1. “It’s a Transformers movie, don’t expect it to be good”
Transformers was a series that was born out a need to sell toys, this is not uncommon knowledge. Like a lot of shows at the time (Thundercats, He-Man and the Masters of the Universe etc), the animators were given a list of toys and names and they then they had to write scripts about them. It’s hilarious to watch the show in hindsight as there plenty of episodes in which a strange Transformer you’ve never seen before steps forward, says a line, they react to him as if he’s always been there and then he’s never seen again.
The 1986 The Transformers: The Movie was a motion picture that was designed to be nothing more than a glorified toy advert. All of the original characters were killed off and in their place was a new line of toys to sell. Michael Bay’s Transformers isn’t too different in its inception. They needed to sell toys, Michael Bay made a movie to do so.
This creates the argument, “it’s a Transformers movie, don’t expect it to be good”. This argument is incredibly flawed as, just because the movie is based on a toy, doesn’t mean those who make it shouldn’t endeavour to create a good movie.
Case in point, The Transformers: The Movie.
Nelson Shin, the animators and writers set out to make something that was more than just a toy advert. The movie has a decent story, great characters, quotable dialogue, a kick-ass soundtrack and a genuine sense of fun. It might have been simply given the greenlight to push a new line of toys, but the movie aims to be more than that.
Just because your movie is based off a toy doesn’t mean it can be forgiven for being bad.
Originally published July 1, 2014. Updated April 12, 2018.
