Transformers First Transformers Set Pictures

[Hunter Rider]

well as a teen i always wanted the cooler looking cars. for me, it wasn't about BEING cool, it's about OWNING something cool. i'm a very visual person and i like 'cool' looking cars. my want for a 'cool' looking car almost gets in the way of me wanting a GOOD car hehe...

Same here, i live in a basic blue collar town and when i was a kid we all wanted something sporty in the affordable range like a Escort XR3 which is the UK equivalent of the Mustang,i can;t remember any of the guys wanting hatchbacks like Golfs or Fiesta's

 

[WalkingDead]

Might be due to where you grow up, I guess. As a teenager, I never "wanted" a Camaro or any muscle car for that matter. They always seemed trite... like you're "trying to hard" to be cool. I always thought Camaros and muscle-cars in general were best left to the Andrew Dice Clay types.

[edit] I'm not saying muscle-cars aren't worth getting. Maybe as a hobby if you're a car lover or something. But as a teenager? I dunno.

I'm sorry that Bumblebee as a Camero is such a hard issue for you. You'll probably never be able to get over the fact he's changed like this. You put it down and complain about it in a lot of threads. Not saying you don't have a valid reason to complain...it seems to be the biggest issue you have with the movie...and everyone is entitled to complain about things that seem warrented to them. I just hope you can eventually get over this, if the movie is indeed a great movie with good TF characterization.


And maybe where you grew up it wasn't the "in" thing to get muscle cars. But in a lot of places it is. Getting a nice, hard-edge muscle car was awesome when I was in school. And a lot of people I know from different areas, it was the same...I think that aspect of muscle cars as the young "in" thing will be something a lot of people will relate to. Which is great IMO, if it really does equate to something young men can identify with.

 

[CFlash]

Well, call me a hippie. And I think I made a very point concerning why Bumblebee was who he was and why a gas-guzzling 8cyl monster car is not faithful. If you think the "cool" factor outweighs this original underpinning of Bumblebee's character that's fine too. I just think this should be a sc-fi movie with things to teach.... not a "Fast and Furious" rip-off that glorifies the shallower aspects of our society.

 

[y2jversion1]

The ONLY people who are going to ***** are the absolute purists who demand nothing short of a literal translation of a pre-existsing story. All those people I mentioned above are huge fans of Transformers because they were/are fun, exciting, and captivating. Larger than life. More than meets the eye.

There are tons of ways that theme can be accomplished without having to retell to an exacting degree an old story. Beast Wars proved that.

The Beastwars/Machines series was awesome, even though I was still disappointed with the transformation in Machines. Overall though, the storylines were more cohesive and more 'serious'. I'm a huge G1 fan and while it's always fun to watch the dvd's of the show as well as the movie over 100 times ( 2 times again just this weekend...yea I pretty much know the script/dialogue by heart..) - series-wise, BW was better scripted.

As long as they don't '*****fy' the TF's like they did with Robots In Disguise (I still can't beleive I saw a sweat drop on the Viper while it was in vehicle mode...geez) I'm sure this movie will be awesome for all the different generations of fans of the TF universe - except the 'purists' like ragdus said..

 

[WalkingDead]

Well, call me a hippie. And I think I made a very point concerning why Bumblebee was who he was and why a gas-guzzling 8cyl monster car is not faithful. If you think the "cool" factor outweighs this original underpinning of Bumblebee's character that's fine too. I just think this should be a sc-fi movie with things to teach.... not a "Fast and Furious" rip-off that glorifies the shallower aspects of our society.

I love how you do that...
Anyhoo...your a fan of Bumblebee...that is why you care so much for what they do with him. Just like those who are huge Starscream fans, they care what happens to him.

But think about this...if Bumblebee is still characterized as a young, eager Autobot who wants to prove himself to the older Autobots and really tries hard...then he's still BB. He's still the very core of what makes Bumblebee, Bumblebee. Just his alt. mode is different. If he still acts like the BB we all know, then I'm sorry but his car form won't make or break who BB really is...it's his individual personal traits and ideals that make him Bumblebee. His car mode only added certain things too that, but his personality and character tastes are what made him BB.

And before you go on and on abotu how Bumblebee wasn't a gas-guzzeler or something...Bumblebee wasn't fuel efficient cause he was a Beetle...he was because of his robotic design, it made him more fuel-efficient. He naturally used less fuel to accomplish things.

 

[CFlash]

I love how you do that...
Anyhoo...your a fan of Bumblebee...that is why you care so much for what they do with him. Just like those who are huge Starscream fans, they care what happens to him.

But think about this...if Bumblebee is still characterized as a young, eager Autobot who wants to prove himself to the older Autobots and really tries hard...then he's still BB. He's still the very core of what makes Bumblebee, Bumblebee. Just his alt. mode is different. If he still acts like the BB we all know, then I'm sorry but his car form won't make or break who BB really is...it's his individual personal traits and ideals that make him Bumblebee. His car mode only added certain things too that, but his personality and character tastes are what made him BB.

And before you go on and on abotu how Bumblebee wasn't a gas-guzzeler or something...Bumblebee wasn't fuel efficient cause he was a Beetle...he was because of his robotic design, it made him more fuel-efficient. He naturally used less fuel to accomplish things.

Quite right. But his alt-mode was symbolic of this design wouldn't you agree? The original writers could have chosen from a gazillion cars "popular" at the time to characterize their "main" introductory character.

What do you think this movie will be "about?" Are you OK with this movie abandoning the themes of the original Transformers? It's not like those themes are outdated. In fact, they're more important today... many times over.

 

[ragdus]

And they would have chose a god damn bug for this film too, but VW wouldn't let them!!!!!

So after that's taken away, what difference does it really make. If he CAN'T be a beetle, then so what?

 

[CFlash]

And they would have chose a god damn bug for this film too, but VW wouldn't let them!!!!!

So after that's taken away, what difference does it really make. If he CAN'T be a beetle, then so what?

I actually would have preferred a Mini-cooper over a Beetle... even if VW had given permission. It's not about him being a Beetle and only a beetle (as I already explained... but which you can't seem to bring an argument against). It's about him not being a muscle car. Stop using the VW excuse.

 

[WalkingDead]

Quite right. But his alt-mode was symbolic of this design wouldn't you agree? The original writers could have chosen from a gazillion cars "popular" at the time to characterize their "main" introductory character.

What do you think this movie will be "about?" Are you OK with this movie abandoning the themes of the original Transformers? It's not like those themes are outdated. In fact, they're more important today... many times over.

Sure, Bob Budiansky (the guy who wrote all the first 3 year Tech Specs and was the major writer for the first years of the comics) could have made any of the Minibots have Bumblebee's personality...just like how Sideswipe & Sunstreaker were reversed at the last minute and how Hound & Mirage flip-flopped as well. But remember, Bob Bub didn't have a choice on which TF's got which alt. modes, those were already decided on from Japan.

And this movie DOES NOT abadon the original themes of Transformers.
The original themes of TF's were:

1. War of the Autobots vs. Decepticons (good vs. evil to make it more Black & White)
2. The Quest for Energy/Energon
3. The Quest for a form of the Matrix
4. Robots being disguised on Earth as ordinary machinery
5. Autobots protecting Sentient Life, Decepticons believe in Survival of the Fittest/Destroying the Weak

At the VERY MOST, all changing Bumblebee's alt. mode does is change a theme of one single character. And even then, it barely changes who BB is, cause if Bumblebee is still eager, still friendly, and still a hard-worker...then he's Bumblebee to the core.

 

[blind_fury]

why don't we make Optimus Prime an Ice Cream truck while were at it?

 

[CFlash]

And this movie DOES NOT abadon the original themes of Transformers.
The original themes of TF's were:
<superficial obviousness deleted>

Transformers had a strong overriding theme of preventing destruction of Earth's natural environment and depleting its natural resources (by turning its raw resources into either Energon or materials for the Decepticons).

It's theme was directly influenced by the energy crisis of the late 70's. What's funny, is that the problem is way more pronounced today (rolling backouts on the west coast, soaring energy prices... wars for oil in Kuwait and Iraq), global warming, a gazillion hurricanes in last years storm season, etc etc.

Everything else you mentioned is pretty much what any story of conflict is about (good vs evil... duh!).

 

[terry78]

^Now that wouldn't be a bad idea. He can serve frosty delights to the kids on a hot day.

 

[blind_fury]

Not funny.

 

[WalkingDead]

Transformers had a strong overriding theme of preventing destruction of Earth's natural environment and depleting its natural resources (by turning its raw resources into either Energon or materials for the Decepticons).

It's theme was directly influenced by the energy crisis of the late 70's. What's funny, is that the problem is way more pronounced today (rolling backouts on the west coast, soaring energy prices... wars for oil in Kuwait and Iraq), global warming, a gazillion hurricanes in last years storm season, etc etc.

Everything else you mentioned is pretty much what any story of conflict is about (good vs evil... duh!).

Great job of completely skipping over my point...I know those themes were/are obvious, but those were/are the themes of all of Transformers.

My point was to talk about how much changing Bumblebee's alt. mode affects the whole of Transformers. But I don't think we're gonna get anywhere with this...so I guess we're done here.

 

[CFlash]

Great job of completely skipping over my point...I know those themes were/are obvious, but those were/are the themes of all of Transformers.

My point was to talk about how much changing Bumblebee's alt. mode affects the whole of Transformers. But I don't think we're gonna get anywhere with this...so I guess we're done here.

What point did you make? You stated authoritively that Transformers is about THIS: x and x and x... and I said that- in regards to BUMBLEBEE- it was about more than that.

You skip over MY point.... that the MAIN character of Transformers- the human liason, the one kids could identify with... was written to be a certain way and to REPRESENT the underlying theme of the story.

A theme you completely ignore.

And yes his alt-mode was symbolic of this theme!

They did not pick one of the hot-rod autobots as the main face of Transformers. The writers EASILY could have picked Cliffjumper to be the main face of Transformers. Or Prowl or Wheeljack or the super hot-rod Lamborghini.... No, they picked Bumblebee.

That's all I'm saying.

 

[WalkingDead]

What point did you make? You stated authoritively that Transformers is about THIS: x and x and x... and I said that- in regards to BUMBLEBEE- it was about more than that.

You skip over MY point.... that the MAIN character of Transformers- the human liason, the one kids could identify with... was written to be a certain way and to REPRESENT the underlying theme of the story.

A theme you completely ignore.

And yes his alt-mode was symbolic of this theme!

They did not pick one of the hot-rod autobots as the main face of Transformers. The writers EASILY could have picked Cliffjumper to be the main face of Transformers. Or Prowl or Wheeljack or the super hot-rod Lamborghini.... No, they picked Bumblebee.

That's all I'm saying.

My point was that changing BB's Alt. Mode, does NOTHING to change the themes of Transformers....NOTHING at all as a whole...Basically, your point is...Transformers is about conservation, saving the world, not destroying the resources of the world and Bumblebee gave kids a way to see into the TF world by being the human liason. This is then the big theme you are referring to. Okay sure...I think that is a valid theme, but from my experience...most people this theme is nothing to them, when compared to the other themes I listed. BB being a camero can reflect this theme and be a character people can still relate to, particular kids to this day too. Also the theme about saving the resources and not destroying the world can be in there with just as much devotion and care as before if not more. Just because the human liason gets a new alt. mode won't change all those factors, not if the writers/producers/director want that theme in the movie.

I get what your saying, but Bumblebee was never the real face of Transformers...Prime always was and still is as the most-recognized TF around by a long shot.

 

[ComicKoryn]

I think what's happening is that CFlash really just wants a very direct interpretation of G1 Transformers. I don't personally get it, but to each his own.

This movie is about the "Transformers." At it's heart, it's about Robots that Transform. It is also about the battle between good and evil. That theme has gone on to define all the transformers shows/comic books. This is a movie that centers on those themes, not the first season of the original show. There are things that they are being faithful too (just like a lot of the shows have been), and some things that they aren't. As long as they get the general idea down, it's still the same Transformers.

Also, VW wont let them use a Bug for their movie. Sure, a mini-cooper could've been used, but they chose a muscle car. It's hardly the end of the cinematic world, and I really think it's getting old when people complain about it.

 

[CFlash]

Let BB be a Camaro. Most of the people that actually find this offensive and/or inane are no longer even in these forums if ever. Man, come to think of it, WalkingDead and ComicKoryn have made me see the light. Transformers really was a stupid, shallow show with very little subtext.

"Good vs evil" and "robots that transform" is the central theme. How could I have missed that?

 

[ragdus]

then why don't you harp on the things of substance and get over this bumblebee/camaro fixation?

i'd really rather hear a debate that has depth anyway, and I agree with you that there is a lot of depth to the story line. but this camaro thing, oy vey

 

[CFlash]

then why don't you harp on the things of substance and get over this bumblebee/camaro fixation?

i'd really rather hear a debate that has depth anyway, and I agree with you that there is a lot of depth to the story line. but this camaro thing, oy vey

Oy vey indeed. Substance? Like the jokers upset that Cullen and Welker aren't doing the voices? Is that substance to you guys?

The Camaro debate IS about substance. That you don't see it... or missed the point of Transformers 84-87, speaks loads.

 

[Hunter Rider]

The character of Bumblebee may well still be intact we don't know this yet
Being a Camaro does not alter his personality at all

As for the story it's gonna centre on out first meeting with the TF and an explanation of why they are on earth and what the war was about on Cybertron as well as how the military react to them
that's a lot for an origin movie

 

[ragdus]

That you don't see it... or missed the point of Transformers 84-87, speaks loads.

The point of 84-87 isn't that Bumblebee was a Beetle, I guarantee you that. And if you'd pull your head out of the sand for a sec I said I agreed with you about emphasizing the more important and relevant plot points of 84-87.

you can't even let someone agree with you...

 

[WalkingDead]

Let BB be a Camaro. Most of the people that actually find this offensive and/or inane are no longer even in these forums if ever. Man, come to think of it, WalkingDead and ComicKoryn have made me see the light. Transformers really was a stupid, shallow show with very little subtext.

"Good vs evil" and "robots that transform" is the central theme. How could I have missed that?

F***ing'a...man...when did I ever say TF's never had substance? When? Do you think I'd be such a huge fan, and know and follow TF's for years if it was just cause I like to see robots fight? That's stupid. I love TF's for a lot more than robots beating the crap outta each other, to me that's just icing on the freaking cake.

And did you not read???...I said you made a valid point. Jeez. My point was at it's base Transformers is not remembered for important subtext and substance at all...it's remember for the 5 points I said.

You've just taken this "Bumblebee is a Camero so all of the entire themes of Transformers is being ignored and everything about what makes TF's great is being shoved away just because BB can't be a small compact car" really far man. That is ridiculous, that is what I've been saying to you. Your point of not destroying the world is valid and was a subtext of TF's, and has been from the start. But you go on and on about how the fact Bumblebee can't be understood or relatable just because he's got a new muscle car for an alt. mode. I'm sorry but that's crap. BB can still be the human liason who is relatable and who shows humans what the Autobots are all about. He can still be the friendly buddy-to-everyone who always tries hard and pushes to prove himself to Prowl, Prime, Jazz, Wheeljack, and the other older, more experienced 'bots.

 

[Won '08]

Brooklyn's very own? Lemme guess... Bensenhurst? Home of the Camaro IROQ guidos.... yeah, you guys are the epitamy of *****ebag.

I think you meant BENSONHURST kid. and I'm from Flatbush and live in Bed-Stuy. I suggest not assuming things about people you don't know. Especially grown ass men. Step off *****e.

 

[Won '08]

this guy claims he's from nyc and he can't even spell "Bensonhurst" lol. What a joke.

I saw a few of the art snippets from the Movie forums. I'm a bit concerned about Optimus' colors...anyone got any confirmation on that?