giant !@#$ing robots are coming...

so heralds the t-shirt worn by michael bay on set. and with transformers finally receiving some live action treatment, it's definitely a good time to be a transfan. or is it?

with so many fans up in arms about the "travesty" when the new robot forms were leaked onto the net, it's easy to be pessimistic about the upcoming movie. with so many fans upset from optimus prime changing from this:

to this:


















i guess it's easy to see why.

it's a drastic, drastic change. but i simply cannnot understand why the purists are so insistent on "remaining faithful to the classical look". i think for a fanchise to progress, change in the long run is inevitable. even within transformers itself, change has done wonders. i need only look at beast wars, where the hardcore fans simply could not accept the change from vehicle to animal alternate forms. yet, beast wars is easily the best written transformers series to date: an endearing set of characters, a solid plot and ultimately, an almost seamless assimilation into established transformers lore at the time. mature enough for adults to enjoy yet not too dark for kids to watch either, beast wars was masterfully done and yet shunned by many.

i think the same thing applies with the movie. and it hasn't even been shown yet. i don't know how much michael bay knows about transformers, but we're talking about a brand new premise. this is not G1: The Movie. it's *TRANSFORMERS*. surely giant transforming robots from outer space shouldn't look humanoid should they? while the autobots are humanoid enough, they actually look alien enough to look like giant alien robots. even more so for the new decepticons:

"hang on, i ain't incinerator no more. it's blackout to you chump."

it's a change that, while i find drastic, is very much welcome. it's a breath of fresh air in a franchise now into its 22nd year. they're not just giant robots. they're giant *ALIEN* robots. and they sure as hell look the part now. i don't think michael bay has made such a name for himself by screwing up movies. there's a reason for everything, even those flames that so many "fans" have found fault with and dedicated their lives to having removed. come on. we haven't even heard the slightest whimper about the story yet. don't go judging a book by its cover without having even read the blurb.

hopefully, bay and co prove me right. it's an interesting time to be a transfan...