Jump to content

The Bond Gadget Test


Hobbes-timus Prime

Recommended Posts

Mass shifting. Some of us love it, some of us hate it. So, there's been some debate as to whether or not mass shifting should be in the sequel. I've been doing a lot of thinking on this, and I've come to the conclusion that mass shifting has to pass one test for me to personally be okay with it: The Bond Gadget Test.

 

The Bond Gadget Test says, essentially, that you do not introduce a new technology into a story without that technology being vital to the same story. If Q spends five or ten minutes explaining to Bond how his new Solar Powered Jet Watch with Grappling Hook works, and Bond does not find himself in a situation where the Solar Powered Jet Watch with Grappling Hook proves to be not only useful, but vital to the success of his mission, then you wasted the audience's time. It's bad storytelling.

 

So, using Soundwave as an example (although any known mass shifting character will do) the question I pose to you all: what is the situation in which a 40 foot robot becomes not only useful, but vital, as a tiny, hand held object?

 

Spying would seem the obvious answer, but this first film has already established that there are tiny transformers suited to turning into tiny objects for those sorts of missions, so why send a 40 foot robot, who may not even fit in the hallway of the place you're trying to infiltrate once he transforms?

 

What is the situation in which the tiny object must become a giant robot, or where a giant robot must become a tiny, hand-held object? Or, reverse it...what is the tactical advantage of a giant space shuttle turning into a robot the same size as a pick-up truck.

 

Doesn't matter the alt. mode selected, the chosen character for the transformation, or the situation, as long as it would be vital enough to the Decepticon (or Autobot) cause to justify the scene(s) that must exist to give the audience all the details as to how it works.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Replies 421
  • Created
  • Last Reply

I thought this was going to be about the lack of a Q in Casino Royale.

 

 

Which is okay with me, IMO

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Mass shifting would never have occurred to anyone, and would be decried as retarded / stupid / unnecessary / lame / ghey / you name it, if Hasbro had not used Microman toys in its 1984 Transformers line. (The Microman toys didn't "mass shift" either BTW; in that story they were meant to be small 1:1 scale robots.)

 

It is just crazy to me how people can not recognize that these are just toys. That they have to create this complex rationalization to explain the logic of a children's toy line. There is no logic to it. And IMO arguing about it only kills brain cells / one's likelihood of ever being attractive to the opposite sex.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Mass shifting would never have occurred to anyone, and would be decried as retarded / stupid / unnecessary / lame / ghey / you name it, if Hasbro had not used Microman toys in its 1984 Transformers line. (The Microman toys didn't "mass shift" either BTW; in that story they were meant to be small 1:1 scale robots.)

 

It is just crazy to me how people can not recognize that these are just toys. That they have to create this complex rationalization to explain the logic of a children's toy line. There is no logic to it. And IMO arguing about it only kills brain cells / one's likelihood of ever being attractive to the opposite sex.

You've said everything that I would have said only more roffly!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

And IMO arguing about it only kills brain cells / one's likelihood of ever being attractive to the opposite sex.

 

I'm already married! :mwahaha

 

But, you're right about mass shifting. Unless it's supporters prove can prove us wrong. Accept the challange of this thread, Mass Shifting Supporters!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

There is no logic to it. And IMO arguing about it only kills ...one's likelihood of ever being attractive to the opposite sex.

 

I can accept this sacrifice.

I weep I ROFFLE so hard!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

There is no logic to it. And IMO arguing about it only kills ...one's likelihood of ever being attractive to the opposite sex.

 

I can accept this sacrifice.

:tflaugh well for what it's worth I did think of you when I posted that... I just couldn't come up with a way to express the sentiment in a more inclusive manner.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Ah, but does your wang molecular mass shift (mass conversion), or is it simple size shifting (Parts comression). And is it vital to the story?

 

And how come no Mass Shifting Supporters have answered my question? You know what I think it is...they're too chicken.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.


  • Posts

    • Please tell me this won't be the only release of TFP Cliffjumper...
    • If you've not had your fill of Transformers collaborative news today, here is some more with a leaked product listing for the Project Knight: Transformers X Knight Rider crossover. We've been dreaming of this one, and it appears a transforming K.I.T.T. will be coming as soon as August! It must be something big and or special with a $49. - Read the Full News Story
    • Tonight on GotBot Goes Live, we talked Transformers news for the newest multipack and some reissues. We also talked collaboratives with TMNT, an Ectotron reissue and, maybe, even Star Wars? Plus, we address the MP Ginrai teaser image and answer who is Riggorus?  
    • EDIT 2: Okay, I think my real problem with this was the marketing image. The main image shows four robot turtles standing together, so I was ready for four toys, not one. Admittedly, I was so disappointed that I did not bother to read the article fully. That's my fault. I apologize. That said, now that I understand it is THE van that turns into a robot, not "robot versions of the four turtles," that makes more sense, but I don't get the four heads. There are images here of a bandana free head which I gather is not included. I would actually prefer a non-specific generic turtle head for the robot. I think that would remove a lot of confusion. At least for me. EDIT 1: My bad, I misunderstood. It's one toy with swappable heads. So, you made a thing based on a four member team, and you only want to sell one toy? You're not even trying to get people to "Collect all FOUR!" You do understand how toy sales work, right? Original Comment: This is a perfectly fine idea executed TERRIBLY. You made four unique toys, each specific to each of the Ninja Turtles, that all turn into the same vehicle? It would be one thing if they joined together to form the van. There have been transformer sets like that before. This is just wasted opportunity. Not to mention, that van exists for the turtles to ride in together as a team, so if they can turn into vehicles ... what do they need a van for? I get that that's their van, and that's cute and all, but ... this is just dumb and disappointing. Why not think about what kind of car each of them would drive based on their personalities, or ask some car company if they want to do a tie-in promotional? What do I want with four copies of the same van and no one to ride in any of them? It makes no sense.
×
  • Create New...
Sign Up For The TNI Newsletter And Have The News Delivered To You!


Entertainment News International (ENI) is the #1 popular culture network for adult fans all around the world.
Get the scoop on all the popular comics, games, movies, toys, and more every day!

Contact and Support

Advertising | Submit News | Contact ENI | Privacy Policy

©Entertainment News International - All images, trademarks, logos, video, brands and images used on this website are registered trademarks of their respective companies and owners. All Rights Reserved. Data has been shared for news reporting purposes only. All content sourced by fans, online websites, and or other fan community sources. Entertainment News International is not responsible for reporting errors, inaccuracies, omissions, and or other liablities related to news shared here. We do our best to keep tabs on infringements. If some of your content was shared by accident. Contact us about any infringements right away - CLICK HERE