Posted: 15 July 2008 at 3:19pm | IP Logged

yeah I have book both first edition*hardcover* and 2nd update edition*softcover* but for Armada and Energon is okay but I like Cybertron better than that. because I like their characters are.. as well.. but I never watch RID or Beast War like that.

Posted: 29 August 2008 at 12:20pm | IP Logged

I know this post is abit old, but just thought I'd add my thoughts.

Beast Wars is by far and away the best Transformers cartoon. I have no fear in saying this, as it is true!

When the series was being developed, Bob Forward and Larry Ditillo set about creating their own version of the Transformers. It was set in the far future, so any links with the original G1 cartoon and any of the comics could effectively be forgotten about.

As The Transformers brand was pretty much down the back of the sofa, they pretty much had carte blanche to write what they pleased. As a result, we gained one of those rarest of things : a kids show thats developed with some real thought and attention. There's a lot of heavy sci-fi themes introduced alongside some extremely well written characters (Dinobot in particular).

The first series is the longest at 26 episodes, and sets the scene for the conflict and introduces an alien threat. It ends on a major cliffhanger with an ominous to be continued. Stand out Epsidoes : Beast Wars pts 1 & 2, The Spark, Spider's Web (which introduces the brilliant Inferno), The Trigger pts 1 & 2, The Low Road (excellent comic episode where Rhinox gets infected with a virus), Before The Storm and the concluding two parter 'Other Voices'.

The second series (13eps) really shifts up a gear - the Fuzors and Transmetal toylines are introduced with amazing flair and make you forget you're even watching a glorified toy commercial! It also weaves in more G1 history and continuity, in particular making 'Primus' cannon (a pretty big deal since this was never part of the original cartoon) and meshing the comic and cartoon continuities together. There is a truly outstanding episode 'Code Of Hero' which deservedly won an Emmy. I defy you not to be moved by this episode. The series closing Trilogy of Episodes reveal Megatron's true agenda and a suprise guest star (!). This is my favourite series.

Series 3 (again 13 eps), is a very dark affair as the Maximals are forced into a defensive position and are under constant attack. The introduction of the Transmetal II's and further developments with the Alien aggressors not seen since S2 further expand the series scope. However, there are some niggles. After the superb close to series 2, the opening of series 3 doesn't quite live up to expectation in its resolution (a bit like RTDs Doctor Who series finales!). Towards the end there is a clear indication that the series has perhaps been cancelled before its time as interesting lines of dialogue regarding the origins of some of the Predacon forces are dropped in, but not expanded upon or developed. Simon Furman writes the concluding episode which wraps things up, but is a little unsatisfying in places, particularly as the Maximals do little more than stand around (with the exception of Optimus and Tigerhawk). All in all, a good series with some fine dialogue and sharp characterisation - you do feel the Maximals are completely out of their depth - none more so than Rookie commander Optimus Primal- fighting an enemy that is far smarter,resourceful and dangerous than they initially realise.

After that comes, Beast Machines that ran for two season comprising 26 episodes. Its a bold series that tries to tap into the origins and spirituality of the Transformers. However, it was perhaps a step too far as the series didn't fare well with fans or the target audience. The show also features far more 'alien' designs than we've been used to. The vehicular transformers are more akin to recent movie designs than the more familar G1 approach (which I liked - the designs suiting the TFs to a tee).

The show itself deals with the return to Cybertron and introduces once of the most contentious ideas to TF lore: That Cybertron was once capable of supporting organic life and would again be possible to do so. The entire planet has been enslaved, the inhabitants desposed of and is ruled by Megatron and his army of Vehicon drones. The series charts the Maximals attempts to liberate their planet and initially regain their memories and master their new Technorganic bodies (granted to them by the Oracle - a supercomputer in the mold of Vecta Sigma).

Developed by Marv Wolfman, this series is far more stern and serious. The voice cast give very straight jacketed performances and their's a distinct lack of humour in the proceedings. It remains quite dark and grim throughout. The characters from BW also suffer from dramatic re-writes to their personalities (with the exception of Cheetor), although some fine work is done with a traumatised Maximal who rejoins the fold later in the series. Following on from BW, it means that like the Maximals themselves, you feel very unfamiliar with the characters and the world they have returned to. Whilst this may have been what the writers wetre aiming for, it does leave you a little cold. Particularly as the characters, written in this fashion, leave you with little to warm to - doubly so when they spend most of the time squabbling and arguing amongst themselves. So much does the way the characters are written affect you, that its difficult to care for them in the same way you did in Beast Wars.

Despite being hard to love, the series, if you approach it with an open mind and accept that the TFs may have once been organic, remains a largely enjoyable and fascinating piece of science fiction.

It was clearly to Hasbro early on, that Beast Machines was failing to capitalise on Beast Wars' success. To this end, during the run of season 2, the Takara series Car Robots was imported to shore up the brand and provide impetus to sales.

Car Robots (RiD to us in the west) is a strange beast. Its a relavtively light - hearted and straight forward cell animated series with plenty of anime humour. Its also as deep as a puddle and quite solidly aimed at children. Which makes the toys that accompanied the show intriguing as they featured some of the most complex transformations that we have seen to date! An odd mix, in my opinion.

In terms of TV shows, you'd really have to wait for Animated to come along for anything with the story telling savvy of Beast Wars. It seemed odd to me that having proved that children are capable of following and enjoying rich, character driven tales like BW, we then have a massive step back with the likes of Armada, Energon and to a lesser extent Cybertron.

Having been spoilt by more mature story telling, I have found it very hard to get into and enjoy Armada, Energon and Cybertron. But that just might be my age! The simplification of the toys and cartoons was probably a wise move for Hasbro (Primary function: selling toys to children), but left me, as a fan deeply uninterested.

Basically, each series functions around Unicron and the aftermath of various battles with the God. Armada is so plodding and badly scripted that its a challenging series in an entirely different fashion. Energon is better, but I could not bear the simpering witterings of Alpha Quintesson and Kicker rates as one of the most grating human characters ever to grace Transformers. The story is okay, the decepticons are trying to revive Unicron by stealing Energon blah blah blah. Cybertron follows on from that by having a quest for the Cyber Planet keys to prevent the destruction of the universe etc etc. A more well thought out series, but the characterisation is spoilt by a strange mish mash of US, UK and Australian accents gracing the TFs. Other niggles include the lifeless CGI used for the TFs in which they just flap their mouths and carry no expression (presumably because it was to be dubbed into many languages), an over reliance on ponderous Transformation sequences that pad out every single episode, annoying children and a bizarre need for the TFs to hide their exsistance on Earth (despite having been active on Earth now for 30 years in this timeline). Primus shows up and they all live happily ever after.

There's my thoughts! Enjoy!

Posted: 29 August 2008 at 1:20pm | IP Logged

If you've the brass, get the R1 sets off Amazon the whole lot's usually available for under £40. I got a software disc for my DVD that reprogrammed it and now it'll play multi region (yay!), The software disc was from dvdcodes.net . It was free at the time, but they ask you to make a donation to cover postage etc. Most models were on there (I was worried my £50 LG player wouldn't be there, but it was).

Posted: 29 August 2008 at 1:22pm | IP Logged

I do wonder why its taking Universal so long to issue an R2 set. Are they part of this licensing gubbins thats been going on like with Metrodome?

Posted: 01 September 2008 at 9:42pm | IP Logged

I started with RID like I said and loved it but Beast Wars came on later (must have been repeats or perhaps they just never showed it) on another channel called Prime and unless you have Satellite TV of some sort, it has bad quality (it's a bit fuzzy, audio is pretty fine). Back then, it was fuzzier than now and I didn't watch that channel much but I saw it in the TV guide so I decided to check it out. It looked kind of cool but because it said Beast Wars, I thought it was a fake version of Transformers. I can't believe what I missed...

7 years later and I finally know the truth (and how cool it is). Actually, I found out a few years back but now I've finally got to watch it.

Posted: 19 September 2008 at 9:49pm | IP Logged

i think the beasty stuff was good for a bit of a laugh!

i hate most of armada,energon or cybertron for no reason!

so i think watch the beasty stuff!