Like a lot of things in life, design is an “apples and oranges” situation. No-ones preference is more valid than someone else’s preference, and yours is as equally relevant as mine, and in this case I was just expressing mine. To put this into context, the “Transformers” franchise means nothing to me, as unlike yourself, I was not of a young age group to get into either the cartoons, toys, or other related merchandise, but can see how I may have been, had I been younger. However, I have recently read how LOTS of fans of that obviously popular property, while looking forward to a live-action blockbuster treatment, are also extremely unhappy that the new designs are so far removed from the original “blocky” ones. I just happen to be of the mind that obviously popular, long established designs needn’t necessarily be changed too much or reimagined from their original much loved look, just for the sake of change. As I say, it’s all highly subjective, but nowadays, just about any design, old or new, can look fantastic if the special effects utilised are indeed special. In this particular case, I’m sure that “Transformers” fans in general, as well as newcomers would have been just as likely to enjoy this movie had it showcased the original, well-known, “blocky” designs that previously appealed to such a wide range, IF it had been as lovingly well done as the clip shown on post #21… In my own estimation, one thing that “blocky” original cartoon design ethic version of a “Transformer” did NOT look in that short effects proposition, was stupid. I thought it was mighty fine in fact.

Anyway, that was 20 years ago, and I can’t understand the outrage over the design change of what was basically an advertisement to sell toys. The new movie looks great (except that it’s a Bay movie, so we’ll see), and I think that if they put the exact same blocky designs onscreen from a 20 year old cartoon it would look stupid as hell.

I say get over it.

Nice clip. I think the ORIGINAL well-known, established, and obviously well-liked design ethic of the Transformers would have served this movie fine, as proved in your video link. I personally don’t like the new overly “reimagined” designs seen so far, just as I didn’t like say, the reimagined Sony “Godzilla” design compared to the well loved “Toho Studios” one. While both films have great effects, I just think the designs are inferior. The actual quality of some of today’s “blockbusters” aside, I await the DESIGN of the “new” TOS-era movie “Enterprise” with great interest, and not a little trepidation…

That was a cartoon. This is a live action movie and the need for a little more realism is expected. Both the cartoons and the movie fake it though, they never could make it work logically. It;s kind of like the car that transforms into George Jetson’s briefcase.

I’m not expecting much with two writers are famous for writing films with lots of explosions for people who have Attention Deficet Disorder.

I liked Battle of the Planets/G-Force/Eagle Riders very much, but Gatchaman hasn’t yet been issued uncut on DVD in the UK.

The death of Optimus Prime was probably one of the bigger character death moments in my childhood, alongside Spock. It was also far more dramatic than James Kirk’s death a few years later!

I’m looking forward to reading the upcoming Star Trek manga. I read a sample in the latest Tokyopop preview!

As for heroes not using the ‘ultimate’ weapon until the last minute in anime . . . usually that involves the good guys dying. At that point things tend to get kinda mystical!

Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End
Hostel: Part II
Ocean’s Thirteen
Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer
Evan Almighty
Ghosts of Cité Soleil
Live Free or Die Hard
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
Hairspray
I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry
The Simpsons Movie
The Bourne Ultimatum
Rush Hour 3
Mr. Bean’s Holiday
Halloween
Balls of Fury
In the Name of the King: A Dungeon Siege Tale
Resident Evil: Extinction
etc.

You get the idea…

Aaron R.