Maybe it’s not that they hate everything that isn’t G1, but they just don’t think Optimus Prime needs to have a mouth. I, for one, think he looks cool with the faceplate on, and it doesn’t need to be a “battle mask.” It should just be what his face looks like. And if you think it would look “incredibly stupid” for him to have a face plate on all the time, then that’s your opinion, but I must say that I strongly disagree, a huge amount of other people also would likely disagree, and so would the 20+ years of various Transformers shows that have existed before the movies, plus the 13-year-long run of the IDW comic universe, all of whom have given OP a permanent face plate. And nobody associated the faceplates with “battle” until the movies started associating them together.

Trust me, if two robots were beating the shit out of each other, the audience would easily be able to distinguish that it is indeed a fight scene, wether or not one of them has a mask covering his face. Also, I know other people beat me to it, but I also would like to weigh in on the whole “true intentions” thing: emotions and their expressions are all in the eyes, not the mouth. Sure, you can smile or something, but you can easily tell if someone is genuinely smiling by looking at their eyes. As for characters in the movie, if they see a giant robot, they will likely be afraid of it. Wether they see its mouth will not be a factor.

Finally, I’d like to point out that it just doesn’t make sense to have the battle mask in the first place. If your entire body is made out of metal, what is the point of another piece of metal? Not to mention the fact that it only covers his mouth and the bottom of his nose. Where’s the protection for, you know, the rest of his body?

 

I like the battle mask concept, along with built in weapons. It's like an extra transformation feature.

 

I like them, especially if the battle masks are made from actual faces.

 

Optimus has not had a mouth for most of the franchise's history. I don't see why he needs to have one now.

And I especially don't see how Optimus having a permanent faceplate makes him any more or less approachable to humans.

 

Why are Transformers protecting their mouths to begin with? Is it especially sensitive to laser fire?

 

Battle mask. Bayformers cybertronian mouths look wack

 

Actually, Beast Wars first introduced an Optimus with a mouth...

 

Both, I think bayverse was by far the best combo of that. While I love the mask, I think without the mask defines him. The forest battle displayed that.


Point being, Bayverse made it work. And if Bay can make it work. Pretty sure the new rebooted series can as well. In the end, This is my matter of preference. Mask is fine. But with it. It'd look unnatural. during moments of such like these.

If he had the mask on. It'd look cool and all. But in the end, without it he seems show more expression.

 

True, but I don't mean to refer to Primal when I say the name Optimus. The two are very distinct characters, in my mind.

 

it's gotta be both nowadays. wouldn't be surprised if the netflix wfc series has g1 optimus open and close his mask

 

It adds more emotion to certain situations, like this.

 

I prefer battle mask because more stylish when battling..

 

Like Primal said, Prime was his ancestor. Primal was the first representation of the evolution of the Prime aesthetic with a retractable mask.

 

Part of the mystique of Prime is him never having a face, what I didnt like about the movies prime as that his face is UGLY

 

I like the mask better, its looks just off without it, while the comics and some others are okay without it, bayverse optimus without the mask is uncomfortable to look at (I usually avoid looking at his mouth area if the mask is gone, its just so weird and disturbing for me...)

 

At this point, I’m fine with a balance. I think both Animated and Prime made it look best in my humble little opinion.

Plus, I find it interesting how no one seem to address Bee’s own faceplate/mask since it was part of the original G1 toy, not unlike Optimus.

 

Yeah animated and prime are definitely the ones who look the best with and without their masks... too bad bayverse Prime looks absolutely terrible without his mask...

 

I prefer his insectoid nightmare demon face to be covered up at all times.... as well as melted off skeleton face bumblebee to keep his battlemask on at all times.

It's like asking if you prefer Darth Vader with or without his helmet, lol.  

 

By primus I agree! Its way too uncomfortable to look at, heck most of the Bayverse Decepticons were more appealing to look at.