Tag Archives: Autobots

Transformers Collection – TCG Cards

A few years ago Wizards of the Coast, in conjunction with Hasbro, released the Transformers Trading Card Game.

Though the game has come to a close now, it was very popular for quite a while, and WOTC/Hasbro were even kind enough to send me a few different sets to review when the game was at its height.  Even if you no longer play the game, the artwork on the cards makes them well worth keeping.

 

Transformers Trading Card Game Cards

 

Decepticon Character Cards

*Item #TTCG0001: Megatron (Decepticon Leader)

*Item #TTCG0002: Megatron (Arrogant Ruler)

*Item #TTCG0003: Starscream (Decepticon King)

*Item #TTCG0004: Starscream (Air Commander)

*Item #TTCG0005: Flamewar

*Item #TTCG0006: Specialist Flamewar

*Item #TTCG0007: Major Soundwave

*Item #TTCG0008: Skywarp

*Item #TTCG0009: Dirge

*Item #TTCG0010: Raider Ion Storm

*Item #TTCG0011: Raider Flamefeather

*Item #TTCG0012: Seargent Sparkstalker

*Item #TTCG0013: Decepticon Venim

*Item #TTCG0014: Ruckus

*Item #TTCG0015: Raider Runabout

*Item #TTCG0016: Raider Runamuck

*Item #TTCG0017: Seargeant Skrapnel

Exclusive Cards Reveal: Dirge and Defensive Driving. Transformers: TCG

 

*Item #TTCG0018: Bonecrusher

*Item #TTCG0019: Hook

*Item #TTCG0020: Scrapper

*Item #TTCG0021: Longhaul

*Item #TTCG0022: Mixmaster

*Item #TTCG0023: Scavenger

*Item #TTCG0024: Divebomb

*Item #TTCG0025: Predacon Headstrong

*Item #TTCG0026: Torox

Devastator Pack Review: Part 1 – Transformers TCG

 

*Item #TTCG0027: Motormaster

*Item #TTCG0028: Breakdown

*Item #TTCG0029: Decepticon Drag Strip

*Item #TTCG0030: Offroad

*Item #TTCG0031: Dead End

*Item #TTCG0032: Dead End (2nd unit)

*Item #TTCG0033: Dreadwind

*Item #TTCG0034: Blackwing

*Item #TTCG0035: Raider Laserbeak

*Item #TTCG0036: Raider Ravage

*Item #TTCG0037: Raider Storm Cloud

*Item #TTCG0038: Raider Visper

*Item #TTCG0039: Raider Detour

*Item #TTCG0040: Raider Road Hugger

 

Autobot Character Cards

*Item #TTCG0041: Metroplex

*Item #TTCG0042: Optimus Prime

*Item #TTCG0043: Bumblebee (Courageous Scout)

*Item #TTCG0044: Bumblebee (Trusted Lieutenant)

*Item #TTCG0045: Bumblebee (Brave Warrior)

*Item #TTCG0046: Dinobot Swoop

*Item #TTCG0047: Six-Gun

*Item #TTCG0048: Scamper

*Item #TTCG0049: Slammer

*Item #TTCG0050: Red Alert

*Item #TTCG0051: Private Red Alert

*Item #TTCG0052: Grapple

*Item #TTCG0053: Ironhide

*Item #TTCG0054: Major Prowl

*Item #TTCG0055: Seargent Hound

*Item #TTCG0056: Private Trailbreaker

*Item #TTCG0057: Private Arcee

*Item #TTCG0058: Seargent Chromia

*Item #TTCG0059: Autobot Novastar

*Item #TTCG0060: Sergeant Kup

*Item #TTCG0061: Blurr

Review – Metroplex Pack: Transformers TCG

 

*Item #TTCG0062: Autobot Hot Rod

*Item #TTCG0063: Optimus Prime

*Item #TTCG0064: Prowl

*Item #TTCG0065: Autobot Mirage

*Item #TTCG0066: Autobot Mirage (2nd unit)

*Item #TTCG0067: Alpha Bravo

*Item #TTCG0068: Skydive

*Item #TTCG0069: Fireflight

*Item #TTCG0070: Air Raid

*Item #TTCG0071: Dinobot Snarl

*Item #TTCG0072: Dinobot Sludge

*Item #TTCG0073: Private Top Shot

*Item #TTCG0074: Private Flak

*Item #TTCG0075: Private Mudslinger

*Item #TTCG0076: Private Tote

*Item #TTCG0077: Private Stakeout

*Item #TTCG0078: Private Red Heat

Exclusive Card Reveal: Private Stakeout – Transformers TCG

 

Decepticon Cards

*Item #TTCG0079: Fusion Cannon of Megatron

*Item #TTCG0080: Tooth and Claw

*Item #TTCG0081: Stunticon Swagger

*Item #TTCG0082: HV Electron Breacher

*Item #TTCG0083: Decepticon Crown

*Item #TTCG0084-86: Builder’s Tools (x3)

*Item #TTCG0087-88: Scoundrel’s Blaster (x2)

*Item #TTCG0089-91: Heavy Loading (x3)

*Item #TTCG0092-93: Reclaim (x2)

*Item #TTCG0094: Tower

Exclusive Card Reveal: Electro-Optical Visor. Transformers: TCG

 

Autobot Cards

*Item #TTCG0095: Combat Commands

*Item #TTCG0096-97: Noble’s Blaster (x2)

*Item #TTCG0098: Electrified Spikes

*Item #TTCG0099-101: Protected by Metroplex (x3)

*Item #TTCG0102-104: Height Advantage (x3)

*Item #TTCG0105-107: Rally the City (x3)

 

Double Orange

*Item #TTCG0108-122: Improvised Shield (x15)

*Item #TTCG0123-124: Mounted Missiles (x2)

 

Double Blue

*Item #TTCG0125-137: Handheld Blaster (x13)

*Item #TTCG0138: Energized Field

*Item #TTCG0139: EMP Wave

 

Orange & Blue

*Item #TTCG0140: Recon System

 

White & Green

*Item #TTCG0141-147: Spare Parts (x7)

*Item #TTCG0148-149: Secret Dealings (x2)

*Item #TTCG0150-152: Attack Drone (x3)

*Item #TTCG0153-158: Escape Route (x 5)

*Item #TTCG0159: Espionage

*Item #TTCG0160: Personal Targeting Drone

*Item #TTCG0161: Inverted!

 

Orange & Green

*Item #TTCG0162-165: Enforcement Batons (x4)

*Item #TTCG0166-167: Reactive Armor (x2)

*Item #TTCG0168-169: Focus Fire (x2)

*Item #TTCG0170-174: Bashing Shield (x5)

*Item #TTCG0175-176: Sparring Gear (x2)

*Item #TTCG0177-178: Scrounge (x2)

*Item #TTCG0179: Press the Advantage

 

Blue & Green

*Item #TTCG0180-182: Backup Beam (x3)

*Item #TTCG0183: Extra Padding

*Item #TTCG0184: Sturdy Armor

*Item #TTCG0185: Reflex Circuits

*Item #TTCG0186: Dismantling Claw

*Item #TTCG0187: Master Plan

*Item #TTCG0188-191: Smelt (x4)

*Item #TTCG0192: Covert Armor

 

Green

*Item #TTCG0193-200: Rest & Relaxation (x8)

*Item #TTCG0201-202: Sonic Scramble (x2)

*Item #TTCG0203-208: Tech Research (x6)

*Item #TTCG0209-211: Enemy Combat Analysis (x3)

*Item #TTCG0212: Metal Detector

*Item #TTCG0213-214: Cornered (x2)

*Item #TTCG0215: Battlefield Scan

 

Blank

*Item #TTCG0216: Hiding Spot

*Item #TTCG0217: Bad Attitude

*Item #TTCG0218-220: Ready For Action (x3)

*Item #TTCG022`: Dismantle

*Item #TTCG0222: Calculated Strike

*Item #TTCG0223: Crash Landing

*Item #TTCG0224: Smokethrower

*Item #TTCG0225: EM24 IR Laser Launcher

*Item #TTCG0226: Repurpose

*Item #TTCG0227: Steamroll

*Item #TTCG0228-234: Fling (x7)

*Item #TTCG0235: Medic!

*Item #TTCG0236-237: Plasma Burst (x2)

*Item #TTCG0238: Medic! (2nd type)

*Item #TTCG0239: Strafing Run

*Item #TTCG0240-241: Bolt of Lightning (x2)

 

White

*Item #TTCG0242-243: Piercing Blaster (x2)

*Item #TTCG0244-248: Data Pad (x5)

*Item #TTCG0249-250: Delibitating Crystal (x2)

*Item #TTCG0251: Force Field

*Item #TTCG0252-259: Force Field (2nd type) (x8)

*Item #TTCG0260-262: Superior Jetpack (x3)

*Item #TTCG0263: Intelligence Mission

*Item #TTCG0264-266: Backup Plan (x3)

*Item #TTCG0267: Diagnosis

*Item #TTCG0268: Frag Toss

*Item #TTCG0269-285: Rapid Conversion (x17)

*Item #TTCG0286-291: Surprise Attack (x6)

*Item #TTCG0292-296: Field Communication (x5)

*Item #TTCG0297-299: Work Overtime (x3)

*Item #TTCG0300-302: Leap of Faith (x3)

*Item #TTCG0303: Fog of War

*Item #TTCG0304: Combat Training

 

Blue

*Item #TTCG0305: Battlefield Report

*Item #TTCG0306: Reclaim

*Item #TTCG0307-313: Pep Talk (x7)

*Item #TTCG0314: Brainstorm

*Item #TTCG0315: Steady Shot

*Item #TTCG0316-320: Underhanded Tactics (x5)

*Item #TTCG0321-322: Universal Network Access (x2)

*Item #TTCG0323-328: Vaporize (x6)

*Item #TTCG0329: Bumpers

*Item #TTCG0330-334: Energon Slingshot (x5)

*Item #TTCG0335: Urban Camo

*Item #TTCG0336: Smoke Cloak

*Item #TTCG0337-347: Primary Laser (x11)

*Item #TTCG0348-352: Blast Shield (x5)

*Item #TTCG0353-355: Bravery (x3)

*Item #TTCG0356-357: Evasive Manoeuvres (x2)

*Item #TTCG0358-360: Leap into Battle (x3)

*Item #TTCG0361-366: Inspiring Leadership (x6)

*Item #TTCG0367: Start your Engines

*Item #TTCG0368-380: Armoured Plating (x13)

*Item #TTCG0381: Drill Arms

*Item #TTCG0382: Reinforced Plating

*Item #TTCG0383-385: Superior Plating (x3)

*Item #TTCG0386: Marksmanship

*Item #TTCG0387: Brainstorm

*Item #TTCG0388: Inferno Breath

*Item #TTCG0389: Heavy-Handed

*Item #TTCG0390: The Bigger They Are…

*Item #TTCG0391-392: Team-Up Tactics (x2)

*Item #TTCG0393: Collateral Damage

 

Orange

*Item #TTCG0394: Mining Pick

*Item #TTCG0395: Superior Cannon

*Item #TTCG0396-400: Flamethrower (x5)

*Item #TTCG0401-402: Combat Dagger (x2)

*Item #TTCG0403-407: Scrapper Gauntlets (x4)

*Item #TTCG0408-409: Power Punch (x2)

*Item #TTCG0410: Basic Combat Protocol

*Item #TTCG0411: Bolster

*Item #TTCG0412-413: Defensive Formation (x2)

*Item #TTCG0414-418: Field Repair (x5)

*Item #TTCG0419-421: Reckless Charge (x3)

*Item #TTCG0422-426: Swindled (x5)

*Item #TTCG0427-432: Testify (x6)

*Item #TTCG0433-435: Rapid Ascent (x3)

*Item #TTCG0436-439: Ramming Speed (x4)

*Item #TTCG0440-441: Repair Bay (x2)

*Item #TTCG0442-446: Supercharge (x5)

*Item #TTCG0447-453: Grenade Launcher (x7)

*Item #TTCG00454: Swarm!

*Item #TTCG0455-456: Incoming Transmission (x2)

*Item #TTCG0457-458: Vandalize (x2)

*Item #TTCG00459: Treasure Hunt

*Item #TTCG0460-464: Confidence (x5)

*Item #TTCG0465-469: Erratic Lightning (x5)

*Item #TTCG0470-471: Body Armor (x2)

*Item #TTCG0472: Ancient Wisdom

*Item #TTCG0473-474: New Designs (x2)

*Item #TTCG0475: Stealthiness

*Item #TTCG0476: Battle Ready

*Item #TTCG0477: Tackle

*Item #TTCG0478: Cooling Vents

 

Enigma Cards

*Item #TTCG0479-481: Constructicon Enigma (x3)

*Item #TTCG0482-483: Stunticon Enigma (x2)

*Item #TTCG0484-485: Predacon Enigma (x2)

*Item #TTCG0486: Sentinel Enigma

*Item #TTCG0487: Dinobot Enigma

*Item #TTCG0488-490: Aerialbot Enigma (x3)

ROTC Booster Packs. Part 2: Gameplay – Transformers TCG

 

Boxes

*Item #TTCG0491: Starter Pack (MISB)

 

*Item #TTCG0492: Rise of the Combiners Booster Box

Rise of the Combiners Booster Packs. Review Part 1 – Transformers TCG

Transformers Collection – Cybertron

And the great journey of cataloging my collection continues!

In the 3nd installment of the Unicron Trilogy we got the Cybertron series.  The main gimmick with this series was the Cyber Planet Keys, which could unlock spring-activated weapons in both bots and vehicles.  It also saw the introduction of themed colony planets, which has now become a staple of Transformers lore.

Transformers Cybertron Action Figures
Transformers Cybertron Action Figures

 

Transformers Cybertron Autobot Figures

Transformers Cybertron Autobots
Transformers Cybertron Autobots

 

*Item #CYBA001: Transformers Cybertron Autobot Optimus Prime

(Reference: Photo #P00212)

 

*Item #CYBA002: Transformers Cybertron Autobot Metroplex

*Item #CYBA003: Transformers Cybertron Mini-Con Drill Bit

(Reference: Photo #P00213)

 

*Item #CYBA004: Transformers Cybertron Autobot Wing Sabre

*Item #CYBA005: Transformers Cybertron Autobot Jetfire

(Reference: Photo #P00214)

 

*Item #CYBA006: Transformers Cybertron Autobot Quickmix

*Item #CYBA007: Transformers Cybertron Autobot Vector Prime

*Item #CYBA008: Transformers Cybertron Autobot Evac

*Item #CYBA009: Transformers Cybertron Mini-Con Stripmine

*Item #CYBA010: Transformers Cybertron Mini-Con Safeguard

(Reference: Photo #P00215)

 

*Item #CYBA011: Transformers Cybertron Autobot Cybertron Defence Scattorshot

*Item #CYBA012: Transformers Cybertron Autobot Cybertron Defence Red Alert

*Item #CYBA013: Transformers Cybertron Autobot Cybertron Defence Hot Shot

(Reference: Photo #P00216)

 

*Item #CYBA014: Transformers Cybertron Autobot Longrack

*Item #CYBA015: Transformers Cybertron Autobot Override

*Item #CYBA016: Transformers Cybertron Autobot Hot Shot

*Item #CYBA017: Transformers Cybertron Autobot Downshift

*Item #CYBA018: Transformers Cybertron Autobot Landmine

*Item #CYBA019: Transformers Cybertron Autobot Smokescreen

(Reference: Photo #P00217)

 

*Item #CYBA020: Transformers Cybertron Autobot Scattorshot

*Item #CYBA021: Transformers Cybertron Autobot Clocker

*Item #CYBA022: Transformers Cybertron Autobot Swerve

*Item #CYBA023: Transformers Cybertron Autobot Repugnus

*Item #CYBA024: Transformers Cybertron Autobot Armorhide

*Item #CYBA025: Transformers Cybertron Autobot Overhaul

*Item #CYBA026: Transformers Cybertron Autobot Backstop

*Item #CYBA027: Transformers Cybertron Autobot Breakdown GTS

(Reference: Photo #P00218)

 

*Item #CYBA028: Transformers Cybertron Autobot Leo Breaker

(Reference: Photo #P00219)

 

Transformers Cybertron Decepticon Figures

Transformers Cybertron Decepticons
Transformers Cybertron Decepticons

 

*Item #CYBD001: Transformers Cybertron Decepticon Megatron

*Item #CYBD002: Transformers Cybertron Decepticon Scourge

(Reference: Photo #P00220)

 

*Item #CYBD003: Transformers Cybertron Decepticon Starscream

(Reference: Photo #P00221)

 

*Item #CYBD001: Transformers Cybertron Decepticon Crumplezone

*Item #CYBD002: Transformers Cybertron Decepticon Mudflap

(Reference: Photo #P00222)

 

*Item #CYBD001: Transformers Cybertron Decepticon Soundwave

*Item #CYBD002: Transformers Cybertron Decepticon Laserbeak

(Reference: Photo #P00223)

 

*Item #CYBD001: Transformers Cybertron Decepticon Dirt Boss

*Item #CYBD002: Transformers Cybertron Decepticon Thundercracker

*Item #CYBD001: Transformers Cybertron Decepticon Thunderblast

*Item #CYBD002: Transformers Cybertron Decepticon Cannonball

*Item #CYBD001: Transformers Cybertron Decepticon Runamuck

(Reference: Photo #P00224)

 

*Item #CYBD001: Transformers Cybertron Decepticon Shortround

*Item #CYBD002: Transformers Cybertron Decepticon Scrapmetal Thundercracker

*Item #CYBD001: Transformers Cybertron Decepticon Ransack

*Item #CYBD002: Transformers Cybertron Decepticon Hardtop

*Item #CYBD001: Transformers Cybertron Decepticon Lugnutz

(Reference: Photo #P00225)

 

*Item #CYBD001: Transformers Cybertron Decepticon Sunstorm

*Item #CYBD002: Transformers Cybertron Decepticon Sunstorm (MOSC)

(Reference: Photo #P00226)

 

*Item #CYBD002: Transformers Cybertron Decepticon Swindle (MOSC)

(Reference: Photo #P00227)

 

Transformers Cybertron Mini-Con Figures

*Item #CYMC001: Transformers Cybertron Giant Planet Team Mini-Con Longarm

*Item #CYMC002: Transformers Cybertron Giant Planet Team Mini-Con Overcast

*Item #CYBMC003: Transformers Cybertron Giant Planet Team Mini-Con Deepdive

(Reference: Photo #P00228)

 

*Item #CYBMC004: Transformers Cybertron Recon Team Mini-Con Reverb

*Item #CYBMC005: Transformers Cybertron Recon Team Mini-Con Jolt

*Item #CYBMC006: Transformers Cybertron Recon Team Mini-Con Six-Speed

(Reference: Photo #P00229)

 

*Item #CYBMC007: Transformers Cybertron Lunar Assault Team Decepticon Mini-Con Kobushi (MOSC)

*Item #CYBMC008: Transformers Cybertron Exploration Team Autobot Mini-Con Landslide (MOSC)

(Reference: Photo #P00230)

 

Transformers Cybertron Gods Figures

*Item #CYBG001: Transformers Cybertron Primus

(Reference: Photo #P00231)

 

*Item #CYBG002: Transformers Cybertron Unicron (disembodied head)

*Item #CYBG003: Transformers Cybertron Unicron

(Reference: Photo #P00232)

 

Transformers Collection – Armada

Transformers Collection – Energon

Transformers Collection – Energon

And the great journey of cataloging my collection continues!

In the 2nd installment of the Unicron Trilogy we got the Energon series.  This saw a rise of 2-bot combination and the return of some classic characters such as Scorponok and Omega Supreme.  Best of all, we got our first official Quintesson figure!

 

Transformer Energon Autobot Figures

 

*Item #ENA001: Transformers Energon Autobot Optimus Prime

(Reference: Photo #P00188)

 

*Item #ENA002: Transformers Energon Autobot Optimus Prime (Costco Exclusive)

(Reference: Photo #P00189)

 

*Item #ENA003: Transformers Energon Autobot Hot Shot

*Item #ENA004: Transformers Energon Autobot Rodimus

*Item #ENA005: Transformers Energon Autobot Downshift

*Item #ENA006: Transformers Energon Autobot Prowl

(Reference: Photo #P00190)

 

*Item #ENA007: Transformers Energon Autobot Tow-Line

(Reference: Photo #P00191)

 

*Item #ENA008: Transformers Energon Autobot Roadblock

*Item #ENA009: Transformers Energon Autobot Inferno

(Reference: Photo #P00192)

 

*Item #ENA010: Transformers Energon Autobot Ironhide

*Item #ENA011: Transformers Energon Autobot Jetfire

(Reference: Photo #P00193)

 

*Item #ENA012: Transformers Energon Autobot Landmine

*Item #ENA013: Transformers Energon Autobot Bulkhead

(Reference: Photo #P00194)

 

*Item #ENA014: Transformers Energon Dinobot Grimlock

*Item #ENA015: Transformers Energon Dinobot Swoop

(Reference: Photo #P00195)

 

*Item #ENA0016: Transformers Energon Autobot Omega Supreme

(Reference: Photo #P00196)

 

*Item #ENA017: Transformers Energon Omnicon Strongarm

*Item #ENA018: Transformers Energon Omnicon Signal Flare

*Item #ENA019: Transformers Energon Omnicon Arcee

(Reference: Photo #P00197)

 

*Item #ENA020: Transformers Energon Autobot Air Team Sky Shadow

*Item #ENA021: Transformers Energon Autobot Air Team Storm Jet

*Item #ENA022: Transformers Energon Autobot Air Team Treadshot

(Reference: Photo #P00198)

 

*Item #ENA023: Transformers Energon McDonald’s Autobot Ironhide (MIS-Bag)

*Item #ENA024: Transformers Energon McDonald’s Autobot Ironhide

(Reference: Photo #P00199)

 

*Item #ENA025: Transformers Energon Mini-Con Sureshock

*Item #ENA026: Transformers Energon Mini-Con High Wire

*Item #ENA027: Transformers Energon Mini-Con Grindor

(Reference: Photo #P00200)

 

Transformer Energon Decepticon Figures

 

*Item #END001: Transformers Energon Decepticon Megatron

(Reference: Photo #P00201)

 

*Item #END002: Transformers Energon Alpha Quintesson

(Reference: Photo #P00202)

 

*Item #END003: Transformers Energon Terrorcon Scorponok

*Item #END004: Transformers Energon Terrorcon Battle Ravage

*Item #END005: Transformers Energon Terrorcon Cruellock

*Item #END006: Transformers Energon Terrorcon Divebomb

*Item #END007: Transformers Energon Terrorcon Insecticon

(Reference: Photo #P00203)

 

*Item #END008: Transformers Energon Decepticon Shockblast

(Reference: Photo #P00204)

 

*Item #END009: Transformers Energon Decepticon Mirage

(Reference: Photo #P00205)

 

*Item #END010: Transformers Energon Decepticon Snowcat

*Item #END011: Transformers Energon Decepticon Starscream

*Item #END012: Transformers Energon Decepticon Demolisher

*Item #END013: Transformers Energon Decepticon Sharkticon

*Item #END014: Transformers Energon Decepticon Slugslinger

(Reference: Photo #P00206)

 

*Item #END015: Transformers Energon Decepticon Construction Team Sledge

*Item #END016: Transformers Energon Decepticon Construction Team Steamhammer

*Item #END017: Transformers Energon Decepticon Construction Team Duststorm

(Reference: Photo #P00207)

 

*Item #END018: Transformers Energon McDonald’s Decepticon Galvatron

(Reference: Photo #P00208)

 

*Item #END019: Transformers Energon McDonald’s Unicron

(Reference: Photo #P00209)

 

*Item #END020: Transformers Energon Decepticon Destruction Team Kickback

*Item #END021: Transformers Energon Decepticon Destruction Team Barricade

*Item #END022: Transformers Energon Decepticon Destruction Team Stormcloud

(Reference: Photo #P00210)

 

(5 Separate figures pictured in their combined form of Bruticus Maximus)

*Item #END023: Transformers United Decepticon Onslaught

(Torso)

*Item #END024: Transformers United Decepticon Brawl

(Limb)

*Item #END025: Transformers United Decepticon Vortex

(Limb)

*Item #END026: TFX Crossfires Explorer (3rd party)

(limb)

*Item #END027: TFX Crossfires  Munitioner (3rd party)

(limb)

(Reference: Photo #P00211)

Transformers Collection – Armada

Big Angry Trev and his Armada (toys)

And so the great undertaking of cataloging my massive collection continues!

Armada was a really fun Transformers toyline.  It introduced a whole new race of Transformers – Mini-Cons, who could attach to larger Transformers to unlock new abilities.  It also gave fans what we had been waiting for for nearly 20 years – a Unicron toy!

 

Transformer Armada Autobot Figures

*Item #ARA001: Transformers Armada Autobot Optimus Prime

*Item #ARA002: Transformers Armada Mini-Con Sparkplug

(Reference: Photo #P00163)

 

*Item #ARA003: Transformers Armada Autobot Jetfire

*Item #ARA004: Transformers Armada Mini-Con Comettor

(Reference: Photo #P00164)

 

*Item #ARA005: Transformers Armada Autobot Red Alert

*Item #ARA006: Transformers Armada Autobot Red Alert (2nd unit)

*Item #ARA007: Transformers Armada Mini-Con Longarm

(Reference: Photo #P00165)

 

*Item #ARA008: Transformers Armada Autobot Scavenger

*Item #ARA009: Transformers Armada Mini-Con Rollbar

(Reference: Photo #P00166)

 

*Item #ARA010: Transformers Armada Autobot Overload

*Item #ARA011: Transformers Armada Mini-Con Headmaster Rollout (combined with Overload)

(Reference: Photo #P00167)

 

*Item #ARA012: Transformers Armada Autobot Hot Shot

*Item #ARA013: Transformers Armada Mini-Con Jolt

(Reference: Photo #P00168)

 

*Item #ARA014: Transformers Armada Autobot Smokescreen

*Item #ARA015: Transformers Armada Mini-Con Liftor

(Reference: Photo #P00169)

 

*Item #ARA016: Transformers Armada Autobot Blurr

*Item #ARA017: Transformers Armada Mini-Con Incinerator

(Reference: Photo #P00170)

 

*Item #ARA018: Transformers Armada Autobot Sideswipe

*Item #ARA019: Transformers Armada Mini-Con Nightbeat

(Reference: Photo #P00171)

 

*Item #ARA020: Transformers Armada Autobot Laserbeak

*Item #ARA021: Transformers Armada Autobot Laserbeak (2nd unit)

(Reference: Photo #P00172)

 

*Item #ARA022: Transformers Armada McDonald’s Autobot Hot Shot

*Item #ARA023: Transformers Armada McDonald’s Autobot Hot Shot (2nd unit)

*Item #ARA024: Transformers Armada McDonald’s Autobot Hot Shot (3rd unit)

*Item #ARA025: Transformers Armada McDonald’s Autobot Hot Shot Smokescreen

(Reference: Photo #P00173)

 

*Item #ARA026: Transformers Armada Optimus Prime (keychain)

(Reference: Photo #P00174)

 

 

Transformer Armada Decepticon Figures

*Item ARD001#: Transformers Armada Decepticon Megatron

*Item ARD002#: Transformers Armada Mini-Con Leader-1

(Reference: Photo #P00175)

 

*Item #ARD003: Transformers Armada Decepticon Thundercracker

*Item #ARD004: 9ransformers Armada Mini-Con Zapmaster

*Item #ARD005: Transformers Armada Decepticon Starscream

*Item #ARD006: Transformers Armada Mini-Con Swindle

*Item #ARD007: Transformers Armada Decepticon Skywarp

*Item #ARD008: Transformers Armada Mini-Con Thunderclash

(Reference: Photo #P00176)

 

*Item #ARD009: Transformers Armada Decepticon Tidal Wave

*Item #ARD010: Transformers Armada Mini-Con Ramjet

(Reference: Photo #P00177)

 

*Item #ARD011: Transformers Armada Decepticon Demolishor

*Item #ARD012: Transformers Armada Mini-Con Blackout

(Reference: Photo #P00178)

 

*Item #ARD013: Transformers Armada Decepticon Cyclonus

*Item #ARD014: Transformers Armada Mini-Con Crumplezone

(Reference: Photo #P00179)

 

*Item #ARD015: Transformers Armada Decepticon Thrust

*Item #ARD016: Transformers Armada Mini-Con Inferno

(Reference: Photo #P00180)

 

*Item #ARD017: Transformers Armada Decepticon Predacon

*Item #ARD018: Transformers Armada Mini-Con Side Burn

*Item #ARD019: Transformers Armada Mini-Con Skid-Z

(Reference: Photo #P00181)

 

 

Transformer Armada Unicron Figures

*Item #ARU001: Transformers Armada Unicron

*Item #ARU002: Transformers Armada Mini-Con Dead End

(Reference: Photo #P00182)

 

*Item #ARU003: Transformers Armada Sideways

*Item #ARU004: Transformers Armada Mini-Con Rook

*Item #ARU005: Transformers Armada Mini-Con Crosswise

(Reference: Photo #P00183)

 

 

Transformer Armada Mini-Con Team Figures

*Item #ARM001: Transformers Armada Mini-Con Destruction Team Dualor

*Item #ARM002: Transformers Armada Mini-Con Destruction Team Drill Bit

*Item #ARM003: Transformers Armada Mini-Con Destruction Team Buzzsaw

(Reference: Photo #P00184)

 

*Item #ARM004: Transformers Armada Mini-Con Road Wrecker Team Dualor

*Item #ARM005: Transformers Armada Mini-Con Road Wrecker Team Drill Bit

*Item #ARM006: Transformers Armada Mini-Con Road Wrecker Team Buzzsaw

(Reference: Photo #P00185)

 

*Item #ARM007: Transformers Armada Mini-Con Sea Team Waterlog

*Item #ARM008: Transformers Armada Mini-Con Sea Team Oceanglide

*Item #ARM009: Transformers Armada Mini-Con Sea Team Stormcloud

(Reference: Photo #P00186)

 

*Item #ARM010: Transformers Armada Mini-Con Air Military Team Gunbarrel

*Item #ARM011: Transformers Armada Mini-Con Air Military Team Terradive

*Item #ARM012: Transformers Armada Mini-Con Air Military Team Thunderwing

(Reference: Photo #P00187)

 

Transformers Collection – Robots in Disguise (2001)

And so the great cataloging for my personal and ever expanding Transformers Collection continues!

Robots in Disguise (2001) came out just as my interest in collecting renewed itself after taking most of the 90’s off.  The return of the Autobot and Decepticon factions, along with all the vehicle modes and combiners helped bring me back into the fold.

 

(Note: All figures in photographs listed from Top Left to Bottom Right)

 

Transformers RID(01) Autobot Collection

*Item #RID01A01: Transformers RID(01) Autobot Optimus Prime

(Reference: Photo #P00151)

 

*Item #RID01A02: Transformers RID(01) Autobot Ultra Magnus

*Item #RID01A03: Transformers RID(01) (Basic Class) Autobot Ultra Magnus

(Reference: Photo #P00152)

 

*Item #RID01A04: Transformers RID(01) Autobot Storm Jet

(Reference: Photo #P00153)

 

*Item #RID01A05: Transformers RID(01) Dinobot Snarl

(Reference: Photo #P00154)

 

*Item #RID01A06: Transformers RID(01) Autobot Skid-Z

*Item #RID01A07: Transformers RID(01) Autobot Tow-Line

(Reference: Photo #P00155)

 

*Item #RID01A08: Transformers RID(01) Autobot Supercharge Mode Prowl

*Item #RID01A09: Transformers RID(01) Autobot Side Burn

*Item #RID01A10: Transformers RID(01) Autobot X-Brawn

(Reference: Photo #P00156)

 

*Item #RID01A11: Transformers RID(01) Autobot  Spychanger Ironhide

*Item #RID01A12: Transformers RID(01) Autobot Spychanger Daytonus

*Item #RID01A13: Transformers RID(01) Autobot Spychanger Hot Shot

*Item #RID01A14: Transformers RID(01) Autobot Spychanger Side Swipe

*Item #RID01A15: Transformers RID(01) Autobot Spychanger W.A.R.S

*Item #RID01A16: Transformers RID(01) Autobot Spychanger Crosswise

*Item #RID01A17: Transformers RID(01) Autobot Spychanger Prowl 2

*Item #RID01A18: Transformers RID(01) Autobot Spychanger Mirage

*Item #RID01A19: Transformers RID(01) Autobot Spychanger R.E.V

*Item #RID01A20: Transformers RID(01) Autobot Spychanger Side Burn

*Item #RID01A21: Transformers RID(01) Autobot Spychanger Mirage (2nd Unit)

(Reference: Photo #P00157)

 

*Item #RID01A22: Transformers RID(01) Autobot Build Team Grimlock

*Item #RID01A23: Transformers RID(01) Autobot Build Team Hightower

*Item #RID01A24: Transformers RID(01) Autobot Build Team Heavy Load

*Item #RID01A25: Transformers RID(01) Autobot Build Team Wedge

(Reference: Photo #P00158)

 

*Item #RID01A26: Transformers RID(01) Autobot Team Bullet Train Midnight Express

*Item #RID01A27: Transformers RID(01) Autobot Build Team Railspike

*Item #RID01A28: Transformers RID(01) Autobot Build Team Rapid Run

(Reference: Photo #P00159)

 

Transformers Robots in Disguise (2001) Decepticons

*Item #RID01D29: Transformers RID(01) Predacon Megatron

 

*Item #RID01D30: Transformers RID(01) Decepticon Skyfire

*Item #RID01D31: Transformers RID(01) Decepticon Wind Sheer

(Reference: Photo #P00160)

 

*Item #RID01D32: Transformers RID(01) Decepticon Dreadwind

*Item #RID01D33: Transformers RID(01) Decepticon Smokejumper

(Reference: Photo #P00161)

 

*Item #RID01D34: Transformers RID(01) Destructicon Scourge

*Item #RID01D35: Transformers RID(01) Destructicon Bludgeon

(Reference: Photo #P00162)

 

Transformers Movies: All 8 ranked from Worst to Best!

Rise of The Beasts is now finishing up in theatres, the 7th instalment in the live-action Transformers Movie franchise and the 8th Transformers movie overall.  More than any other part of Transformers, be it the comics or cartoons or toylines, the movies have divided fans.  Many Transformers fans have grown up on the live action movies, or were first attracted to Transformers by it hitting the big screen.  Others have lamented films with more humans than robots, convoluted and contradictory storylines, unrecognisable classic characters and even coined the term ‘Bayverse’ – a derogatory term to refer to this part of the franchise as more concerned with big explosions than any form of storytelling.

But love them or loathe them, most fans who has seen all the movies has in their head their own personal list of ‘best to worst’, judging the films by their own personal criteria.

So here is Big Angry Trev’s own list of the Transformers movies, starting with my least liked and working up to Number 1!

 

Number #8 – The Last Knight

Movie Review – Transformers: The Last Knight

Saw this in the cinema, and have watched the Blu Ray a total of twice, both times at the behest of someone else.  This is a movie that ran for over 2 ½ hours and may have been better received if they had shaved a lot of that runtime off.  Even upon multiple viewings the storyline jumps around too much to coherently follow – first they are hiding out in a junkyard, then they are racing through the streets of London, then they are undersea looking for a tomb and then finally up in the air fighting on broken bits of Cybertron.  Throw in a few human storylines, most of which were superfluous, the appearance of Unicron’s horns which were never properly investigated, and Merlin to boot and you had too much going on to properly sit back and enjoy.

Toys Review – The Last Knight: Steelbane, Cogman & Sqweeks

The movie did have some positives going for it.  The reemergence of Barricade, Welker finally voicing Megatron, Optimus Prime becoming Nemesis Prime and having a smackdown with Bumblebee, finding out what happened to Cybertron after TF3 etc.  Also a few good battle scenes; Crosshairs jumping from the back of a stolen Con flyer, deploying parachutes and blasting enemies will always stick in my head as one of the best visuals of the entire series.

Toy Review – MB-20 Nemesis Prime

But in the end none of this could make up for a French-sounding Hot Rod, Marky-Mark removing his shirt for no reason, Combiners that seemed to flow together instead of actually transforming and a plotline that left you going ‘huh?’.

Toy Review – The Last Knight Infernocus

 

Number #7 – Revenge of The Fallen

If only the movie had been as awesome as the toyline!

I feel part of the reason this movie is so disliked by much of the Fandom is that it seemed such a letdown after the relatively well received first movie, and many feared such a sequel would put an end to the live action Transformer flicks altogether.  Bay blamed much of the movies faults on the writers strike.  Since another strike is currently occuring lets hope it doesn’t adversely affect next years animated Transformers One movie

This was a movie made for 13 year old boys.  Considering its Transformers perhaps that should not be too surprising.  The crass humour was dialled up big time and for me (as someone who has avoided even learning about Kiss Players) the most cringeworthy thing to ever happen in all of Transformers was watching Wheelie hump Mikalya’s leg. Devastator having testicles, dogs humping other dogs, a fleshy tongue on the end of a metal tendril trying to lick Sam, a sidekick in his underwear demanding toilet paper, a stoned mother and Jetfire farting a parachute – the childish humour seemed to never end.  Add to this… urgh… the Twins, the most racially insensitive thing in Transformers since Carbombiya, and this movie felt like it was written by Beavis & Butthead after they discovered pot.

Toy Review – Studio Series Scrapper

Like TLK, this movie still had some good points.  The introduction of The Matrix, the Original Primes, The Fallen and the Pretender concept were welcome parts of Transformers lore to be included into the live action universe.  Soundwave becoming a Communications Satellite was a clever idea and him ejecting Ravage in order to infiltrate an installation was very cool.  This is also where Soundwave got his tendrils, a concept carried over into TF3, Prime and RID15.  The way Devestator combined was dramatically done, even if he subsequently only smashed bricks and sucked sand.  Despite only being a byproduct of the movie, it is also worth noting that ROTF brought us one of the best and most  expansive toylines of the live action franchise, indeed Bludgeon who wasn’t even in the movie receiving the best toy he has ever had!

Toy Review – Studio Series: Scrapmetal

But once again despite all the positives, too many negatives were contained in this film to overlook, and thus Revenge of the Fallen comes second last in the Transformers list of fav movies.

 

Number #6 – Age of Extinction

Grimlock on the big screen baby!

The previous two movies are widely regarded as the worst of the Transformer flicks so I doubt them coming in at numbers 7 & 8 will raise many eyebrows.  Likewise I doubt this movie will cause a lot of contention by not being #1.  Age of Extinction had a lot going for it, a new human cast (Shiah LeBouf having taken to wearing a paper bag on his head by this point), new robots whilst still retaining a few fan faves that survived the slaughter of DOTM, an interesting plotline and a cool bad guy.  Yes, Lockdown (imported from the Animated universe) made a refreshing change; a bounty hunter not involved in the Autobot/Decepticon conflict who could turn his face into a sniper cannon.  The Autobots on the run, hiding out from being hunted down by the government was also a nice change of pace from being teamed up with Lennox and his crew.  Throw in a few Dinobots, an evil Fraiser and the old trope of Megatron being reborn as Galvatron and you’ve got a winner right?

Toy Review – Nemesis Grimlock

Well… sorta.  In a franchise that often let its movies run too long in order to fit in as many Michael Bay explosions as possible, this one was the longest coming in at a whopping 165 minutes!  Even if you are enjoying yourself, that’s too damn long!  By the time Lockdown’s ship was using its gravity weapon to suck up boats and building, simply to dump them down again, your average viewer was exhausted.  Like TLK, it may have been better received if it had cut at least half an hour of superfluous material.  The Dinobots were very cool, but seemed to be more monsters than Dino’s, whilst Hound had transformed from a nature lover to a rotund, gun-toting drill sergeant.  The whole storyline of Tessa Yeager was just fricken creepy!  All the skimpy outfits and sexual innuendos attached to a 17 year old girl dating a 20 year old was just…. bleegh!  Don’t get me wrong, I like looking at pretty girls on a big screen as much as the next guy, but this just made you feel gross, especially that ‘Romeo & Juliet Law’ thing.  The Lucas Flannery character stating ‘There goes a couple of dune bugs’ while he leers at other underage girls paled in comparison and that’s saying something.  The other negative for die hard fans was Transformium (not to be confused with the fantastic Transformatorium) – we want to see robots cleverly turn into vehicles and back – turning into a bunch of pixels is just cheating.

This was a movie that had more positives than negatives, yet one cant help think that if Cade was bereft of children this movie would have been shorter and less creepy on the whole.

 

Number #5 – Dark of the Moon

Optimus, save me from another movie like ROTF!

Okey Dokey, now we are getting to the better stuff!  DOTM (in my opinion, remember – these are just my opinions.  But because they are mine they are fantastic!) brought Transformers back from the depths that ROTF sent it tumbling into, giving us an action-packed and interesting movie full of battling bots destroying everything in their path.  No street fight with a dozen bots, no skirmish out in the desert in Qatar – this flick gave us huge battles where Chicago got ripped to shreds as the Bots and Cons went head to head!  This movie had a coherent storyline that seemed to stay on track and kept the plot moving forward at a good pace. It was not frantic enough you lost the plot, nor slow enough you got bored.  The humans were at least tolerable (for the most part) though that toilet scene was plain weird and Sam’s mother had gone from amusing to disturbing.  Optimus having his trailer, the appearance of The Wreckers, buildings toppling over from some giant driller thingie – all pro’s.  With the addition of  Laserbeak becoming a pink version of Bee so he could kill some kids Dad and you’ve got yourself a bonifide action movie boys and girls!

Was the movie perfect?  Oh my no, hence why it sits at No #5.  Sam’s as big a loony as ever, jumping around with a Con-watch attached to his wrist.  The Autobots are far more brutal than the Decepticons, examples being the Wreckers ripping an enemy limb from limb and Optimus killing both Megs AND Sentinel at the end of the movie, even as the latter asked for mercy.  Shockwave is grossly under-utilized for such a major character, and lets all thank the powers that be that they decided to make Wheeljack named Que instead, because he looked like Einstein got reanimated as a robotic skeleton.

Quibbles aside, this was a pretty good movie and if nothing else, acted like TF:TM by killing off a lot of the old bots so we could enjoy some new ones the next time round.

 

Number #4 – Transformers

Off to finally see some live-action Transformers!

Now, to clarify, I actually like DOTM more than the 2007 Transformers movie.  But credit where credit is due, this is the flick that brought the franchise into the world of live-action movies and was successful enough those movies are still being made 16 years later, so ya gotta give it some props.

Yes, this was the movie that had some sections of the fandom crying ‘Michael Bay raped my childhood’ – and what a stupid platitude that was.  You still see social media groups today that have vowed after the first live-action movie to never watch another one, or have deemed anything not purely G1 as an abomination.  To these people I say: once you’ve closed yourself off to anything new, then stagnate you will, and so will the franchise you apparently love so much.

For me nothing will ever quite match the magic I felt as I watched Blackout transform for the first time.  And as for Optimus transforming from Truck to Robot – I had to put a hand over my mouth and stifle a little sob of joy.  It may not have been G1 but here was the Transformers finally done in live-action, and they weren’t f’ing it up!

Oh the Geewunner in me decried a lot of the movies aesthetics.  Megatron and Starscream were as ugly as sin, Ironhide and Ratchet were the wrong colours and so on.  And that’s when they were actually on screen – for a lot of this movie you sat there wondering ‘When are the robots going to come back?’  For a movie called Transformers, they certainly seemed to take a back seat a lot of the time.

The humans?  Well besides taking up too much screen time they weren’t too bad.  Sam hadn’t gone insane yet and neither had his mother, her short performances being the comedic highlights of the film.  Mikayla was quite a strong character for someone who the male audience was supposed to primarily drool over, and Lennox and his team did their best to not be simple jarheads, actually adding to the plot nicely.

So yes, this movie had a lot of faults, but for bringing Transformers into the mainstream and giving the franchise a gigantic shot in the arm which it still benefits from today, Transformers 2007 comes in at Number #4 for me.

 

Number #3 – Bumblebee

Movie Review – Bumblebee

This is the movie that so many die hard fans wish that Transformers 2007 had been.  First we are treated to a scene with all the bots battling on Cybertron, and they look like themselves again!  No weird colour schemes, no faces and bodies so mashed and distorted that once they move you cant tell what part of a bot you are looking at, all those aesthetic quibbles gone.  Cybertron looks like Cybertron again too, its not some Hexagonal mesh covered in bots that are the same colour as its surface and it’s not in bits and pieces flying over the Earth either.  It was all so beautiful it could bring a tear to the hardest Geewuners optic sensor.

Of course this did not last long and off to Earth they went, but not many of them.  Yes, by only having Bumblebee, Shatter and Dropkick on Earth you got to see their characters actually develop, interact with humans, interact with each other – you know, actually act like characters in a movie instead of murderbots.

Charlie Watson remains to this day the most likeable human out of the entire movie franchise.  You empathise with her woes and you celebrate her victories.  She’s not going nuts, or trying to shag someone, or being overly heroic or sexualised or insane.  You hate Tina Lark and laugh when Bumblebee smashes up her car, you root for Memo as he tries to step up to be a hero despite being scared shitless, and manages to show his romantic interest for Charlie without being sleazy.

And how much 80’s nostalgia could they pack in eh!  The music, the aesthetics – all spot on.  Bumblebee is a Volkswagen Beetle as we always wanted him to be and reprising his role as the sweet best friend of the central human rather than just bashing up Barricade a lot.

There is very little to fault with this movie.  Oh sure, Blitzwing looked more like Starscream than the live-action Starscream ever did so the ‘changing bots beyond recognition’ concept from the Bayverse movies hadn’t completely disappeared.  It was also confusing to many fans that this was billed as a prequel rather than a reboot, yet it contradicted so much that had come before, such as Bee hitting Earth in 1986 rather than having been around so long he had been battling Nazi’s.

This was a wonderful movie, with a lot of heart and fully deserves it’s place in the Top 3 Transformer movies of all time.

 

Number #2 – Rise of the Beasts

Movie Review – Transformers: Rise of the Beasts

Yes, I have to give it to the latest instalment of the franchise, Rise of the Beasts has been the best live-action movie so far.  With far less humans and far more Bots, new factions and – gasp – Unicron himself, we get a fantastic movie with Transformers banding together to save the world itself!

Transformers: Rise of the Beasts – Special Preview Screening Event!

I love Bumblebee, I do.  He’s a great character and my son’s favourite.  However many of us were suffering from Bumblebee overload.  Every movie, every cartoon, every toyline, everything from 2007 onwards he has been front and centre.  And sure, it makes sense as he’s the posterbot for the franchise now.  But enough was enough, so I was very happy to see Mirage step up to take his place and Bee to be sidelined for much of the adventure.

Video: Interviews at Transformers Rise of the Beasts Preview Screening

Was this the Mirage of old.  Well, no.  In fact when you first see his altmode you think ‘Jazz is back!’ It’s rather odd how much they made his vehicle look like Jazz, though they did give a holographic shout out to his old mode.  His invisibility is gone, but his holographic powers from the original tech specs and the Netflicks cartoon are in evidence.  For me he was a tad too cheery, a tad too immature and he was able to swap altmodes far too easy – he can have the bulk of a garbage truck but be as small as an exosuit?  Transforming seems less special when you make it almost limitless.

Optimus is sounding old and weary.  And who can blame him, Cullen is 82 now!  The poor old bloke will be on his deathbed and still have a boom hanging over his head so he can voice Prime.  One wonders if they cast Prime in the ‘concerned weary leader’ role just to take into account the voice actors age.  That said, he still rocks it as he always does and he is respected and loved by beast and bot alike.

Transformers Beasts Base Camp

Scourge makes a passable bad guy, an amalgamation of his G1 and RID(01) incarnations, being a black truck with his Sweep minions (looking like Frenzy’s cousins).  Battletrap is awesome in the battle scenes with those chains of his, it’s only Nightbird that doesn’t add much to the trio.  The Maximals Optimus Primal and Airazor get a lot of dialogue and screentime, though fan favourites Cheetor & Rhinox do little indeed.  Arcee seems a good mix, looking similar in bot mode to the Bumblebee movie and similar in altmode to her ROTF incarnationIts just Wheeljack that got fans annoyed, and it turned out there was a lot of noise over a character that barely appeared.  And like many fans, I’m remaining hopeful of a Stratosphere action figure.

The ROTB Wheeljack Controversy

And perhaps this is why this movie ranks for me as the highest of the live-action movies – I can spend all this time taking about the robot characters.  Yes, they were finally characters with dialogue and weren’t one-dimensional killing machines, a precedent set in the Bumblebee movie that was thankfully followed on.

Toy Review – Studio Series Airazor

There were a couple of humans too of course, and it was nice to see there wasn’t a romantic/sexual story between them, a refreshing change.  They weren’t annoying either.  And whilst they got a lot of screen time, perhaps for the first time since the 80’s the robots were truly the stars of a Transformers movie.

And speaking of the 80’s, that leads us to…

 

Number #1 – The Transformers: The Movie

A movie so good I had to recreate it in action-figure form

C’mon, you all knew this was coming.  TF:TM remains the high point for many of a franchise nearly 40 years old.  Yes it was a glorified toy commercial.  Yes it was designed to kill off as many old characters as possible so that Hasbro could flog the new toys.  And yes, it sent many children out of the cinema in tears as they watched their beloved Optimus Prime die.

Toy Review: Kingdom Rodimus Prime

But it did SO MUCH.  And it introduced SO MUCH!  A slew of what is considered quintessential to Transformers got it’s start here.  The Matrix of Leadership, Megatron becoming Galvatron, Junkions, Quintessons, Sharkticons, Optimus dying (to one day be resurrected) and so on.  Hot Rod, Kup, Blurr, Arcee, Ultra Magnus, Cyclonus, Scourge – all these iconic characters got their start here.  Not to mention Unicron, perhaps the biggest big bad to ever exist in pop fiction ever!  Galactus drains the energy from planets, well our bad guy eats planets and swallows moons whole!

Now this isn’t to say the movie isn’t without flaw, there’s plenty.  Two Cyclonus’, a miscoloured Rumble, Snarl appearing and disappearing randomly, characters that die showing up later etc.  And though I loved it as a kid, the adult in me cringes a bit watching them having a dance off on Junkion.  Hasbro was way too brutal with killing off fan favourite characters, though one could argue this is one of the things that makes the movie so memorable – this was a no-holds barred slaugherfest in places which set it apart from many of the other 80’s toy movies.

Toys Review – Studio Series Hot Rod & Scourge

But damn, there is a reason they are STILL selling toys based directly on this movie 37 years later, its just too good!  It had stellar cast of pop culture icons such as Lenoard Nimoy from Star Trek, Eric Idle from Monty Pythons and a song by Weird Al Yankovic, as well as other big name actors such as Orson Wells himself playing Unicron.  It even managed to make Daniel and Wheelie not annoying (if only S3 of the cartoon had managed such a feat).

Toy Review – HasLab Unicron

Space battles, motorcycle chases, Dinobots, Constructicons, a bad guy the size of a fricken world – it’s amazing they could fit all this into such a short movie.  Throw in a soundtrack which is so 80’s it makes you want to run to the nearest music store to buy an electric guitar to learn such tasty licks, and you’ve got a movie that is still beloved nearly 4 decades later.  Yes, The Transformers: The Movie sits at number #1 as the greatest Transformers movie of all time; it had both the touch and the power.  Heck in spots it even dared to be stupid!  And one suspects will retain its throne for many years to come, until Galvatron gives it a hint at any rate.

Video: Kingdom Galvatron Review

 

So how would you rate the 8 Transformers movies from worst to best?  Similar to myself or completely differently? Pop your list in the comments section below!

Transformers: Rise of the Beasts – Special Preview Screening Event!

Rise of the Beasts, the highly anticipated seventh live action Transformers movie, officially hit cinemas around the world on Friday the 9th of June, 2023 (June 22 in Australia).

A June 22 release for the rest of Australia, but a few of us lucky ducks didn’t have to wait that long

However, as befits a multi-million dollar movie of a beloved toy franchise, Paramount and Hasbro held a Special Preview Screening on Thursday the 8th, and for those notables lucky enough to receive an invitation, what an event it was!

If you are going to see a movie, do it in style!

Here in Sydney Australia, the event was held at the Hoyts Entertainment Quarter, and much excitement was in the air.  One could attribute part of this excitement to the fact that due to international date lines, it was the 8th here in Australia before the majority of the world, making this one of the first ever showings of the movie!

Love getting invitied to these special events – thanks Hasbro and Paramount!

The attendee’s were made up of executives from both Hasbro and Paramount, professional movie reviewers and various celebrities such as actors, social media influencers and even cosplayers.  Naturally everyone’s favourite radio star and blogger Big Angry Trev was on hand, much to the excitement of the crowds!  Photographers snapped pictures and a film crew was on hand to interview guests.

Video: Interviews at Transformers Rise of the Beasts Preview Screening

There were even some extra special guests in the form of some of the movie cast themselves – Bumblebee and Mirage decided to come along to grace their fans with their presence and pose for pics.

Mirage
Bumblebee

Over the course of the year we have seen many Transformers events here in Sydney, such as the Beasts Base Camp at Taronga Park Zoo, and the More than Meets the Eye Exhibition at Kings Comics.  What was wonderful to see with all these events, were not only the usual cream of society invited, but also notable members of the Australian Transformers Fandom.

Big Angry Trev & Miguel Maestre at the Beasts Base Camp

In attendance for this Special Preview Screening event were Transformer Exhibitors such as Lisamaree Chiu, Ben Keenan and Michael Vella and Transformer Superfans such as Trent Munn and Dallas Roderick.  Yes, the royalty of the Aussie fandom were on hand to strut their stuff and I know all were appreciative of how Hasbro and Paramount have included the fandom in this years movie festivities.

Big Angry Trev and his trusty sidekick Orion posing for photo’s with Superfans Dallas & Trent

Free soft drinks and popcorn was on offer for all attendee’s as they entered the theatre, where individual recliner seats, soft and plush, were on offer to cradle every buttock.  And for the very crème de la crème of the attendee’s, Hasbro reserved some very special seats dead centre of the theatre for the optimum viewing experience.

What’s better than attending an exclusive event? Getting VIP seating at the exclusive event!

These Special Preview Screenings were not only held in Sydney, but also Brisbane and Melbourne, making it not only a regional but national event!

The Brisbane event, photo courtesy of M.K Griffin of Ozformers
The Melbourne event, courtesy of Jason Murray of TCCA

Transformers: Rise of the Beasts turned out to be a fantastic movie, earning a well deserved round of applause from an appreciative audience.  I heartily recommend everyone get out themselves out there to watch this fun and entertaining flick.

Movie Review – Transformers: Rise of the Beasts

Sadly, this event was likely the last event for the Transformers social season this year.  Lets hope that the powers that be make the next highly anticipated instalment just as fun!

Were you one of the favoured few to get to attend one of these Special Preview Screening Events?  Lets us know in the comments section below!

 

Movie Review – Transformers: Rise of the Beasts

After a 5 year absence of giant shape changing alien robots in theatres, Transformers Rise of the Beasts has hit cinemas worldwide June 9th.  Thanks to the generosity of Hasbro and Paramount Pictures, some of us lucky folk even got to attend Special Preview Showings on Thursday 8th, being able to quench our thirst for Autobot antics a day early.

Even Mirage got invited to his own flick! Love Hasbro & Paramount putting on these special events!

Warning, this is a Movie Review – so SPOILERS!

One of the main complaints of the live action Transformer films is having to wait around for ages to finally see some robots.  No such complaint can be made here.  One of the main groups of protagonists – The Maximals, and the main antagonists – The Terrorcons and their gigantic master Unicron, are introduced at the outset, setting the stage for much mayhem to come.  We are also introduced to the Allspark Matrix Control Pillar Seed Staff of Merlin Transwarp Key, a… glowy thingie… which will be used as an excuse for robots to travel to Earth, trapse all over the globe and fight each other to obtain it.

I can eat whole planets – but can be defeated by the lack of a glowy thing the size of your forearm

And then of course we transfer to the obligatory human characters and their backstories.  Firstly Noah Diaz, an ex-solider who is about to embark on a life of crime in order to support his younger brother who, I dunno, has a pain in his hand or something.  And Elena Wallace, an undervalued researcher in a museum.  So yes, we have humans but good news – there is no romantic subplot!  That’s right folks, a live action Transformers movie with no romantic awkwardness between teens or overt sexualization of young women – can I get an amen!

We are never scantiy dressed or sexually attracted to each other – are we sure this is a Transformers movie?

Anyways, these humans need to meet the Transformers for the plot to advance, so Noah tries to steal Mirage, police chase ensues, they escape and we get introduced to the bulk of the Autobot cast.  Brooding Optimus & perky Bumblebee, the mainstays of the movie series are on hand with Arcee, returning for her third outing, combining her robot look from the Bumblebee movie with her motorcycle altmode from ROTF.  But its Mirage who takes the staring role both in this scene and for much of the movie (oh thank you, thank you Primus for not making yet another movie all about Bumblebee and Optimus again!).

We are fam-i-ly!

Lets take a look at Mirage shall we.  Originally in Generation One the character was a blue & white Autobot Warrior, a member of the upper class who wants the war over so as to return to his lavish lifestyle on Cybertron, who could turn into an Indy Racer as well as cloak himself with invisibility.

‘A giant robot race car that can cloak? I rock!’

Here he seems to be a pastiche of other G1 Transformer characters.  He has the youthful exuberance of Hot Rod, the altmode of Jazz and the holographic powers of Hound.  That said, at least there is some resemblance to previous incarnations there.

‘You are  really going to enjoy me’

Mirage also seems to be able to turn into anything.  Yes I know that’s the point of Transformers, that they can change their forms, but Mirage can change into most anything on a whim.  In short order he transforms into a Porsche, a Lamborghini and an Indy Racer (in an homage to his G1 counterpart).  Yup, all cars approximating his mass and size, so what’s the problem?  No problem as such yet, but a short time later he transforms into a garbage truck bigger than Prime himself, and near the end an exo-suit for Noah which is not much bigger than the human.  By making Mirage seemingly able to be anything, it waters down the specialness of the transforming ability in general.

Wait, wasn’t I like 100 times bigger only an hour ago in the movie?

It isn’t long before, in pursuit of the glowy key thingie, the Autobots meet the Terrorcons, with much fighting and general violence taking place.  Thankfully for the franchise it learned from Dropkick and Shatter from the last flick as in a few fleshed out bad guys can prove more interesting than an army of generic ones (don’t worry, that happens later too). Scourge, the Terrorcon leader and main Herald of Unicron, is powerful and commanding enough as the main villain, though can’t be said to be breaking new ground – at least he comes with a couple of deployable Freezer minions.  Battletrap is pretty cool, using chains with clamps and wrecking balls on the end in both his modes to hurt his opponents, often using the environment around him to help smash his foes.  Nightbird can fly to provide her group air support, she also produces her signature swords near the end of the movie but doesn’t do much with them.

I will use the one ring to rule you all!

The glowy thingie is found, but oh no!  It got all broke up and now we need to find the second half!  Cue off to Peru, courtesy of Stratosphere, a pretty cool old transport plane character.  They meet up with Pablo Wheeljack who has an idea where the second half may be.  There we see the Autobots actually using their ‘robots in disguise’ moniker by hiding around the city in vehicle mode while the humans do their thing.  Then off to the jungle where the Maximals are hiding out where they are most definitely not robots in disguise.  Don’t get me wrong, they look cool.  But they are all way bigger than the animals they are supposed to be disguised as (the glowing eyes don’t help much either).  Maximals and Autobots team up, get their arses kicked, the glowy thing is put back together and thus the final act is underway.  The transwarp portal is opened, allowing Unicron to come and chow down on Earth.

‘Wait, you can tell that I’m not an Earth-gorilla? How?!’

But things don’t happen that fast.  Despite the transwarp portal castle thing materializing in seconds, it takes a long time for the portal to open enough for Unicron, so even though Airazor is now dead and Bumblebee near death himself, the remaining bots go to stop the portal opening, Optimus and Noah learning the magic of friendship (or something) and trusting each other.  Here we get the big final battle, with all the good guys who survived near dying at some point but never quite managing it, while the bad guys (along with the promised hordes of weaker bad guys to go smashy smashy on) get their comeuppance.  Cue some post battle scenes and that’s a wrap folks.

Movie Review – Bumblebee

So yes, the plot is very formulaic and nothing you haven’t seen in a hundred other flicks.  So is this movie worth watching?

Yes, yes it is!  This is actually to my mind the best live action Transformers movie to date, as well as being the most fun!  The majority of robots are treated like actual characters, receiving their fair share of screen time and character development, not simply murderbots to show up to kill each other between prolonged human scenes.  Speaking of, they finally seem to have struck the right balance for robot-to-human screen time – it’s a Transformers movie with actual Transformers!

We are in the film! We are in the film lots!

The only time I got sick of the squishies was the final battle scene; a huge stunning battle taking place with the Maximals and Autobots fighting the Terrorcons and a legion of their minions while Unicron decends from above, and they halt the action for two full minutes for Noah to have a heart-to-heart with his brother over a walkie-talkie?!  Shut the hell up Noah – we want to see the robots fight!  This did detract from the exo-suit scene for me, as I was all pissed off with Noah ruining the flow, but thankfully times like this in the movie were rare – no 10 minute scenes of Sam Witwicky having a mental meltdown in class, followed by talking about how a kiss had a deisely tinge to it.  The pacing of the movie is spot on, keeping you entertained without things going so fast you don’t know what’s happening, the humour gives you a few genuine laughs without it ever sinking into the gutter, in short this movie seems to have listened to all the fan gripes about the first 5 movies and rectified them, producing a fun and entertaining flick about our favourite giant, shape-changing alien robots!

I give Transformers Rise of the Beasts 9 out of 10 stolen Autobot badges.

You like me, you actually like me

Have you seen this movie?  What did you think of it?  Leave your thoughts in the comments section below.

Movie Review – Transformers: The Last Knight

The ROTB Wheeljack Controversy

There is only about a month to go until the new Transformers Rise of the Beasts film hits theatres and the hype is building, with everything from toy lines hitting shelves to art exhibitions taking place to celebrate the upcoming flick.

MORE THAN MEETS THE EYE EXHIBITION

However, it wouldn’t be a Transformers movie without there being something contentious to make the fandom all scream at each other, and in this case it’s the design of Wheeljack.

“Did I do that?’

Wheeljack, the very first Transformer to ever hit screen, was the Autobots mad-scientist, always coming up with whacky inventions and weapons that more often than not backfired.  This combined with his distinctive headscuplt,  easy-going personality and slick Lancia Stratos Turbo race car alt-mode meant that he was a fan favourite and one of the better known Transformer characters.

Wheeljack nearly appeared in the Dark of the Moon Transformers movie, but the decision was made at the last second to call the character ‘Que’ instead, as an homage to James Bond’s gadget guy.  Still, this decision was made so late that some toys and in the associated video game the character was still called Wheeljack.

‘Hey, it could be worse – I could look like this in the new movie!’

Wheeljack made his proper live-movie appearance in the Bumblebee Movie.  Whilst he had but a single line, he could be seen battling on Cybertron at the start of the flick and was instantly recognisable.  Despite being on screen for a very short amount of time, he received a very cool Studio Series figure which had an altmode of a Cybertronian HoverCar, instead of the Cybertronian HoverVan mode he had in the G1 cartoon.

In the upcoming Rise of the Beasts movie, a sequel to the Bumblebee flick, Wheeljack has completely changed from the previous film, with a completely different robot mode and altmode to any he has sported before.  Some fans are really not happy, with other fans really not happy that those fans are not happy.

So where does my opinion lie in all this?  Well let me tell you:

Toy Review – Studio Series Airazor

“Don’t be a slave to G1, don’t be a sook – characters change!”

This is the argument that a lot of fans are giving to those that don’t like the look of the new Wheeljack.  And I think they’ve got the argument slightly wrong.   I believe it’s not that people are annoyed that this incarnation of Wheeljack in not a carbon copy of his G1 incarnation, it’s that he’s not really recognisable as Wheeljack at all.

VW fans however are gonna be psyched!

People, for the most part unless they are the most staunch geewunners (which do sadly exist), don’t mind some changes to characters, as long as they retain some key essence of the original. It keeps the characters fresh and interesting.  Fans had no issue with Wheeljack being a Wrecker with a rebellious personality in Prime (2010). Wheeljack having a country accent and a mouth in Cyberverse (2018) and the new Earthspark (2022) cartoon have also been received without complaint.  Despite some changes these incarnations were still instantly recognisable as Wheeljack, due to either their physical appearance and/or personality. This incarnation doesn’t look, act or sound like Wheeljack (that we’ve seen thus far – who knows what may happen in the film).  So I completely understand why some fans are going ‘Why not just make it a new character instead of completely changing an old one?’.

These WERE the droids you were hoping for

 

To use an example from a different pop-culture franchise – it’s like Batman; there are dozens of different iterations of Batman with varying costumes and personalities, but you can generally pick up a comic or see a movie and still go ‘yep – that’s Batman’.

All slightly different in looks and personality – but all still definetly Batman.

No one is demanding that every Batman look like Adam West, they just want it to still be recognisable as the character.  If they did a comic where Batman was actually a 6’10” Slavic insurance-claims adjuster who lives in Brisbane, and at night throws rubber ducks at criminals whilst making poultry-puns, people would be like ‘WTF? That’s not Batman!’

 If we were to use a Transformers character such as Grimlock, we see the pattern repeated.  He is usually a grey Cybertronian T-Rex with a rebellious attitude.  But we have seen different versions of him over the years.  In the Alternators toyline he turned into a Ford Mustang, in Titanium a Cybertronian tank, in Rescue Bots Academy a Dino-cycle, in Age of Extinction a Gigantic Rex-Dragon.  In the RID15 Cartoon he was back to being a Cybertronian T-Rex again, but now green with a teddy-bear like head and a goofy personality.

All slightly different in looks, personality and altmodes, but all still Grimlock.

Each of these differed greatly from the core G1 character, but there was still enough recognisable elements that you could look and go ‘yup – that’s Grimlock’.

 

‘There have been different Wheeljacks before – they reuse names all the time, get over it!’

Armada Wheeljack

Yes, lots of characters got their names reused in Beast Wars, then again in early 00’s in shows like RID & Armada, but those were generally exceptions where they just randomly used names in order to keep the trademark.  Wheeljack in Armada was a bitter Autobot that swapped allegiance, and besides a car altmode had nothing to do with the original.  Similarly Grimlock, whom we were discussing earlier, turned into a excavator in RID and had zero connection to the original character.  So the precedents are there.

One of these Grim’s is not like the other ones…

That being said, Hasbro has taken a far more uniform approach to their characters in the modern era and, outside of the Movieverse, these aberrations have happened very little over the last 15 or so years.

 

So am I going to boycott the movie because Wheeljack is essentially unrecognisable?  No – I’m still looking forward to it!  And for all I know I might really like the character on the big screen and go out and buy the SS figure of him.  But do I understand why some fans have a beef with how he is being portrayed – yes I do.

Causing more mixed feelings in fandom than a female Ghostbuster

So my 2-cents are: if you don’t like how you think the ROTB Wheeljack looks/acts/sounds – go watch the movie next month and see if he grows on you.   Heck, he might be good enough that he earns a right to simply share the name, like G1 and Beast Wars Inferno do.

To those who have a problem with others disappointment in what the character looks like so far, give’em a break eh – it can be a bit heartbreaking to see a character you’ve loved for years changed beyond recognition for no obviously discernable reason.  But yes, when you’ve read the 50th ‘they’ve destroyed the character!’ rant, I can understand how your patience would wane.

Can the Transformers fandom just chill out a bit?

And my final words are – it’s all just toys and movies, don’t take it so seriously, just have fun!

 

Got an opinion on the whole Wheeljackgate?  Pop it in the comments section below!

Ask Trev: Pipes versus Huffer

This question comes from Katrina in Sydney:

 

Pipes and Huffer have the same alt mode but different robot modes. Which is your favourite?

Such cute little alien war machines!

It’s true that most of the 1986 Autobot Mini-Vehicles are just slight retools of their 1984 counterparts.  The likes of Swerve, Tailgate, Hubcap and Outback are simply recolours of Gears, Windcharger, Cliffjumper and Brawn respectively with new face sculpts (OK, Outback got a new gun as well which was pretty slick).

However Huffer and Pipes are the exception.  As well as a new colour scheme and face sculpt, the Transformation from Robot Mode from Vehicular mode was slightly changed.  Instead of the cab of the truck becoming a hood as it did with Huffer, it became a backpack for Pipes.

But are their alt-modes really the same?

One of these trucks is not like the other one

Well, yeah, for the most part.  But there are subtle differences.  The moulded grill and headlight motif on the front of the truck has been slightly changed from Huffer to Pipes. The tail-end of the trucks tray, which becomes the robots feet, is slightly more pointed on Huffer than Pipes.  Perhaps the most notable difference besides the colour scheme is the smokestacks, which on Huffer and slightly indented, whilst on Pipes they are well and truly, well… pipes.

Overall the differences are negligible, but far outweigh the differences between the other mini-bot recolours of that era.  I’d be hard-pressed to say which I like more as both have their charms.

Robot Modes

Huffer: “My elbows go the wrong way!” Pipes: “At least you can still pick stuff up”

Here is where the differences really stand out.  As stated, Huffer has a sort of canopy whereas Pipes has a large backpack.  From the back Pipes is easily the weaker of the two, having an entire truck cab hanging off his back.  However this is where his weaknesses end.  His arms are far superior to Huffers, and whilst Huffer could be said to have hands of a sort, it’s the orientation of his arms that lets him down, resembling some form of preying mantis idue to the backwards elbows.  The head of Pipes too is superior, having an actual sculpted head that sits in front of the backpack, rather than some form of wide mask half-hidden under a hood.

 

So to answer Katrina’s question, I have to give it to Pipes, on the whole he is an improvement on his predecessor.

Legends ‘LG35 Super Ginrai’ vs Titans Return ‘Powermaster Optimus Prime’

But what about other iterations?

Huffer, being a legacy character from the 1984 cartoon, has turned up in multiple toylines such as KRE-O, Power Core Combiners, Timelines and even Transformers Prime.  Pipes however has only had another two outings, both retools of existing Huffer figures.  So lets have a look at these to see who is the superior in these new iterations of classic characters.

 

Combiner Wars

Prime-wannabe’s

If there is one set of Huffer/Pipes figures where the alt-modes are exactly the same then it is Combiner Wars.  Not only are the altmodes the same, but the robot modes are exactly the same too, the only differences being in colour scheme and sticker placements.  As such, it’s pretty much impossible to pick one over the other.  I will say I never understood why they gave Pipes a red face, he looks like Tracks squat brother (or me when I’ve been out in the sun too long).

 

Kingdom

We finally busted into the Deluxe Class!

The third outing of Pipes, being again a retool of Huffer, is in the Kingdom line.  I found both these toys to be quite clever and both are certainly the most toon-accurate versions of the characters we have ever had in their robot modes.  Highlights for me included that Pipes now has pipes attached to his outer forearms like in the cartoon instead of the toys arms functioning as the pipes themselves. Huffer now sports a canopy of sensible size, and the way the sides of his alt-modes tray join together to form a very Halo-esque weapon is a really cool idea.  I couldn’t fault either of them.

Pipes & Huffer: Both ready to smoke you!

In their vehicular forms, the fronts of the vehicles are actually (bar colour) exactly the same, having less differences than their G1 toy counterparts.  The differences only seem to be at the back, where Pipes is toting his pipes and Huffer’s gun and shield serve to form a tray.

But wait, there’s more!

Can’t decide between Pipes and Huffer?  Why choose either when you can have Puffer!

Puffer: ‘Even I haven’t heard of me before!’

Soooo…. The story behind this is that in certain parts of the world, when Pipes was released he was a straight up recolour of Huffer, rather than a retooled version.  The storyline behind Puffer is that Huffer and Pipes got sucked into a time-vortex (as one does) and they were fused together into the one being.  Like so many other extremely obscure characters (who can easily be recoloured from an existing figure), Puffer now has his own official toy.  This Puffer though, is essentially Pipes slightly recoloured and with a G1 toy accurate head.  Whilst there is little of Huffer to see in this figure, if you can’t decide which you like more out of Pipes and Huffer, then Puffer may be for you!

Toys Review – Legacy Motormaster & Drag Strip

So, overall, Pipes or Huffer

A reminder that Prime and Magnus aint the only Autobot trucks on the block

Well, for me it is hands down Pipes, and for me that is a purely sentimental reason.  Pipes was one of my first ever Transformers, and was the first Transformer I ever got a double of when a mate gave me another one for my 9th birthday.  Still have them both too 😊.  I liked in the cartoon how Pipes seemed to straddle between mechanic, field medic and a quasi-field commander, whereas except for lifting the odd mammoth, Huffer seemed to do nothing but whine, barely built anything and for the most part simply vied with Gears for title of biggest complainer on The Ark.

G1: Emotions aside, talking about toys then I feel that Pipes has the better robot mode, despite Huffer having hand indents.  Vehicular, despite the minor differences, I don’t favour one over the other.  Winner: Pipes

Combiner Wars: Exact same vehicle mode so no favourite; in robot mode I gotta take points off Pipes for having the red face.  Winner: Huffer

Kingdom: A draw, as though I like Huffer’s robot mode that smidge more, and he has the cool gun and shield that become the truck tray, Pipes finally has dedicated extra pipes, living up to his namesake.  Winner: A draw, with a special shout out to Puffer for being such a unique character.

Got anything to say about the figures examined, or Pipes and Huffer in general?  Pop it in the comments section below!

Toy Review: Autobot Ark & Teletraan 1