"...you must tame the beast..."
Written: Apr 27 '00
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Some good character designs, neat plot twists
Cons: Lackluster storylines, very dark animation
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| atara's Full Review: Beast Machines |
Shortly after getting hooked on the Beast Wars cartoons, I discovered that the show was being canceled (or just retired). While I was still in my mourning period, I heard that the show would go on, in the form of the new show Beast Machines. Would it measure up to the old show? Would there be new characters? And... new toys to buy? Oh boy! I waited almost patiently.
Having been (unfortunately) born a girl, I missed out on most of the Transformers craze while I was growing up during the 80s. Those toys looked really neat, but none of my friends wanted to play with them and the boys wouldn't share. Hmph. So I had to wait until I became an adult, with a real job and stuff, to buy the toys I wanted and watch the cartoons I liked.
When the first episode of Beast Machines was aired, I was sitting on my couch (waaay too early on a Saturday morning, mind you) with TV remote in hand. I was less than thrilled. The animation was dark. The characters new designs looked... odd. Optimus had turned into a pansy. What had they done to my show?? More importantly, where was that hunk, Silverbolt?
Less than thrilled indeed. But I stuck it out, grimly watching each episode unfold. As the first season wore on, I started to warm up to the show. Ok, so Rattrap's robot mode is stupid-looking. That's ok, because Cheetor's robot mode rules. Yeah, Optimus has had all the fire taken out of him. But Megatron's become twice as evil and a lot more interesting. And I know that the "morphing" thing the Maximals do looks stupid. (Where's that light come from? Does someone have a flashlight up his butt?) But the idea of using the Maximals' own former allies against them is genius.
As the first season came to a close, many revelations were made. (Most importantly, I knew who Jetstorm really was! I did! Honest! I guessed it way back at the beginning of the season! Erm... I can't prove it, though.) And, of course, they set up a cliff-hanger. Oh, those three little words that I hate to see: To be continued... I know I'll be watching when season two starts.
As rocky of a start as the show got off to, I really grew to enjoy it. The animation, while dark, adds to the mood of the show. The lack of guns isn't really that disturbing to me, since the Maximals' internal weaponry is really cool (especially Cheetor's knives). The plot, while pretty straightforward, is just interesting enough to keep me watching.
Besides, I want to see if Black Arachnia and Silverbolt get back together. Just call me a romantic.
Recommended:
Yes
Type of Program: Cartoon or Animated
Program Quality: Entertaining, but not intellectually or emotionally engaging
Best Suited For: Whole Family
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Epinions.com ID:
atara
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Reviews written: 26
Trusted by: 12 members
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