The Movie Reporter - A Second TF Script Look

[RHansen]

Hye everyone, The Movie Reporter has taken a second look at the TF script. There are some major spoilers in here, so avoid at all costs if you are going at this movie spoiler-less :)

http://www.iesb.net/dreamworks2006/052106.php

Also, please remember that the names are said to be alias' of the final names, we don't need this thread turning into yet another thread about the names being so and so.

Thanks!

EDIT: crap I thought I posted this in the movie discussion, someone wanna punt this thread over there?

[Super_Megatron]

EDIT: crap I thought I posted this in the movie discussion, someone wanna punt this thread over there?
No it's good here, this is where all news should initially be posted.

[Brave Magnus]

What's wrong with Megatron being some sort of Cybertronian jet or whatever?

[RHansen]

thanks S_megs for the heads up :)


and yea, I dont know about Megs being a jet, but who knows, it may just work

[Laser_Optimus]

Interesting read. I think he's getting worked up over Megatron being a jet though... I'm getting a G2 Jhiaxus design idea in my head with Megatron characteristics. Besides, it's not like we've never had Megs as anything, but a tank, gun or cannon. As long as it's done well this movie will kick ass.

Also, hopefully the boombox is Soundbyte and not Soundwave... ugh...

[Zzeezz]

Remember that the reviewer is looking at the script through a diehard G1 fan lens and you'll do fine.

[fosterlager]

I'd agree with most of the reviewer's complaints of TF vs. human screen time. How many non-mutants needed to be prominently featured in "X-Men?" The same principle should apply here. If the Autobots are portrayed as emotional, caring sentient life, there's no need for humans to have 80% of the screen time.

[Laser_Optimus]

I'd agree with most of the reviewer's complaints of TF vs. human screen time. How many non-mutants needed to be prominently featured in "X-Men?" The same principle should apply here. If the Autobots are portrayed as emotional, caring sentient life, there's no need for humans to have 80% of the screen time.

Agreed. Hopefully it's not 80%... I'd have to go reread it, but I don't think he said just how much time they take up... just that one of the scenes is an unbarably long scene between "Spike" & "Carly" that could have been shortened and used for something else. Without more information to go on I'm going to consider his complaint about the show being called "The humans and their transforming friends." to be a diehard G1 fan complaint. But if it is about 80% of the movie... yeash...

[SKowl]

Yay, more things to get G1 fan boys upset.

Megatron as an "alien" jet, COULD work. I would have prefered the obvious choice of tank mode, but it may have been seen as too slow and sluggish for the Decepticon leader.

I also find it funny how, reading through other threads in other forums, gee-wunner fanboys are sooo upset about Soundwave being a boombox in the movie. I find it ironic how fans complain when an alt mode is changed (i.e. Bumblebee = camaro), but somehow are STILL upset when they keep an alt mode almost EXACTLY the same, as they are doing with Soundwave.

[Brave Magnus]

I'm so happy of not being a G1 hardcore fanboy. ^_^ This way I can accept every possibility for the script.
Besides I can't really be upset just for a review, I have to watch the movie. :D

[peteynorth]

I could deal with Megatron as an alien jet, but hopefully he'd be more of a flying gun-mount (alien A-10) as opposed to aerial supremacy (F-22). There has to be something that sets Starscream apart and makes him special, otherwise he's just redundant and Megatron would have no reason not to kill him immediately.

[Brave Magnus]

I could deal with Megatron as an alien jet, but hopefully he'd be more of a flying gun-mount (alien A-10) as opposed to aerial supremacy (F-22). There has to be something that sets Starscream apart and makes him special, otherwise he's just redundant and Megatron would have no reason not to kill him immediately.

Megatron doesn't need a reason to kill Starscream. He just does and that's it. :lol

[airfox]

Megatron as an alien jet? Sort of like Super Megatron from Battlestars?

-airfox

[Silver Bullit]

I'm so happy of not being a G1 hardcore fanboy. ^_^ This way I can accept every possibility for the script.


Woo-woo!
Bring on th Go-Bots!

SB

[Dark_Convoy]

Woo-woo!
Bring on th Go-Bots!

SB

:rolleyes2

[Weirdwolf]

Nope, not going to read it, don't wanna be spoiled when I get to the theater! All I want to know is who's acting in it and such. :)

[SAJse]

I also find it funny how, reading through other threads in other forums, gee-wunner fanboys are sooo upset about Soundwave being a boombox in the movie. I find it ironic how fans complain when an alt mode is changed (i.e. Bumblebee = camaro), but somehow are STILL upset when they keep an alt mode almost EXACTLY the same, as they are doing with Soundwave.
It's not the alt-mode people don't like. It's the lack of mass shifting which results in a 4.5 foot robot.

[IACON]

Megatron an alien jet ?!?!?!?!
boooooooooo.......................

[Greyryder]

I don't like Soundwave being such a small robot. Make that character Rumble, and he could be really fun. I'm trying to remember that the movieis it's own standalone universe, and not tied to G1, but I can't hear the name "Soundwave" without thinking of the cold sinister badass that his G1 tech spec made him out to be.

Megs as an alien plane? Cool! Hopefully he'll look better than E-Megatron. At least he's not a second rate Batmobile knock off.

[REDLINE]

yeah him being 4 feet tall, and a joke is the part that irks me is all. and as far as hearing "soundwave" and thinking of the G1 character I think will be something that even the casuals who knew TFs when they were kids will experience as well...

[Jon Heird]

A boombox that transforms into a 4 1/2 foot tall robot...without mass shifting??

That is ONE big-ass boombox.
http://www.jokemonkey.com/pictures/bigstereo.jpg

[LoserBroadside]

Yay, more things to get G1 fan boys upset.

Megatron as an "alien" jet, COULD work. I would have prefered the obvious choice of tank mode, but it may have been seen as too slow and sluggish for the Decepticon leader.

I also find it funny how, reading through other threads in other forums, gee-wunner fanboys are sooo upset about Soundwave being a boombox in the movie. I find it ironic how fans complain when an alt mode is changed (i.e. Bumblebee = camaro), but somehow are STILL upset when they keep an alt mode almost EXACTLY the same, as they are doing with Soundwave.


The problem is that ANYTHING could work. Be then it's not really Transformers anymore and certianly isn't G1. Michael Bay and co have painted themselves into a corner. They set out with a pre-concieved set of rules for this movie: no mass shifting, non-robot POV, shot like an alien invasion movie, and so on. The problem is that each rule has forced the origional idea of Transformers into something that bares little resemblance.

The problem with Megatron being an alien jet? The problem with a tiny Soundwave? The problem with a blue Optimus and a Decepticon police car? It's not the Transformers. It will certainly be neat and fun and involve robots, but there's no reason for it to be called Transformers because it no longer resembles Transformers. It's Transformers in name only.

That's the problem I have with these changes. They're turning Transformers into ID4 but the'yre keeping the name. Like League of Extraordinary Gentlemen. It had almost nothing in common with the book it was "based" on, so what was the point in even using the name? Crass cash in on the recognition.

Megatron should be Megatron, not some crazy-assed half-assed robot that turns into a spiky ball of flying metal and happens to share a name. Soundwave should be soundwave, not a disc-flinging midget. This doesn't mean they nead to turn into a gun and a tape deck. It means that whatever they turn into can't compromise the characters.

-LB is really pissed and trying to cram all his thoughts into is tiny lunch break. And LB's tired of the condicending "Geewun" shoolyard chants.

[Tenebrouser]

Amazing that people are killing the movie literally before they start filming it.

RelaX!

[Scantron]

I'm looking forward to someday reading a review of the script that isn't by someone who is (a) barely critical of anything or (b) doesn't spend most of the review complaining about how the movie isn't exactly G1. I'd like to find out a little more about the plot and character interaction rather than "this movie will be cool because it's got Transformers!" or "this movie will suck because it's not exactly G1!".

The problem with Megatron being an alien jet? The problem with a tiny Soundwave? The problem with a blue Optimus and a Decepticon police car? It's not the Transformers.

No, then it's not G1. By this logic BW, BM, Armada, Energon, Cybertron, Alternators, etc aren't Transformers either then. While I respect that some fans enjoy G1, just because something isn't G1 doesn't mean it isn't Transformers.

Anyway, I'm still playing 'wait and see' on a bunch of these details. Is having a Decepticon police car named Brawl going to be the ruin of the movie? Depends how it's written. Same with Soundbyte (actually, I hope they use that name, it sounds neat); it all depends on how the writing is done.

[Kranix2k]

Its gonna be so damned funny when we finally get some REAL glimpses of what this movie will be later this year and early next when the REAL trailers and such start to appear. I'll remember to drudge up each and every one of these "script reviews" and such just so I can laugh some more.

Maybe I'm wrong but all this "inside" information coming from sources other than "official" ones smell so much like bullshit, I can almost picture the actual bull! :lol

[LoserBroadside]

I'm looking forward to someday reading a review of the script that isn't by someone who is (a) barely critical of anything or (b) doesn't spend most of the review complaining about how the movie isn't exactly G1. I'd like to find out a little more about the plot and character interaction rather than "this movie will be cool because it's got Transformers!" or "this movie will suck because it's not exactly G1!".



No, then it's not G1. By this logic BW, BM, Armada, Energon, Cybertron, Alternators, etc aren't Transformers either then. While I respect that some fans enjoy G1, just because something isn't G1 doesn't mean it isn't Transformers.

Anyway, I'm still playing 'wait and see' on a bunch of these details. Is having a Decepticon police car named Brawl going to be the ruin of the movie? Depends how it's written. Same with Soundbyte (actually, I hope they use that name, it sounds neat); it all depends on how the writing is done.


No you misunderstand me. I said it isn't Transformers. I didn't say it isn't Transformer: Energon, Transformers: Cybertron, Transformers: Armada or Transformers: The New Movie that is All New and Different.

It isn't Transformers. And that's what they're calling it.


-LB is stuborn like that

[sodawilly]

I am a huge G1 fan, but I have to say that if the movie is just a good movie, but not old G1, I'm fine with that. I just want a really good live action movie about Transformers to be loosely based on the original, but updated and totally blow our socks off.

Kinda like what Batman Begins did for the Batman franchise. We need a ballsy movie done for the Transformers franchise.

-Gregg

[Scantron]

EDIT - Nevermind.

[Hiro Prime]

You know guys, if this movie was about an invasion of the earth by alien robots that could asume any mechanical form and wasn't called Transformers, then we'd all think it was cool.

You'd think that after the last 5 years of TF's we'd all be use to the idea of smaller bots. (ie: Mini-cons) Yes it sucks that they wanted to call the character Soundwave, but that's because the fans went apeshit when they found out he was going to be a copter. So Hasbro sticks up for us. Yeah, except because of the NO Mass-shifting rule for the script, the only way we'd get the boombox Soundwave was this.

Let's face it, they changed the rules from the old days of G1. Even the Geewunners are divided over the whole mass-shifting or not issue. Despite how everyone a part of production has stated since the begining that this movie wasn't going to be G1, fans still complain that the movie isn't G1. (Duh! :redface2: )

So now we're all screaming for damage control since it's really too late to change things at this point. (hence why they're saying that Soundwave will be in the next movie.) Hell I could see him as Soundwave. The scene sounds cool with him. They could say it's just a drone of his that he's remote controlling since he's too big to do the job himself. Hey, a logical reason for his drones.

Let's face it, no matter how the movie turns out, there will be those who will post here and other boards about how Bay and co. raped their childhood and will hate the movie because it's not the way they would have done it. All the while they blow over the one simple truth of the whole thing. It's a movie about a kids toy line that is for the kids from 20 years ago as well as today. (and hopfully tomorrow as well)

[IR8WORLD]

my thought would be this...don't make it just a g1 movie
many transformers fans...well i'll speak for myself i don't think would mind a cross generation movie sorta speak....if they use an alien jet they could do something similar to the energon jet...i'm not big on the newer series storylines but i like the characters on it...make it like a transformers universe thing sorta speak...either wich way if it turns out that we feel a character sucks we all will be drawn into seeing it anyways just because we are fans

[Shaun_C]

Let's face it, no matter how the movie turns out,there will be those who will post here and other boards about how Bay and co. raped their childhood and will hate the movie because it's not the way they would have done it.

Well said Hiro Prime.

You know the part I bolded reminds me of what Bob Skir said on his interview on the DVD set.Which is pretty scary.

I envision that July 4th,2007 we'll be experiencing the Beast Machines outrage all over again:redface2:


No you misunderstand me. I said it isn't Transformers. I didn't say it isn't Transformer: Energon, Transformers: Cybertron, Transformers: Armada or Transformers: The New Movie that is All New and Different.

It isn't Transformers. And that's what they're calling it.


-LB is stuborn like that

Okay LB I'm just going to say outright.YOU ARE BEING STUBBORN:banghead:

There's no such thing as G1,G1 is just a fan term that was coined officially by DW publishing.Look at the DVD,is the series called "Transformers" or "Transformers G1"? It's called Transformers

Armada,Energon and Cybertron are as much Transformers as G1 ever was.In fact EVERY TF series to date is as much Transformers as G1 was.

Was it taken in a different direction DEFINATELY.But it's still Transformers.

And FYI,a jet Megatron isn't unforgiveable.I mean he was a jet in,RID,Energon & transforms into a jet in Cybertron.So honestly the fandom should be used to a jet Megs by now

[Shaun_C]

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f7/Shaun_C/Misc/Officialsealoftoyfandom.jpg

Reading SOME of the replies in this thread.I feel this pic is VERY appropriate:redface2:

[IR8WORLD]

hell do a beastwars movie
everyone seemed to like the t-rex/ape fight in king kong
imagine the same fight with primal and megs?
lol

[LoserBroadside]

my thought would be this...don't make it just a g1 movie
many transformers fans...well i'll speak for myself i don't think would mind a cross generation movie sorta speak....if they use an alien jet they could do something similar to the energon jet...i'm not big on the newer series storylines but i like the characters on it...make it like a transformers universe thing sorta speak...either wich way if it turns out that we feel a character sucks we all will be drawn into seeing it anyways just because we are fans

Exactly. Or just call it something like "Transformers: New Generation" or something and make it clear that this is unrelated to G1 or anything. What I can't strand is how they're trying to have it both ways. "It's the same old Transformers but it's new and different!"

It's hard enough to please the fandom without trying to please all factions of the fandom at once plus the shareholders at Dreamworks plus the Michael Bay's ceative vision plus the uninitiated movie-goers. Just pick one. A tiny boombox robot and an alien jet villian are fine just don't name them Megatron and Soundwave. Jhiaxus was an alien jet, make him the villian.


-LB knows it isn't raining and would appreciate it if people would stop peeing on his leg

[Greyryder]

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f7/Shaun_C/Misc/Officialsealoftoyfandom.jpg

Reading SOME of the replies in this thread.I feel this pic is VERY appropriate:redface2:

Pfft! You should check out the Need for Speed fandom, sometime. They make toy fans look upbeat and optimistic. http://www.quantumrip.com/images/yikes.gif

[Ramberk Magnus]

If it has transforming alien robots that come in two factions that are at war with each other and are a toyline produced by Takara and Hasbro-- its Transformers.

I don't know why anyone is up in arms about the movie. It is simply another "re-imagining" of the TF storyline/mythology. We've had these "re-imaginings" since the end of the Rebirth trilogy.

Megatron and Optimus Prime and the rest have had their names re-used. Why haven't you gotten used to that?

There are good movies and bad movies. Just keep an open mind. Sheesh.

[Kranix2k]

Exactly. Or just call it something like "Transformers: New Generation" or something and make it clear that this is unrelated to G1 or anything. What I can't strand is how they're trying to have it both ways. "It's the same old Transformers but it's new and different!"

In other words, its a new "twist" or perspective on an old old story. Mary Jane wasnt Spidey's first love either...sure as hell didnt hurt that franchise. Beast came long before Wolvie in X-Men....damn, really tanked the X-men movies didnt it?

It's hard enough to please the fandom without trying to please all factions of the fandom at once plus the shareholders at Dreamworks plus the Michael Bay's ceative vision plus the uninitiated movie-goers.

Ok, first of all - they dont really have to please the fandom - cause there really is no pleasing a fandom as a whole....its just not possible. All Bay *needs* to do is make the movie a success, which it can be despite the best efforts of the GEEWUN crowd (see the above mentioned superhero flicks).

Just pick one. A tiny boombox robot and an alien jet villian are fine just don't name them Megatron and Soundwave. Jhiaxus was an alien jet, make him the villian.

No...just no. Just because it offends the "fans" that something other than a big laser gun is called Megatron and Soundwave doesn't mysteriously grow from a cd player to a 40 ft high robot does not equate to changing the names to something unrecognizable outside of the fandom...thats just stupid.

[The Madness]

So whats the likelyness these new 'tidbits' are foilers?

Sure, now that they're handing out scripts left right & centre, they are more likely to go astray (don't think the actors get special non-copy script), but its pretty much standard practice these days to throw out the fake stuff in order to discredit rumoring.
While I don't find the Plasma screen TV & iPod bit offensive, I think its sounding alittle far fetched, and probably a jab at Soundwave purists.

[Shaun_C]

Ok, first of all - they dont really have to please the fandom - cause there really is no pleasing a fandom as a whole....its just not possible. All Bay *needs* to do is make the movie a success, which it can be despite the best efforts of the GEEWUN crowd (see the above mentioned superhero flicks).


Hey Kranix2k

Add Batman Begins to that list of movies as although I'm not a Batman fan.I'm pretty sure they changed a few things as well.

Also WB's Smallville drasticly changes things.For 1 thing I don't recall kryptonite giving humans meta-powers.Among other changes yet Smallville's highly popular on this board alone

[neospark1]

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f7/Shaun_C/Misc/Officialsealoftoyfandom.jpg

Reading SOME of the replies in this thread.I feel this pic is VERY appropriate:redface2:

It is OK for people to have their opinions. I really have to say after reading so many of your posts, that I feel that it is you that is not open to other people's ideas.

I'm not sure why you go out of your way to attack people that hold G1 close to their heart. :horse:

I'm one of those people that feel that making G1 Megs anything other than a tank/cannon/gun of some sort is NOT ok.

I'm a purist in some sense. I mean, apples and oranges, but you did not see Spider-Man swinging around in an Owl outfit shooting spikes from his wrist, did you? And if you did, if you even remotely like Spider-Man, it would not seem right to you.

I just really would like to see people stop bashing other people who hold an ideal close to her/his heart. :horse:

It's equally offensive to me to see "fans" who say ACCEPT ANYTHING, and if YOU DO NOT, you are a whiner. :horse:

I mean, geez, Shaun, was the freaking BIG cry baby REALLY necessary??? :confused:

[neospark1]

Actually, the "Freak of the Week" mentality did so weel with the writers that, after siz bazillion fan complaints, it left Smallvile almost on a perm basis.

Hey Kranix2k

Add Batman Begins to that list of movies as although I'm not a Batman fan.I'm pretty sure they changed a few things as well.

Also WB's Smallville drasticly changes things.For 1 thing I don't recall kryptonite giving humans meta-powers.Among other changes yet Smallville's highly popular on this board alone

[SAJse]

And FYI,a jet Megatron isn't unforgiveable.I mean he was a jet in,RID,Energon & transforms into a jet in Cybertron.So honestly the fandom should be used to a jet Megs by now
The jet mode is a lazy choice IMO because it's based on one measly flashback scene, which is kinda like the way all Decepticon alt-modes are chosen, pick an action set-piece, then pick an alt-mode, then pick a name...

Although in Megatron's case I'd say a "happy" compromise would be a G1 recognisable character (or G2 maybe).

And If he survives then just reformat the guy because Cybertronian alt-modes are the road to ruin (and suck).

[Gigatron_2005]

*looks at all the changes* ....
http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b18/swordfish2b/fanboys.jpg

And personally... WTF?! Megatron is tankk not jett!!

And Brawl as a cop car is just lame. Serriously. Brawl is the name of a tank or some type of armored transport. Not a cop car.

[Hiro Prime]

I've noticed that no one seems to be discussing the Autobot who gets his skidplate handed to him in the flashback bit. I mean it's cool that we're even going to get to see Cybertron let alone a few Cyber alt modes. I think that if nothing else is a nice fanwink.

I wonder if the un-named bot is Wheelie?:wink: :D (tho traditionally it'll probably be Brawn):mad

[Gigatron_2005]

I've noticed that no one seems to be discussing the Autobot who gets his skidplate handed to him in the flashback bit. I mean it's cool that we're even going to get to see Cybertron let alone a few Cyber alt modes. I think that if nothing else is a nice fanwink.

I wonder if the un-named bot is Wheelie?:wink: :D (tho traditionally it'll probably be Brawn):mad

That whole scene sounds cool. If the bot resembles Wheelie, I'll cheer in the theater.:p

[Hiro Prime]

That whole scene sounds cool. If the bot resembles Wheelie, I'll cheer in the theater.:p
I just had a horible thought.

If the bot who gets killed is Wheelie, then that means at some point, Hasbro would make a toy out of him to sell in the line.:eek:

Now I have to hope he's somebody cool.

[SKowl]

So what if Megatron is a jet? Energon Megs was a jet and he was BY FAR (I think so anyway) the coolest incarnation since Beast Wars! Fans need to think about what COULD have been Megs's alt mode: what if HE was the boom box instead of Soundwave?

Now, doesn't that make you all feel better?

They should have stuck with the Soundwave copter, it just worked perfectly. I don't know why they would have changed it. See, fans complained about the copter mode and know they're stuck with something much worse.

[Gigatron_2005]

I just had a horible thought.

If the bot who gets killed is Wheelie, then that means at some point, Hasbro would make a toy out of him to sell in the line.:eek:


That would only happen if George Lucas owned the Transformers line. ;)

[Dio]

Shaun_C I love you.

Regarding this script review, it does sound like the both the awesome factor and the cheese factor have gone up a notch each. Not sure how I feel about some of the stuff he mentioned, but there were a few good points for me.

Megatron not making an appearance until later on in the movie? Fine by me, it adds to his magnitude as a character and will probably be carried out very similar to the IDW Infiltration comics.

Soundwave/byte onboard Air Force One conducting espionage sounds like a cool possiblity - it means there's going to be more involved in this movie than just giant robots alternating between "hiding from each other" and "bashing each other's faces in."

On the same token, little Soundwave/byte shooting discs out of his chest? Toy gimmick all the way... and may or may not ultimately suck, depending on how it's carried out, but I'm not optimistic about it given current information.

And the movie being "definitely the first of multiple films?" I really hope it doesn't pursue that too much, where they send all the bad guys packing and have their little victory ceremony, yadda yadda. I want to see at least one major character death in this film (and not the video of Megatron PWNing an Autobot).

Speaking of Megatron PWNing an Autobot... I suggest we start calling this Autobot "Wheelie" as a reference, and hopefully by the time they dub dialogue into the film it will be popular enough to be included as an off-camera narration to the scene... imagine the hologram of the poor defenseless Autobot about to get squished like a bug, you hear an off-camera voice yell "Wheelie, run!" and then CRUNCH. I think that's one the fans could universally get a chuckle out of, and have to explain to the younger theater goers what's so funny about it.

[SKowl]

I don't know if anyone has re-read the article recently, but there is an update that states that we will see little transforming iPods and Xboxes...

...

... Lame.

[Gigatron_2005]

I don't know if anyone has re-read the article recently, but there is an update that states that we will see little transforming iPods and Xboxes...

...

... Lame.

Product tie-in == lame. Transformers is already just a glorified toy commercial. However, this is a big budget summer movie. Its gonna happen. But I would much rather see a red and blue Nintendo Wii as Frenzy and Rumble. :p And Apple is lame, I dont wanna see iPods at all. :(

[Chaos Muffin]

Had so much fun reading that. Really agree with the end. Hope there's no leg sprouting ipods etc using the movie to promote products that has nothing to do with Transformers.

[xenocryst]

I can understand the mass shifting opposition. It's a little hard to swallow for the average movie goer. But size shifting is what I really want. Let the full-size Soundwave shrink down to one of those large current-day boomboxes... That doesn't mean his mass changes -- No human is going to lift him! I've brought this up several times in the past, but there are plenty of real structure designs here on Earth that can dramatically change in size, and Cybertron surely has better technology than Earth.

Here's just one very simple example. (http://groups.physics.umn.edu/demo/astro/movies/1Q4026.mov) And a larger one. (http://mrsec.wisc.edu/Edetc/cineplex/foam/foam3.html)

[Xcandescent]

If it has transforming alien robots that come in two factions that are at war with each other and are a toyline produced by Takara and Hasbro-- its Transformers.... or Go-Bots. :tongue:

The only thing that's funnier than Megatron possibly killing Wheelie, is Megs possibly killing Scooter. (Or Scutr, or Scoo-turd, or whatever lame spelling he used to have.) Maybe they could work in one of those weird headless bots.

-XCN-

[SkyQuake]

One of the main fears from the start has been that Hollywood would hijack the movie, and put unrelated elements to Transformers in (that movie execs think would be a "good idea"), while polishing things off with a 'hidden' social agenda message (which Dreamworks is farely good at). Thus, a.k.a. hijacking the Transformer name for money grab, and social programming purposes.

Currently, I see a balance of those who want classic G1 TF, and those who want something all new on this movie. This is probably the best that we're going to get out of Hollywood. I think the only thing that us Geewunners have really won, is that Cullen, and Welker will be at least auditioned.

I think this movie could be good. I simply cannot give a full opinion until I see it. I will feel a little bit off if Optimus is blue though.... His truckmodes have always at least had some red. It's a power color, and I think it would be a mistake to abandon it for Optimus in this movie. :horse:

[LoserBroadside]

Hey Kranix2k

Add Batman Begins to that list of movies as although I'm not a Batman fan.I'm pretty sure they changed a few things as well.

Yeah, and as I recall most of those changes were in the Joel Schumacher Batman movies which um...sucked..to put it gently.

The best of the Batman movies, the first one and Begins really (I liked Returns, but it's a camp-fest) kept Batman as Batman and didn't change the villans much. Joker was still insane and the gangster origin wasn't without presadent. The Scarecrow was changed a bit, but they kept the essence of the character which was one of psychological manipulation and big vats of chemicals.

My point, which seems to be getting lost amid the knee-jerk chants of "cry-baby fan-boy", is that tweaking the characters is fine so long as the tweaking doesn't fundamentaly change the character to the point where it becomes virtually unrecognizable.

Bumblebee as a used camero is fine, it keeps the human connection that has always defined that character.

Soundwave as a 4 foot midget removes the cold menace that defined his character. Do you really think a four-foor tall robot that shoots CDs at people is going to be terribly dark and menacing?

Megatron as an alien jet is, firstly, lazy, as someone aptly pointed out. Secondly, it's too agile a vehical. Megatron's personality has always been direct; a bit of a blunt instrument. A tank and a gun sum this up nicely. An alien jet doesn't really (and neither does a racecar for that matter, which is why I didn't care for his Cybertron appearance).

Like it or not, Transformer personalities have always been tied directly into what they turn into and how they look. Changing that dramatically chances the very personality of the characters. That is why I worry that what we're going to end up with won't feel like Transformers. Instead we'll get another toy line and movie full of hollow homages.

But hey, if you don't agree feel free to post more pictures of soiled babies and Johnny Depp running; those are compelling counter-arguments too.


-LB thinks Smallville is to Superman as Enterprise is to Star Trek

[Steevy Maximus]

Soundwave as a 4 foot midget removes the cold menace that defined his character. Do you really think a four-foor tall robot that shoots CDs at people is going to be terribly dark and menacing?



Of course, Hasbro might play a hand and this might NOT be the "true Soundwave". Script calls him Soundbyte, maybe they'll have it so Soundwave has multiple "clones" who do all the infiltration and send him data (and he can hijack when he feels like for battle)

[REDLINE]

it was said before that soundWAVE was going to be saved for the second movie or so, when it would be less hostile to casuals to introduce mass-shifting, and that soundBYTE is a different character.

[Kickback]

Geesh.

Megatron was a jet in Energon. Not to mention in Cybertron (as well as the Batmobile). He hasn't been a tank since Armada, and even then he spent his whole time on a throne.

Perhaps Megatron is a jet because he doesn't adapt to an Earth form? Perhaps it's all the minions searching for the "Energon Cube" and Megatron is the big climatic battle at the end? You know, make Megatron out to be a total fucking bad-ass and his appearance being extremely important in the film?

Just relax and enjoy the ride. Nothing ever looks fun or exciting when it's being built.

[megatron73]

"- But, here is a slight problem. Brawl is a cop car in this draft and most Transformers fans know that Brawl is a tank. The M1-Abrams tank from the script is called Devastator which also doesn't make any sense considering that name belongs to the giant combining robot."

The same with Megatron. Not a jet. Same for Starscream why F-22? Why not an F-15.


As for people who have a problem with the original Transformers- tough.
:rock

[Kranix2k]

Soundwave as a 4 foot midget removes the cold menace that defined his character. Do you really think a four-foor tall robot that shoots CDs at people is going to be terribly dark and menacing?


No, but it can REDEFINE his image to more of an Espionage agent, which sounds pretty interesting as well.

Megatron as an alien jet is, firstly, lazy, as someone aptly pointed out. Secondly, it's too agile a vehical. Megatron's personality has always been direct; a bit of a blunt instrument. A tank and a gun sum this up nicely. An alien jet doesn't really (and neither does a racecar for that matter, which is why I didn't care for his Cybertron appearance).

Like it or not, Transformer personalities have always been tied directly into what they turn into and how they look. Changing that dramatically chances the very personality of the characters. That is why I worry that what we're going to end up with won't feel like Transformers. Instead we'll get another toy line and movie full of hollow homages.

I beg to differ quite a bit with this - but maybe its because I've seen Super Link in all its unadulterated glory instead of the neutered dub - if you have the opportunity, I ask you to watch the Super Link episode where Megatron is awakened, and the subsequent can-o-proverbial-whoop ass he unleashes on Megazarak. Come back and tell me then that because he's a jet, he aint Megatron.

But hey, if you don't agree feel free to post more pictures of soiled babies and Johnny Depp running; those are compelling counter-arguments too.

Well, sometimes nothing more can be said to those that logic and reason escapes (or bounces off of). Dunno what more to say about that. I agree those get a little overused often tho.

[llamatron]

It seems my points are more VALID if I use RANDOM CAPITALIZATIONS and BOLD TEXT all over the place. I'll also need a witty picture as well...

http://img97.imageshack.us/img97/9700/cliche9aa.jpg

Ok, there we go.

The script's still sounding alright. I don't mind Megatron having a Cybertronian form that much, I can see him getting damaged at the end of the film and needed a new form for the sequel. I also don't mind Brawl being a cop car - the name does fit. I still hope that we'll see a combiner team in the sequel. I do hope that they change Soundwave to Rumble or Frenzy or Soundbyte or something and I really hope he isn't just reduced to lame comic relief. Eitherway it does sound like there's plenty of cool stuff in there and some sweet action.

My main concern at the moment is that way too much time might be spent focusing on Sam trying to "Spike" ethnic girl #12034.

[Feralstorm]

I'll sum it up as best I can.

you ALL have valid points, and yet, somewhere between some and all of you are taking a rather unrealistic view.

To cite the example of the Beast Machines green Cybertron. People complained vociferously and cried betrayal when the planet was re-foliated, but for the most part it was pretty obvious something like that would be the outcome about halfway into the series. This movie situation is very similar. I can appreciate the expectation of a "pure" G1-like experience, but with every tiny bit of news that deviates from fanspectations, there's the wailing and gnashing of teeth like somehow the most recent news didn't say the same crap that the previous twenty bits of "It won't be the original Transformers" news said.

This is not aimed at any particular person, even if you think it is.

[Dio]

But hey, if you don't agree feel free to post more pictures of soiled babies and Johnny Depp running; those are compelling counter-arguments too.

Ironically, you're the one generalizing here and not those of us who want rabid fans to take a chill pill. How does one provide a compelling counter-argument to a fan who's on the verge of seppuku because "Sam" isn't "Spike" and makes public statements to the effect of "I WILL ACCEPT NOTHING ELSE!" when discussing alt modes being carbon-copied from 1984?

If you'd like, I can find a few quotes for you, they're not that uncommon and some are fairly recent. The dead horse that is mass-shifting was brought up on Page 6 of this very thread.

I've expressed concern about the movie straying too far from its roots in some ways. Heck, I've argued in favor of Bumblebee being a bug and not a Camaro. But there's a way to present your point that isn't the internet equivalent of sticking your fingers in your ears, clenching your eyes shut and stamping your feet while repeating what you want over and over.

[Akumaxv]

I don't see why anyone is surprised. IF this is the real script or not, it doesn't matter. I've said from the beginning, they are making this movie to make money. Bottom line. That means they'll change whatever they want, whenever they want to meet that end, regardless of what the fandom thinks.

I've said Murphy was a poor choice for this film. Look what he did to Leaugue. But it doesn't matter to Dreamworks. They just want to make money off this thing.

Would it make more sense to have the character that has minions that pop off of him be called Soundwave? Sure it would. Would that little boombox (which BTW you rarely see anymore) make more sense to be called Rumble/Frenzy? Of course it would. Would it not make more sense to call the tank Brawl, instead of Devastator? Without a doubt. Will they do it? Who knows, and frankly, I doubt they really care about who they upset. It would make the G1 fans happy since it would suit the characters they grew up with to an extent, and it would please the G1 haters since it would update them to cooler, much more sensible alt forms.

But again, Dreamworks/Bay/Murphy don't care. They just want to make money off the movie.

Does it suck? Yup. Do I hope they prove me wrong? I sure do. If you're a G1 fan, like myself, you need to really look at it this way, or you're going to be sorely disappointed.

[toma]

Yay, more things to get G1 fan boys upset.

Megatron as an "alien" jet, COULD work. I would have prefered the obvious choice of tank mode, but it may have been seen as too slow and sluggish for the Decepticon leader.

I also find it funny how, reading through other threads in other forums, gee-wunner fanboys are sooo upset about Soundwave being a boombox in the movie. I find it ironic how fans complain when an alt mode is changed (i.e. Bumblebee = camaro), but somehow are STILL upset when they keep an alt mode almost EXACTLY the same, as they are doing with Soundwave.
the almost exactly the same thing doesn't work when they change him into a 4 foot midget. it'd be like if they announced that verne troyer would be playing venom in spiderman 3

[pdkesq]

No you misunderstand me. I said it isn't Transformers. I didn't say it isn't Transformer: Energon, Transformers: Cybertron, Transformers: Armada or Transformers: The New Movie that is All New and Different.

It isn't Transformers. And that's what they're calling it.


-LB is stuborn like that

Congratulations, you just made the worst argument ever! Seriously, they've never said it was going to be "G1." They have always said it would NOT be exactly G1. Sheesh!

Its going to be a Transformers movie. Period. Now you say G1 is transformers? Maybe so, but they certainly aren't going to call it Transformers: The New Movie or Transformers: G3 or Transformers: Toilet Wars because that would be a lame title. Its Transformers period.

The fact is, as of now Transformers G1 is Transformers G1. But, Transformers is NOT necessarily G1. The sooner you get used to that idea the better off you'll be.

And you wonder why people make snide gee-wun comments. :stick:

[pdkesq]

Exactly. Or just call it something like "Transformers: New Generation" or something and make it clear that this is unrelated to G1 or anything. What I can't strand is how they're trying to have it both ways. "It's the same old Transformers but it's new and different!"

It's hard enough to please the fandom without trying to please all factions of the fandom at once plus the shareholders at Dreamworks plus the Michael Bay's ceative vision plus the uninitiated movie-goers. Just pick one. A tiny boombox robot and an alien jet villian are fine just don't name them Megatron and Soundwave. Jhiaxus was an alien jet, make him the villian.



While this might please a few whiny fan boys, it wouldn't please anyone else. First of all, every TF series since G1 has had a Megatron, a Prime, etc. Second, these are the names that people are used to and not using them makes the movie difficult to market. If you name it something weird, instead of just Transformers, and you use weird names no one outside the fandom knows (like Jihaxus) you lose the chance to pull in those who might not go see a film like this but will because they rememeber the names and themes from when they were kids.

That being said, this is 2006. No one except a few G1 wanker fanboys wants to see a movie featuring 1980s model cars. It would be a joke. They vehicles need to be modernized for this movie not to come across as corny and lame.

[pdkesq]

"- But, here is a slight problem. Brawl is a cop car in this draft and most Transformers fans know that Brawl is a tank. The M1-Abrams tank from the script is called Devastator which also doesn't make any sense considering that name belongs to the giant combining robot."

The same with Megatron. Not a jet. Same for Starscream why F-22? Why not an F-15.


As for people who have a problem with the original Transformers- tough.
:rock

Its been said a number of times that the names are being mixed up to avoid revealing who is actually going to be what. I exepct that even the trailers will only reveal 2-3 robots and that we won't get names.

[Dalarsco]

I have two points which will fall on deaf ears:
1. Megatron is NOT defined by his alt-mode. No other character has had so many drastic shifts. As long as he has a gun which goes on his arm (or at least has the possibility of it like with GF Megatron), preferably a BFG, but I'm not picky, he is Megatron.
2. All the names that people hate will probably be changed. The tank Decepticon will be Brawn or something. I would prefer Blitzwing but he hasn't been called a triplechanger. The police car will be called Prowl. The Camaro will be called Hot Rod, or Hot Shot if the name can't be grabbed somehow for the toy. Soundwave/byte will be called Rumble or Frenzy.

[airfox]

hell do a beastwars movie
everyone seemed to like the t-rex/ape fight in king kong
imagine the same fight with primal and megs?
lol

http://www.shortpacked.com/d/20051216.html

-airfox

[Wheels]

I don't see why anyone is surprised. IF this is the real script or not, it doesn't matter. I've said from the beginning, they are making this movie to make money. Bottom line. That means they'll change whatever they want, whenever they want to meet that end, regardless of what the fandom thinks.

I've said Murphy was a poor choice for this film. Look what he did to Leaugue. But it doesn't matter to Dreamworks. They just want to make money off this thing.

Would it make more sense to have the character that has minions that pop off of him be called Soundwave? Sure it would. Would that little boombox (which BTW you rarely see anymore) make more sense to be called Rumble/Frenzy? Of course it would. Would it not make more sense to call the tank Brawl, instead of Devastator? Without a doubt. Will they do it? Who knows, and frankly, I doubt they really care about who they upset. It would make the G1 fans happy since it would suit the characters they grew up with to an extent, and it would please the G1 haters since it would update them to cooler, much more sensible alt forms.

But again, Dreamworks/Bay/Murphy don't care. They just want to make money off the movie.

Does it suck? Yup. Do I hope they prove me wrong? I sure do. If you're a G1 fan, like myself, you need to really look at it this way, or you're going to be sorely disappointed.
I pretty much decided that that's the route, attitude, or outlook that I'm gonna take from now on. Simply because it dosen't matter how much I bitch and complain, it ain't gonna change. Besides, it'll save my voice until I watch the movie. Then hear me bitch and complain, or not, with the rest of you. :p

Thanks for voicing it for me. :D

[Transformed]

How can anyone here rightfully say that the die-hard fans are being babies? I find it ridiculous that, unless I’m horribly mistaken in my assessment, so many here feel that many are being a bunch of babies. After seeing pictures like these:

http://cakili.image.pbase.com/image/46746355/original.jpg

http://forums.point-blank.cc/index.php?act=Attach&type=post&id=2150

http://www.transformerland.com/image/movie_press_release_02.jpg

Not to mention that Writers Alex Kurtzman and Roberto Orci have said that the storyline they are basing the story on is in fact the original Transformer story! We shouldn’t over look other issues such as Don Murphy, and Spielberg. I haven’t read much of what Don Murphy has said on his site, but I get the feeling that he too has lead many to believe the story being created is of the Transformers seen some 20 years ago—isn’t he campaigning for the original voice actors—another nod to the past. Didn’t Steven Spielberg have an interview floating around the net about his love for the original Transformers—the same interview in which he spoke of the live action movie?

So with all these people in the know constantly referring to the old show, the original show, the show many of us call the G1 Transformers, is it any wonder so many people are pissed when they here Megatron isn’t a gun, but a jet or Soundwave is a Boom Box rather than a Walkman, or that Bumble Bee is a Corvette and not a Volkswagen Bug?
We’ve been told time and time again that the movie is the original show, and for many of we fans, we’d like to see it as it was and still is.

Seems to me the biggest mistake made so far was telling everyone that the movie was the original show and not a transformer movie featuring characters from the original show.

I myself can tolerate a few changes, but if it were at all possible to keep the original forms or something closer to, I’d rather see them. Why can’t Bumble Bee be a new Volkswagen Beetle? The picture of Optimus Prime up top looks like a modern day semi. All of the Transformers with vehicle alternate modes have some kind of vehicle that loosely if not completely matches their original forms. I can see how Megatron or even Soundwave might need too be changed, but why try to explain alien or advanced technology? If the changes that have been made are due to mass not adding up, that’s really unfortunate. Transformers were so long ago because we believed—not to mention they were not of this world, but alien. There was no need to question. We only needed to accept, and we did. I can understand no one wanting to make a toy gun either; I rather liked the idea of Megatron being a tank. Who cares if a tank is slower than a jet? It’s no more sluggish than a handgun:P He was never about speed anyway. To be honest, I’d be happy if he didn’t transform at all—he’s Megatron after all. He doesn’t need to. I like the idea of him not accepting a human made machine, he loathes fleshlings and everything about them; giving him something Cybertronian works fantastic! However, it does kind of ruin the Robots in Disguise thing though:P

Transformed

[pdkesq]

How can anyone here rightfully say that the die-hard fans are being babies? I find it ridiculous that, unless I’m horribly mistaken in my assessment, so many here feel that many are being a bunch of babies. After seeing pictures like these:

http://cakili.image.pbase.com/image/46746355/original.jpg

http://forums.point-blank.cc/index.php?act=Attach&type=post&id=2150

http://www.transformerland.com/image/movie_press_release_02.jpg

Not to mention that Writers Alex Kurtzman and Roberto Orci have said that the storyline they are basing the story on is in fact the original Transformer story! We shouldn’t over look other issues such as Don Murphy, and Spielberg. I haven’t read much of what Don Murphy has said on his site, but I get the feeling that he too has lead many to believe the story being created is of the Transformers seen some 20 years ago—isn’t he campaigning for the original voice actors—another nod to the past. Didn’t Steven Spielberg have an interview floating around the net about his love for the original Transformers—the same interview in which he spoke of the live action movie?

So with all these people in the know constantly referring to the old show, the original show, the show many of us call the G1 Transformers, is it any wonder so many people are pissed when they here Megatron isn’t a gun, but a jet or Soundwave is a Boom Box rather than a Walkman, or that Bumble Bee is a Corvette and not a Volkswagen Bug?
We’ve been told time and time again that the movie is the original show, and for many of we fans, we’d like to see it as it was and still is.

Seems to me the biggest mistake made so far was telling everyone that the movie was the original show and not a transformer movie featuring characters from the original show.

I myself can tolerate a few changes, but if it were at all possible to keep the original forms or something closer to, I’d rather see them. Why can’t Bumble Bee be a new Volkswagen Beetle? The picture of Optimus Prime up top looks like a modern day semi. All of the Transformers with vehicle alternate modes have some kind of vehicle that loosely if not completely matches their original forms. I can see how Megatron or even Soundwave might need too be changed, but why try to explain alien or advanced technology? If the changes that have been made are due to mass not adding up, that’s really unfortunate. Transformers were so long ago because we believed—not to mention they were not of this world, but alien. There was no need to question. We only needed to accept, and we did. I can understand no one wanting to make a toy gun either; I rather liked the idea of Megatron being a tank. Who cares if a tank is slower than a jet? It’s no more sluggish than a handgun:P He was never about speed anyway. To be honest, I’d be happy if he didn’t transform at all—he’s Megatron after all. He doesn’t need to. I like the idea of him not accepting a human made machine, he loathes fleshlings and everything about them; giving him something Cybertronian works fantastic! However, it does kind of ruin the Robots in Disguise thing though:P

Transformed

I don't think anyone has indicated that the movie would be an exact production of G1. Based on? Sure. G1 is the mostly widely known and is likely to appeal to adults while the concept itself appeals to kids. But other than a few fanboys no one wants to see 1980s cars. Kids today won't know the vehicles, adults will expect 80s cheese and camp and avoid at all costs. Face it, for 80s vehicles to be realistic the movie would have to be set in the 80s. Yuck!

Everything has indicated this will be a modenized take on G1 with a few different characters thrown in. But as we've seen, some companies won't allow their vehicles to be used. VW has been one, hence no VW alternator, and thus likely no VW bumblebee.

[Rattrap587]

hell do a beastwars movie
everyone seemed to like the t-rex/ape fight in king kong
imagine the same fight with primal and megs?
lol

DITTO!!!

But I want see the new current production too... I just hope Michael Bay and company don´t do with TRANSFORMERS what Joel Schumacher did with Batman... Would be simple terrible.

[Transformed]

I don't think anyone has indicated that the movie would be an exact production of G1. Based on? Sure. G1 is the mostly widely known and is likely to appeal to adults while the concept itself appeals to kids. But other than a few fanboys no one wants to see 1980s cars. Kids today won't know the vehicles, adults will expect 80s cheese and camp and avoid at all costs. Face it, for 80s vehicles to be realistic the movie would have to be set in the 80s. Yuck!

Officially said or not, you have to admit the implications of the classic transformers are there. The tractor-trailer used during the unveiling of the movie was fashioned in the likeness of the original prime, not to mention a statue of the original prime, which was also present. The original faction symbols were also show cased—only recently have these old icons been brought back (to many here, those symbols are the markings of what we call G1). The last little tidbit is the fact that the original voice actor’s names have come up in talks—why use them if you are trying to distant yourself from the classics?

I spoke of updating older looks, not keeping them. I don’t mind a 21st century take on the old ‘80s cars or whatevers—having the classic look isn’t entirely necessary; although, a likeness to look long since past wouldn’t be bad either. Rather than changing a classic character completely (e.g. Bumble Bee), why not wait until a later date to use them. I can’t image Volkswagen wouldn’t want to receive the proceeds from having their automobile made into a toy or featured in a movie, but if its true, that’s a shame, as a movie showing their car as a hero or ‘cool’ could create a demand for their car—weird.


Everything has indicated this will be a modenized take on G1 with a few different characters thrown in. But as we've seen, some companies won't allow their vehicles to be used. VW has been one, hence no VW alternator, and thus likely no VW bumblebee.

I don’t mind a modernized take on old alternate modes—I think that’s what they should be doing. But rather than changing a character completely, why not use another character who better fits the roll? Bumble Bee isn’t the only Autobot to totally click with humans.

Transformed

[Jack Cade]

*If* the film sounded exciting in its own right, then I think the anti-G1-centric crowd would have a point. What does it matter if the film is good, right? Changing stuff didn't hurt X-Men.

But the problem is, it doesn't sound good. If it didn't have the 'Transformers' tagline, and the recognisable elements of Transformers, it would sound like the most desperate, laughable attempt at a Hollywood blockbuster in years. Transforming robots? Interesting gimmick - nothing more. The plot? Uninspired sub-sci-fi rubbish. Robots on Air Force One? Yawn. Action sequences? We've had enough. Michael Bay? Oh dear.

There's nothing here to interest people who don't remember the original Transformers. The main target market is going to be people with nostalgic memories of the toys and TV show.

So if Bay and co. are changing the essence of the Transformers to the extent where little is recognisable to anyone vaguely familiar with G1, then it's going to have nothing going for it whatsoever. At the moment, frankly, it doesn't. It feels like it's going to go the way of the Avengers, as a 'reimagining' that will be laughed out of the cinema and quickly forgotten.