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Transformers (film)

2006-09-06T16:40:40Z

62.252.128.25:

For a Fantastic Transformers website with Transformers videos, movie news, movie photos & more, at www.freewebs.com/jasonluke2005

[[Image:Transformers2007teaserposter.jpg|right|thumb|I see you.]]

'''''Transformers''''' will be a live-action movie by Executive Producer [[Steven Spielberg]] and Director [[Michael Bay]], starring [[Shia LaBeouf]], [[Jon Voight]], and [[Megan Fox]]. The film will arrive in theatres on July 4, 2007.

==Known characters==
===Autobots===
*[[Bumblebee]]
*[[Jazz]]
*[[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]]
*[[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] ([[Peter Cullen]])
*[[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]]
===Decepticons===
*[[Barricade (Movie)|Barricade]]
*[[Blackout (Movie)|Blackout]]
*[[Bonecrusher (G1)|Bonecrusher]]
*[[Brawl (G1)|Brawl]]
*[[Frenzy (G1)|Frenzy]]
*[[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]]
*[[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]]
*[[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]]
===Humans===
*Sam "Spike" Witwicky ([[Shia LaBeouf]])
*Some military guys
*Hot chick ([[Megan Fox]])
*Bernie Mac ([[Bernie Mac]])

==External links==
* [http://www.transformersmovie.com/ Transformersmovie.com]
* [http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0418279/ ''Transformers'' at IMDB.com]

{{stub}}

[[Category: Films]]<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>

The Transformers: The Movie

2006-09-06T16:39:39Z

62.252.128.25:

For a Fantastic Transformers website with Transformers videos, movie news, movie photos & more, at www.freewebs.com/jasonluke2005

[[Image:Transformersanimatedfilmposter.jpg|right|thumb|300px|Featuring the deaths of all your favorite Transformers characters.]]

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

Often referred to by fans simply as "the movie", this film opens with characters who had been featured in the first two years of the toyline and associated media (cartoons, comic books, etc.), but quickly introduces new characters and kills many of the old ones to make room. In particular, Optimus Prime, Megatron, and Starscream are all destroyed during the course of the film.

The movie was a step up in almost every area from the television series, with a more sophisticated plot, more serious treatment of war and violence, a hugely ambitious scope and a greatly increased animation budget with well-known celebrities providing voice work. For these reasons the film remains very popular with children of the 1980s.

==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]]...[[Judd Nelson]]
*[[Kup]]...[[Lionel Stander]]
*[[Blurr (G1)|Blurr]]...[[John Moschitta Jr.]]
*[[Springer]]...[[Neil Ross]]
*[[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]]...[[Susan Blu]]
*[[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==

[[Image:Unicronplanet.jpg|left|thumb|That's no moon. It's a space station.]]

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]] recovers the Matrix, transforms into Rodimus Prime, and uses the Matrix to destroy Unicron.

==Full synopsis==

[[Image:Tftm1986a.jpg|right|thumb|I have a bad feeling about this.]]

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.

[[Image:Tftm1986b.jpg|left|thumb|If you strike me down, I shall become more powerful than you can possibly imagine.]]

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 in 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.

[[Image:Tftm1986c.jpg|right|thumb|Don't be too proud of this technological terror you've constructed.]]

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]], [[Kup]], and the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]], find themselves separated and in a hostile environment. Hot Rod and Kup are captured by a squad of [[Alligatorcon]]s and taken before a [[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 (G1)|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' [[Sharkticon]]s. The tide is turned, and the Autobots commandeer a [[Quintesson ship]].

[[Image:Tftm1986d.jpg|left|thumb|What an incredible smell you've discovered!]]

The other group of Autobots has landed on the planet [[Junkion (planet)|Junkion]] to make repairs, but are attacked yet again by Galvatron, who was tipped off to their survival by Unicron. 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]], [[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]], and [[Spike Witwicky|Spike]]'s son [[Daniel Witwicky|Daniel]] -- are then ambushed by [[Junkion|Junkions]], the eponymous natives of Junkion, 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 Junkion, 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." 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.

[[Image:Tftm1986e.jpg|right|thumb|Use the Force, Luke.]]

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]] 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==

''Transformers: The Movie'' remains one of the most important elements of the entire Transformers brand, both within the fiction and from the perspective of the brand's popularity and "mindshare".

Fictionally, it established several story concepts that have been used repeatedly in the years since 1986, some of which -- such as Unicron and the Matrix -- are now central to the entire Transformers mythos. The movie is also the centerpiece of the most well-known Transformers continuity: the G1 animated universe. The G1 cartoon is split into "pre-movie" and "post-movie" sections which feature differenct characters and settings, and even somewhat different visual styles. (Most pre-movie episodes were animated by the studio [[Toei]], while most post-movie episodes were animated by [[AKOM]].)

To an entire generation of young fans, the movie was the most visually spectacular and narratively epic Transformers experience of their entire youth. Events such as the death of Optimus Prime are widely reported to have reduced many little boys to tears. It is hardly a surprise that these emotional experiences embedded themselves deeply in many fans' memories.

This is not all to say that the movie is a "masterpiece", exactly. The film displays an arguably cynical attitude towards itself as a vehicle for advertising toys, especially in the way beloved characters are killed -- sometimes gratuitiously -- for sake of justifying the story's focus on a new group of toys. Further, the two primary plot devices -- [[Unicron]] and the [[Matrix]] -- have no prior establishment in the fiction. Unicron is given no backstory or justification; he simply exists, and is really dangerous, and is afraid of the Matrix, all for no good reason. The introduction of the Matrix itself is a heavy [[retcon]]. The story asks us to accept that this cosmically-powerful artifact has been in Prime's possession all along, but has somehow never been relevant before. Finally, the movie bears many similarities to ''[[Star Wars]]'': There are several character-parallels (Springer is a Han Solo-type and Arcee even has Princess Leia's hairdo!), the primary threat is similar (it's the Death Star... but it transforms!), and both feature a climactic battle where the young hero hears the voice of his wise mentor one last time before saving the day. To be a bit more fair to TF:TM, however, most of these similarities are either superficial (Arcee's Leia-hair) or can be seen as elements common to thousands of years worth of epic storytelling through human history, not just common to ''Star Wars''.

==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 [[Leonard Nimoy|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 exists 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>

Transformer

2006-09-06T16:37:33Z

62.252.128.25:

For a Fantastic Transformers website with Transformers videos, movie news, movie photos & more, at www.freewebs.com/jasonluke2005

'''Transformers''' are the race of giant robots from the planet [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]]. They have the ability to change form from humanoid robots into various vehicles and numerous other objects or creatures. The Transformers were introduced around 1984 and have gone through numerous incarnations with the latest being [[Cybertron (franchise)|Cybertron]].

{{stub}}<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>

Ratchet (G1)

2006-09-06T16:33:20Z

62.252.128.25:

{{disambig2|the [[Generation 1]] [[Autobot]] ambulance|the [[Universe]] Autobot emergency-response SUV|Ratchet (TFU)}}
{{featured}}
[[Image:Ratchetg1.jpg|right|250px|thumb|All aboard the party ambulance!]]

'''Ratchet''' is the Autobots' Chief Medical Officer. If something's broke, he can fix it. Ratchet is known for his irreverent bedside manner; he loves having a good time, and his party-loving nature has given him a dry wit. He attaches little importance to his job, though this does not detract from the quality of his work, and believes he is expendable. [[Optimus_Prime_(G1)|Optimus Prime]] has trouble convincing Ratchet that this is far from the truth.

Although he's a healer, Ratchet often finds himself on the front lines of combat and, on occasion, the last hope the Autobots have. These pressures are sometimes too much for him to handle, but Ratchet ultimately never gives up, Also he sucks dick.

''Spanish name:'' '''Mécano'''

==Fiction==
===Marvel Comics continuity===

''(Note: Events from the UK-only comic stories are in italics.)''

[[IMage:Ratchetg1first.jpg|left|thumb|This look didn't last long.]]
Shortly after the Transformers arrived on Earth, [[Sparkplug Witwicky]] suffered a heart attack, so Ratchet drove Sparkplug and his son [[Buster Witwicky|Buster]] to the hospital.<ref>[[The Last Stand]], Marvel US#4</ref> It was during this leave that [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] freed himself from his four million year sleep and completely wiped out the fuel-deprived Autobot forces with one blast.

Ratchet soon discovered, to his horror, that he was the last Autobot still functional on Earth, up against the entire Decepticon army.<ref>[[Warrior School]], Marvel US#7</ref> Covertly invading the Ark, he discovered that even the mighty [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] had fallen. However, Prime's head, though detached, still functioned, and the Autobot Commander told Ratchet that he must rise up to meet this challenge. Ratchet did not believe he could; he was not a warrior but a healer.

[[Image:Ratchetwarriorschool.jpg|right|thumb|The more you know! ™]]
Still, Ratchet tried. Shockwave had returned in full strength and deposed the mighty [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]]. In his weakened state, Megatron could not hope to defeat Shockwave and reclaim his leadership, but Ratchet approached him with a possible solution. Ratchet knew how Shockwave had fallen 4 million years ago, and struck a deal -- if Ratchet could defeat Shockwave, Megatron would relinguish Decepticon control of the Ark and its wrecked Autobot inhabitants.

Ratchet journeyed to the [[Savage Land]], where the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]] had fought Shockwave to a stalemate, leaving all dormant in a tarpit prison.<ref>[[Repeat Performance]], Marvel US#8</ref> He dug up the Dinobots and repaired them. Soon after, he met with Megatron on a snowy ski slope, and announced that he had fulfilled his half of the bargain. Shockwave was defeated. Megatron, of course, went back on his part of the deal and threatened to kill Ratchet. Ratchet declared that he knew all along Megatron would not hold his end of the bargain, admitted that he had not, in fact, defeated Shockwave. The Dinobots sprung up out of the snow surrounding Megatron, and fought him, but did not succeed. Megatron now stood alone, triumphant, mocking Ratchet and his lack of a warrior's edge. With nothing to lose, Ratchet charged Megatron, but he was ineffectual. However, the charge had loosened the ground on which Megatron stood, and the Decepticon leader fell off the cliffside and disappeared.

''On their return trip to the Ark, Ratchet helped educate the Dinobots about human/Autobot relations by telling them the story of a recent battle with the Decepticons at a hydroelectric dam. When they arrived, Ratchet and the Dinobots found the Ark defended by [[Guardian#omega-class|Guardian]], an Autobot combat drone which had been reprogrammed by Shockwave. Ratchet rescued the Dinobots from the powerful drone by remembering and exploiting one of its few weaknesses, an access port which could admit a fine laser. Ratchet then began the task of repairing the Autobots, placing priority on those whose command skills would be useful. This put him at odds with Dinobot leader [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]], who felt that the fallen Dinobot [[Swoop (G1)|Swoop]] should be repaired first.''

''When Prowl devised a plan to use the Matrix to create an army of monstrous Autobot warriors, debate over the plan's ethics threatened to divide the Autobots. Ratchet remained neutral, and asked Optimus Prime to step in and provide guidance.''

''Ratchet and Wheeljack collaborated on a Transformer-sized robotic suit, to be used by [[Buster Witwicky]] in battle. Optimus Prime was unamused.''

[[Image:Ratchetmechanic.jpg|left|thumb|Such irony.]]

After the destruction of Optimus Prime, Ratchet was unable to repair him.<ref>[[Funeral for a Friend]], Marvel US#26</ref> Unable to deal with his failure, Ratchet wandered off on his own during Optimus' funeral. Ratchet decided that rather than moping, he should concern himself with the other damaged Autobots under his care, so he headed towards a junkyard to look for spare parts he could use. However, he was abducted in vehicle mode by the [[Mechanic]] and his accomplice [[Juan]], when the two thieves were found by the police. Ratchet revealed himself when they arrived at the Mechanic's hideout, but the Mechanic froze Ratchet with his own surgical weapons and headed for the Ark, intent on finding technology that would ensure he would never be threatened by the police again. When he had unfrozen, Ratchet followed the human back to the Ark, but was defeated by his own surgical tools. But using pieces he took from the junkyard, he repaired [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]], and the appearance of the police car frightened the Mechanic away. The Mechanic escaped with Ratchet's tools and the [[Power Booster Rod]].

When an [[Underbase]]-powered [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] decimated the Earthbound Autobot forces, Ratchet was left with the monumental task of repairing them.<ref>[[Back from the Dead]], Marvel US#56</ref> During a period of work-induced stress, he began to hallucinate visions of his patients attacking him and accusing him of being worthless. It was during this time that the Decepticon [[Sports Car Patrol]], posing as Autobots, offered to help transport Ratchet to Cybertron, where he could have access to new medical technology that had been created during his 4 million-year absence on Earth. He and three of the Sports Car Patrol took the bodies of [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]], [[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]], and [[Bumblebee (G1)|Goldbug]] with him, though Ratchet was curious why [[Blackjack (G1)|Blackjack]] stayed behind on the Ark. Ratchet's concerns were answered when, upon arrival on Cybertron, he saw the believed-to-be-deceased Megatron standing before him, who had orchestrated the entire scheme.

Megatron brought Ratchet the remains of Starscream.<ref>[[The Resurrection Gambit]], Marvel US#57</ref> He demanded Ratchet repair him while Blackjack held the Ark and its medical bay inhabitants hostage. Ratchet agreed, and he used [[Pretender]] technology to repair Starscream while secretly repairing Grimlock, Jazz, and Goldbug as well. After Pretender Starscream was sent to Earth, Megatron sought out Ratchet to kill him. Ratchet sprung his surprise on Megatron, but Megatron and his Micromasters were too powerful for them.<ref>[[Skin Deep]], Marvel US#59</ref> The Pretenders and Micromasters' battle wandered outside the Decepticon base, and Ratchet was left alone. Sacrificing his life, Ratchet warped the bombs Blackjack had put on the Ark into the Decepticon base in an attempt to kill both he and Megatron. Megatron tried to escape through the warp portal, but Ratchet tackled him, and the base exploded.

[[Image:Megs ratch.jpg|right|thumb|Ratchet to the left, Megatron to the right -- stuck in the middle with you.]]

Optimus Prime was devastated by the loss of Ratchet.<ref>[[Yesterday's Heroes]], Marvel US#60</ref> He assigned the detective [[Nightbeat (G1)|Nightbeat]] to investigate Ratchet's death, who hypothesized that Ratchet could possibly still be alive.<ref>[[Eye of the Storm]], Marvel US#69</ref> There was an initial blast which could have knocked Ratchet into the portal and into Unspace, a netherworld between the warp portal's starting and ending points. A probe was sent to retrieve him, and it succeeded -- but it also brought back Megatron, who was fused with Ratchet as a single, monstrous being. The Ratchet/Megatron creature rampaged through the Ark, wounding several Autobots, but Optimus Prime would not let them harm it.<ref>[[The Price of Life]], Marvel US#70</ref> This put Optimus Prime in an awkward position -- was the life of Ratchet worth the possible loss of his other troops? The creature fought his way into the engine rooms and began tearing stuf apart, and Prime's choice was made for him. The creature must be stopped. Prime fought Ratchet/Megatron to a standstill, and, alarmingly, the part that was Ratchet took control, and pulled Prime's gun to his own forehead, pleading for the Autobot Commander to put him out of his misery.

[[Image:Ratchetjollies.jpg|250px|left|thumb|Holy crap.]]

In an unpopular decision, Optimus Prime ordered [[Fixit (G1)|Fixit]] to separate Megatron and Ratchet, even if it meant saving Megatron. Bonded at a molecular level, neither could survive without the other, even when separated. Separated, they remained in stasis on the Ark until Grimlock and his [[Nucleon]]-revived Dinobots found the Ark abandoned during the Transformers' battle with [[Unicron]].<ref>[[The Void]], Marvel US#74</ref> They filled the entire medical bay chambers with Nucleon, not aware that Megatron lay there in storage. Shockwave and [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] stole the Ark after Unicron was defeated, in an attempt to return to Earth and conquer it.<ref>[[Still Life]], Marvel US#76</ref> However, just as Megatron awoke, Starscream and Shockwave were interrupted by [[Galvatron II (G1)|Galvatron II]], who had snuck on board before launch. While Galvatron and Megatron teamed up on Shockwave, Starscream went to check on any other possible survivors in the medical bay.<ref>[[A Savage Circle]], Marvel US#78</ref> He found Ratchet, whose mind was still connected to Megatron's, and Starscream fought the confused Autobot easily. However, when Starscream mused that Ratchet was no fun to kill, Ratchet became enraged and defeated him in a berserker state. Determined to end what he had started, Ratchet blew up the Ark as it was approaching Earth's orbit, sending all three Decepticons and himself to a supposed death.

''(Note: In the [[Generation 2 (comic)|Generation 2 comics]], despite Megatron and Ratchet's inseparable mind-link, Megatron's return was without Ratchet, who is unmentioned outside of Optimus Prime's flashbacks.)''

===Animated continuity===
'''Voice actor:''' [[Don Messick]], [[Wally Burr ]] (US), [[Masashi Ebara]] (Japan)

[[Image:Ratchetg1cartoon.jpg|right|thumb|Ruh-roh. Rooby rooby roo!]]

Ratchet served as chief medical officer on the [[Ark]] before and after it crashed on Earth and stranded the [[Autobot|Autobots]] and [[Decepticons]] there.<ref>[[More Than Meets the Eye, Part 1]]</ref> In addition to patching up his fellow warriors whenever someone (usually [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]]) had roughed them up a little, Ratchet was also in charge of helping whenever [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] had another invention in the making. Working together, the two Autobots built and designed the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]] more or less from scratch - and did a pretty good job, considering they were working with substandard materials.<ref>[[S.O.S. Dinobots]]</ref> Ratchet was also responsible for saving [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime's]] life, performing a daring surgery on the Autobot leader while subjected to attacks by [[Laserbeak (G1)|Laserbeak]].<ref>[[Divide and Conquer]]</ref> When [[Skyfire (G1)|Skyfire]] refused to assassinate the Autobots and was gunned down by [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]], it was Ratchet who reconstructed the giant Decepticon scientist and gave him the chance to reform.<ref>[[Fire in the Sky]]</ref>

Ratchet's greatest strength, unfortunately, also led to his downfall. While piloting a secret mission to [[Autobot City]] in order to gather a stockpile of [[energon]], Ratchet and his allies were attacked by Megatron.<ref>[[The Transformers: The Movie (1986)]]</ref> In the middle of the fighting, Ratchet was distracted when his comrade [[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]] was struck down. Lowering his guard, Ratchet himself was then shot repeatedly and left for dead on the floor of the shuttle as the Decepticons continued with their attack on [[Autobot City]]. Ratchet's corpse was recovered after the battle, and left to lie in state aboard a funeral satellite with all of the other Autobots who fell that day. Sadly, it was not Ratchet's fate to rest in peace: his body was destroyed along with the rest of the satellite when it was obliterated during an attack by [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]].<ref>[[Dark Awakening]]</ref>

===Dreamwave comics continuity===
[[Image:Ratchettww.jpg|left|thumb|The Cybertronic red cross is Pac-Man.]]
8.2 million years ago, Ratchet accompanied [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]], [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]], and [[Red Alert (G1)|red Alert]] to the [[Sub-Orbital District]] of [[Iacon]], which had been devastated after [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] activated the planetary engines.<ref>[[The War Within, Part 2]]</ref> He found no life signs in the entire blast radius.

600 000 years later, Ratchet remained with the Prowl-led Autobots after Optimus Prime disappeared in a [[space bridge]] explosion. He repaired [[Skids (G1)|Skids]] after he was damaged in a battle with [[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]].<ref>[[The Dark Ages, Part 5]], War Within Volume 2</ref>

Ratchet was among the crew of the ''[[Ark (G1)|Ark]]'' when it crashed on [[Earth]], and awoke in 1984 to battle the [[Decepticons]]. After years of fighting, Ratchet and the other Autobots took part in [[Operation Liberation]] in 1998, a joint human/Autobot operation that defeated and captured the Earth-bound Decepticons. However, the ''[[Ark II]]'', which was meant to convey the Autobots, the captured Decepticons, and a number of humans back to Cybertron was sabotaged by General [[Robert Hallo]], sending Ratchet and his comrades to the bottom of the [[Arctic Ocean]]. Years later, Ratchet was recovered by the sinister [[Lazarus]], who had recovered and reprogrammed a number of Transformers for his nefarious ends. However, when [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] broke free of Lazarus' control, he hooked Ratchet and a number of other Autobots up to a device that generated a deadly 'metal virus'. Soon after, [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] detached Ratchet and the others from the doomsday device.

[[Image:Ratchetdw.jpg|right|thumb|My crotch is my stomach.]]

Repaired by his comrades, Ratchet took part in a battle in the [[Canada|Canadian]] Arctic with the Decepticons over possession of a crashed spacecraft containing [[Scourge (G1)|Scourge]]. As the Autobots overwhelmed their foes, [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] arrived on the planet and gave them an ultimatum; surrender and return to a newly-unified Cybertron, or be destroyed. The Autobots returned to the Ark, where Optimus Prime assigned Ratchet to a [[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]]-led team that was to remain on Earth. After Shockwave's lieutenant [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] took Prime and others back to Cybertron, Ratchet and [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] remained at the Ark as Jazz, [[Brawn (G1)|Brawn]], and [[Windcharger (G1)|Windcharger]] attempted to locate Scourge and his ship.

When [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] and a team of Decepticons arrived on Earth they attacked the Ark's inhabitants, wanting the starship for themselves. In the initial assault, the Autobots managed to take [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]], his cassettes, [[Thundercracker (G1)|Thundercracker]], and [[Skywarp (G1)|Skywarp]] prisoner, but eventually all the Autobots but Ratchet and Brawn were defeated by the mighty [[Bruticus (G1)|Bruticus]]. Expecting a supply ship from Cybertron later that day, Ratchet and Brawn slipped past the Ark's beserk defense systems in order to contact the ship and warn them. Unfortunately, Bruticus arrived soon after, and they were forced to destroy the Ark rather than let the Decepticons have access to [[Teletraan-1]]. Before the battle could escalate further, it was interrupted by the arrival of [[Sunstorm (G1)|Sunstorm]], a [[Seeker]] seemingly powered by supernatural forces. An uneasy truce was formed between the small group of Autobots and Decepticons, and Ratchet begrudgingly put his medic skills to work on Starscream.

Ratchet later aided in the construction of Autobot City.

===Devil's Due ''G.I.Joe vs Transformers''===
[[Image:Ratchetjoetf2.jpg|100px|left|thumb|Physician, arm thyself.]]
In an alternate timeline, a newly-formed [[human]] terrorist organization named [[Cobra]] uncovered the Ark buried in a dormant volcano. Finding two armies of giant transformable robots, they repurposed these aliens for their own use, rebuilding them so they could reconfigure into various Cobra-designed vehicles. Ratchet was reprogrammed and rebuilt into a Cobra HISS tank. [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] was able to break free from his reprogramming and awaken the other Transformers and, with the help of the human anti-terrorist task-force [[G.I.Joe]], defeated Megatron and Cobra. An alliance between the Autobots and the United States government was formed.

A malfuction in [[Teletran-3]] sent dozens of Transformers into various points in history, an act which, if unreversed, will result in a perpetual holocaust to be unleashed across [[Earth]]. To retrieve one Transformer and bring him home, a team of Cobra and G.I. Joe agents were sent 15 years into an apocalyptic future where [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] and his Decepticons rule. The remaining cyborged humans had formed a resistance which had only one lone Autobot warrior who stood between them and utter annihilation. The last Autobot alive, Ratchet had grown bitter and battlehardened after years of guerilla warfare, and demanded the team sent to bring him back to the present day help him complete one more mission. Ratchet, the Joes, and the Cobra agents were successful in freeing a factory nearby was manned by enslaved humans, but Ratchet refused to go home with them and abandon his calling. [[Barbeque]] returned Ratchet home against his wishes, and as Ratchet cursed the stupid little creature, the [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] of the present day shot Ratchet in the back, putting him out of commission.

Later, when [[Serpent O.R.]] takes Optimus Prime prisoner, Ratchet (still in his post-apocalyptic body) is part of [[Hot Rod (G1)|Hot Rod]]'s rescue team.

=== IDW Comics continuity ===

[[Image:Ratchetidw.jpg|thumb|left|IDW's Ratchet, design and art by E.J. Su.]]
[[Image:Ratchetholomatter.jpg|100px|thumb|right|A hologram created for only one purpose... ''rape'']]

Ratchet is part of a detachment of Autobots that has operated covertly on Earth for at least four years, attempting to foil a Decepticon insurgency.<ref>[[Infiltration]] #0-6</ref> Although a loyal warrior, Ratchet's conscience got the better of him when he intercepted a Decepticon pulsewave ordering the elimination of [[Stoker|a human being]]. Although too late to save that human, he encountered two more - [[Verity Carlo]] and [[Hunter O'Nion]] - who had stumbled upon the Decepticon plot<ref>[[Infiltration, Part 0]]</ref>. Ratchet broke cover to save their lives, subjecting him to the wrath of [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]], who threatened disciplinary action.<ref>[[Infiltration, Part 3]]</ref>

Ratchet was seemingly alone in his convinctions, until [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]] agreed to help him and the humans investigate an abandoned Decepticon bunker in [[Nebraska]]. [[Blitzwing (G1)|Blitzwing]] and [[Skywarp (G1)|Skywarp]] arrived while the humans were reconnoitering and began an aerial bombardment of the bunker, intending to destroy it. Bumblebee and Ratchet engaged the Decepticons in order to buy the humans time to escape the collapsing bunker<ref>[[Infiltration, Part 4]]</ref>.

The Autobots and humans were leaving the Decepticons to finish their work when an enraged [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] burst from the buried ruins of the bunker. Thankfully for them, Megatron was more concerned with the treachery of Blitzwing and Skywarp, allowing Ratchet and the others to escape with their lives.<ref>[[Infiltration, Part 5]]</ref> Unwilling to further risk their safety, Ratchet subsequently returned the humans to Ark-17, where they met the newly-arrived Optimus Prime.<ref>[[Infiltration, Part 6]]</ref>

===Timelines: Descent into Evil===
[[Image:Ratchetironhidedescent.jpg|left|thumb|Amazingly not dead.]]
Years after the Decepticon and Autobot Wars have ended, Ratchet and five other Autobots were sent to [[Ceti Alpha Seven]] to destroy [[Deathsaurus|General Deathsaurus]]' Insecticon clone lab and stop his planned Decepticon uprising. After a team of four (consisting of [[Outback|Fallback]], [[Chromia]], [[Flareup]], and [[Ricochet (Timelines)|Ricochet]]) failed, Ratchet and [[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]] followed to help. After battling swarms of [[Virulent Clones]] and [[Buzzclaw (Timelines)|Buzzclaw]], they finally met up with Deathsaurus himself. Ironhide stayed to fight the general, and Ratchet separated to find their fallen friends.

Ratchet managed to gather the fallen but was captured by Deathsaurus along with Ironhide. Both were restrained inside the lab, which was set to detonate. Before this happened, Ricochet snuck in and freed them, allowing them to gather the wounded and escape as the clone lab was destroyed.

==Toys==
===Generation 1===
[[Image:Ratchettoyg1.jpg|right|thumb|Why's everything so dark in here?]]

* '''Ratchet''' (1984/1990/2001)
: ''Japanese ID number:'' '''99'''

: Ratchet was originally a Onebox Ambulance Type toy from [[Takara]]'s ''[[Diaclone]]'' line before [[Hasbro]] brought ''Transformers'' to North America. The toy transformed from an ambulance to a robot and gun-station. A variant of the toy included red crosses on the top and sides of the vehicle. Ratchet and his [[retool]]/[[redeco]] buddy [[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]], like all Diaclones, were designed to be piloted mecha, which is why he has a seat instead of a head. The Transformers version applied a face sticker to the back of the seat in lieu of a real sculpted noggin.

: In 1990, he was issued again in Europe as part of the Classics line and in 2001, he was reissued in Japan as an [[E-Hobby|e-Hobby]] [[exclusive]], paired with Ironhide. It is worth noting that Ratchet was originally only available as a mail-away during the original Japanese run.

[[Image:Ratchettoytimelines.jpg|left|thumb|Flareup sucked out all his visual interest.]]

===Timelines===
* '''Autobot Ratchet & Flareup''' (2005)
: One of two "souvenir" packages [[exclusive]] to [[BotCon 2005]], Ratchet is a retooling of the ''[[Energon (franchise)|Energon]]'' Autobot [[Tow-Line (UT)|Tow-Line]] with a new head, transforming into a large utility van. In robot mode, his lower vehicle portion becomes a mobile battle/repair platform. The mold's standard "receiver dish" weapon was not produced; instead he came with a new "light bar" that pegged onto his roof in much the same manner. He could only be purchased along with [[Flareup (T)|Flareup]].

===Merchandise===
A non-transformable PVC figurine of Ratchet was made for "Act 6" of Takara's [[Super Collection Figure]] line, a slight retooling of the Ironhide PVC with a new head and "gun"-hand (even though Ironhide's pelvis in animation was not the same as Ratchet's). He was placed in blind-packed boxes, and along with full-color versions, an all-pewter-finish version was made as well in equal numbers.

For the Hasbro [[Heroes of Cybertron]] version of SCF, Ratchet was cast entirely in clear-blue plastics then painted over completely, so a patch of unpainted plastic at the back of his head would emulate the [[light piping]] effect of previous toys. He was part of the fifth and final wave of Heroes of Cybertron, and came with the right leg to the "build-a-bot" large PVC of [[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]].

==Trivia==
*[[Bob Budiansky]] has said that he named Ratchet after the less-friendly medic Nurse ''Ratched'' from ''One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest''.

==External links==
* [http://www.tfu.info/1984/Autobot/Ratchet/ratchet.htm Ratchet at TFU.info]
* [http://www.ntfa.net/universe/english/index.php?act=view&char=Ratchet Ratchet's Universe profile at NTFA.net]

==Footnotes==
<references/>

[[Category: Autobots]]
[[Category: Convention exclusives]]
[[Category: Generation 1]]
[[Category: e-Hobby]]
[[Category: Medics]]
[[Category: Timelines]]<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>