Blog Talkback: Cartoon Universe: Monkey, Not Truck: Why Beast Wars is Great
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mom_single_sexy
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I do wholly agree with you between Dinobot and Optimus. Though Optimus's death was emotional in a way, it was mostly based upon iconic status and childhood shock value to some extent. A hero died for sure, but he was an icon. Dinobot was a character, and thus had greater gravitas and pathos in his acts that Optimus ever did. Besides, Optimus was a victim of the reckless acts of Judd Nelson, Dinobot went to his demise knowing full well what would happen to him without anybody getting in his way.
His end is so powerful that now that anytime there's a non-BW Transformers episode that involves a Transformer dying, I see if it holds to that same standard. Sadly the only thing that came close to it is perhaps
and the most disappointing one to be,
Shouldst we addeth some spoiler tags to the thread title perchance?
His end is so powerful that now that anytime there's a non-BW Transformers episode that involves a Transformer dying, I see if it holds to that same standard. Sadly the only thing that came close to it is perhaps
Starscream in Armada
Animated, where the sacrifice felt rushed and we just did not have that attachment to Prowl.
whyte_tygyr
New member
Hoowee, Matt. When the TF fansites see the news feed with your headline, the hardcore fans are going to hit the fan. (No pun intended.)
Yes. I lived and breathed Transformers from the age of 12 until...well, it hasn't ever stopped, really.
But I agree that the original series is flawed in many ways. Nostalgia is the only thing that holds up in repeat viewings because as a lifelong animation fan (and critic), it's hard to overlook so many flaws.
And I realize why you might have omitted mentioning other BW characters, but I really loved Depth Charge for his badashery and Inferno for the comic relief. And thank you for NOT mentioning Waspinator who was always the series' overused one-joke running gag and the second-most annoying voice of the series (top 3: Terrorsaur/Starscream, Waspinator and Quickstrike).
To clarify, this is true only for the original TV series and movie. The Marvel TF comics -- especially the G2 series -- were much more rich in character development. Also, Prime develops and matures into a leadership role in Transformers Animated, which has become my favorite TF series -- even moreso than Beast Wars -- for the story arcs, character development, epic scope and just being a quality series in general. Fans waited a long time to see in animated form the kind of epic battles and conflicts TFA delivered that previously they had only dreamed of and written fan fiction about.
Prime's character was also further explored in the Dreamwave and IDW TF comics series.
Not just to the thread title, but also to Matt's post. I still find animation fans all the time who've never watched Beast Wars.
And Matt just spoiled one of the series' greatest moments. Granted, it's like 10 years after the fact, but still...
Yes. I lived and breathed Transformers from the age of 12 until...well, it hasn't ever stopped, really.
But I agree that the original series is flawed in many ways. Nostalgia is the only thing that holds up in repeat viewings because as a lifelong animation fan (and critic), it's hard to overlook so many flaws.
And I realize why you might have omitted mentioning other BW characters, but I really loved Depth Charge for his badashery and Inferno for the comic relief. And thank you for NOT mentioning Waspinator who was always the series' overused one-joke running gag and the second-most annoying voice of the series (top 3: Terrorsaur/Starscream, Waspinator and Quickstrike).
To clarify, this is true only for the original TV series and movie. The Marvel TF comics -- especially the G2 series -- were much more rich in character development. Also, Prime develops and matures into a leadership role in Transformers Animated, which has become my favorite TF series -- even moreso than Beast Wars -- for the story arcs, character development, epic scope and just being a quality series in general. Fans waited a long time to see in animated form the kind of epic battles and conflicts TFA delivered that previously they had only dreamed of and written fan fiction about.
Prime's character was also further explored in the Dreamwave and IDW TF comics series.
Not just to the thread title, but also to Matt's post. I still find animation fans all the time who've never watched Beast Wars.
And Matt just spoiled one of the series' greatest moments. Granted, it's like 10 years after the fact, but still...
Dinobot's death would have had less impact for me if I'd known in advance what was going to happen to him.
I couldn't agree more.
Beast Wars smaller casts really allowed the writers to get the most out of their characters and in turn they produced a much more "time-less" product. Having recently watch some G1 episodes and found a bit of enjoyment in doing so I've really started to pine for some of that Beast Wars goodness. I do hope it returns to DVD shelves in the future.
Beast Wars smaller casts really allowed the writers to get the most out of their characters and in turn they produced a much more "time-less" product. Having recently watch some G1 episodes and found a bit of enjoyment in doing so I've really started to pine for some of that Beast Wars goodness. I do hope it returns to DVD shelves in the future.
As the article mentions the major deaths in their respective series as high points, this was the high point of Armada. Especially considering how well developed the aforementioned character is in the series. I know a lot of people love Beast Wars (I know I do), but Armada holds a special place in my heart.
Excellent article, TC. Beast Wars is, by far, the best TF series we've had so far. Heck, I'd easily rank it with the best animated action shows of the 90's and 00's (The DCAU, Gargoyles, Avatar:TLA, TMNT 2K3).
I'm glad I got the DVDs before they started getting really expensive.
BTW, I personally think Grimlock was also a character that stood out in the G1 cartoon (c'mon, he's a T-rex). Of course, he's also the best example of how the G1 cartoon was so unsatisfactory compared to its comic book counterpart, in which Grimlock was 100x more well written.
I'm glad I got the DVDs before they started getting really expensive.
BTW, I personally think Grimlock was also a character that stood out in the G1 cartoon (c'mon, he's a T-rex). Of course, he's also the best example of how the G1 cartoon was so unsatisfactory compared to its comic book counterpart, in which Grimlock was 100x more well written.
RebelQueen
New member
Beast Wars was my entry into Transformers fandom as kid, and it remains my all-time favorite animated series.
Through various interviews over the years, the writing staff acknowledged how difficult it became to write coherent stories as the show entered its third and final season, as Hasbro felt the story was becoming too dark, and was forcing the writing staff to come up with ways to introduce new characters so they could make more toys.
As it stands, Hasbro produced an entire line-up of Beast Wars toys with toy molds and characters that weren't in the show.
Through various interviews over the years, the writing staff acknowledged how difficult it became to write coherent stories as the show entered its third and final season, as Hasbro felt the story was becoming too dark, and was forcing the writing staff to come up with ways to introduce new characters so they could make more toys.
As it stands, Hasbro produced an entire line-up of Beast Wars toys with toy molds and characters that weren't in the show.
Beast Wars was my favorite Transformers series and also one of my favorite cartoons. It may be a complete departure from the franchise for some, but I like to judge things on their own merits and not anything else. I found it's cast to be better developed and more interesting than G1's, Animated's, or any of the Japanese shows. As mentioned, the deaths were better handled and felt more emotional than any other of the series' for me.
My main problem with G1 is, well, everything to be honest. It's an 80s Toy Commercial show and it shows. I never watched it as a kid only as an adult, and I couldn't get into it. Animated was better than G1, but felt more.. kid-oriented and dumbed down than Beast Wars; and I kind of felt the fanservice was a bit pointless and cheap (for example, I know people loved Animated Soundwave to death for no other reason than they liked G1 Soundwave, despite Animated Soundwave having no personality and doing nothing until the third season. Or Blackarachnia, who felt kind of like the writers were saying 'Hey, look, it's Blackarachnia from Beast Wars, you like her, right?' when she didn't have anywhere near as much depth or development as the Blackarachnia from Beast Wars did and I never cared for her at all.) I think Animated only got decent during it's third season, but by then it was too little too late for me. Beast War's first season was also fairly average, but felt more entertaining to me because the characters were more likable and seemed to grow along with the show, and I suppose the fact it took place on an 'uncharted world' opened up more interesting stories than Detroit does for me. I loved the guerilla warfare angle the show had, and it felt like they were in a war with recon missions, finding resources, and capturing control points, and other stuff.
My main problem with G1 is, well, everything to be honest. It's an 80s Toy Commercial show and it shows. I never watched it as a kid only as an adult, and I couldn't get into it. Animated was better than G1, but felt more.. kid-oriented and dumbed down than Beast Wars; and I kind of felt the fanservice was a bit pointless and cheap (for example, I know people loved Animated Soundwave to death for no other reason than they liked G1 Soundwave, despite Animated Soundwave having no personality and doing nothing until the third season. Or Blackarachnia, who felt kind of like the writers were saying 'Hey, look, it's Blackarachnia from Beast Wars, you like her, right?' when she didn't have anywhere near as much depth or development as the Blackarachnia from Beast Wars did and I never cared for her at all.) I think Animated only got decent during it's third season, but by then it was too little too late for me. Beast War's first season was also fairly average, but felt more entertaining to me because the characters were more likable and seemed to grow along with the show, and I suppose the fact it took place on an 'uncharted world' opened up more interesting stories than Detroit does for me. I loved the guerilla warfare angle the show had, and it felt like they were in a war with recon missions, finding resources, and capturing control points, and other stuff.
I always preferred Beast Wars over the original G1 series and to date it is still the best Transformers series ever made. I'm glad Matt did this blog post because I've been on a nostalgia trip since I got my hands on the IDW Beast Wars Omnibus.
I'll also admit I liked Beast Machines, though admittedly it was a bit of a step down from its predecessor, yesssss (BW/BM Megatron is the best Megatron
). Still it way better than what has come out since though I believe Animated was a step in the right direction. Hopefully the new one they are casting will continue that progress.
I'll also admit I liked Beast Machines, though admittedly it was a bit of a step down from its predecessor, yesssss (BW/BM Megatron is the best Megatron
). Still it way better than what has come out since though I believe Animated was a step in the right direction. Hopefully the new one they are casting will continue that progress.halfwayhome22
New member
Oh I loved Beast Wars its one of my all time favorite animated shows. As a kid I wasn't exposed to the G1 series much before I mostly read the comics and bought the G2 Marvel comicbooks. As for comparing G1 with Beast Wars I dont bother its like comparing Star Trek to Star Trek: TGS. One is a goofy show that created the stepping stones and the stuff the other show took to greatness. I love the 80's show as well not for what it was but for what it gave.
Not really does anyone actaully want Bay to have anything to do with Dinobot? Think of it LaBeouf riding a raptor. Dinobot making mastbation jokes with that annoying mom. Its an image scary enough to give you nightmares. So maybe its obscarity is a blessing in desguise. Although I do wish there were more toys comics and videogames based off this version.
Not really does anyone actaully want Bay to have anything to do with Dinobot? Think of it LaBeouf riding a raptor. Dinobot making mastbation jokes with that annoying mom. Its an image scary enough to give you nightmares. So maybe its obscarity is a blessing in desguise. Although I do wish there were more toys comics and videogames based off this version.
richplainsmt
New member
Beast Wars (, as well as Beast Machines,) was one great cartoon. IT should what animation could do. There isn't much I can add that otehrs haven't already stated.
As for the movies, Beast Wars was written as a direct sequal to G1. Beast Wars may never have had existed if G1 one never happened. I am not surprised that G1 and not BW got the movie deal. G1 had an extra decade to gather fans and hearts. If the thrid Transformers movie does well enough to waarent an extension of the franchise, there might still be a chance for a Beast Wars film.
As for the movies, Beast Wars was written as a direct sequal to G1. Beast Wars may never have had existed if G1 one never happened. I am not surprised that G1 and not BW got the movie deal. G1 had an extra decade to gather fans and hearts. If the thrid Transformers movie does well enough to waarent an extension of the franchise, there might still be a chance for a Beast Wars film.
Beast Machines, not Beast Wars, is a complete departure from the franchise and was unfortunately directed by Hasbro to be so.
I enjoy judging thongs as well.
Technically, Beast Wars is both a sequel AND a prequel. I think it might be a TV first in that regard too.
I'm not surprised BW never got a movie deal. It was never popular enough for one to even be developed.
But I would caution against being optimistic about a BW movie. It's been too long and now has no connection with current or even future Hasbro toy lines.
But one can always hope for a D2V release, although that seems very unlikely.
On a related note, since we have a forum rule about linking to youtube content, you might want to check out my brother's fanmade movie trailer for a live-action BW movie. Search: jon3pnt0 beast wars the movie trailer. It's quite good.
I enjoy judging thongs as well.
Technically, Beast Wars is both a sequel AND a prequel. I think it might be a TV first in that regard too.
I'm not surprised BW never got a movie deal. It was never popular enough for one to even be developed.
But I would caution against being optimistic about a BW movie. It's been too long and now has no connection with current or even future Hasbro toy lines.
But one can always hope for a D2V release, although that seems very unlikely.
On a related note, since we have a forum rule about linking to youtube content, you might want to check out my brother's fanmade movie trailer for a live-action BW movie. Search: jon3pnt0 beast wars the movie trailer. It's quite good.
Dr. Squarepants
New member
Beast Wars was such a great cartoon. It was one of the cartoons of the 90's that showed that a cartoon primarily targeted towards children could still tell great stories and appeal to adults as well.
orlowskikevin
New member
Agreed on everything you said. Especially about Megatron. I like that he was just a Predacon rogue, rather than some kind of elite super-transformer. Similar with Optimus, and the other maximals, who were just a group of explorers.
I don't care as much for heroes and villains that are born/created great by nature or predestination or whatever. I prefer when it my heroes and villains make themselves great.
I don't care as much for heroes and villains that are born/created great by nature or predestination or whatever. I prefer when it my heroes and villains make themselves great.