Hmmm,

 

While a TF fan, I just don't like this show. And before I get dismissed as a G1 elitist, I have to say I liked Beast wars (but not beast machines), I like Galaxy force, and lord help me I liked some of Super Link, but this cartoon (TF animated) just doesn't do it for me. I guess I've felt there is so much wrong that I can't put my finger on just one thing that would turn the show around and make me like it. At this point I've seen like 4 episodes and if its on, and I have nothing better to do, I *might* watch it. But I'd rather watch re-runs of "Cops" on Court TV if given a choice, and I'm not that much a fan of Cops. :)

 

But could someone who likes it tell me what they like about it? What is the appeal? Is it just a newer generation that finds it more appealing or does someone a little order find themselves compelled to watch it as well? What is that is appealing to some folks?

*is 35*

 

I like it for the intelligence of the writing, the character design, plot, humor, and how they update G1 characters to be what I always felt they should be (Megatron a real threat, Starscream backstabbing *and* effective, Prime with some personality at all, Ratchet actually having a reason to be old and grumpy, etc etc etc). It is an ongoing story and it's really best to watch it from the beginning if at all possible.

 

P.S. welcome :wave

Yeah, same as Pete - how come you don't? Honest question...

But could someone who likes it tell me what they like about it? What is the appeal? Is it just a newer generation that finds it more appealing or does someone a little order find themselves compelled to watch it as well? What is that is appealing to some folks?

A couple of reasons for me:

 

1) For the first time, the Cons are a real and genuine threat. The Autobots have to fight smarter to win - or at least survive. It makes the conflicts more interesting. Megatron in particular is terrifically evil with the way he's been able to manipulate everyone as just a head.

 

2) The human cast doesn't suck. Sari, Sumdac and Fanzone have distinct and unique characters, and the things they do are vital to the story.

 

3) Lockdown. 'Nuff said.

 

4) The sense of how layered this world is - from the Great War references to the structure of the Autobot Academy, there is so much more to this story than we're seeing, which makes everything feel more real.

 

5) Strong continuity - not just between episodes but between toy and show: Lockdown's EMP weapon fits on Ratchet's arm! That's attention to detail that reinforces the idea that this world has been laid out with great care and that what happens in the show will matter - and not be ignored by Hasbro. As a collector, that's very exciting.

 

6) G1 references on top of G1 references.

 

7) The art style rules. Sorry, but it does.

7) The art style rules. Sorry, but it does.

Definitely a matter of taste, but I agree a zillion percent. The fluid character look takes the fanboy edge off the show on a visual level. IMO anyway.

My answer had less :tldr but I agree with you, 100%

:word

 

In more serious things, I would like to mention my liking of the complimentary human bad guys, like Meltdown. They add something to the show (I feel). Something that is wrong with shows like Smallville (early episodes) - only one type of villain. At least this gets 2-3: Decepticons/Bounty Hunters (;)), Humans and weird freak things (like the Nanobot and the Space Plankton). Keeps things different and interesting in villain terms.

 

Also, I would like to mention:

I freaking love the Decepticon base. HOMAGE! :D Going into hiding for a definite reason - do they even know the Elite Guard have arrived?

7) The art style rules. Sorry, but it does.

Definitely a matter of taste, but I agree a zillion percent. The fluid character look takes the fanboy edge off the show on a visual level. IMO anyway.

Plus Optimus and Prowl will look awesome standing next to my Animated Justice League Superman and Batman toys.

 

 

 

*hopes my Teen Titans Robin will fit on Prowl's motorcycle mode*

But could someone who likes it tell me what they like about it? What is the appeal? Is it just a newer generation that finds it more appealing or does someone a little order find themselves compelled to watch it as well? What is that is appealing to some folks?

 

I Don't think its a newer generation at all..at least not on this website. I'm 33.

 

And why do I like it? Well, its inteligently written (at least by cartoon standards). It sufficiantly tugs at my nostalgia for G1. Many of the other things everyone has mentioned is true, for me, as well (Decepticons a threat. Megatron fearsome, etc.

 

The show is much better written than G1 (though I will always love G1 more, for nostalgic reasons). I've been rewatching the entire G1 series over the past month. I'm about halfway through season 2 and I can tell you that probably the most annoying (and alltogether stupid in comparison to Animated) thing that G1 did is simply introduce new Transformers with no reason given. Whether it was Blaster, Seaspray, Warpath, Tracks, Powerglide, Cosmos or whoever. All throughout season 2 new Transformers just show up in the ranks, with no explanation for their arrival, no introduction and no real reason for their being there. It makes absolutely no sense, from the perspective of them being crash landed on a strange planet.

 

So far, Animated has given us backstory for their new arrivals, like Lockdown, some creation stories, like Soundwave & Black Arachnia, reasons for their being there and actual arrival stories, like the Elite Autbot Guard, Blitzwing & Lugnut.

 

Its funny because you say you aren't a G1 snob...I AM a G1 snob, and I liked this. I hated Beast Wars...wouldn't watch it. I would not watch any other incarnation of Transformers, after G1 ended, until now.

 

My hate for every other incarnation of Transformers prevented me from even seeing the 2007 Transformers movie until just about a month ago. I just refused to go see it. Ironically, it was Transformers Animated that finally allowed me to give myself the OK to see the new movie. It was the proof I needed that I could like some version of Transofmers other than G1.

But could someone who likes it tell me what they like about it? What is the appeal? Is it just a newer generation that finds it more appealing or does someone a little order find themselves compelled to watch it as well? What is that is appealing to some folks?

A couple of reasons for me:

 

1) For the first time, the Cons are a real and genuine threat. The Autobots have to fight smarter to win - or at least survive. It makes the conflicts more interesting. Megatron in particular is terrifically evil with the way he's been able to manipulate everyone as just a head.

 

2) The human cast doesn't suck. Sari, Sumdac and Fanzone have distinct and unique characters, and the things they do are vital to the story.

 

3) Lockdown. 'Nuff said.

 

4) The sense of how layered this world is - from the Great War references to the structure of the Autobot Academy, there is so much more to this story than we're seeing, which makes everything feel more real.

 

5) Strong continuity - not just between episodes but between toy and show: Lockdown's EMP weapon fits on Ratchet's arm! That's attention to detail that reinforces the idea that this world has been laid out with great care and that what happens in the show will matter - and not be ignored by Hasbro. As a collector, that's very exciting.

 

6) G1 references on top of G1 references.

 

7) The art style rules. Sorry, but it does.

 

 

the ONLY real problem i have so far, is the lame human super villians. i realize humans needed to be the villians while the Cons gathered their strength...but c'mon, a Green Arrow knock off and a little girl riding a pink unicorn robot?!?!?! UGHHHH. other than that, i agree with you quite a bit. i just want them to leave the lame supervillians out of it if they don't have any good ideas. so far, Meltdown and his lacky and that super fast guy i can't remember the name of are the only two i don't mind.

*is 35*

 

I like it for the intelligence of the writing, the character design, plot, humor, and how they update G1 characters to be what I always felt they should be (Megatron a real threat, Starscream backstabbing *and* effective, Prime with some personality at all, Ratchet actually having a reason to be old and grumpy, etc etc etc). It is an ongoing story and it's really best to watch it from the beginning if at all possible.

 

P.S. welcome :wave

 

Ok, I see there are lots of fans of the show, but I've seen the beginning. I have every episode downloaded, but mostly because I collect all TF shows whether I liked them or not (BW Neo??) and I've seen about four episodes, the first 2, another one at some random time, and the last one that just aired Elite guard I believe. But I'm just not feeling it. I guess one thing that through me for a loop was Prime being an elite guard washout? Or the fact that everyone but his team seems to look down on him as failing to live up to a basic potential? Most incarnations of Optimus Primes has him respected by almost all, whether they be the bad guys or the good guys. But this Prime seems to have always prove to himself.

 

I got over the fact that Prime's not the Supreme leader of the Autobots (Like in BW where he was just a simple ships captain) but this version, I dunno. Everyone seems to see him, at first, as the leader of a team of rejects. Prowl (I just won't go into what my problem is with him. too many here like him). I did like Bumblebee's character, but thats really all.

 

And I always thought Starscream was a backstabber in G1. Well in the first 2 seasons. He couldn't wait it say "Megatrons unable to fight, I'm the new leader" ever chance he got and the movie even had him throw the injured Megatron from the train. But this version just seems creepy to me. The version in Galaxy force even went head to head with old Meg's, but this one..........

 

I dunno, I guess I'm just going to chalk it up to taste. Mine are different than others, and I'll just have to keep taping them to file away in my library, but I doubt I guess my intrest will ever grow. I was just curious if there was something I was missing.

 

Thanks for the heads up though folks :)