JohnnyDean

Transformers Nostalgia - Will The Real Optimus Prime Please Stand Up?

There’s an interesting articlce on Wired about the upcoming Tranformers movie. It echos some of my own thoughts the minute I heard Michael Bay was attempting to remake the series into a live-action film. I had all the typical first reactions. Will I be dissapointed? Will he ruin it? Will it live up to the memory of my most cherished of childhood tv series and toys? Sorry, but yes, yes… and no. Not to be a downer, but can anything really live up to something experienced in childhood? Just the fact that it happened “back when” makes it better. No one else can experience what’s in your mind. It’s yours, all yours. Until, of course, someone with a pocket-full of money comes along and tries to bring it back to the real world… thereby taking what belongs to you and giving everyone else a glimpse. It will fall short. Not even a hundred and fifty million dollars can re-create your childhood… so get over it.

Good, now that that’s out my system let’s move on. This movie will undoubtedly be a summer hit for the general public given the man who’s making it. It will have great chase scenes, explosions and plenty of that lame dialogue that for some reason you WILL enjoy. It’ll be especially wonderful for those who are too young to have experienced Generation 1. The question is will it be a hit for true fans of the brand (not a question for Dreamworks, of course, just me). As I stare up at Sunstreaker, Jetfire, Astrotrain, Silverbolt and Hot Spot perched on my office shelf I wonder, will it resonate with guys like me? I think the answer depends on one character, Optimus Prime, leader of the Autobots. No, he’s not the only star of this show. There will be Bumbelbee, Jazz, Megatron, Shockwave and many other beloved characters but none embody the brand, the series, the memory, the way Optimus does. He is Transformers.

When I was seven years old, the Transfomers introduced me to the idea of wars and freedom, good and evil (and I liked it when things were black and white). Optimus said all the things my Dad probably told me a hundred times, only I listened to Optimus. He was the wisest person around as far as I was concerned. I saw him excercise mercy and patience, and even though he was the most powerful single robot he carefully measured his wrath and always gave the benefit of the doubt. In the end, he even died protecting us (yes, died). This a huge mountain to climb for Michael Bay. If he can take cold metal, and inject even a small measure of those qualities I’ll be satisfied. In fact, I’ll consider it a triumph… but I’m holding my breath.

My advice to you (and myself) is walk in expecting a fun summer blockbuster and nothing more. Let’s leave our memories of the original Transformers where they are, safe and sound in the past.