalisations. :rolleyes2

I post on there. There are huge differences of opinion between posters and - just like this board - those opinions are voiced with varying degrees of eloquence and tact.

I'm not disputing that at all, it is just that impression I got from the boards was that they were for the most part less receptive to changing alt. modes etc from the G1 concepts. But like I said, its been a while since I've visited there, so I'm happy to stand corrected.


At that time Hasbro requested that Soundwave should have a musical device alt mode as well, though. Seems most likely the writers rewrote the helicopter as another character and inserted Soundwave as a boom box.

I thought Hasbro didn't have that kind of input into the movie? Didn't somebody say they told the movie makers to pretty much do what they wanted design wise, and they would design the toys around that? It seems an odd request, especially considering they have no problem making Cybertron Soundwave into a plane

[Kickback]

Hasbro has full control of their intellectual property, in this case, characters in the movie. They say "Hey we want this" or "Hey we don't want this" or even "Be sure to add this somewhere" and it gets done.

[DevilzFan]

Hey, that's the script I wrote a few years back.

[Angelophile1]

I thought Hasbro didn't have that kind of input into the movie? Didn't somebody say they told the movie makers to pretty much do what they wanted design wise, and they would design the toys around that? It seems an odd request, especially considering they have no problem making Cybertron Soundwave into a plane

They were a little more hands on at the time, but weirdly that seems to have been one of their only requests - or rather, the only one Don ever mentioned publically at least. Since then they seemed to back off entirely until this week when Hasbro COO Brian Goldner started posting on DM.net.

Hasbro has full control of their intellectual property, in this case, characters in the movie. They say "Hey we want this" or "Hey we don't want this" or even "Be sure to add this somewhere" and it gets done.

They do up until the point where they sign something off as being okay. Could they go back at this stage of production and demand major changes? I dunno. Depends if they already accepted, say, a character concept and half a million and a couple of months work has been spent on design. Could they then say "oh, we don't like that concept after all" and get it changed if Dreamworks have spent out all that money?

[fosterlager]

Could they then say "oh, we don't like that concept after all" and get it changed if Dreamworks have spent out all that money?
Could Dreamworks refuse Hasbro's request? Doubt it. Hasbro is the client.

[peteynorth]

I bet there is some contingency in the contract along the lines that once Hasbro signs off on something, any decisions to change things that come at a later date are subject to negotiation/refusal/whatever.

It's Hasbro's property, but even they must realize that their meddling with the fiction writers only leads to bad things (Prime's death, blunt insertion of characters sans back story, etc).

[Kickback]

Here's to hoping for a Rodimus Prime cameo!

[fosterlager]

I bet there is some contingency in the contract along the lines that once Hasbro signs off on something, any decisions to change things that come at a later date are subject to negotiation/refusal/whatever.

It's Hasbro's property, but even they must realize that their meddling with the fiction writers only leads to bad things (Prime's death, blunt insertion of characters sans back story, etc).
I SERIOUSLY doubt they'd sign anything like that. This is a movie based on toys, not the other way around. Hasbro = Butch, fiction writers = bitch. Always has been. Ask Simon Furman. Or Bob Forward.

And I also doubt Dreamworks has put time into concepts without working closely with Hasbro. I would imagine they're working together very closely, perhaps daily, and that Dreamworks isn't putting time into concepts without Hasbro's nod.

If anyone needs to be cut out of the loop, it's us.

[The Phazer]

I think there actually seems to be a fairly decent consensus here that if the helicopter was Soundwave, the "minion" scorpion actually Ravage (though preferably not a scorpion) and the boombox another of his minions that was etiher Rumble or Frenzy, everyone would be a fair bit happier.

The presence of Scorponock has always been the thing that worries me most about the film. He just doesn't fit, in a film where robots in disguise is the key concept. It makes a little bit more sense now that he appears to be a minion for Soundwave/Vortex (though most of that sense disappears if the helecopter is named Vortex…), but in that case why take a completely inappropirate character and change him into something different? Why not just use Ravage?

Personally I've got to say I think Ravage, the huge robot big cat, would actually work better during that scene (especially if it was set at night - there's some great action possiblilities there), and it'd hit those mass-audience casual nostalgia buttons a heck of a lot more than a Scorponock (and one seemingly with nothing in common with his G1 counterpart other than being a Scorpion) appearing will.

Maybe these are things that have been fixed. But if they've not, it really worries me and I don't think a mass audience will react that well to it either.

Oh, and Bumblebee as a Camero sucks. Anyone as a Camero sucks. But especially Bumblebee. The bits about the lack of Decepticon dialogue and Bumblebee communicating only though songs are also dumb. Not because they're not G1, but just because they're godawful ideas for any movie.

Phazer

[Neo-Bombshell]

I have had a look at this review and I am happy to be one of the few of my friends who has hopes for this movie! Now I am just praying for a world cinema debute so I can enjoy it together with you, here in Peru.

[SKowl]

Wow, this whole movie is just going down the crapper more and more every day.

So far, we have an "action master" Megatron... a transformer who *gasps* doesn't even transform!

we have a chopper with a multiple personnality disorder "I'm Soundwave/Vortex/Incinerator?"

We have Bernie Mac.

We have Optimus Prime without a faceplate.

we have another Michael Bay movie.

The things fans are complaining about could be so easily fixed (and they mostly have to do with the Decepticons). Observe:

-Make Soundwave the Helicopter and Scorpinok one of his minions, it works.

-Failing that, make Vortex the helicopter. He's a cool obscure character and at least one we'll recognise (who the hell is "incinerator" and what does that name have to do with a chopper?)

-Instead of Brawl being a cop car (which makes no sense) make him Runamuck or Runabout.

-If you are going to keep the boom-box character, make him Soundwave and make him cool.

-Make Megatron transform into a tank or something. He is a TRANSformer after all... not a "former".

[peteynorth]

I SERIOUSLY doubt they'd sign anything like that. This is a movie based on toys, not the other way around. Hasbro = Butch, fiction writers = bitch. Always has been. Ask Simon Furman. Or Bob Forward.

And I also doubt Dreamworks has put time into concepts without working closely with Hasbro. I would imagine they're working together very closely, perhaps daily, and that Dreamworks isn't putting time into concepts without Hasbro's nod.

If anyone needs to be cut out of the loop, it's us.


Nobody's doubting that Hasbro has final approval on pretty much everything, but the question was raised about a scenario where Hasbro approves something, Dreamworks starts in that direction, invests significant time money and resources, and Hasbro comes back later changing their mind.

This isn't some comic company or pissant animation studio, this is Dreamworks. They have deadlines, they have set budgets, and they have a lot invested in this venture. Hasbro may or may not be the butch, but I can assure you, Dreamworks is nobody's bitch. And I'm all but certain that they have it written in the contract that if Hasbro changes their mind post-approval in a way that will either cost Dreamworks money, or threatens to push back the release date, they can tell Hasbro to take a flying leap.

[Angelophile1]

Nobody's doubting that Hasbro has final approval on pretty much everything, but the question was raised about a scenario where Hasbro approves something, Dreamworks starts in that direction, invests significant time money and resources, and Hasbro comes back later changing their mind.

This isn't some comic company or pissant animation studio, this is Dreamworks. They have deadlines, they have set budgets, and they have a lot invested in this venture. Hasbro may or may not be the butch, but I can assure you, Dreamworks is nobody's bitch. And I'm all but certain that they have it written in the contract that if Hasbro changes their mind post-approval in a way that will either cost Dreamworks money, or threatens to push back the release date, they can tell Hasbro to take a flying leap.

You got it.

The possibility exists that Hasbro signed off on some things and since the script leaks appeared they've suddenly realized that certain things aren't flying with the fans. (Mute Bumblebee for example, doesn't seem to fly with anyone).

If they agreed it months ago and now change their minds, when shooting is due to start next week, what chances do you think they have to make changes?

[fosterlager]

Nobody's doubting that Hasbro has final approval on pretty much everything, but the question was raised about a scenario where Hasbro approves something, Dreamworks starts in that direction, invests significant time money and resources, and Hasbro comes back later changing their mind.
Any scenario happening like that can only be fiction. Is there conflict on concepts during movie productions of licensed properties? Almost always. Is there collaboration? At least weekly, I would guarantee it. If you want to discuss which company would win the bigger Schwartz contest, feel free. But the discussion is moot, unless you know if such a scenario actually exists.

[fosterlager]

If they agreed it months ago and now change their minds, when shooting is due to start next week, what chances do you think they have to make changes?
Looking at the horseshit concept, don't you think they should?

[peteynorth]

I believe the discussion started about whether or not Hasbro could go in an force Dreamworks to make the copter Soundwave, or make Bumblebee capable of speech, or make Megatron have an alt mode, etc. Certain things that they may have approved of, but upon fan outcry decided to come back later and tell Dreamworks to change. This isn't based on any real situation, this was all hypothetical musings done by posters in this thread.

It seems you believe that Dreamworks would put themselves in a position where they would be obligated to sit whenever Hasbro tells them to. Common sense dictates that a company like Dreamworks would work in protection for themselves and their investors (who are shelling out well over 120 mil).

Whether Dreamwave or Hasbro is bigger is irrelevant; all that matters is that Dreamwave is most definitely big enough where they will rake in millions each year with or without this movie. They will definitely not indenture themselves to a toy company. It's DreamWORKS, not DreamWAVE.

Will they cooperate and let Hasbro select the final designs for the A's and D's? Of course. If Hasbro has a request for a change later down the road that they can accomodate without screwing up their story or costing them time or money, will they do it? Probably. It's a very symbiotic relationship, and both companies recognize this. But both companies are smart enough to protect themselves, and if one starts making unreasonable requests, I'm absolutely certain that their agreement is written up in a way to give each of them some recourse. It's really that simple.

[peteynorth]

Looking at the horseshit concept, don't you think they should?


The thing is, they would have agreed to that horseshit concept. Hasbro has final script approval. Dreamworks isn't going to proceed without their giving the OK.

If they give it, and then change their mind after all the gears are turning, there will be repercussions. This isn't a Sentinel Maximus box, this is a blockbuster movie with a blockbuster budget and a blockbuster release date.

[fosterlager]

If all parties agreed to a "Mini-Me" Soundwave that a girl could decapitate, then they're all morons and don't deserve a blockbuster movie.

[Superion33]

Even if Hasbro signed off on it, I don't think the changes the fans are asking for are going to be expensive.

Change Vortex to Soundwave and call the Boombox TwinTwist or whatever. All they have to do is change the design of the head and add some colors and designs so it bares a small resemblance to G1 Soundwave. Change the head, add some blues, a little yellow and red, and voila you have the new Soundwave. The voice acting isn't affected as it hasn't even begun yet. However, a few lines might have to be written so that Soundwave talks in a Soundwave-esque manner.

I don't care who they rename the Boombox to. The fact that he gets decapitated twice and is a boombox SCREAMS that he is comic relief. Might as well have made him a whoppee cushion. Just change his name. If however, I am wrong, and the Boomboxatron is the central ingredient for Megatron's conquest of Earth, then there will be more expensive changes.

Give Bumblebee some lines! Let him talk! He was one of the most talkative Autobots. Again voice acting isn't affected cost wise as they haven't started. He doesn't even have to say much. Maybe "look out!" or "call me herbie, biatch"

Don't you think it weird that a ROBOT with a damaged voice box has to communicate through songs on the radio. Think about that for a moment. He's a robot! In the era of 3G mobile communications, wi-max, wi-fi, bluetooth, blackberry, usb 2.0 wireless, etc ad nauseum, the only way this advanced cybernetic organism can find to converse with his comrades is the radio? How gimmicky....yeck

The most expensive change would be transforming Megatron. That truly baffles me. Maybe he sits deep in his chamber of Megatron-ness under Skull mountain the whole movie, and only comes out in the final five minutes and transforms only once?

[peteynorth]

I think a lot of assumptions about the movie are being made when there really isn't enough info to be making these assumptions.

First of all, Bay has already said that some of the names have been changed to keep some semblance of secrecy.

Second, some of the events that were alluded to in a very general way may be being blown out of proportion. 'Soundwave' getting decapitated by a girl doesn't necessarily mean she runs up to him with a shovel and knocks his head off. For all we know she's being chased by him through a military complex, finds a bazooka or something, and hits him in the melon just as he turns the corner. There could be a very plausible, and perhaps even cool, way for this to happen. And Sam having a dog doesn't mean we're going to have Shaggy and Scooby with a bunch of Transformers, it just means he has a dog.



On this same note, is there something other than the reviewer failing to list Megatron's alt mode that's making everyone say he's going to be an actionmaster? If he is, please let me know what's fueling this belief, it's the first I've heard of his lack of alt mode. If this belief IS being fueled by the reviewer leaving that part blank, then please take notice of the fact that he also failed to list Prime's. And we all know (well, are very, very confident anyway) that Prime will have a truck alt mode. Also, early on it was made very clear that Megatron will be a tank. Things may change, but if the absense of the word 'tank' next to Megatron's name in the review is all that's fueling this, then people need to relax and let this rumor die. Again - there may be something else that's fueling this, I'm just not aware of it yet, so don't jump down my throat if 'Don said so' or something else along those lines. Actually, there probably is something else fueling this as I don't think the review said anything about Bumblebee being mute - anyone with info as to the source of these rumors, please let me know.

But there really isn't enough info given to say this thing is circling the drain. At the same time, we can's assume it will truely be great simply because a an admittedly huge Transformers fan, and someone who tends to give glowing reviews most of the time anyway, loves the script. I for one read the review and walked away with very positive feelings about the direction of the movie, but I might very well wind up being wrong.

And yes, Bumblebee as a Camaro makes Baby Jesus cry. If Spi...I mean Sam is getting a Camaro, then there's a good chance Shia will need to grow a mullet for the role.

[Superion33]

I think a lot of assumptions about the movie are being made when there really isn't enough info to be making these assumptions.

I really don't see why everyone in every thread relating to the movie has to make this type of comment. Again, these comments add zero value to this thread. So what if we make assumptions based on the info that we have? Its what we have to work with, and we as rabid, Transformers groupies who name our firstborn Grimlock or Teletran, WANT to debate it based on the information that we have. Its the fun of it. This is all about opinions and having a discussion.

Anyway, in my naive way, I am hoping that Michael Bay somehow trolls these boards and actually does take into account fan's views. Not saying its the main reason I post, I post cuz its good to have a discussion.

What I DO think is pointless is the news release that a trailer is going to be released July 4th. One can basically expect comments like "oh, I can't wait!". This rumor actually has some meat to gnaw on.

Second, some of the events that were alluded to in a very general way may be being blown out of proportion. 'Soundwave' getting decapitated by a girl doesn't necessarily mean she runs up to him with a shovel and knocks his head off. For all we know she's being chased by him through a military complex, finds a bazooka or something, and hits him in the melon just as he turns the corner. There could be a very plausible, and perhaps even cool, way for this to happen.

No, I think it means Soundwave is comic relief. Bay alluded to a Kenny type character who gets killed repeatedly for comic relief. Now if Boomboxatron isn't that Kenny character, then I shudder to think what the comic relief character is (maybe a toaster) and shudder even worse to think how he dies repeatedly (maybe a baby comes and whacks it with its diaper causing it to fall apart).

Don't know where the Megatron info came from, but if its true, I don't like it. Totally with you on Bumblebee not being a Camaro.

[peteynorth]

You're right, the speculation is the bulk of the fun in these threads, but people are getting heated up and drawing conclusions from very little info, some of which (names for example) have been said to be inaccurate from one of the few people who would know. Hell, I've still got no idea of where the actionmaster Megs or mute Bumblebee came from, but I now doubt it's from Murphy, Bay or anyone reliable. Let's leave false conclusions based on false info stemming from false accusations to Mike Nifong.

As for Kennywave, well, given that's what Bay said, the boombox character will likely serve as comic relief - but will he be Soundwave? As I mentioned, Bay himself has said that the names have been changed to protect the guilty, and while Soundwave as comic relief would be veiwed as a sin by transfans, Rumble as comic relief would likely be smiled upon (let's face it, he takes second place behind Waspinator in that regard). Also, and I forgot who said this (but I think it was Murphy), there is a strong chance of there not being Soundwave at all in this movie.

And even the Bumblebee as a Camaro has been called into question (comment from Murphy). Not saying it's false, but it's been questioned.

So while the 'not enough info for conclusions' disclaimer should be unnecessary, people are getting downright livid, and the gloom and doom really is based on little more than nothing.

[Laser_Optimus]

I believe the whole thing with Megatron is being fueled by something that Murphy said on his message board or while at that one convention. Something along the lines of it not mattering what alt mode Megatron will have as he will look so absolutely evil and cool that you won't care what his alt mode is. Which seems to have lead some to believe that they're cowtowing to a small amount of the fandom that were saying that if Megs couldn't be a gun they'd rather him not TF at all.

[Superion33]

Nobody's getting worked up. Really. Well, at least I am not. I will go watch the movie, hopefully be entertained for an hour or two, and then go back to "the drudgery of my normal, mundane life spent writing posts on TFW2005.com". This isn't my life. But I do have an opinion. Please don't be imagining a rabid, red-faced man worked up in a slather convulsing and writhing in anger at your heretical words.

As far as the rumors and sparse info go, how about if everyone cut and pasted "If the above is true, then..." in front of all their statemens? That word IF shows that they are voicing their opinion on something they know might not be true.

[Dio]

From the script reviewer, via email:
Yes OPTIMUS PRIME IS A TRUCK and yes Megatron is something i chose to leave out of my review. It is in the script but I didn't spoil it

And I was the only guy who bothered to ask :D

[Ra88]

From the script reviewer, via email:


And I was the only guy who bothered to ask :D

Probably some kind of experimental supertank.

[Wheels]

I for one came away from that review with a more positive sense of the movie.

And I, for one, am more stoked about this movie.

Even dispite what critics give the movie, I'm going to see it at least once.

And my more rabid fan side has indeed quieted down. Though one thing that bothers me about this guy's review, through all his OT side comments, is that he never directly address this "Energon Cube" object.

He never stated what his reaction is to this, dispite the fact that he claims he's a Transfan. Any Transfan can tell you that there's something wrong calling it "Energon Cube". And this above everything else, including names and decapitation, worries me.

[Hiro Prime]

Anyone who thinks that the final names, Alt modes, and character deisgns haven't been finalized is just crazy.

C'mon people, use your brains. How many of you know how long it takes for a transforming toy to go from concept to the store shelves? It's longer than a year guys. Which means that if any changes have to be made, we won't see the toys when the movie is released. And we all know THAT ain't gonna happen. (Hasbro won't let it.)

So, everything has to be about set in stone at this point. Think about it for a second, how pissed would you all be if the toy you get doesn't look like the ones on screen? Then forget about yourself for a second and think of how the kids would react. How many of you hated Beast Machines cause the toys looked nothing like the show?

Considering that the reviewer says his copy of the script was like three drafts ago, I think we can assume they worked out a few bugs. Hell, Don said as much himself. Something like 40%-50% of what everyone is bitching about has been addressed. And about another 30%-40% can still be ironed out.

Despite all of this, I think it sounds good so far and am looking forward to planting my butt into the theater seat on 07/04/07. To the rest of you who are bemoaning every little rumor and scrap of news, get up and step away from your computer. Go find a mirror and say the same crap to yourself that you're typing on a message board and see if you don't sound like some self important Trekkie and get over yourself.

It's good to have an opinion and want to share it with the world, but don't think that you can change what's going to happen in the movie, because none of us here have that abillity and you're only deluding yourself if you think you do.

[Ger_Hankey]

Sage words, Hiro Prime, sage words indeed.
I'd also make a point that move related toys are usually in the shops a month or so BEFORE the release of a movie too, which strengthens your arguement.

[Angelophile1]

Sage words, Hiro Prime, sage words indeed.
I'd also make a point that move related toys are usually in the shops a month or so BEFORE the release of a movie too, which strengthens your arguement.

I think there's still a little wriggle room, but very little. With principal photography starting next week, this week has probably been a cut off point. Changes will be made as with any production during the shoot, but I doubt there's gonna be any biggies.

If, as the review says, only Starscream and Megatron are mentioned by name by other characters, that gives a bit of wriggle room for the Decepticons to have names changed and that alone probably wouldn't make for a major problem.

[Bripe Klmun]

Hiro is right on the money with his comment - but with all of this said, it's also important that no one get too excited about the latinoreview thing. That site is never - I mean ever - correct.

Sure, their past "script reviews" look good now because they were changed at the movie's release. Every single friggin' time. How this was made a newsworthy or even rumorworthy article by folks here was a totally bad call. All it does is start drama - and do we really need more of that?

[Infosaur]

Just out of curiosity, what if Megatron's Alt mode was a big,,, no, MASSIVE artilary cannon?

It give's him a non-mass shifting alt mode. Yet it give him the 'weakness' of being non mobile in weapon form.

Think the coronation scene in TF:tm

"Here's a hint!"

[peteynorth]

Maybe something along the lines of Don's (Figeroa, not Murphy) Macromaster Megs.

[Angelophile1]

Hiro is right on the money with his comment - but with all of this said, it's also important that no one get too excited about the latinoreview thing. That site is never - I mean ever - correct.

Sure, their past "script reviews" look good now because they were changed at the movie's release. Every single friggin' time. How this was made a newsworthy or even rumorworthy article by folks here was a totally bad call. All it does is start drama - and do we really need more of that?

From where I'm sitting it looks pretty accurate. It certainly matches most of the other details of the other leaked script, pretty much all the rumors and generally speaking I don't see anything inaccurate in the review, based on everything I know and the leaks I've had. I must admit I haven't seen that particular draft of the script myself, but apparently other people have...

[Hiro Prime]

I think there's still a little wriggle room, but very little. With principal photography starting next week, this week has probably been a cut off point. Changes will be made as with any production during the shoot, but I doubt there's gonna be any biggies.

If, as the review says, only Starscream and Megatron are mentioned by name by other characters, that gives a bit of wriggle room for the Decepticons to have names changed and that alone probably wouldn't make for a major problem.
But didn't Bay say that the names were final? He just couldn't reveal them. (I know he had a BS excuse to cover his rear, but I would hope that after 3-4 drafts later that they'd be finalized by now.)

[Angelophile1]

But didn't Bay say that the names were final? He just couldn't reveal them. (I know he had a BS excuse to cover his rear, but I would hope that after 3-4 drafts later that they'd be finalized by now.)

They may have been finalised in the script. But there could exist the possibility they're still left a little open so they could be changed again.

If you don't buy the whole story about them being place holders and believe that there was such a backlash when the names were revealed, Bay was just covering his ass with a story while he tried to come up with names fans might accept, the logical conclusion is there may still be wriggle room.

If you don't believe Bay to have been telling the whole truth anyway.

[Laser_Optimus]

They may have been finalised in the script. But there could exist the possibility they're still left a little open so they could be changed again.

If you don't buy the whole story about them being place holders and believe that there was such a backlash when the names were revealed, Bay was just covering his ass with a story while he tried to come up with names fans might accept, the logical conclusion is there may still be wriggle room.

If you don't believe Bay to have been telling the whole truth anyway.

Eh, I doubt Bay is the kind of guy who would jump and change a bunch of names just because a few fans got their panties in a bunch. It just doesn't seem to be the way he does things. Which is typically take an item, keep it close to the source, but put his rather unique spin on it... wether it's good or bad.

I could believe that they left the 'cons a little open name wise so that they could be changed if need be. Hasbro's always trying to name a character something only to find that they can't get the name trademarked... than they go and change it. The Alt line is riddled with this kind of thing. Alt Windcharger was going to be Overdrive... the upcoming Camshaft was obviously intended to be Bluestreak... Shock"blast"... "Battle" Ravage... So, Hasbro may have asked the script writers to keep things open with the exception of names that they already knew were trademarked.

[SAJse]

Eh, I doubt Bay is the kind of guy who would jump and change a bunch of names just because a few fans got their panties in a bunch.
Soundbyte > Soundwave
Ironhide > Arcee

;)

[Laser_Optimus]

Soundbyte > Soundwave
Ironhide > Arcee

;)

True with the Soundwave thing, but if I remember correctly about Arcee's inclusion... it had more to do with the current writers at the time.

All they had pretty much done during that draft of the movie was to add "a little pink motorcycle". Later (and I believe Don stated this) it was said that she was removed, because they really didn't know where they were going with her inclusion and she simply didn't seem to be moving the story along at all.

Of course, Vortex could still always be Soundwave (which most fans seemed to enjoy) and Soundbyte... well... that's just something that they should forget about... comedy relief or not... :redface2:

[SAJse]

True with the Soundwave thing, but if I remember correctly about Arcee's inclusion... it had more to do with the current writers at the time.

All they had pretty much done during that draft of the movie was to add "a little pink motorcycle". Later (and I believe Don stated this) it was said that she was removed, because they really didn't know where they were going with her inclusion and she simply didn't seem to be moving the story along at all.

Of course, Vortex could still always be Soundwave (which most fans seemed to enjoy) and Soundbyte... well... that's just something that they should forget about... comedy relief or not... :redface2:
Agreed. To be honest I could wait another year for the movie if it meant removing that guy but it's not going to happen. Although changing the name was a satisfactory result I suppose.

And all the Wheelie bashing was getting a bit tired anyway so it might be nice to have a new guy on the block. :wink:

The Arcee thing was probably a mix of both fan reaction (which was mixed in itself) and the fact that she didn't really add anything to the story, like you say. A double whammy.

Infact there was a filler scene in act two which needed to be cut anyway (depending on how fake the fake script was) so she won't be missed. Not by me at least.

[IACON]

Wow, this whole movie is just going down the crapper more and more every day.

So far, we have an "action master" Megatron... a transformer who *gasps* doesn't even transform!

we have a chopper with a multiple personnality disorder "I'm Soundwave/Vortex/Incinerator?"

We have Bernie Mac.

We have Optimus Prime without a faceplate.

we have another Michael Bay movie.

The things fans are complaining about could be so easily fixed (and they mostly have to do with the Decepticons). Observe:

-Make Soundwave the Helicopter and Scorpinok one of his minions, it works.

-Failing that, make Vortex the helicopter. He's a cool obscure character and at least one we'll recognise (who the hell is "incinerator" and what does that name have to do with a chopper?)

-Instead of Brawl being a cop car (which makes no sense) make him Runamuck or Runabout.

-If you are going to keep the boom-box character, make him Soundwave and make him cool.

-Make Megatron transform into a tank or something. He is a TRANSformer after all... not a "former".

My thoughts exactly!

[peteynorth]

I would also agree, except:

Megatron does transform - the action master thing was a poor assumption based on an omission on the script review that for whatever reason gathered some steam.

The boombox character should be Rumble - aside from Waspinator, he's the best character in the TF mythos for repeated decapitations.

[Nitroquake]

Hmm I would prefer Warwithin or Armada Megatron than Action Master. I also say the names should stay because are'nt Brawl and Vortex combaticon?

[Bahamut Prime]

Sounds like I can enjoy this!

[kalantiaw]

Second script review is out from IESB! And the reviewer has doubts as to the first reviewer's A+ rating.

Several script revisions later, the story is essentially the same. Some points which hopefully (fingers crossed) will be changed:

Soundwave/Soundbyte still 4-1/2 feet boombox. Note: Shoots discs from his chest.

Megatron: Appears sparingly and towards the climax (page 80+ of 111 pages, and...he's an ALIEN JET!

Review and react for yourselves:
http://www.iesb.net/dreamworks2006/052106.php

PS. My first post! Glad to be here!:thumb