Transformers Animated (spoilers)
So, I decided, out of curiosity, to watch a random episode of TRANSFORMERS ANIMATED.
I wanted to indulge my inner 6-year old and watch the awesome "Dare to Be Stupid" sequence from THE TRANSFORMERS: THE MOVIE. The 1986 animation.
As I saw it, there were links to the new TA Wreck-Gar and I saw a clip compilation. Not only did he say, "I dare to be stupid", and "Bah-weep-gra-na-weep-nini-bon" which are delightful homages, but he was voiced by Weird Al Yankovic (who sang Dare to Be Stupid), but he
turned into a garbage truck. Old Wreck-Gar turned into a motorcycle, but this one turned into a garbage truck which makes a helluva lot more sense and is awesome.
Impressed with how much love they gave an old character, and they, in one way, improved him with simple elegance, I watched more episode.
I've ended up watching half a dozen or so and am ridiculously impressed.
There's enough of the old stuff that it "feels" like the old Transformers I grew up on, but it's also new enough that it's fresh, and well-written enough that it's engaging.
There are a couple of things that I find weird; Optimus Prime isn't the actual leader of the Autobots, others out-rank him. This is weird, but kinda awesome. I love that Optimus Prime is a black sheep in the Autobots. Less forgivable, is his mouth. It really irks me. I also dislike that Prowl looks nothing like the original Prowl. Should've just named him something else.
But then, I love how the Decepticons are actually far more powerful than the Autobots and a genuine threat. They actually TOWER over the Autobots (especially Megatron). That's great conflict right there. I also love how, somehow, they managed to resurrect Chris Latta and called him Tom Kenny to do Starscream's voice. His voice is perfect. And Starscream is brilliantly portrayed here.
Yet, what surprises me more, is the new characters invented purely for this show. Somehow, not only are they each
wonderful, but they are so intrinsically "Transformers-esque" that I honestly feel like they've been part of the show since I was a kid. And the old ones have been improved immensely.
The new Prowl is great, but he irks me because he's not "Prowl". If they'd called him "Blackstar" or something, I'd have no problems at all. Lugnut is hysterical and I love him. Blitzwing now has character... three of them. And a crazy German accent. Ironhide now has an iron hide. Shockwave is terrific (and voiced by the original actor). I love Scrapper and Mixmaster, but am disappointed there's no Devastator.
But there three things that take the cake:
Starscream's five clones: Each is one aspect of his personality. One is a coward, the other an egotist, another a sycophant, another a pathological liar, and the last a
woman, who points out "You don't want to know" what part of Starscream she represents. And it turns out, two of these are Skywarp and Thundercracker, and the other two look like Sunstorm and Ramjet which is brilliant. Oh, and all the clones possess Starscream's treachery. Oh, how I love these guys.
Sentinel Prime is
The Tick, gorram it. He's not just the Tick, but he's a jerk who is continually mean to Optimus Prime yet outranks him. He hates organics, thinking they're covered in deadly germs. He's never fought anyone, and when he gets hit, he has a terrifically girlish scream. He's brilliant.
And Bulkhead. I love this guy. He's so unbelievably adorable.
Next time I'm in the US, I'm buying the season sets.
Hell, I'm tempted to buy the TOYS.
Rekindled my 6-year old self! YAY! 
