Transformers One Confusing Retcon Long Time Fans Will Reject

This animated prequel shows why Transformers One shouldn’t retcon what’s previously known as long time fans can find problems.

Transformers One Movie PosterBack when Transformers had a singular continuity, (known as G1), it easy to keep track of what went on. But as it gained in popularity, Hasbro crafted a series bible that future iterations of the franchise had to recognize, despite regular reboots. And all of that is forgotten in Transformers One.

What it doesn’t acknowledge concern how Cybertronians came to exist and why they were used as mostly slave labour by the Quintessons. This alien force conquered this planet and created/mutated the native species to what they are now. And as for how this latest entry to the cinematic universe can transition to The Great War between the Autobots and Decepticons, I’m already scratching my head.

This origin story delves into an era that’s been fully explored in the Prime universe (Amazon Link), featured in IDW’s comic books and detailed in full in Alex Irvine’s novel, Transformers: Exodus. I even reviewed the first two books of the trilogy since I loved it that much. But when considering none of that material matters, I’m rather disappointed the film can’t even acknowledge even an ounce of that past.

Instead, the best moment is seeing the Vehicons rule an untamed land that includes bio-type mechanoids. Everything else is unimportant, like seeing how Bumblebee gets named and that he’s always been there. As for the technology in how to transform, it’s attributed to some lost science Alpha Trion summons up and doesn’t even name. Aside from being like some wise old master and using an age-old Ninjago trope of “accessing your full potential,” I rolled my eyes.

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Transformers Earthspark, A Brand New Era and Next Season News

Anyone enjoying Transformers Earthspark will be glad to hear more episodes are being made, and in the meantime, we offer a full series review now that the entire series is available on home video.

Transformers Earthspark Episodes 11-26Spoiler Alert

Transformers Earthspark is like Rescue Bots at times, because of how everyone treats each other like a tight family. Just when I thought the home release might offer material to explain the similarity, this bare-bones release doesn’t delve into the development. I’m curious about why Quintus Prime finds it vital to seed other planets with Emberstone. This artifact can create new life, and while this Primus allowed this planet to run its natural course, why would this artfact remain? Since it was placed on a pedestal, there’s a lingering question of who worshipped it?

Maybe one day, I can meet the creators and ask about this new direction for the franchise. Aside from seeing Nicole Dubuc‘s name–who has helped produce the series for a long time–the others involved in the development are not as familiar. As long as she’s leading the charge, I’m okay with this update.

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When Transformers: Rise of the Beasts Get Splashy for Its Steelbook Release

The best part of collecting Transformers is that with Rise of the Beasts, we have a gorgeous package to distinguish how IP has changed over time.

Transformers Rise of the Beasts Art 4K Steelbook CaseParamount sent me the 4K steelbook release of Transformers: Rise of the Beasts for evaluation, and I must report that although the design is different from the prior collectable megaset (Youtube video), the difference is only noticable when displaying the front. If displayed on its side, nobody would notice. The former has a gungier design, whereas in Rise of the Beasts, it’s cleaner–perhaps more punk rock with a splash of Andy Warhol on top.

The design change is most likely intentional and I’m glad they help distinguish between the different eras the past films are set in.

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Transformers. When The Rise of the Beasts Must Help and More Than Meets the Unicron!

Just how much of a threat are The Rise of the Beasts, or should that be Maximals vs Unicron? #transformers #moviereview #hasbro

Transformers Rise of the Beasts Movie PosterParamount Pictures

Ever since I saw Transformers The Movie back in 1986, my love for Unicron only grew! To learn that he’s the big threat in Rise of the Beasts only got me excited, and since I knew this ancient threat is tough to take down, some new warriors must be borne!

In the original, various Cybertronian factions worked together to sever this giant’s link to his robotic self. As a result, his spirit would always linger. His head looms over Cybertron as a reminder of how he simply lays sleeping. To bring some of that omnipresence in Rise of the Beasts is a highlight and Steven Caple Jr. certainly delivers what we both adored from the animated film!

However, to show just how nasty this intergalactic level threat truly is can be tough. Short of using artificial intelligence to bring Orson Welles’ voice back, Colman Domingo has big shoes to fill! What’s presented is very satisfactory. But to show why he matters to the Maximals, the new robot guardians of the peace, is part-way explained, even though it breaks the original canon.

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Listing All The Significant Events in the Transformers Timeline is Needed to Make Sense of the Big Picture

Here, we present a chart of everything you need to know in the Transformers timeline to know where this franchise is headed!

The order of which live-action Transformers movies to watch first is easy to figure out, but to understand where all the events fall into place in this Transformers timeline is haphazard. It requires rewatching the films again or looking at a good movie information page to review what’s significant. After catching the early access release of the latest film yesterday, I realised I had to make this chart in order to identify the master plan.

Transformers Rise of the Beasts Movie Poster

After Rise of the Beasts, the Optimus Prime we meet isn’t the same as the one from those early films. He’s a lot more rough at the edges, and to explain if he left Earth at some later point in time only to return again in Michael Bay’s film may well have long time viewers confused. That’s assuming this filmmaker’s movies are still important to the longer narrative. It’s possible that Hasbro and all the producers will have to decide to return to the present to address the story as it’s still left untold.

Even though Bumblebee is considered a soft reboot by ignoring the future by giving us tales set in the past, at some point the narrative has to return to the now to explain a huge plot hole.

Thus, we have the following points to consider from the Transformers timeline (spoiler alert):

17,000 B.C. (Transformers 2) – The First Cybertronians discover a method to harness the power of the Sun, and when one of them selects Earth’s solar system to burn out, he gets banished. His evil decision went against their prime directive.

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Fortunately, Unboxing The Transformers Limited Edition Steelbook 6-Movie Collection is a Cinch!

If you are new to the cinematic version of Transformers Robots in Disguise and want to watch it in 4k or bluray, then this The Transformers Limited Edition Steelbook 6-Movie Collection is for you!

 

The Transformers Limited Edition Steelbook 6-Movie Collection

Available to order on Amazon USA
Release Date: May 30, 2023

Thankfully, unlike some of Hasbro’s toys where some of the Cybertronians are not easy to figure out in regards to how they transform back and forth, unboxing the Transformers Limited Edition Steelbook 6-Movie Collection is much easier! I also own Transformers: The Covenant of Primus hardcover book (now out of print), and I’m sometimes scared to move the pieces of that around when I want to access that book in its original packaging; I keep it out than in. Fortunately in this release, pulling a title out to watch while still in this box is a cinch.

The box and discs are designed to sleeve nicely back and forth and it’s not likely to see wear and tear (unlike how the bots look) while proudly displayed. Although we didn’t open up the first disc of the set to reveal the fancy plated Autobot decal (pictured below) that comes with this set, everything a Michael Bay fan would want is redone in a beautiful box set of the first five movies and Bumblebee.

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