Transformers Thread

[Optimus124]

I may seriously consider doing a video review for this one. There is so much good in it’s simplicity. If you are a Beast Wars lover, please by all means - have your wallet become one with the plastic.

It by far is the most accurate MP figure to date

[Dangerous_J]

Till All Are One: A Production History of The Transformers: The Movie (1986)

An article about the G1 movie.

Some interesting tidbits (new to me )

Friedman, however, says that he argued against the idea of killing off Optimus Prime. During his time as an architectural student, Friedman took part in a program that helped determine what causes children to attach themselves to certain comic book characters. “A couple of days a week I would interact with kids presenting them with new games, characters, and traditional icons,” he recalls. “The department of psychology, with the school of business, would try to create a formula that assessed when kids became connected and what emotional triggers caused them to lock on. A lot of it was common sense because I had kids and saw how they responded. It was really useful because it validated what I saw myself when I was a kid connecting to various comic book, cartoon, and film characters. It gave me some insight into what I needed to do and was one of the reasons I didn’t want to kill Optimus Prime.” …

Someone else who didn’t want to kill Optimus Prime was Nelson Shin, who had been approached with Friedman’s script to possibly direct. “We had a serious issue of whether to kill Optimus Prime and the Matrix transitioning onto Ironhide, which we could not decide for several weeks,” he recalls. “Optimus Prime was the leader of good guys. In the story board of mine, he should be killed, but when I asked if there would not be Optimus Prime toys any more after he was killed, no one answered it.” Although he would take on the job, the first set of meetings did not go well. “There were lots of sequences disagreed between the executive producer and me in storytelling, sequencing and scoring music,” he adds. “As a director – not as an investor – I kept insisting my points and it seemed we could not reach an agreement. I felt deeply disappointed, so I decided to take off for two weeks’ vacation on a cruise ship.”

**For Friedman, the idea of killing off Optimus Prime was solely a commercial one. “To remove Optimus Prime, to physically remove Daddy from the family, that wasn’t going to work,” he argues. “I told Hasbro and their lieutenants they would have to bring him back but they said ‘no’ and had ‘great things planned’. In other words they were going to create new more expensive toys.” He adds: “We had some steaming arguments that never got to Hasbro because they blocked it. They were Hasbro’s ad agency who graduated into producing their various works. It was a lucrative deal for them. It was one of those things where people do not understand what it is that is making them successful. They take for granted that the success is endlessly rewarding without acknowledging or understanding what the instruments of it actually are.”
**
When Shin returned from his vacation and took on the role of director, Dille returned to touch up Friedman’s script just as he had done on the cartoon series. “I know that Flint Dille changed several parts in the Ron Friedman’s script,” Shin notes. “They said the villains were too interesting in my first script,” Friedman adds. “I didn’t like that because I want villains to be interesting. It gives the Autobots something to take care of. The second script was substantially different.”

One of the major changes Dille made was to adjust Friedman’s darker tone, which had previously concerned the producers. In a scene early in the script, dated April 25th 1985, in which Megatron and his Armada invade an Autobot ship, several Transformers are disposed of viciously. “Prowl moves up beside his friends, firing back and Brawn is cut in half by Megatron’s blast,” the script reads. “Then Prowl turns as Scavenger melts him down, and turns and joins Megatron who is joined by Kickback, the three firing at once at Ironhide and Ratchet who, in the act of firing back, are fused together then blasted apart and fall in smoking, glowing fragments.” In a scene later on, Galvatron has corned Ultra Magnus to remove the Life Spark that Optimus Prime had given him (later re-dubbed The Matrix of Leadership) and, “As Ultra Magnus turns to Galvatron and hurls a bomb at him, Galvatron roars and transforms, letting Ultra Magnus have [it] full blast, point break. He is shattered, body parts melted and strewn about as his torso and head with one flailing arm attached sinks and falls in a sputter of dying sparks.” Several other elements – like Unicron being called Ingestor and the Life Spark becoming The Matrix of Leadership – were also changed in Dille’s re-writes. “The only rewrite I objected to was including the word ‘shit’,” Friedman notes. “I didn’t want to do that. I also insisted on bringing in a female Autobot and I insisted on having human beings interact with the Autobots. That was a battle. They were absolutely resistant to Arcee. I said I had a daughter who loves this stuff. There are other girls that like it. Put in a female Autobot.” The use of foul language, which was edited out of some home releases, wasn’t in Dille’s initial re-writes either. “As a director, I don’t want to put swearing in my film, but it was intentionally put after the movie almost completed,” Shin notes. “Generally the film would be received a G rating, but with the swearing, it would be given a PG. It would mobilise more audience by letting kids bring their parents as well, which was the idea of executive producers.”

[Dangerous_J]

** Walmart and Target stores across the USA have Titans Return deluxe figures at $10.00.**
I dont know if this is a temporary sale or a permanent reduction.

Unfortunately, most of my local stores still only wave 1(Hardhead,Blurr,Scourge,Skullcruncher), but hopefully this may be a precursor to the wave 2 and possibly wave 3 figures coming out soon due to the Xmas season.

Im chuckling that the Legends figures at Target are 30 cents more expensive than Deluxes now.

[Optimus124]

** Walmart and Target stores across the USA have Titans Return deluxe figures at $10.00.**
I dont know if this is a temporary sale or a permanent reduction.

Unfortunately, most of my local stores still only wave 1(Hardhead,Blurr,Scourge,Skullcruncher), but hopefully this may be a precursor to the wave 2 and possibly wave 3 figures coming out soon due to the Xmas season.

Im chuckling that the Legends figures at Target are 30 cents more expensive than Deluxes now.

Just noticed this the other day. I want to do a custom of Blurr to give it more of a G1 look. Then I gotta buy paint, etc. Then realized that I may as well just try to find the TakTomy release.

Really the only figure I would want to buy a second time and do a custom for is Hardhead. I’d color it in such a way to give Terri-Bull a body.

[Optimus124]

I walked into my man-cave and was thinking about my collection. I am not sure if I really want to collect anything but MP at this point. The main reason I got into collecting is to relive my childhood by having a it displayed in all its glory (G1, BW, etc). MP Optimus Primal was the straw that broke it for me. The figure is almost a 1:1 version of the character. Generations is an awesome line up, but MPs are the figures that really hit the mark for me. I am sure there are a few pieces that I would keep, but for the most part, its getting tougher to buy non-MP items. The most recent Titans Return figures are G1 figures updated with modern poseability. and there is some great stuff coming on the Decepticon side.

Have any of you all gone through such a dilemma?

[AlphaCharlie]

I walked into my man-cave and was thinking about my collection. I am not sure if I really want to collect anything but MP at this point. The main reason I got into collecting is to relive my childhood by having a it displayed in all its glory (G1, BW, etc). MP Optimus Primal was the straw that broke it for me. The figure is almost a 1:1 version of the character. Generations is an awesome line up, but MPs are the figures that really hit the mark for me. I am sure there are a few pieces that I would keep, but for the most part, its getting tougher to buy non-MP items. The most recent Titans Return figures are G1 figures updated with modern poseability. and there is some great stuff coming on the Decepticon side.

Have any of you all gone through such a dilemma?

Yeah. 8 or so years back it would have been blasphemous as hell for a diehard G1 fan like myself to even think about passing up the originals, over the MP releases.

However, seeing some of these recently has made me wonder why i should bother (wow). Being a G1 fan i definitely WANT some G1’s around. Just recently i acquired an MIB G1 Pretender Skullgrin and Landmine (yeah!!). However, if i have to choose between something like an G1 reissue Ironhide or an MP Ironhide, i think i’d want the MP release.

Ideally it would be great to have both the G1 original and the MP but, cost reasons as well as space play a part. Trying to have a more “adult” optimized collection, of only those figures i truely appreciate. Every so often i find myself reassessing my collection for stuff i could do without. As a TF fan i have an appreciation for just about everything out there, there’s tons of cool stuff. However, if i bought everything i thought looked cool, I’d be broke and have my apartment overrun with figures like a sad manchild lol.

[Dangerous_J]

There are 2 reasons I prefer the Classics line.

1. Cost.
2. A greater amount of Deception toys and variety.

Admittedly, I was always concerned about the fragile nature of some figures after hearing horror stories about Mp5 megatron ,mp 09 Rodimus Prime breaking with minimal use (or no use).
It seems recent MP figures are seemingly more durable but as a someone who was brought back fully into buying TF because of classics,Im glad the generation line is thriving.

For me personally ,I’m still quite surprised that Galvatron hasn’t had 1 mp figure considering the3/4 of the main leaders in the cartoon were realized by 2009.

My experiences and nostalgic memories are probably different because while I started watch G1 as a toddler in 84,my first few figures were 1986. With the exception of a second hand /damaged Jetfire,all my g1 toys were 1986-90. I love the season 3 /movie characters and others like scorponok,thunderwing,bludgeon equally as Screamer,Soundwave etc due to Simon Furman’s US Marvel run.

I’m not hating on mp. I have the mp10 optimus which is an awesome figure.
I really think Sideswipe,Bluestreak,skywarp look good. But I’m not super fan of their characters so the likelihood of buying them would be less.

To be honest some of the 3p unofficial masterpiece figures are more appealing like the upcoming fan toys Sovereign(Galvatron)
Or dx9 carry. But I’d probably relegate them to Birthday or Christmas purchases lol.

[Optimus124]

I walked into my man-cave and was thinking about my collection. I am not sure if I really want to collect anything but MP at this point. The main reason I got into collecting is to relive my childhood by having a it displayed in all its glory (G1, BW, etc). MP Optimus Primal was the straw that broke it for me. The figure is almost a 1:1 version of the character. Generations is an awesome line up, but MPs are the figures that really hit the mark for me. I am sure there are a few pieces that I would keep, but for the most part, its getting tougher to buy non-MP items. The most recent Titans Return figures are G1 figures updated with modern poseability. and there is some great stuff coming on the Decepticon side.

Have any of you all gone through such a dilemma?

Yeah. 8 or so years back it would have been blasphemous as hell for a diehard G1 fan like myself to even think about passing up the originals, over the MP releases.

However, seeing some of these recently has made me wonder why i should bother (wow). Being a G1 fan i definitely WANT some G1’s around. Just recently i acquired an MIB G1 Pretender Skullgrin and Landmine (yeah!!). However, if i have to choose between something like an G1 reissue Ironhide or an MP Ironhide, i think i’d want the MP release.

Ideally it would be great to have both the G1 original and the MP but, cost reasons as well as space play a part. Trying to have a more “adult” optimized collection, of only those figures i truely appreciate. Every so often i find myself reassessing my collection for stuff i could do without. As a TF fan i have an appreciation for just about everything out there, there’s tons of cool stuff. However, if i bought everything i thought looked cool, I’d be broke and have my apartment overrun with figures like a sad manchild lol.

That’s exactly it. Space and what you want it to feel like. We all know that very few of the G1 incarnation resemble what the show models were. For a long time I considered going back and getting a G1 Optimus Prime and Sideswipe reissue. That ship has long sailed.

Definitely with you on buying it because it’s cool. There are some pieces in the classics line that are just interesting. I’ve practically made it a rule that for mainline releases, I just keep it to Optimus Prime. That’s practically the only character that I am OK with buying regardless of version. I typically find the most aesthetically pleasing and settle from there. My examples are the Deluxe version of Armada, Energon, and RID 2015. Power Pants Prime is a refined brick in its supermode and Mega-Primeazord didn’t really do anything for me.

There are 2 reasons I prefer the Classics line.

1. Cost.
2. A greater amount of Deception toys and variety.

Admittedly, I was always concerned about the fragile nature of some figures after hearing horror stories about Mp5 megatron ,mp 09 Rodimus Prime breaking with minimal use (or no use).
It seems recent MP figures are seemingly more durable but as a someone who was brought back fully into buying TF because of classics,Im glad the generation line is thriving.

For me personally ,I’m still quite surprised that Galvatron hasn’t had 1 mp figure considering the3/4 of the main leaders in the cartoon were realized by 2009.

My experiences and nostalgic memories are probably different because while I started watch G1 as a toddler in 84,my first few figures were 1986. With the exception of a second hand /damaged Jetfire,all my g1 toys were 1986-90. I love the season 3 /movie characters and others like scorponok,thunderwing,bludgeon equally as Screamer,Soundwave etc due to Simon Furman’s US Marvel run.

I’m not hating on mp. I have the mp10 optimus which is an awesome figure.
I really think Sideswipe,Bluestreak,skywarp look good. But I’m not super fan of their characters so the likelihood of buying them would be less.

To be honest some of the 3p unofficial masterpiece figures are more appealing like the upcoming fan toys Sovereign(Galvatron)
Or dx9 carry. But I’d probably relegate them to Birthday or Christmas purchases lol.

The two reasons you give are a very hurtful truth. The cost of the Decepticon seekers is insane for what they are. I may seriously consider getting KO-Versions of the Coneheads. $170+ for a glorified recolor is not right. HasTakTomy needs to bring in other Decepticons to the line. The Seekers are quite obviously cash grabs, and I am glad to see TakTomy pushing the releases out quickly. Dirge will probably be here in the next couple months. The other Seeker I could see them doing as a non-exclusive is a G2 variant of Ramjet. After that one, I hope the Seeker variants are done for. Coming down the pipe, this is what I could still see for the Decepticon MP Line.

Reflector
Insecticons
Constructicons
Combaticons
Stunticons
Astrotrain
Blitzwing
Octane
Galvatron
Cyclonus
Scourge
Terrorcons

I’ll leave the Headmasters out, for now. . . .

With those sets alone that’s approx. 25 releases (depending on how a few sets are treated). That’s enough to even the odds on that side.

Galvatron should have been done by now. With an MP V2 coming, there is no doubt in my mind that a CAD drawing is on a computer somewhere.

[Optimus124]

You can now Pre-order MP Megatron 2.0 at your favorite retailer for the low price of $229

[TitanFOFO]

LOL. New MP Megs looks good, but not that good. Seems like I’ll be sticking with Apollyon.

As for the MP figures, I didn’t feel like prices were too crazy up until Shockwave. Hopefully the Hasbro prices will be scaled back a lot like they normally are. But I don’t feel like there are enough popular Decepticon characters to justify HasTakTomy doing MP versions of them. Of that list you mentioned, I’d be interested in Galvatron, Cyclonus, Astrotrain, and maybe Blitzwing. I won’t even mention the combiners, since that isn’t realistically happening with the CW line being as popular as it is and would be hella expensive if they went through with it (but Combaticons/Stunticons comparable in quality to CW Devastator would be well received, if that’s what you mean by “MP”). I could see them putting out some MP Beast Wars Predacon characters as well.

3rd party is definitely the way to go if you want MP quality versions of most Decepticon characters in the near future.

[Optimus124]

There are already rumblings about an MP Bruticus. TakTomy now knows that fans are willing to drop 500-600 dollars on plastic thanks to 3P.

[chopperbyrne]

MP Predacons/Predaking or Protectobots/Defensor (Less likely given the Combiner Wars figures) and I’m sold.

[Optimus124]

I am going to ensure importing MP Megatron. Since most of these sites do provisional pre-orders at around 30% off, it’s bound to sell out quick. US Retailers are saying it will be shipped with an unglued orange plug.

[Optimus124]

MP Megatron available here for $154 USD

http://www.anime-export.com/product/33874#

I have never used this overseas seller but after shipping, you are probably looking at about $180 (using EMS 5-7 day shipping).

So far, I have had good luck with AmiAmi, so I am going to hold out (for now).

[AriesWarlock]

G1 Season 1 Soundtrack Fan restoration done!

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1342576182/grimbots-soundtrack-restoration

Better DL quick before the lawyers catch on LOL

Does anybody have this? Can anybody upload somewhere?

[Dangerous_J]

**Triggerhappy **Review

**Twinferno **Review

Breakaway(Getaway) Review

[Dangerous_J]

Hot Rod Review

[Optimus124]

G1 Season 1 Soundtrack Fan restoration done!

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1342576182/grimbots-soundtrack-restoration

Better DL quick before the lawyers catch on LOL

Does anybody have this? Can anybody upload somewhere?

http://thetfcog.com/music/season1g1soundtrack.zip

[FighterX]

I walked into my man-cave and was thinking about my collection. I am not sure if I really want to collect anything but MP at this point. The main reason I got into collecting is to relive my childhood by having a it displayed in all its glory (G1, BW, etc). MP Optimus Primal was the straw that broke it for me. The figure is almost a 1:1 version of the character. Generations is an awesome line up, but MPs are the figures that really hit the mark for me. I am sure there are a few pieces that I would keep, but for the most part, its getting tougher to buy non-MP items. The most recent Titans Return figures are G1 figures updated with modern poseability. and there is some great stuff coming on the Decepticon side.

Have any of you all gone through such a dilemma?

That is EXACTLY how I felt before I started trimming down my collection. I’m focusing on MP, MP 3rd Party, and a few generations toys. Optimus Primal REALLY knocked it out of the park for me (elbows aside). At first, I thought I’d be “MEH” about him, but as soon as I opened him, that went to the “WOW” category.

[Dangerous_J]

Some notable sales…

http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/product.aspx?product=HAS24831&mode=retail

1)** BBTS has G1 Platinum Reissue Trypticon for $110 **
(around 125 shipped if you count WI/FL sales tax and cheapest shipping. Around $118 shipped or so for everyone else)

http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/product.aspx?product=FTS10022&mode=retail

2)** FansToys Qakewave FT-03T is also $110**
(a 3p Masterpiece level Shockwave that is a dark purple close to the G1 Toy)