Transformers One Trailer, My Thoughts

The 1980s had their fair share of rivalries and heroes vs. villains battles. Rocky Balboa vs. Ivan Drago. Lion-O and the Thundercats vs. Mumm-Ra and his Mutants. GI Joe vs. Cobra. Daniel LaRusso vs. Johnny Lawrence. But arguably one of the most famous and bitter rivalries from that decade was Optimus Prime and the Autobots vs. Megatron and the Decepticons. 

Over the last 40 years, Prime and Megs have battled it out over various incarnations and continuities. Their fight has also spanned various media. Comic books, cartoons, even live-action feature films. But every rivalry has a beginning. And this upcoming film: Transformers One, intends to show how two robotic workers: Orion Pax and D-12, eventually went from friends to bitter enemies: Pax to the noble Optimus Prime, and D-12 to the power-hungry villainous Megatron.

Directed by Josh Cooley and written by Andrew Barrer and Gabriel Ferrari, it stars the voice talents of Chris Hemsworth as Orion Pax and Brian Tyree Henry as D-12. The film also features the vocal talents of Scarlett Johansson, Steve Buscema, Lawrence Fishburne, Jon Hamm, and Keegan Michael-Key. Let's look at the trailer! 

"Ahhhh, that shoulder joint can never be loose or tight enough."

You know, you guys really shouldn't have gotten cyber-drunk at that bar in Polyhex.

He does have a point, Megatron. You can't just yell at him after saying you're not talking to him. Be consistent!

I like Badassitron. I hope we see more of him. 

...Oh wait, that's just Bumblebee. Never mind. Kind of interesting that he's portrayed as a contemporary of the future Prime and Megatron instead of the "little brother" of the Autobots. 

Can't fly without jetpacks, man! Duh!

Ah, so that's how that started.

Hey, Elita-One! And the Rolling Stones!

Is that Alpha Trion?

Oh, now he gets wheels! 😒

I think those are Quintessons. They created the Transformers...depending on the continuity. Yeah, the Transformers continuity is more confusing than DC Comics.

Well, this looks like a fun little film. I'll give it a watch in September! Thanks for reading this blog entry! See you next time!

Bumblebee Teaser, My Thoughts

Bumblebee. One of the most popular characters in the Transformers franchise. In case you didn't know, Bumblebee was a small yellow heroic Autobot who was a very capable spy and scout. The most iconic incarnation of the character came from the original 1980s Transformer cartoon and toy line, in which his alternate mode was based on a Volkswagen Beetle and was portrayed as sort of a "little brother"-type who admired the Autobot leader Optimus Prime.

Much like many other popular Transformers characters, Bumblebee would appear or be homaged in various incarnations of the franchise. Most notably, he's a character in the Michael Bay-helmed live-action Transformers movies. Notably, his vehicular form was switched from the Volkswagen Beetle to a Chevrolet Camaro (According to Michael Bay himself, the change was made because he felt Bumblebee's classic vehicle form made him seem too much like Herbie the Love Bug). He played a major role in the first movie, being among the first Autobots to make contact with humans. At least, until the other films went crazy.

Considering the popularity of the character, it's no surprise that he would get a spinoff film focused on him. This film is said to be a prequel to the first Transformers movie, set in the 1980s. Eh, why not? These films played fast and loose with history. So, for my first blog entry back from my Vegas vacation, let's take a look at the teaser trailer!

Trying to make Bumblebee look a bit angelic, I see.

Say hello to our protagonist, Charley Watson. She's the Spike Witwicky of this movie. Transformers fans will get this joke.

I like the nod to the first film with the usage of Bernie Mac's voice and lines from the first movie. Helps establish a connection. And the little beehive is probably how she names the car "Bumblebee".

Yup, Bee has seen better days if parts are falling off him.

I wonder if one could tell a horror story with the Transformers.

I have to admit, I like Bumblebee's look here.

This part with Bumblebee cowering is actually pretty good. Bumblebee has been portrayed as the "kid brother", so this sells the idea that as freaked out Charley is, he himself is just as scared. He's a young Autobot presumably alone on a strange planet.

JOHN CENA. *cue "The Time is Now"* He plays one of the film's antagonists, a Sector 7 agent named Burns. Guessing this is his way of turning heel.

HOLY COW, STARSCREAM!

Bumblebee's face armor makes him look insect-like. Sticking to the theme. Clever.

I take it he's no fan of Rick Astley. I have heard this was set in the 80s, but it doesn't seem that way to me. Rick Astley's "Never Gonna Give You Up" was from 1987, and Bumblebee's altmode is the classic-style Beetle (finally), and Charlie gives him a cassette tape, but otherwise that, it seems like ti could be set today. Maybe it's just me.

I have heard people say this film has Iron Giant vibes, and I can believe it. Kid befriends an alien robot. You can get a great story out of that. However, I feel this film is a bit of a missed opportunity. This would have been a great reboot of the Transformers film franchise. Considering the response to the last few Transformers movies, a reboot would have been a great way to jolt some new life into it. But despite that, this film sounds fun. I'll give it a looksee when it comes out.