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The Transformers: The Movie

2006-04-10T11:26:10Z

198.138.210.113:

'''Transformers: The Movie''' was is an animated feature film based on the original Transformers toyline. It was released in the United States on August 8, 1986.

What is often noted about Transformers: The Movie (often referred to by fans as simply "the movie") is that it essentially had no right to be as good as it was. Its relatively sophisticated plot (compared to the generally childish, sometimes ludicrous plotlines of seasons one and two, it reads like Aasimov), engaging characters, and ambitious scope, in everything from special effects and animation to its choice of music(''still'' sampled and danced to at sci-fi and comic book conventions across the country), have won it a following and a reputation that few, if any, of the other 80's-era cartoon movie adaptions can claim (who still talks or argues about the G.I. Joe movie, for example?).

The movie was intended, it seems, to do nothing more than clear out the old toy line and introduce the Transformers audience, which, it must be repeated, entirely consisted of young children, to the new robots that would be featured in the next season of the show. Other than that, it seems the creators of the movie were allowed more or less complete creative license, as beloved characters die gruesomly by the score, sometimes in sudden brutal combat and sometimes in surprisingly touching, melodramatic style, as in the now-famous Optimus Prime death bed scene.

Though the movie has, of course, aged since its release, it has aged fairly well. The animation still pleases, though the seams are naturally beginning to show when compared with the superslick computer-filtered animation of today. More importantly, there is a sense of visual scale and imagination on display here, a sense of excitement and energy in the images that is rare in any sci-fi movie, let alone something designed solely to push a new line of children's toys. The voice acting deserves special mention as well, with greats such as Orson Welles, Leonard Nemoy and Eric Idle lending their talents to the project. Transformers: The Movie is still watched and rewatched today by fans of the original series, who accept it as both a (guilty?) pleasure of their youth and as a reminder that not everything created as product need necessarily be derivative and stale.

==Primary characters and cast==
*[[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]]...[[Peter Cullen]]
*[[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]]...[[Robert Stack]]
*[[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]]...[[Paul Eiding]]
*[[Hot Rod (G1)|Hot Rod]]...[[Judd Nelson]]
*[[Kup]]...[[Lionel Stander]]
*[[Blurr (G1)|Blurr]]...[[John Moschitta Jr.]]
*[[Springer]]...[[Neil Ross]]
*[[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]]...[[Susan Blu]]
*[[Wreck-Gar_(G1)|Wreck-Gar]]...[[Eric Idle]]
*[[Daniel Witwicky]]...[[David Mendenhall]]
*[[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]]...[[Frank Welker]]
*[[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]]...[[Chris Latta]]
*[[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]]...[[Leonard Nimoy]]
*[[Unicron]]...[[Orson Welles]]

==Brief synopsis==

A planet-sized Transformer called [[Unicron]] who eats other planets is approaching [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]]. As part of their continuing wars, the Autobots and Decepticons have a fierce battle on Earth which sees both Optimus Prime and Megatron mortally wounded. Prime passes the [[Matrix of Leadership]] to Ultra Magnus and dies, and Megatron is transformed by Unicron into [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]]. [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] (briefly) assumes leadership of the Decepticons, but is killed when Galvatron arrives at Cybertron. Galvatron then chases the surviving Autobots on Earth across space, splitting them up and taking the Matrix. The Autobots find their way back to each other, and follow Galvatron to Cybertron just as Unicron transforms into robot mode and begins to eat their world. Travelling inside Unicron, [[Hot Rod (G1)|Hot Rod]] recovers the Matrix, transforms into [[Rodimus Prime (G1)|Rodimus Prime]], and uses the Matrix to destroy Unicron.

==Synopsis==

In the first sequence of the film, a mechanical planet called [[Unicron]] is shown travelling through the depths of space, then approaching and destroying another metal planet which has robotic inhabitants, much like [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]]. During the attack, robots, vehicles, buildings, and even large chunks of rock float off the surface of the planet and spiral into the large "mouth" on Unicron.

The scene then transitions to Cybertron, and the narrator explains that it is the year 2005, and that the [[Decepticon]]s are now in control of the planet. The [[Autobot]]s are preparing to launch an assault to retake the planet from hidden bases on two of Cybertron's moons. The Autobots launch a [[Autobot shuttle|shuttle]] to pick up a final shipment of [[energon]] from [[Earth]] before they strike.

Plans for the attack are overheard by [[Laserbeak (G1)|Laserbeak]], who reports back to Megatron. The Decepticons attack the Autobot shuttle en route to Earth, wiping out its crew. Using the Autobots' own shuttle, the Decepticons are able to get very close to the Autobots' base on Earth, [[Autobot City]], before they are detected, and begin a devastating surprise attack on the unprepared city.

During the battle at Autobot City, both [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] and Megatron suffer mortal injuries, and a number of other characters are also killed. Eventually the Decepticons retreat, but the damage suffered by the Autobots has been severe. Shortly after the battle, Prime lies on his deathbed. He passes the reigns of leadership to [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] and gives him the [[Matrix of Leadership]]. Prime relates a prophecy: "One day, an Autobot shall rise from our ranks, and use the power of the Matrix to light our [[darkest hour]]." He then gives the oath, "[['Till All Are One]]", and dies. This sequence of events is observed remotely by Unicron, who appears unusually concerned by the survival of the Matrix.

The Decepticons are making their escape aboard [[Astrotrain (G1)|Astrotrain]], but are too heavy for him to get them all home under his own power. After putting the matter to a fair vote, the Decepticons decide to throw their injured members off the ship to better the chance of survival for the rest. One of the most severely injured Decepticons is Megatron. Starscream tosses him out and claims leadership of the Decepticon army.

Megatron and the other adrift Decepticons then encounter Unicron interstellar space. Unicron offers to rebuild Megatron and his men in exchange for their service. Megatron agrees, and is [[reformatting|reformatted]] into [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]]. The other Decepticons are turned into [[Cyclonus (G1)|Cyclonus]], [[Scourge (G1)|Scourge]], and [[The Sweeps]]. Unicron provides them with a ship, and sends them to kill Ultra Magnus and destroy the Matrix, stating that the Matrix is the only thing which can stand in his way.

Galvatron first stops at Cybertron to take his revenge by killing Starscream and reclaiming leadership of the Decepticons. Almost immediately afterwards, Unicron arrives in Cyertron's vicinity and devours at least two moons -- both of the Autobots' moon bases are destroyed. Under coercion by Unicron, Galvatron finally heads to Earth to kill Ultra Magnus, but Magnus and the other surviving Autobots flee in a pair of shuttles. Eventually Galvatron manages to cause one shuttle to crash on yet another metal planet ([[Quintessa]]), and detonates the other with a volley of missiles. However, the Autobots in the second shuttle escape unnoticed by separating the front portion of their shuttle just before impact.

The Autobots in the crashed shuttle, [[Hot Rod (G1)|Hot Rod]], [[Kup]], and the [[Dinobots (G1)|Dinobots]], find themselves separated and in a hostile environment. Hot Rod and Kup are captured by a squad of [[Alligatorcons]] and taken before a [[Quintessons|Quintesson]] [[Quintesson judge|judge]] and his court. While being held there, they learn the name and nature of Unicron from [[Kranix]], a survivor of the planet destroyed in the opening of the film, which he calls [[Lithone]]. Meanwhile, the Dinobots encounter and befriend a young, wild Autobot named [[Wheelie]] who has been living alone on Quintessa. Together, they crash the trial just as Hot Rod and Kup are fighting losing odds against the Quintessons' [[Sharkticons]]. The tide is turned, and the Autobots commandeer a [[Quintesson ship]].

The other group of Autobots has landed on the planet [[Junk|Junk]] to make repairs, but are attacked yet again by Galvatron. During the battle, Ultra Magnus tries to open the Matrix to use its power, but is unable to do so, and instead is killed. Galvatron absconds the Matrix, taking it away to Unicron. The remaining Autobots -- [[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]], [[Springer (G1)|Springer]], [[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]], and [[Spike Witwicky|Spike]]'s son [[Daniel Witwicky|Daniel]] -- are then ambushed by [[Junkions]], the natives of Junk, who are also giant transforming robots. This battle is cut short, however, by the arrival of Hot Rod's group in their Quintesson ship. After exchanging the [[universal greeting]] they all make friends, and the Junkions restore Ultra Magnus to life. Together, the whole group travels to Cybertron to try to recover the Matrix.

Galvatron attempts to open the Matrix to use its power against Unicron, but is also unable to get it open. Unicron, not pleased with this attempted treachery, shocks Galvatron by transforming from a planet into a planet-sized robot. Unicron plucks Galvatron off his chest and swallows him, Matrix and all, and then begins attacking Cybertron itself. [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] scrambles the Decepticon forces to defend the planet, but they are ineffective against so large an enemy. Shortly the Autobots arrive from Junk, and fly the Quintesson ship straight through Unicron's eye. This impact destroys the ship, and the Autobots fall out inside Unicron. Hot Rod, separated from the others, eventually runs into Galvatron. During their fight, Hot Rod gets his hands on the Matrix and hears Optimus' voice speak the words, "Arise, [[Rodimus Prime (G1)|Rodimus Prime]]." Hot Rod grows in stature, adopts a much sterner demeanor, and quickly dispatches Galvatron by tossing him through Unicron's hull out into space. He then opens the Matrix, which fills Unicron with light and begins destroying him.

In the meantime, the other Autobots inside Unicron have located some of their comrades from the moon bases who had been presumed dead, including [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]] and Daniel's father, Spike. The Autobots, including Rodimus, escape through Unicron's remaining eye just as he begins to fall apart and explode. The scene then immediately shifts to the surface of Cybertron, where -- for unclear reasons -- the Autobots seem to be in charge again. Rodimus predicts an era of peace and prosperity, and the film closes with a shot of Unicron's severed head still floating in orbit around Cybertron.

==Significance in Transfandom==

In all, the movie is considered somewhat important in retrospect. It established several storyline concepts that have remained in various continuities since its release. Examples of this are the characters of [[Galvatron]] and [[Unicron]], the [[Hot Rod]] archetype (evidenced in such characters as [[Cheetor]] and [[Hot Shot]]) of a young and brash Autobot/Maximal warrior who would rise in the ranks over time, and the [[Autobot Matrix of Leadership]].

Further, the movie is considered an important point in the Generation One continuity as it changes the entire atmosphere of the stories told in later seasons.

This is not, however, to say that the movie does not have its detractors. Many fans have observed that the movie appears cynical in attitude, from the obvious commercialization of the movie to the multiple deaths of characters (assumed to have been performed so as to introduce the upcoming crop of toys and characters) to the questionably appropriate for children hard rock soundtrack. Further, many fans complain of the lack on cohesive storyline continuity between the movie and the following third season of Transformers.

==Trivia and controversies==

This film was one of the last professional performances by Orson Welles, if not the very last. According to production materials shown at [[BotCon]] 2000 by Tim Finn, the voice recording sessions for TF:TM were done on September 10 and 11 of 1985. Welles died on October 10 of that same year. It has often been speculated that Unicron's last line ("Destiny... you cannot destroy my destiny...!") was recorded by another actor -- possibly Nimoy -- because it sounds different than the other lines. This speculation has been quashed by statements by Transformers voice director [[Wally Burr]].[http://cybertronchronicle.freewebspace.com/60-astrominutes/wally_burr_3.html]

Although the movie was billed in some advertisements before its theatrical release as being "widescreen", the movie was in fact animated in a 1.33:1 aspect ratio. It was intended to be matted down in the projector by the projectionist when screened, but all video transfers of the movie were done without mattes, meaning that there is actually more picture visible in the video and DVD releases than there would have been in theaters.

The Dinobot [[Snarl (G1)|Snarl]] is mysteriously absent from almost the entire movie, even though the Dinobots as a group are featured prominantly. It is unclear why this is the case, but one possible explanation is that copies of the script which have come into fans' hands repeatedly list the Dinobots but never make mention of Snarl by name. In fact, at one point the script refers to "the four Dinobots". Despite this, Snarl does appear in two very brief shots, although he has no lines and no action.

With the exception of Starscream, Unicron, and possibly Shockwave, only the Autobots suffered casualities in the movie. All of the other "dead" Decepticons from the Autobot City battle were rebuilt into Galvatron's new troops, and although Decepticons were shown taking heavy damage while fighting Unicron, their identities and their condition are uncertain. Additionally, both Starscream and Unicron survived in the post-movie series in some form or another. Shockwave's death in the finished film is highly uncertain, although in the script it is fairly strongly implied. He does make some appearances in crowd shots in later cartoon episodes, but these may be examples of the fairly common animation errors in those episodes.

There exist more than one English-language version of the film, with the following differences in content from the American theatrical run:
* In some versions (notably the European version) the opening credits are replaced with a scrolling text ("Star Wars style") which provides backstory.
* In some versions (notably the European version) the film ends with a narrator reassuring the audience that Optimus Prime will return.
* Instances of swearing in the film (there are two) were edited out, sometimes one, sometimes both.

==Soundtrack==

*1. The Touch - [[Stan Bush]]
*2. Instruments Of Destruction - N.R.G.
*3. Death Of Optimus Prime - Vince Dicola
*4. Dare - [[Stan Bush]]
*5. Nothin's Gonna Stand In Our Way - Spectre General
*6. The Transformers (Theme) - Lion
*7. Escape - Vince Dicola
*8. Hunger - Spectre General
*9. Autobot/Decepticon Battle - Vince Dicola
*10. Dare To Be Stupid - 'Weird Al' Yankovic

[[Category:Films]]
[[Category:Generation 1]]<div id="wikia-credits"><br /><br /><small>From [http://transformers.wikia.com Teletraan I: The Transformers Wiki], a [http://www.wikia.com Wikia] wiki.</small></div>

Starscream (G1)

2006-04-10T10:44:39Z

198.138.210.113: /* Animated Continuity */

[[Image:Starscreamg1.jpg|thumb|right|Air Commander Starscream]]
'''Starscream''' is the treacherous Decepticon Air Commander. He's famous not only for his incredible skill, but also for his limitless (and troublesome) ambition. Starscream believes that he is more suited for command than Decepticon Leader [[Megatron_(G1)|Megatron]]. Thankfully for Megatron, Starscream's mutinous, powergrabbing plots are almost always transparent. Despite his constant failures, Starscream believes it is only a matter of time before he prevails -- his destiny is inevitable.

Unlike most Transformers, he has a mutant, indestructable [[Spark]]. His lifeforce cannot be destroyed and can persist even without a body to contain it.

'''Voice actor:''' [[Chris Latta]], [[Doug Parker]] (US); (Japan)<br>
'''Motto:''' ''"Conquest is made of the ashes of one's enemies."'' <br>
'''Bio:''' Seeks to replace Megatron as leader. Ruthless, cold-blooded, cruel... considers himself the most sophisticated and handsome of Decepticons. Believes Decepticons should rely more on guile and speed rather than brute force to defeat Autobots. Fastest flyer of group, can reach Mach 2.8 and an altitude of 52 miles. Shoots cluster bombs and null-rays which disrupts the flow of electricity. Very good at what he does, but sometimes overrates himself.

==Marvel Comics Continuity==
[[Image:Starscream uscomics.png|thumb|Color model madness!]]

==Animated Continuity==
'''Voice Actor:''' [[Chris Latta]] (US), x (Japan)

Starscream was Megatron's Second-in-Command, for some reason. He was rash, boastful, cowardly, and even whiney. His rash and spiteful actions led to the resurrection of the Autobots on Earth, when a blast intended to trap the Autobots there forever caused Optimus Prime to fall into the life giving rays of Teletraan-1, who soon had all his fellow autobots ready for action again. Starscream would always demand action rather than waste time with planning, often calling Megatron a coward or taking action himself without waiting for the order. Needless to say, this got him nearly killed by Megatron on more than one occasion.

Starscream's status probably came from the fact he had command over the other Jet Fighter Decipticons, which formed pretty much 50% of the entire Decipticon force at the time of Seasons 1&2.

Starscream's Ambition was also great, and often sought to take command away from Megatron. One such attempt was to challenge him to a duel, and shoot him in the back when he turned away laughing. His "Victory" here was short lived, as Megatron was just stunned, shot Starscream, and Banished him from his forces. This led Starscream to "create" the combaticons, from a bunch of wrecked army vehicles he found on the island he was deserted on, and some Decipticon "Brains" he stole from the Decipticon Prison. Megatron let him, and his newly formed army, back into the Decipticons soon afterwards, despite the fact they were all Decipticon outcasts and criminals.

Starscream's thirst for leadership led to his death in Transformers: The Movie, when, during the Decepticon's dramatic seige on Autobot City, Megatron would fight his final battle with Optimus Prime. By the end of it, the Decepticon leader was battered beyond repair, left on the verge of death (err... malfunction. Termination? Whatever). Starscream, who if nothing else can see an opportunity in every situation, took advantage of this moment of weakness to rally the healthy Decepticons that remained after the battle, ejecting the "dead weight" of his wounded former comrades into space. Starscream, with transparent satisfaction, threw Megatron out personally, before closing the door on that part of Transformers history and beginning an inter-Decepticon brawl that would eventually place him at the head of the ranks.

Starscream couldn't have known, of course, that Megatron would be found and reshaped by the godlike Unicron before his spark faded completely. Reborn as Galvatron, he made it his first order of business to take back what Starscream had taken, interrupting the pompous and overblown coronation Starscream had set up for himself and killing him with a single, terrible blast, likely setting a record for the shortest reign in Decepticon history.

This was not the end, however, as his ghost came back, with "cunning" schemes. First he possessed Cyclonus, and handed Galvatron over to Rodimus. Rodmius didn't kill or even imprison Galvatron however, and he came back angered, and shot his Second in Command, not realising he had not been himself. Starscream had already found a new host in Scourge by this time, whom he used in his next "Master Plan". This one involved making deals with Unicron, who requested Starscream help him find new body parts, in return for a new body for himself. Starscream followed his orders exactly, until his host ran off before his could connect Unicron's head to Cybertron as a new body. This is where Starscream showed his "True Cunning", stating that if Unicron wanted him to connect him to his new Planet, he would have to give him his new body first. Unicron did so, repeating his request to finish connecting his head to his new body, however Starscream turned on him immediately, telling him mockingly to do it himself. At this point, the autobots set off a load of explosives, unaware of these turn of events, that sent Starscream, in his new body, spinning out of control through space, past Galvatron and his crew (Galvatron took this chance to fire at what he thought was a ghost), and never to be seen again.... Well almost never apparently...
One last thing to note is Cyclonus's line after our last glimpse of Starscream:
"Hey, since when have ghosts spun out of control through space?"

==Beast Wars==
'''Voice Actor:''' [[Doug Parker]] (US), x (Japan)

Starscream's ghost appeared in the Season 1 episode ''Possession'', where he possesses [[Waspinator (BW)|Waspinator]]'s body. True to form, he and [[Blackarachnia (BW)|Blackarachnia]] attempt to wrest control of the [[Predacon (BW)|Predacon]]s from Megatron. He is ultimately betrayed by Blackarachnia, who was from the future and knew a lot about the history of the Transformers.

==Dreamwave Continuity==

==IDW Continuity==

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[[Category:Decepticons]]
[[Category:Scientists]]
[[Category:Pretenders]]
[[Category:Action Masters]]
[[Category:Generation 1]]
[[Category:Machine Wars]]<div id="wikia-credits"><br /><br /><small>From [http://transformers.wikia.com Teletraan I: The Transformers Wiki], a [http://www.wikia.com Wikia] wiki.</small></div>