I figured it was just because tarps are a common feature of trucks like that, though it was a neat little design element to show how far he'd fallen.

 

Yet he had it off whenever he was around Starscream, Soundwave and Laserbeak.

 

Never said I had a problem with that. I love those signature moments when Megatron's actually kicking some Cybertronian ass. Beating on Starscream twice in ROTF, roundhouse-kicking Optimus in the face in ROTF, tearing up Sentinel's ass in DOTM, etc.

 

He's a Sith Lord. That's why.

 

No, he's the Sith APPRENTICE, remember?

 

Need I Use a Meme to kill this topic?
Okay
Here goes

ITS A TARP!

 

They had to put in the movie somehow.......



Also....Lockdown has a badass poncho...so why can't Megatron have a cowl? We need more stuff like that nowadays. 

 

But Palpatine too wears the hood.

 

Megatron had been on earth in 3 years, he figured that wearing something makes you somewhat cooler.

 

Megatron: Urgh, it's too hot in this desert....
Starscream: That's why I have this tarp to keep me shaded and cool  
Megatron: *YOINK!*
Starscream:  

 

 

Megatron: I demand that.
Starscream: But... I found it first.
Megatron: How dare you contradict me!

 

Honestly, a cool visual that made sense to have (when he used it). Nothing more, nothing less. He has a damaged face that he wants to hide/protect, his alt mode is of a dirty, tarp-covered truck. Evil character stereotypes often have "capes" or "hoods". Put two and two together and you a Megatron with a hood/cape. And it looks awesome. Does it serve a blatant plot-changing purpose? No. But it looks hella' cool when he's wearing it and when he takes it off.

On a more joking note, I too had to chuckle when I saw the movie the first time. I sat there and thought "He wears that hood...only to look like a complete bad-@$$ when he constantly takes it off".  

But also, Meta777 has teh smartz.

This also pretty much sums it up.

I too would've liked him to "do more" with it. But really, anything he'd "do" with it would be merely something visually awesome (to which people would complain about). You know, standing on the bridge of a Decepticon airship with the wind blowing his cape around. Or the typical "whoosh"-action that an evil character with a cape would make as he turns around. Simply something cool to look at.

Megatron drives into the base, tarp-less and transforms. He approaches Starscream who appears to be dancing in front of a mirror, wearing nothing else but Megatron's poncho. "Starscream?!?! What are you doing with my tarp?!" Starscream turns around, Megatron's poncho wrapped around his head like a babushka. "Master? I didn't know you'd... I was just... I can explain..."

 

Why thank you, I'm here all week!  

Methinks I will sig this, so my ego may always be reminded of itself