Transformers Animated (Spoilers within!)

[Tor]

I have no real thing to say besides....

I'MMA SQUEE MYSELF SILLY! I cannot wait for the next episode, it looks promising. Go Predacons!

DT

[Wonko The Sane]

This is a very special surprise.

And let me sum this up in this link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nnHksDFHTQI

Early Review time!

The dialouge was very evident in this Episode,as Sentinel Prime and Optimus Prime bickered throughout the entire five minutes.However,unlike their past arguments,the banter between the two was very sharp and even biting.Make them insult one another with names and it will be a direct reference to Beast Wars Dinobot and Rattrap.

The action was very fast paced and plot continues to develop throughout the little dialouge between BumbleBee and Wasp,but character development was advanced very well between the two Primes.

The Twins can become Safeguard in Alt-Mode.Safeguard's Alt-mode is still a Cybertronian Jet but with more firepower and have the same colourschemes as both characters.

The Dinobots return in this Episode...does that mean that they will become the new Predacons?

Swoop carrying Waspinator is obviously a small reference to his Beast Wars former partner in crime,Terrorsaur.

The action,such as BumbleBee's drving is very well done and presented,along with Waspinator's drving skills and quick wit.

This Episode on five minutes alone already shows promise.


Lastly:

Larry DiTillo and Bob Foward are still the Gods of Transformers Writing!

[Beastbot]

All I can say is, I'm calling that snow plow dude Sentinel Primer Prime from now on.

[Wonko The Sane]

All I can say is, I'm calling that snow plow dude Sentinel Primer Prime from now on.

lol

[Wicked Woman]

OMG this episode rocked... even though it didn't occur the way I wanted but still greatness.

...

... what, that's all I can say without spoiling it. It should be on Youtube soon.


WW

[Tor]

I... that was EPIC. The references. The ENDING! I can't wait! OMGOMGOMGOMGOMGOMGOMG!!! I can't help but feel a tiny bit sorry for Wasp. Guy's been used so many times. And I wish his beast mode wasn't so tubby looking. Besides that... EEEEEEEEEEEEEE!

DT

[Venatrix]

*is curious now*

Up to youtube i guess ^^

[SkyxDB]

Yeah, it's up on Youtube. I just watched it there. It was pretty good.

Poor Waspy, but I'll admit, the ending made me LOL.

[Wonko The Sane]

Well guys,my Review for this Episode may be delayed for hetic scheduling,but it's a no brainer that this Episode is enjoyable but challenging.


Reviewing something that Larry DiTillo and Bob Foward have written was always challenging...which is why I couldn't Review Beast Wars for certain reasons.Now that they penned this Episode,it's agitating to know where I stand as an Animated Reviewer and a Beast Wars Purist.

I will Review it as an Animated Episode but I will also add more columns in them.Waspinator and Blackarachnia have also gained seperate Reviews and I also will Review on the writing,comparing the Beast Era to Animated from Bob,Larry,and Marty.

So...I'll be lucky if I get some good feedback for something I never thought of doing before...Reviewing the Beast Writers.

[Aesir]

Since Wono is being lazy and slow today (something to do with her family blah blah blah) I'll do a review, so either enjoy or hide

Predacons Rising

Storyline

Wasp is driving in an erratic manner whilst being chased by Optimus Prime, Sentinel Prime, Bumblebee and the Wonder Twins. The five of them eventually corner him in a street by surrounding him on all sides. After this Bumblebee tries to reason with his old Boot Camp buddy, but gets threatened with the green lights of doom. This prompted Bee to hide behind Sentinel and take his side when he begins arguing with Optimus over Wasp's fugitive status. This argument gives Wasp an opening to escape, and gets picked up by Swoop, who was under orders of Black Arachnia again. The Twins follow him and combine into their x-wing jet thing and chase him over the ocean.
Sentinel orders the twins to pick him up too (which they do using a car magnet looking thing).
Wasp arrives at Dinobot Island (more specifically in Meltdown's lab) where he is met by 'lady bot' aka Black Arachnia. She seduces him and convinces him to step into a genetic splicer, which she puts a wasp in the other side (how coincidental his name was Wasp eh?) His screams fill the room, and then we change scenes
The Twins deliver Sentinel to Dinobot Island's beach where the three of them set off to the lab. When they get there they find the Dinobots guarding the entrance. The Twins create a diversion (which they believe to mean blow stuff up) Snarl gets knocked back and Grimlock and Swoop chase after the twins to fight them. Sentinel ends up covering Snarl in boulders, thus defeating him apparently....
Sentinel arrives in the lab and finds Black Arachnia, she tells him who she really is (Elita One) and he says he is disgusted by her and everything she has become, and she deserves to be dead. This makes Wasp unhappy, he blasts out of the splice-o-meter-a-tron and attacks his former teacher, declaring himself as Waspinator now.
Sentinel fights with Waspinator now and ends up throwing him out of the lab, and right into the newly arrived Bumblebee, who instantly recognised Wasp. He quickly apologized, to which Wasp accepted...Waspinator didn't though, and started attacking the little yellow bot, whilst Optimus ran off to help the now screaming Sentinel. When he gets in the room, he finds Black Arachnia pretending to be a face-sucker with Sentinel, and she attacks Optimus.
Back with Bumblebee, Waspinator starts overloading and so goes back to the lab (presumably to get fixed) he overhears BA saying that she saw Wasp as an experiment to try and rid her beast mode again. This angered him, and seemed to increase the transwarp energy output he was creating. BA tells her former friends to run, as she does to Bee as she runs over him on the way out.
Optimus and Bumblebee help Sentinel get out of the lab's tunnel and outside, just as Jetfire and Jetstorm finish off the Dinobots. When the two 'predacons' leave the tunnel, BA covers Waspinator in her webbing and they explode, leaving the elite guard bots and the earth bots to run for it.
Most of the island is destroyed in the blast.
Back in Detroit the Elite Guard prepare to leave, and we see Jazz! (yay) he talks with Optimus etc basically saying how he likes earth and that Sentinel will be okay.
The ship took off and everyone is happy

MEANWHILE IN AFRICA

Waspinator is pulling himself together (BW style) muttering about plans
Black Arachnia wakes up to find a Munky, Cheetah, Rat and Rhino looking at her...WHAT DOES THIS MEAN?!?!??!?!...Homages dears...just homages....

Character Development

Black Arachnia- She finally reveals who she is under the helmet (interestingly she doesn't retrieve the helmet after it was hit away, meaning that she doesn't have such a self awareness problem now. This episode also shows how desperate she is to remove he organic half, even studying how the process affects other cybertronians.

Wasp(inator)- Wasp finally forgives Bumblebee and knows the truth, but as Waspinator he doesn't care, he just wants to be bad now it seems. This may be due to his mutation, or maybe the wasp he merged with was a diabolical evil genius? Who knows?

Bumblebee- Finally says sorry to Wasp, and stops blaming other people (no matter how justified the blame was)

Sentinel Prime- He finally learned about what happened to Elita One, and is disgusted. Though we can sort of understand why he hates organics now right? And his reaction was just realistic to someone with a phobia (DIE DIE DIE!!!!) He seems to make up with Optimus in this episode, and as he leaves to lead Cybertron (who-wha-when now?) he makes a half compliment to Optimus, definitely an improvement

Optimus Prime- Doesn't develp much, but basically the same as Sentinel, they seem ti make friends at the end, and finally doesn't have to bear the burden of what Elita became alone.

The Twins- No real development here, just wanted to say they are awesome


Points to note

Presumably this episode takes place the same night as Five Servos of Doom, as the Elite Guard are still on the planet
When the twins combine in jet mode they do a swirly magical thing with the transformation sound effect.
Before she gets him into the Splice-o-matic BA shields Wasp's view from some failed experiments
Black Arachnia's helmet is removed for the first time, to show AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Sentinel considers Elita dead now
This episode shows that Black Arachnia can still use her downloading powers
Um...weren't the Dinobots in that explosion?
Optimus defends Sentinel's actions today (DUN DUN DAH)
Those Decepticons were still on the ship when they took off
Sentinel is now leading Cybertron according to the two Primes....great....

[Beastbot]

Best. Ending. Ever.

[SkyxDB]

You can say that again.

[Wicked Woman]

Best. Ending. Ever.

There I said it for him


WW

[Wonko The Sane]

I decided that I will put on a regular Review while I work on the writing of this Episode.However,the Storyline column has been cut to just an Episode summary.

I present to you,my Review of 'Predacons Rising'

Animation


Safeguard:The Alt-Mode for Safeguard is really the Alt-Mode of the Twins together,with half of their colour schemes.


Characters


Optimus Prime:Being the one who knew that Elita-One is Blackarachnia,the conflicted part of Optimus Prime returns in this Episode.His friendship with Sentinel was worse than before,as they were ready to battle instead of looking for Wasp.However,after Sentinel knew who Blackarachnia is,Optimus shown his concern for his former friends.Regardless of what Blackarachnia told him,he will always see her as Elita,and thought that she sacrificed herself to save him and the rest of the Autobots from certain death.For Sentinel,Optimus points out another aspect of his personality,which is being a good leader,and knew that the situation they both went through hit Sentinel harder than Optimus,since he was more closer to Elita.In the end of it all,he showed guilt and redemption.Still gulity on decieving his former friends... but now has a new found freindship with Sentinel.


Sentinel Prime:Even though he had his ups and downs in slapstick,Sentinel gains a mature perspective of development.We also know that he shares a feeling of hatred and loss to Elita as Blackarachnia.He didn't show denial,but he displayed shock and disgust towards the Technorganic Transformer.There was a lot of on-screen self-conflict in Sentinel Prime that could make some people feel sorry for him.He's turned around since then:Being a stuck-up jerk,talking lowly to his former freind,Optimus Prime,but in this Episode,this jerk knows that it's too late for old grudges,and to begin repairing friendships to those who are important to him.Though he is stubborn and xenophobic,Sentinel Prime would lead Cybertron well,and there is hope that there will be more friendly communication to him and Optimus in the Episodes to come.


BumbleBee:At last,BumbleBee clears everything to Wasp and is responsible for being the gullible character to place Wasp in the Stockade.He wasn't much of the Comic Relief character like Sentinel or the Dinobots,but provided a wonderful end to the Wasp subplot:By aplologizing to Wasp on everything that he did and didn't do.Though some Fans I know wanted a new friendship between the two,it sadly didn't apply.However,the burden on BumbleBee's shoulders can be at ease.


Jetfire/Jetstorm:The Twins were the ones providing Comic Relief to the Dinobots,but they show their juvinile side by making fun of Sentinel's phobias to organic insects.They also were the commentators on the poorness of the Dinobots' battle skills.


The Dinobots:All three still adore Blackarachnia and would do anything to please her(Not to mention getting slightly pleased themselves in return).They weren't a focus as presumed,and their screentime has gotten lower than usual,to the point of being a small obstacle to Sentinel Prime.There is no telling if they are still alive after the explosion from Blackarachnia and Waspinator.


Waspinator-Review III


Animation:Waspinator's Technorganic self is a fair tribute to the original Waspinator from Beast Wars.What's similar between them is the Mutant Head,right down to the opened,detached mouth flaps.They also have a Wasp Beast Mode,however,the thorax is a lot bigger than the original's,but contains a stinger... it is possible that like the original... Waspinator was given the DNA of a female Wasp.What is different between them is the colour scheme,being a very bright green and very little yellow was used for the Robot Mode.His wings and eyes are a very bright purple and is a lot taller and bulkier than the original.A very nice Animated twist on the redesign of Beast Wars Waspinator.


Character:Before becoming Waspinator,Wasp at first was very hostile towards the Autobots;believeing more in Sentinel's sayings rather than anyone else's,including BumbleBee,who was trying to tell him the truth throughout the entire Episode.However,when encountering Blackarachnia,Wasp became naive towards her,even fearful when she tried to use him as an experiment.The animation on his facial features were supurb,as you can feel the fear in his eyes.With that fear and child-like dependance,we realize that Wasp is a lonely Autobot;wanting someone who knows the similar problems he is facing,which is why he trusted Blackarachnia so easily.

As Waspinator,however,he is an angry,buzzing bot who shows no mercy to the ones who will hurt his 'friend' Blackarachnia.He shows no redemption and will continue to fight anyone who is his enemy,even Blackarachnia later on.In terms of personality,Waspinator is similar to Beast Machines Waspinator,who desired power and glory,and is ever so determined to have his revenge on Blackarachnia.


Weapons:In Robot Mode,he is able to use blasts of green energy from his hands.In his Alt-Mode,he can shoot the blasts of energy as bullets.When exposed to too much Transwarp radiation,he malfunctions and can explode.He also flies on both Modes.

Like the original Waspinator,he is able to put himself back together while in pieces and is mostly indestructible to powerful explosions.


Tom Kenny's Portayal of Waspinator:When playing Wasp,Tom no longer uses the Scott McNeil style of Voice Acting and did his own style.However,he is able to portrays Wasp's fear and child-like nature similar to his Beast Wars counterpart.As Waspinator,his voice is not buzzing,nor sounds much like the Beast version.Instead,he growls while contianing a high pitched voice.He also contains a clicking sound,which is not really a wasp,but it is beasty.


Blackarachnia-Review II


Animation:Now without her helmet,Blackarachnia contains a head shaped like a spider,having little 'legs' grow out of her face.The animators define the 'freak of nature' in her face,but is in no way similar to her Beast Wars persona.


Character:A scientist of her own right,she altered the Transwarp machine to conduct experiements on Wasp to become Waspinatior.This version of Blackarachnia is quite cold and relies on science to save her.Though this is a new take on her personality,some of her personality still clings similarity to her namesake.She is still desperate to continue her dream on becoming non-Technorganic and is still the centre of most of the male character's attention.

It is in question as to how Blackarachnia would treat Sentinel and Optimus without the interferance of Waspinator.She isn't willing to battle them to the end,but stop them from stopping her ambitions.It is also debateable on who was correct on what she really sacrificed for:For her freinds as Optimus claimed?Or for her new body as Sentinel said?There is no real answer to what will happen to Blackarachnia now that she is in Africa,and there is no determination if she will ever come back this Season.


Cree Summer's Portrayal of Blackarachnia:A very late Review on Cree's style of Voice Acting compared to Venus Terzo in Beast Wars.They are definately different,but Cree is able to keep that seductive voice and use it as her main style for displaying Blackarachnia.Like Venus,Cree uses the sardonic tone of voice when addressing to Optimus and Sentinel,but she doesn't make it as obvious as Venus did when her character speaks to almost everyone,including Silverbolt.In this Episode,Cree uses a more evil,cold style to make herself completely different to the previous Blackarachnia.However,some of the sadness in her coice reamined when talking about who she really is,and that,is something that can never be seen in Beast Wars Blackarachnia.


Storyline

The Episode begins with Waspinator,driving all around the streets of Detriot,as he is being chased by BumbleBee and Optimus Prime.BumbleBee tries to explain to Wasp about the misunderstanding he caused.Wasp ignores him and drives off.Sentinel meets up with Optimus(Humourously)and the Wasp drives off once again.Bikering commences with the two Primes,but Sentinel finally Comlinks Jetfire and Jetstorm to stop Wasp.The Twins and Sentinel find Waspinator and eventually corners him with the help of Optimus and BumbleBee.The Autobot finally tells him everything that occured in 'Autoboot Camp'.Wasp refuses to know and blasts BumbleBee,who then shields himself behind Sentinel.The Primes bicker once again over Wasp and the little guy runs away.The rest go after him but Wasp was surprisingly picked up by Swoop.The Twins Combined into Safeguard and picked up Sentinel by their grappler,following Swoop to Dinobot Island.Optimus needs to follow Sentinel,for knowing that Elita-One is also on that island.Swoop arrives to Dinobot Island,straight to Meltdown's former lab.Wasp is finally introduced to Blackarachnia.

Meanwhile,Sentinel and the Flybots have reached Dinobot Island,regardless of Optimus' warnings to Sentinel.Wasp then talks to Blackarachnia about what went through him.She tells him that the two are similar,and Wasp,feeling redeemed,called the Spider-Bot his friend.She then introduces to the Transwarp machines,where she altered them to conduct her experiment on Wasp:To combine his Cybertronian components to Wasp DNA.The sacred Wasp accepts the offer and Blackarachnia starts the experiment.

Outside,Sentinel and the Twins conduct a plan:Sentinel will enter the lab while the Jets distract the Dinobots guarding it.The two attack the Dinobots and tease while they do it successfully.Sentinel enters the lab,but not before teasing the passed out Snarl.Meanwhile,Optimus and BumbleBee arrive and Optimus suggests BumbleBee to apologize to Wasp.Back to Sentinel,he finally sees Blackarachnia,but does not recall who she is,and recoils the idea that she is a Technorganic.Blackarachnia then explains their little trip together on the orgianic planet,and Sentinel,surprised,finds out that she is no other than Elita-One.Sentinel explains his side of the story:Telling her that he never forgave Optimus and was unable to start a rescue mission for her.In shock,Sentinel wonders why she continues to live as Blackarachnia,and declares that she should have died.The two were interrupted by the new and improved Technorganic Transformer:Waspinator.The Bug-Bot battles with Sentinel,but the Prime wonders why Blackarachnia did this to him.She gives little explination and is angered that he is willing to finish off her and Waspinator.Sentinel,removing Blackarachnia's helmet,justifies that Elita-One was gone,a long time ago.

Waspinator,upset that his friend got hurt,attacks Sentinel.Waspinator runs and bumbs into BumbleBee.The Autobot was surprised at his change and new name.Optimus was prepared to fight,but hears the struggles of Sentinel.He rushes to see Blackarachnia downloading Sentinel's powers.Optimus says that it was his fault for leaving Elita behind,but Blackarachnia thinks otherwise.As for BumbleBee,he apologizes to Waspinator.He forgives him as Wasp,but will never forgive him as Waspinator.The bug starts to malfunction and heads back to the lab.Meanwhile,Sentinel is awake and Optimus explains that he had no option to tell him about Elita,but Blackarachnia silences him with her webs.She now faces Optimus in battle and runs,but Optimus catches her with his grapple,asking why she changed Wasp.She finally explains that if he can turn back to Wasp,she can return to her original self,but she does not care if he goes Offline or not.Waspinator hears everything and declares her as his enemy.Optimus saves her from Waspinator's blasts and her and the two Primes run.As for BumbleBee,he picks himself up,but gets run down by Blackarachnia.He tries again,but gets run down by Waspinator,following the Spider.A third time and the Primes caught up to him,slowly following the two.

Outside the lab,the Dinobots are finally defeated by the Twins.Blackarachnia runs but is tripped over by Waspinator.She fails to get herself up in Beast Mode and Waspinator prepares for the kill,but is stopped by Optimus.In a brave act,Blackarachnia Transforms and uses all her webbing to sheild Waspinator's explosion.The explosion caused a large crater on the island,but the Autobots survived.Optimus claimed that Blackarachnia sacrificed to save them,but Sentinel thinks she sacrificed Waspinator to become mechanical again.He lets Optimus lead and Sentinel wanders off on his own.

The Elite Guard and the Earth's Autobots all meet up on the Elite Guard Ship.Jazz thanks Optimus for the hospitality and apologizes for leaving early.They talk about Sentinel briefly,but the Prime commands his crew to get in the ship.The two speak privately,and Optimus apologizes for not telling about Elita.As for Sentinel,he apologizes for everything,including the trip to the organic planet.Optimus claims that Sentinel should return to Cybertron to lead and Sentinel Prime heads back to the ship,finally redeeming their torn friendship.

In Africa,Waspinator is alive,but blown in pieces.As he repairs himself,Blackarachnia awakens,only to see a Rhino,a Gorilla,a giant Rat,and a Cheetah in front of her.


Weapons


Safeguard:He has a grapple with a magnet attached to it,able to hold Sentinel Prime.


Quirks


Grimlock,Sentinel,Waspinator,and BumbleBee:You guys really do get the short end of the stick

This is the most Beast referenced Episdoe ever!You'll never see that again.

A cheetah,gorillia,rhino,and a giant rat together... how does that work... oh... right n///n;;

[SkyxDB]

Wait, come to think of it, since when are rats that big?