Days of Future Past The Sentinels

[marvelrobbins]

I don't have problem with sentinles at all.

 

[Loki882]

I love the future Sentinel design. For once, a mutant-hunting killer robot actually looks intimidating. Let's face it, a lot of the time, the Sentinel designs in the comics don't look particularly frightening or intimidating. They look goofy.

 

[gkokujin]

Well one thing much I think would agree on is if the sentinels had the 90's cartoon voice " Halt Mutant".

i'll forgive everything if they sound like that, or make the "boot up" sound t:

 

[KidxMikexMcfly]

I wonder if they'll make robotic sounds at all?

 

[Ducard]

So it sounds like the future X-men basically have to fight off an army of Nimrods. That is amazing. At least in theory.

What I like about the future design is that it looks so inhuman. The softer, colorful, rounded and somewhat sillier elements of the 70's Sentinel are gone. There's no "let's sell this to the public" aspect to it.

It suggests that humanity has lost control, and that the things might well be running themselves.

That's a good observation. The corporate viral video added just the right amount of creepiness to hint that it eventually becomes this walking nightmare.

What's interesting about the future model is that in some ways it's more human-looking when you take into account its new body proportions, probable range of movement, and even hands with fingers. Pretty Uncanny Valley-ish: the more 'human' it becomes, the more inhuman it is. With that in mind I'm not surprised that Evangelion came up a few times in this thread; I doubt it's intentional, but the Sentinels give off a very Eva-sort of vibe. Like the Sentinels, the Eva units have this corporate machine-like facade-- a lean, rigid stance from robots meant to protect humanity-- which eventually gives way to become something more disturbingly similar to humans. Like that one scene later in the series when Eva-01 devours its enemy, the Eva unit sprouts this human-looking arm that just adds to an already creepy scene. Ew.


("Naked Eva" fanart source)

^ I love this type of transformation in fiction. There's a lot of potential for some great horror scenes here, if Singer handles it right.

From a thematic standpoint the Eva units are twisted because they are supposed to represent gods made in man's image. The Sentinels on the other hand are twisted because, as humanoid robots, they sort of represent man's idea of proper, untainted man (as opposed to being 'defective' like mutants). So naturally the image gets distorted, because it's based on a flawed idea of what humanity should be like.

I always liked this bit of irony from the 90's animated series- the Sentinels understand what some humans refuse to see, that mutants are human:

Trask: You can't make me do this. You were designed to protect humans from mutants.
Master Mold: That is not logical. Mutants are human. Therefore, humans must be protected from themselves.

Made to look like humans, then made to think like humans-- and ultimately Sentinels end up being this grotesque parody of humanity. Neato. It'll be interesting to see if/how certain themes are portrayed in DOFP.

 

[Legion]

So it sounds like the future X-men basically have to fight off an army of Nimrods. That is amazing. At least in theory.


That's a good observation. The corporate viral video added just the right amount of creepiness to hint that it eventually becomes this walking nightmare.

What's interesting about the future model is that in some ways it's more human-looking when you take into account its new body proportions, probable range of movement, and even hands with fingers. Pretty Uncanny Valley-ish: the more 'human' it becomes, the more inhuman it is. With that in mind I'm not surprised that Evangelion came up a few times in this thread; I doubt it's intentional, but the Sentinels give off a very Eva-sort of vibe. Like the Sentinels, the Eva units have this corporate machine-like facade-- a lean, rigid stance from robots meant to protect humanity-- which eventually gives way to become something more disturbingly similar to humans. Like that one scene later in the series when Eva-01 devours its enemy, the Eva unit sprouts this human-looking arm that just adds to an already creepy scene. Ew.


("Naked Eva" fanart source)

^ I love this type of transformation in fiction. There's a lot of potential for some great horror scenes here, if Singer handles it right.

From a thematic standpoint the Eva units are twisted because they are supposed to represent gods made in man's image. The Sentinels on the other hand are twisted because, as humanoid robots, they sort of represent man's idea of proper, untainted man (as opposed to being 'defective' like mutants). So naturally the image gets distorted, because it's based on a flawed idea of what humanity should be like.

I always liked this bit of irony from the 90's animated series- the Sentinels understand what some humans refuse to see, that mutants are human:


Made to look like humans, then made to think like humans-- and ultimately Sentinels end up being this grotesque parody of humanity. Neato. It'll be interesting to see if/how certain themes are portrayed in DOFP.

Nice post and that is probably one my favorite lines from TAS.

 

[Malik]

Who created e.v.a

 

[TeeKay]

The future sentinel is just I like the 70's sentinel though.

 

[Rike]

The future Sentinel is just perfection. I don't think the Sentinels ever looked so menacing and creepy at the same time in any media.

 

[Mars123]

The future looks great! I'm more excited for the future with OT!

 

[X-Maniac]

The future sentinel is just I like the 70's sentinel though.

Well, at least the future is something a bit different (despite the EVA similarities pointed out). Better than just having a repeat of what we have seen in Transformers and Pacific Rim with giant clanking metal robots stomping around.

 

[GuestStar2004]

Well, at least the future is something a bit different (despite the EVA similarities pointed out). Better than just having a repeat of what we have seen in Transformers and Pacific Rim with giant clanking metal robots stomping around.

Isn't that what fans wanted before he got this totally new different design? And the new design reminds me of the robot thing from Thor

 

[X-Maniac]

Isn't that what fans wanted before he got this totally new different design? And the new design reminds me of the robot thing from Thor

Hardcore fans wanted them like the comics, yep. And I don't think there would be much argument if they were.

But Singer's idea of improvements in technology and adaptive capabilities is clever and makes sense too.

 

[DOFP]

Imagined if the first time we saw the future sentinels were on the 2nd trailer, not on the empire covers, we would've been like

 

[psylockolussus]

Hardcore fans wanted them like the comics, yep. And I don't think there would be much argument if they were.

But Singer's idea of improvements in technology and adaptive capabilities is clever and makes sense too.

Actually its just not Singer, but the series take on technology like the mansion's subbasement, Cerebro, Danger Room... their design just look so different compare to the comics and yet it works and I think at some point, Marvel Comics might use these Sentinel X designs into their X-Men comics.

 

[metaphysician]

I cannot take seriously the idea of a robot held together *by magnetism*, as the ultimate weapon sent after mutants lead by, among other people, a guy best known for *controlling magnetism*. Its just. . . why? What made you think that was a good idea?

 

[KidxMikexMcfly]

I can't wait to see storm fly in the air and stroke down Sentinels with her lighting storms

 

[DrDoom]

Imagined if the first time we saw the future sentinels were on the 2nd trailer, not on the empire covers, we would've been like

Agreed, if our first exposure of them was them in motion there would be far less negative opinions IMHO.

I can't wait to see storm fly in the air and stroke down Sentinels with her lighting storms

t:

 

[jaymes_e06]

I can't wait to see storm fly in the air and stroke down Sentinels with her lighting storms

Is that how robots do it?

 

[GuestStar2004]

I can't wait to see storm fly in the air and stroke down Sentinels with her lighting storms

I'm willing to bet lighting may not even be enough to take one down, they sound tough

 

[xrs13]

I find it interesting that their usual powers will struggle against them, Maybe it means they have to be more creative or even unload even more of their ability against the future sentinels

 

[Rike]

 

[Rike]

 

[gkokujin]

Police: what happened ma'am???

Old Lady: "i was vacuuming the living room my Dyson...it...it GREW... 20 ft...and those eyes, those horrible yellow EYES"

 

[thegameq]

Jesus Christ...........

........................I don't even know where to begin with these designs..........is this really the best they could do?...

I just don't get this franchise.......I'm really at a loss for words ..........it's almost as if the people involved with this franchise are oblivious to the rest of the world and just thing their designs and creative ideas are the greatest ever............I would love to see some concept sketches for the Sentinels --just to see what else was on the table.

I don't know.......every time I want to get excited about this franchise again.....stuff like this happens. I keep trying to turn the other cheek with this franchise, but I just don't know......Are the people behind the X-films aware of the new wave comic book films.......do they honestly believe these designs compare favorably to what the other franchises are offering?

Are these people in their own private world? The creative decisions just boggle the mind with this franchise -- are they even trying--it almost feels as if they are being intentionally obtuse just to be contrarian or something.

How could anyone sit in a creative meeting a tell someone else with a straight face, "those Sentinel Designs are awesome?" Are there a bunch of yes men in those meetings?...Are the Sentinels supposed to look laughable and silly intentionally?

It's not rocket science?.......is it? The Sentinels are for all intent and purposes giant mechs. The practically design themselves..............?

It feels like the people making the X-films are making them for themselves and not the fans. It's as if they are conceding some things but everything else is just a "we want to do it our way" or not at all vibe.