See Optimus Prime in truck mode! Quick!

[Ranger REG]

Now, if you could decide what Soundwave (the boombox) became in this movie, what would you choose?

Me, I'd be inclined to turn Soundwave into one of those TV broadcast vans (or even a surveillance van).

A pimped-up Scion with mobile disco setup (seen in dem "transforming" commercial).

That or an iPod.

 

[Aaron L]

I personally find the idea of sapient mechanical alien beings far less silly than having almost every alien in the galaxy being some derivitave of humanoid, and the idea that they would disguise themselves as native mechanical objects, especially mobile ones, is pretty sound.

 

[Chain Lightning]

See, that's the kinda change that they'd have to make to make the movie able to be taken seriously. But that's a pretty major change; how are the fans going to react, I wonder?

I'm a huge Transformers fanboy ... and if its true that Megatron will be an abrahms tank instead of a gun, then I'm actually cool with that. Yes, its not the original form, but I understand the need to alter some of the more "far fetched" parts of the Transformers property. Those being the size-changing robots (soundwave, megatron, perceptor).

Another reason why I don't mind is because the altered version is still within the spirit of the original. Megatron is still transforming into something that shoots a big cannon. So its still within the "feel" of Megatron. Y'know?

If the above pic of Optimus Prime is truly the new Optimus, I'm a little worried. Optimus was never the type to be flashy. A flame paint job isn't his style. That would've been fine for a character like Hot Rod/Rodimus Prime....but not Optimus.

As far as the silliness of the premise goes, you may not remember all of the story. The transformers weren't able to coincidentally change into Earth vehicles. They crash-landed on Earth without that capability, then, scanning their surroundings, rebuilt themselves with the ability to mimic Earth vehicles in order to move about the planet undetected. It was a means of continuing their private war without the hassle of dealing with human military interference.

Well said.

 

[Olgar Shiverstone]

No, no, no. You've got it all wrong. That isn't Optimus Prime.

This is Optimus Prime!

 

[Klaus]

No, no, no. You've got it all wrong. That isn't Optimus Prime.

This is Optimus Prime!

AH, now I get it! That's actually Optimus Prime *driving* the truck!

Now it all makes sense!

...wonder if he should be in a cameo in the movie...

 

[Taelorn76]

Now, if you could decide what Soundwave (the boombox) became in this movie, what would you choose?

Me, I'd be inclined to turn Soundwave into one of those TV broadcast vans (or even a surveillance van).

An ampitheater!

 

[D.Shaffer]

See, that's the kinda change that they'd have to make to make the movie able to be taken seriously. But that's a pretty major change; how are the fans going to react, I wonder?

I dont mind it, myself, but I realise that some changes have to be made, either for the plot or because of licensing issues. On the other hand, there are Transformers fans ranting because Optimus isnt the EXACT same model of truck the G1 toy represented.

Of course, this group probably wouldnt be happy unless it was an exact copy of More then Meets the Eye, down to every animation screw up. And even then, they could probably have done it better.

My favorite version of Megatron was the design piece for an upcoming "steampunk transformers in the 1890s" comic series, where he will be a gatling gun of sorts.

Heart of Steel...which is now officially out. I picked up #1 yesterday, although Megatron hasnt shown up yet.

 

[fett527]

Now, if you could decide what Soundwave (the boombox) became in this movie, what would you choose?

Me, I'd be inclined to turn Soundwave into one of those TV broadcast vans (or even a surveillance van).

Not a bad idea. It should have something to do with communications. And did I mention the voice is critical?

 

[mmu1]

I dont mind it, myself, but I realise that some changes have to be made, either for the plot or because of licensing issues.

I was taking a look at AICN (following up on a link from yesterday's Penny Arcade), and they had a bit on Michael Bay responding to the fan reaction to the leaked photo.

Turns out I might have been right - they went with that truck model because they decided to animate the transformations as "realistically" as possible - no weird changes in size, no parts growing out of nothing, etc. - so in order to make Optimus Prime 40-50 feet tall, they went with the biggest 18-wheeler on the market.

They're also claiming the paint job makes sense in context, but who knows...

 

[Desdichado]

As far as the silliness of the premise goes, you may not remember all of the story.

I did, actually. Vaguely, anyway. I'm one of those guys who enjoyed Transformers well enough when it was new, but doesn't really understand the underground fandom movement. If you want to resurrect cheesy cartoons I watched as a kid, give me Thundarr the Barbarian first!

Really, the only silliness in the Transformers plot is the core concept of giant robots. If you can accept giant robots--in any venue--then there aren't any other plot points that are particularly outlandish. If you can't, then nothing they do is going to make Transformers more palettable to you.

Probably true. The idea of the transfomers being --well, giant sentient robots that can change from a humanoid form to a truck is something that I probably won't ever be able to take seriously. I mean; have you ever seen a truck? The internal configuration, etc.? Being able to mimic the general shape I can see, but to actually be a truck?

Still, in other stories, I can accept basic premises that are even more outlandish, but I think I'm on-board with mainstream here, though, that the idea is so far-fetched that non-fanboy viewers will largely be coming in with a jaundiced eye, and playing up the campiness of the concept is probably a better idea in terms of ticket sales.

But that's all idle speculation.