TransFormers Live Action Movie News

info forward by: anakinskywalker





Last time I had checked, New Line and Dreamworks - and last I'd heard... it was pretty vicious, with both companies really really wanting it. So I decided to check back in with some sources that will talk.



Word has it that New Line lost out to Dreamworks, which intends to further develop and make a live-action TRANSFORMER's movie. The word behind the scenes is that Hasbro was leaning towards New Line, till Dreamworks' 2 Billion Dollar Gorilla, Steven Spielberg got in a plane and flew out to Rhode Island to personally meet with Hasbro's team and to dangle the, if we have this, I may direct it, golden carrot. After which Hasbro agreed to Dreamworks getting the project.

Transformers Energon # 25

review by: Ruel S. De Vera



Well, those Dreamwave folks can really surprise, can't they? Just as I was worried they were falling behind, everything that was late suddenly came out! And so here we begin a virtual series of reviews, just for this week's releases!



I begin with Transformers Energon # 25, simply because it's the simplest and most conventional of the new releases. It's nice to see Energon/Armada reach the 25 milestone and despite its relative weaknesses compared to the other series (especially the new/upcoming ones) it should continue to thrive.



That's because it still has the solid creative team of Simon Furman and Joe Ng. But "Omni-Potent," this issue's story, seems to be a somewhat safe standalone issue. In fact, save for a few key moments, it can even be considered inconsequential.



The whole point of "Omni-Potent" is to show how the newly-activated

Omnicons, new to the planet Earth, seem to sow chaos wherever they go. To prevent any more incidents, Prime basically dumps Signal Flare, Arcee, Skyblast and Strongarm to Base One, off in some polar region to keep them away from trouble. But the moment they arrive, they accidentally start to tear apart Ironhide's contraption. In a fit of frustration, unit leader Hot Shot tells them literally to get lost--and they do just that!



So while Kicker and Hot Shot search for them, the Ominicons accidentally fall into the clutches of the Decepticon Snow Cat. Snow Cat then tries to brainwash them, but the Ominicons (with Mini-con Over-run making a cameo) use their collective consciousness to break free. But Snow Cat is in his environment and it'll take more than just brain power to beat this polar

feline. But just as that little sortie is resolved, Furman throws in a pretty interesting cliff-hanger of an ending, something more exciting than anything else in the entire issue.



All in all, "Omni-Potent" remains pretty typical of the Energon storylines, meaning they're basically linear and still somewhat cartoony. But Furman is still trying to beef up the narrative--good luck. When the TV series is actually still more compelling than the comic series, you know you've still got problems. But art-wise, Ng continues to evolve and here, he adds a whole new dimension of detail to the machines, made much more noticeable amid a starkly white backdrop. This boy can draw! In particular, I like how the Omincons looks formidable instead of wimpy (check out his "Metropolitan"-like take on Arcee and the badass Strongarm), but most of all check out how menacing the monochromatic Snow Cat looks in Ng's hands.



All in all, the issue is just all right, but it continues to underperform, and, amid the invasion of quality Dreamwave material this week, "Omni-Potent" is just not potent enough to keep up with the pack.



Harcore TF tidbits:

1) On the second page, check out how Optimus 4, the submarine, gets some face time. It's been a running joke in TF continuity that the water-based TFs get no love, so this is kinda cute.



2) In an unmistakable nod to the G.I. Joe vehicle of the same name, Snow Cat makes a cool, hehe, debut. But there is nothing mentioned here of his origin--that Snow Cat is actually the new form of the former Decepticon Cyclonus. Whatever happened to that?



3) This isn't exactly a hardcore tidbit, but I want to point out that, of all the comics, it is Energon that always gets the colors right--and here, colorists Jong-Im Lee and Josh Perez actually make the characters looks just as brightly colored as their toy counterparts.



4) And the killer detail this issue (SPOILER!): it's back to Armada! Yes, even though Megatron, as we know from # 22, already has a new form, that is indeed Armada Megatron's head in the middle of the last panel. And in the corner--fresh from his nameless appearance in Armada's Worlds Collide arc--it's G1 Scourge! Hmmm.

Transformers G1 # 6

Review by Ruel S. De Vera



I'm sorry, Dreamwave, I know I complained that Sunssome of the characters were getting way too much face time, but did you really have to go on and do that? Anyway, just read this issue to find out exactly what I'm talking about.



After a delay, Transformers Generation 1's most protracted storyarc

concludes this issue with "Atonement." Incidentally, the writer previously known as Brad Mick (G1, MTMTE) now appears under his full name of James McDonough. Adam Patyk is still Adam Patyk and the incredibly talented Don Figueroa is, thankfully, still present and himself.



After the events of last issue, Prowl meets with the Autobots for a possible return of their forces to Earth following their discovery of Sunstorm's flight to Earth. Prowl wants to set up more of their forces on the planet. Meanwhile, Warpath and Bumper, together with the inert bodies of Jazz and company, remain in the custody of the Earth Defense Force, presumably in the same underground base where the remains of the Constructicons are being

studied.



But the big bash is the final throwdown between Sunstorm, Jetfire, Bumblebee and the ever-deceitful Starscream underground. Here, where more TF secrets are set to be uncovered, two characters will emerge somewhat functional and two others will not. It is, by all measure, a mighty surprise and a rabbit punch by the writers. After all the robotic violence of the last few issues, the violence and detsurction actually is ratcheted up in this one. The last few panels, a quiet reqiuem for a fallen warrior, will stay in your heads for a long time.



I know I complained about how long this arc was going but damn what an ending. Take a bow guys. But did you really have to... Aw, well. Pay homage to the fall of G1 gladiators with "Atonement," a great issue from a great creative team.



Hardcore TF tidbits:



1) In the fourth page is a whole buncha TF winks. In the first panel, you can clearly see Cybertron's two moons, yes, yet to be devoured by Unicron as per movie continuity (which of course, is no longer applicable, but still it's a fun fact).



2) Same page, second panel. On the tower in the middle of the panel can be reconigzed (in the pseudo-English Cybertronian sigils favored by War Within) the fan-favorite Tf website named "TFW2005,"



3) Same page, same panel: Inside the room with a view on the right, two G2 Autobots can be seen at the table, Volt and Electro. I'm not sure but I surmise that the red and black 'bot to the the left is Gunrunner, the Japanese Roadhandler repaint which came with the Takara Groundshaker tank. Anyone have a clue who the two bots to the right are?



4) In the meeting between the Autobots, once again we see the traditional characterization brought back itno focus: Bluestreak is brash but wants to return to Earth. Gears and Huffer don't want to, and Mirage is depicted pretty much as a prissy aristocrat--which he is.



5) Just my little preference, but I love the conversation between

Cliffjumper and Omega Supreme. I mean, they actually wind up agreeing--and I've often wondered what a conversation with OS would be like. I guess this is as good as it gets.



6) The constant side-switching done by Starscream may be confusing, but it is certainly true to character. And his act of doing something he clearly doesn't want to do but does anyway (saving somebody) reminds me of those scenes in the TV series where he would whine but comply anyway.



7) Just have to say. That last page. Four panels. Two words. "The end." Wow.

ABOUT US

Mission and Vision


Transformers Fans Philippines mission objectives is to promote the fandom. Collecting is just secondary. We promote the group via screenings of the past and latest series and having a monthly collectors meet up. We also promote fandom by showing foreign fan film animation by our foreign counterparts. We bring Transformers to the Filipino fans young and older audience who's "young at heart". Transformers Fans Philippines is not about a group, we are friends promoting the "barkada" and camaderie of what is Transformers Fans Philippines.


The Beginning

Un-officially TransFans Philippines began as a nameless group of 10-year old neighbor kids in a small community somewhere in Manila during the summer of 1986. They used to 'meet-up' every weekends sharing there latest TF acquisition. Not only have they showed up in one place to share their toys they also catch up on watching Transformers (Generation 1) on TV as well.


Transformers on TV

The Transformers (Generation 1) original series was first aired on Philippine television (in English) on June 1985 every Tuesday at 7:30PM on CITY 2 (now called ABS-CBN after the Edsa revolution broke out in February 1986), and at that time they have shown the first series in chronological order from Season 1 & 2. There are times they have re-run a particular episode as "fillers", and by the height of Season 2 episodes where no longer aired regularly due to new cartoons coming out on the said channel.


The Dark Ages

By 1987 Transformers was moved from one channel to another from RPN 9 to IBC 13, and so was the popularity of the toys. This is where it had huge competitions on other toy lines like GI Joe, Challenge of the Gobots, Centurions, The Mask, and other 80's Cartoons that have its own merchandise. So the once proud group of kids have there own particular favorites, and there where only two kids still into Transformers until a few months later there was only one who followed that interest. As the year has followed in 1988 interest on the hobby has died down.


Re-Sparking TF interest

Fast forward to 1997 where Metro Manila cable subscribers were able to watch the Japanese episodes of Transformers (dubbed in english by the chinese). The series of episodes were aired at Star Plus (now Star World), and the dubbing reminds us of those Bruce Lee & Jackie Chan action flicks. This was actually the newest Transformers shows seen by Filipino TransFans, who was treated to see the American series in a long time. The first Filipino to have put up a website dedicated to the Japanese series was Robbie Trinidad an Ateneo University grad student, who started taping every episode aired on Cable TV. The interest of forming a TF community was not originally planned at that time until after five years later.

TransFans Reborn!

In June 2002 a mailing list e-group was formed, and organized by the founding members of TransFans Philippines (The Transformers Club of the Philippines). Officially the group didn't launch to be known by TF fans until four months later when the 1st Philippine Toys & Collectible Convention 2002 came. It started as a 'word of mouth' until new members joined in, and by April 13, 2003 they started to held there first official TF MEET-UP at the Brash Young Cinema in Makati having a private screening of its latest TF series, Armada. When another 2nd Philippine Toys & Collectible Convention 2003 was held (June 21, 2003) new members have subscribed to the egroup, and popularity of the group soared in numbers. The group is currently known globally through TFormers.com and other foreign websites that they now know there are a TF community and its here in the Philippines.


Events Attended and Participated

2nd Philippine Toys, Hobbies, and Collectibles Convention 2003
SM Megamall, Conference Hall

3rd Philippine Toys, Hobbies, and Collectibles Convention 2004
SM Megamall, Megatrade Hall 3

G2: Games and Gadget Show 2005
SM Megamall, Megatrade Hall 1-2

4th Philippine Toys, Hobbies, and Collectibles Convention 2005
SM Megamall, Megatrade Hall 3

Kid’s Station Toy Festival 2005
Rockwell Tent

Mega Christmas Expo 2005
SM Megamall, Megatrade Hall 2

Manila International Gift Show 2005
SM Megamall, Megatrade Hall 1-3

5th Philippine Toys, Hobbies, and Collectibles Convention 2006
SM Megamall, Megatrade Hall 2

PSICOM Comic and Manga Convention 2007
Le Pavillion, Metropolitan Park
January 28, 2007

Monthly TransFormers Philippines Meet Up
Brash Young Cinema, Makati City
2003-2004

Monthly TransFormers Philippines Screening
Moon Base 2, #8 Kamias Road, QC
2004-2007


Awards
Kid’s Station Appreciation Award

Activities
TransFormers toy show and exhibit
Monthly meet up and screening

TransFormers Speed up contest for Kids and Adults
Annual contest at the Philippine Toy convention

Egg-nergon Easter Egg hunt
Our activity every Easter Sunday

TF Caption Contest
Online event in our forums and mailing list


Websites

Main site and Blog
http://www.transformersph.blogspot.com

Forum
http://transfansph.proboards24.com/

Toy Review, Image and Videos Multiply.com
http://transformersph.multiply.com
http://transfansph.multiply.com

Mailing List
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/transformers-ph

Archives
http://www.geocities.com/transfansph/index.html




Staff and Crew
Mark Cerbo – Founder, Moderator
Azrael Coladilla – Co-Founder, Events and Marketing

Mark Santos – Video Librarian
OJ Ozardon – Toy Specialist

Joe Navarette – Toy Specialist
Victor Velasco – Moderator

LC De Leon - Arts and Music
John Velasco - Graphic Artist

Online member database :
Local : 1,300 (forums, ML and other network combined)
Website hits since 2004 : 14,000 and going

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