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Description

Transformers: Prime (2010-13)
Seasons: 3
Episodes: 65
Network: The Hub

In the midst of the rejuvenated Transformers craze started by the Michael Bay films and following the short yet amazing run of Transformers: Animated, a new Transformers cartoon was debuted at he very beginning of the 2010 decade on The Hub network, Transformers: Prime, a more mature and modern update of the Transformers mythos and part of what fans call The Aligned Continuity.

Now to be very honest, back when it was first airing on the Hub, I wasn't a fan of it at first. Part of that was that I wasn't sold on the weird new designs but mainly because the network it aired on also aired Goosebumps reruns and this was back when I had that irrational silly fear and before I became a fan of that series and just seeing it on the Hub Network was enough to turn me away from the channel. Of course, that's neither here nor there and finally in mid 2012, I was able to separate my silly anxieties and focus on Transformers to give the show a chance and when I actually did....

I instantly fell in love with it and it immediately became one of my favorite shows airing at the time and alongside Gravity Falls and TMNT 2012 was a show that I followed whenever a new episode came. To this day, it always competes with Animated over being my favorite Transformers show and depending on mood, it always switched back and forth between those show when asked what's my favorite Transformers series because they both have a lot of strengths and pros and do a lot of things right that choosing one over the other is a challenge for me. But why do I adore Prime as much as I do and consider top tier material?

Positives:

This is definitely one of the more mature and serious Transformers shows as it has a good amount of mature and investive character writing and serialized storytelling with implementations of trauma, grief, sacrifice, death and other mature subject matter and themes with a fair amount of light hearted humor to break it up that makes it a Transformers show that feels just as much for older viewers as much a kids if not more so. I mean this show literally sets the tone from the first five minutes when one of the supposed main Autobots gets axed off not before halfway through the premiere.

This is also the first computer animated Transformers series since Beast Machines in 1999 and ever since Beast Wars, TV computer animation has evolved significantly and as such, Prime is visually pleasing and the rendering ages drastically better with time. Not a knock at all at either Beast Wars or Machines, which are still very good and masterfully done but certainly show their age nowadays, whereas Prime excels in that regard in the animation and visuals.

The style of the show, with its visual style and designs especially of the Autobots and Decepticons, draws heavy amounts of inspiration and cues from the live action films and the same applies to the modern updates to the characters such as Bumblebee's muscle car alt mode and lack of a voice being a direct carryover from the films.

Speaking of the characters, each of them are written and characterized amazingly. The show features a small cast on both the good and bad side but each member holds their own as a character.

On the Autobots' side, Prime's take on Optimus is a very good mix of the compassionate and humble G1 take on the character we know and love and the more rough and tough fighter of his movie counterpart though nowhere near as vicious, which makes him one of the best versions of Optimus is recent memory.
The show also features one of the best modern updates of Arcee being a more no-nonsense soldier type whose haunted by her past trauma in the war and those close to her which effects her current partnership with Jack. Bumblebee is like a more cute and innocent version of his mute movie counterpart, but with buzzing and beeps like R2D2 and has a cute bond with Raf.
Ratchet is like his Animated self in personality but less grumpy and more serious about his work and is source of some of the show's more dry humor and his running gag of other usually Bulkhead breaking something of his.
Speaking of which, Bulkhead is a bit smarter than his Animated self but still keeps that big hearted bruiser persona intact.
Others like Wheeljack, Smokescreen & Ultra Magnus are also great additions to the cast later on and are very cool reinventions of those characters especially with Wheeljack going from a crackpot inventor to a more thrill seeking lone wolf bad boy type soldier.

The Decepticons are equally as captivating of characters as the Autobots, maybe more so. Prime's take on Megatron still keeps the classic menace and evil tyrant persona of the character intact but also adds some layers and depth to his character that makes him one of the more interesting and Intimidating versions of Megatron.
Starscream here is basically just like G1 self but the ego, treacherous and sneaky nature and desire for power over the Decepticons is cranked up to 12 and is a much more threatening villain compared to most depictions of Starscream.
This show features the most unique and honestly creepiest reimagining of Soundwave as basically the Transformers version of the Slender Man, no face and tentacles and all, as well as a fierce and deadly foe in combat.
Just like Swindle in Animated, Breakdown is upgraded from just being a combiner component to his own individual as this heavy demolitionist rival to Bulkhead and his "partnership" with the red sports car medic Knock Out who is an absolute delight with his not so subtle interactions with his peers and his narcissistic demeanor.
Airachnid is a very creepy yet fascinating planet traveling bounty hunter and a cool reinvention of the spider like characterization of Blackarachnia but with a few new elements added in and a gripping rivalry with Arcee to boot.
Shockwave here is a little more twisted and hostile of a scientist which comes into play when he arrives into the main story and what he brings in...or should we say who but I won't to avoid spoilers.

While it didn't take the same drastic reimagining or creative risks as Animated did with familiar characters, with a few exceptions, Prime does a great job in modernizing and reinventing classic characters in a way that expands on their classic traits for some and others reminds them into something fresh and engaging with both Bots and Cons.

As for the humans, these are definitely the best in terms of human casts in a Transformers, if not they're in conversation of better human characters. The three kids are some of the better kid characters in Transformers.
My favorite being Jack whose like the more older and more down to earth of the three and has a cool partnership with Arcee who poses as his new motorcycle.
Raf is surprisingly resourceful and helpful with his expertise and skill with computers especially when at base with Ratchet.
And though most find Miko annoying and she can certainly have her moments, as the more free spirited and relatively less mature of the three kids, I thought Mike was alright in that regard.
And outside of the kids, the other main human affiliate of the Autobots is the real Captain America of Transformers himself, Agent William Fowler! He is an awesome and surprisingly badass character being the Autobots' secret liaison to the government and has many instances of being a strong and dedicated badass as well as having bits of humor sprinkled in.
Even human villains with Silas and M.E.C.H., being this terrorist group who study and experiment with Transformers anatomy and use it in their favor, are certainly some of the better human antagonists that actually serve effectively well as threats and don't take too much away from the Decepticons as villains.

And part of what makes the cast of characters tick is the absolutely stellar voice cast. Peter Cullen and Frank Welker reprise their classic roles as Optimus and Megatron respectively and they just as brilliant a job as always nd this show maybe their best work as Prime and Megatron and really accentuate the rivalry between the two. Despite being mainly silent, Welker does give Soundwave one simple yet iconic line deep in the show. Others including Kevin Michael Richardson, Jeffrey Combs, Ernie Hudson, Josh Keaton, Clancy Brown, Daran Norris, Steve Blum, Tony Todd and a few others, even including Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson as Cliffjumper, really shine in their respective characters and help make the cast one of the best in a Transformers show because of their impeccable voice talent.

The show also has a lot of great and exciting action and fight scenes that are gorgeously animated and really add to the enjoyment factor aided by how each action and fight scene has a significant impact and consequence on the featured characters which helps keep the show engaging and the stake high as it puts you on edge regarding the fates of the main players, knowing that not every one is guaranteed to make it to the end in one piece. I know I was one who felt anxious and even scared for certain characters when things seemed bleak for them or the situation they were in seemed dire and its what makes Prime such an engaging and thrilling watch throughout its run.

The show tells a very good overarching plot with nice additions of character arcs and story arcs that nicely connect and even add to something bigger with some twists that unfold and new challenges that come about for the main Autobots and help add to the show's experience for a Transformers fan.

Negatives:

While I absolutely adore this show and hold it in very high regard, there are a couple of very small flaws or nitpicks I have with Prime that don't ruin the show by any means but could've been done better.

First, without giving any spoilers, while I admire how shocking certain fates played out, I do feel that there could have been potential to do more with certain characters that were gone too soon and could've made their time in the show and fates have more of an impact and could've elevated the show even more.

Secondly, the fetch quest arc of the show is a tad bit formulaic and could've been executed differently or trimmed down and made less monotonous and repetitive. Nitpicking I know but it does go without saying that its not the most interesting part of the show.

And third and finally, while the show does end conclusively and satisfyingly, there are a few things left hanging by the end that I think could've gotten a payoff before the final chapter, but regardless, the ending was still great and a brilliant way to end the show.

Standout Episodes:
+ Darkness Rising
+ Deus Ex Machina
+ Predatory
+ Crisscross
+ Metal Attraction
+ Scrapheap
+ Operation: Breakdown
+ One Shall Rise
+ Nemesis Prime
+ Toxicity
+ Hurt
+ New Recruit
+ The Human Factor
+ Regeneration
+ Darkest Hour
+ Darkmount, NV
+ Scattered
+ Rebellion
+ Project Predacon
+ Thirst
+ Evolution
+ Persuasion
+ Synthesis
+ Deadlock

Final Thoughts:

While its not as ambitious or as unique as Animated or even Beast Wars, Prime exceeds in being a more tighter and more story driven Transformers show with many great characters, Transformer and human alike, an absolutely stellar voice cast, brilliant and awesome action, a daring mature tone that appeals to older viewers just as/if not more than kids and is an engaging and captivating show from beginning to end. Like I said, I always have a hard time choosing which Transformers show I love more with Prime and Animated, but I would definitely recommend Prime for older Transformers fans as it would certainly have a lot on your wavelength and would satisfy your need for a modern serialized take on the Transformers series. If you're a Transformers fan and have not seen this show, please check it out and experience it for the brilliant modern Transformers show it is and more.

10/10

What are your thoughts on Transformers: Prime?

Description

Transformers: Prime (2010-13)
Seasons: 3
Episodes: 65
Network: The Hub

In the midst of the rejuvenated Transformers craze started by the Michael Bay films and following the short yet amazing run of Transformers: Animated, a new Transformers cartoon was debuted at he very beginning of the 2010 decade on The Hub network, Transformers: Prime, a more mature and modern update of the Transformers mythos and part of what fans call The Aligned Continuity.

Now to be very honest, back when it was first airing on the Hub, I wasn't a fan of it at first. Part of that was that I wasn't sold on the weird new designs but mainly because the network it aired on also aired Goosebumps reruns and this was back when I had that irrational silly fear and before I became a fan of that series and just seeing it on the Hub Network was enough to turn me away from the channel. Of course, that's neither here nor there and finally in mid 2012, I was able to separate my silly anxieties and focus on Transformers to give the show a chance and when I actually did....

I instantly fell in love with it and it immediately became one of my favorite shows airing at the time and alongside Gravity Falls and TMNT 2012 was a show that I followed whenever a new episode came. To this day, it always competes with Animated over being my favorite Transformers show and depending on mood, it always switched back and forth between those show when asked what's my favorite Transformers series because they both have a lot of strengths and pros and do a lot of things right that choosing one over the other is a challenge for me. But why do I adore Prime as much as I do and consider top tier material?

Positives:

This is definitely one of the more mature and serious Transformers shows as it has a good amount of mature and investive character writing and serialized storytelling with implementations of trauma, grief, sacrifice, death and other mature subject matter and themes with a fair amount of light hearted humor to break it up that makes it a Transformers show that feels just as much for older viewers as much a kids if not more so. I mean this show literally sets the tone from the first five minutes when one of the supposed main Autobots gets axed off not before halfway through the premiere.

This is also the first computer animated Transformers series since Beast Machines in 1999 and ever since Beast Wars, TV computer animation has evolved significantly and as such, Prime is visually pleasing and the rendering ages drastically better with time. Not a knock at all at either Beast Wars or Machines, which are still very good and masterfully done but certainly show their age nowadays, whereas Prime excels in that regard in the animation and visuals.

The style of the show, with its visual style and designs especially of the Autobots and Decepticons, draws heavy amounts of inspiration and cues from the live action films and the same applies to the modern updates to the characters such as Bumblebee's muscle car alt mode and lack of a voice being a direct carryover from the films.

Speaking of the characters, each of them are written and characterized amazingly. The show features a small cast on both the good and bad side but each member holds their own as a character.

On the Autobots' side, Prime's take on Optimus is a very good mix of the compassionate and humble G1 take on the character we know and love and the more rough and tough fighter of his movie counterpart though nowhere near as vicious, which makes him one of the best versions of Optimus is recent memory.
The show also features one of the best modern updates of Arcee being a more no-nonsense soldier type whose haunted by her past trauma in the war and those close to her which effects her current partnership with Jack. Bumblebee is like a more cute and innocent version of his mute movie counterpart, but with buzzing and beeps like R2D2 and has a cute bond with Raf.
Ratchet is like his Animated self in personality but less grumpy and more serious about his work and is source of some of the show's more dry humor and his running gag of other usually Bulkhead breaking something of his.
Speaking of which, Bulkhead is a bit smarter than his Animated self but still keeps that big hearted bruiser persona intact.
Others like Wheeljack, Smokescreen & Ultra Magnus are also great additions to the cast later on and are very cool reinventions of those characters especially with Wheeljack going from a crackpot inventor to a more thrill seeking lone wolf bad boy type soldier.

The Decepticons are equally as captivating of characters as the Autobots, maybe more so. Prime's take on Megatron still keeps the classic menace and evil tyrant persona of the character intact but also adds some layers and depth to his character that makes him one of the more interesting and Intimidating versions of Megatron.
Starscream here is basically just like G1 self but the ego, treacherous and sneaky nature and desire for power over the Decepticons is cranked up to 12 and is a much more threatening villain compared to most depictions of Starscream.
This show features the most unique and honestly creepiest reimagining of Soundwave as basically the Transformers version of the Slender Man, no face and tentacles and all, as well as a fierce and deadly foe in combat.
Just like Swindle in Animated, Breakdown is upgraded from just being a combiner component to his own individual as this heavy demolitionist rival to Bulkhead and his "partnership" with the red sports car medic Knock Out who is an absolute delight with his not so subtle interactions with his peers and his narcissistic demeanor.
Airachnid is a very creepy yet fascinating planet traveling bounty hunter and a cool reinvention of the spider like characterization of Blackarachnia but with a few new elements added in and a gripping rivalry with Arcee to boot.
Shockwave here is a little more twisted and hostile of a scientist which comes into play when he arrives into the main story and what he brings in...or should we say who but I won't to avoid spoilers.

While it didn't take the same drastic reimagining or creative risks as Animated did with familiar characters, with a few exceptions, Prime does a great job in modernizing and reinventing classic characters in a way that expands on their classic traits for some and others reminds them into something fresh and engaging with both Bots and Cons.

As for the humans, these are definitely the best in terms of human casts in a Transformers, if not they're in conversation of better human characters. The three kids are some of the better kid characters in Transformers.
My favorite being Jack whose like the more older and more down to earth of the three and has a cool partnership with Arcee who poses as his new motorcycle.
Raf is surprisingly resourceful and helpful with his expertise and skill with computers especially when at base with Ratchet.
And though most find Miko annoying and she can certainly have her moments, as the more free spirited and relatively less mature of the three kids, I thought Mike was alright in that regard.
And outside of the kids, the other main human affiliate of the Autobots is the real Captain America of Transformers himself, Agent William Fowler! He is an awesome and surprisingly badass character being the Autobots' secret liaison to the government and has many instances of being a strong and dedicated badass as well as having bits of humor sprinkled in.
Even human villains with Silas and M.E.C.H., being this terrorist group who study and experiment with Transformers anatomy and use it in their favor, are certainly some of the better human antagonists that actually serve effectively well as threats and don't take too much away from the Decepticons as villains.

And part of what makes the cast of characters tick is the absolutely stellar voice cast. Peter Cullen and Frank Welker reprise their classic roles as Optimus and Megatron respectively and they just as brilliant a job as always nd this show maybe their best work as Prime and Megatron and really accentuate the rivalry between the two. Despite being mainly silent, Welker does give Soundwave one simple yet iconic line deep in the show. Others including Kevin Michael Richardson, Jeffrey Combs, Ernie Hudson, Josh Keaton, Clancy Brown, Daran Norris, Steve Blum, Tony Todd and a few others, even including Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson as Cliffjumper, really shine in their respective characters and help make the cast one of the best in a Transformers show because of their impeccable voice talent.

The show also has a lot of great and exciting action and fight scenes that are gorgeously animated and really add to the enjoyment factor aided by how each action and fight scene has a significant impact and consequence on the featured characters which helps keep the show engaging and the stake high as it puts you on edge regarding the fates of the main players, knowing that not every one is guaranteed to make it to the end in one piece. I know I was one who felt anxious and even scared for certain characters when things seemed bleak for them or the situation they were in seemed dire and its what makes Prime such an engaging and thrilling watch throughout its run.

The show tells a very good overarching plot with nice additions of character arcs and story arcs that nicely connect and even add to something bigger with some twists that unfold and new challenges that come about for the main Autobots and help add to the show's experience for a Transformers fan.

Negatives:

While I absolutely adore this show and hold it in very high regard, there are a couple of very small flaws or nitpicks I have with Prime that don't ruin the show by any means but could've been done better.

First, without giving any spoilers, while I admire how shocking certain fates played out, I do feel that there could have been potential to do more with certain characters that were gone too soon and could've made their time in the show and fates have more of an impact and could've elevated the show even more.

Secondly, the fetch quest arc of the show is a tad bit formulaic and could've been executed differently or trimmed down and made less monotonous and repetitive. Nitpicking I know but it does go without saying that its not the most interesting part of the show.

And third and finally, while the show does end conclusively and satisfyingly, there are a few things left hanging by the end that I think could've gotten a payoff before the final chapter, but regardless, the ending was still great and a brilliant way to end the show.

Standout Episodes:
+ Darkness Rising
+ Deus Ex Machina
+ Predatory
+ Crisscross
+ Metal Attraction
+ Scrapheap
+ Operation: Breakdown
+ One Shall Rise
+ Nemesis Prime
+ Toxicity
+ Hurt
+ New Recruit
+ The Human Factor
+ Regeneration
+ Darkest Hour
+ Darkmount, NV
+ Scattered
+ Rebellion
+ Project Predacon
+ Thirst
+ Evolution
+ Persuasion
+ Synthesis
+ Deadlock

Final Thoughts:

While its not as ambitious or as unique as Animated or even Beast Wars, Prime exceeds in being a more tighter and more story driven Transformers show with many great characters, Transformer and human alike, an absolutely stellar voice cast, brilliant and awesome action, a daring mature tone that appeals to older viewers just as/if not more than kids and is an engaging and captivating show from beginning to end. Like I said, I always have a hard time choosing which Transformers show I love more with Prime and Animated, but I would definitely recommend Prime for older Transformers fans as it would certainly have a lot on your wavelength and would satisfy your need for a modern serialized take on the Transformers series. If you're a Transformers fan and have not seen this show, please check it out and experience it for the brilliant modern Transformers show it is and more.

10/10

What are your thoughts on Transformers: Prime?