TF: Prime Megatron's alt/mode, Or lack thereof. Options

[Shockwave 75]

I've seen lots of people complaining about it and other's like it from various other TF series; mostly about how it doesn't really look like anything, just a jumble of re-arranged robot parts. But having just gotten the figure and really getting to see it up close, I have made my peace with it, and here's why:

I don't mind it because I don't see it as trying to be anything. It's not a vehicle, it's not a Cybertronian jet, it's just a flight mode. That's why his head is still visible; it's just Megatron altering the configuration of his body so he can fly. The same could be said of the flying Eradicons/Vehicons/whatever they're called.

Kinda like BW TM Megatron's flight mode, or TM Cheetor's flight mode, or TM Optimus' flight mode, or even Rattrap's "roadster" mode. They weren't supposed to look like vehicles, just a more efficient way of travelling great distances.

All the other TF's are "robots in disguise", but Megatron is not. Frankly I'm amazed that the Decepticon's have Earth modes at all! They don't seem to really give a petro-rabbit's ass about blending in.

[Octavius Prime]

I think you've just pointed out why some don't like it, especially with your "he's not a robot in disguise." You're right, and that's exactly what a lot of people are displeased with.

[Professor]

I don't see it as trying to be anything. It's not a vehicle, it's not a Cybertronian jet, it's just a flight mode. That's why his head is still visible; it's just Megatron altering the configuration of his body so he can fly.

Yes. You really have trouble seeing why some people dislike that?

This post has been edited by Professor: Mar 20 2012, 12:41 PM

[mx-01 archon]

I don't have problems personally with people disliking the design itself.

But those complaining about how he doesn't have an actual disguise, they're totally missing the point.

Those people are getting hung up on the franchise's tagline, treating it as some sort of unbreakable rule. Despite the fact that right from Day 1, Transformers has broken the rule repeatedly.

[Walky]

The franchise's tagline never meant what people want it to mean. "Robots in Disguise" is a commentary on the toyline's play pattern. They are robot toys disguised as things that are not robot toys. It never meant "these robots hide from each other."

[Cheetimus Primal]

"these robots hide from each other."

All I can see is a bunch of robots hiding behind rocks, there knees pulled to their chests while shaking with fear.

[RCX]

Trailbreaker meant it!

[Vestras]

I'm ok with his show model for the most part, simply because it can cheat and have all the bits covered. Every version of the character as a figure has suffered horribly. It boils down for me more to the fact his HEAD is purposefully sticking out of this mode, embarrassingly so. This is bad. I mean early Energon design bad.

I Get that he has no desire to hide/disguise himself, but leaving the omni vulnerable head exposed just feels tactically wrong for this Megatron especially. Add to that the surprising quality of the models for the show, having such a design feature becomes all the more embarrassing.

It's a real damn shame.

[mx-01 archon]

It's not "Energon design bad".

It's a fully intentional design choice. The design, the model, the toys all go out of their way to ensure that his eyes remain exposed. He's got a plate that covers his neck and face, and could easily have been made to encompass the rest of his head if they chose to. It's there because they want it to be there.

Screw practicality. Transformers have never adhered to practicality as a design rule. They'll subvert it whenever they damned well please.

The important part here is that no matter what form he takes, Megatron's evil eye is glaring at you at all times.

This post has been edited by mx-01 archon: Mar 20 2012, 01:13 PM

[ShinRa Inc]

He turns into a K-Wing. Why is this a matter of debate?

[Vestras]

Meh, Still doesn't work for me.
Not gonna argue the merits, just, that's what kills the design for me. The rest, I am actually okay with.

[mx-01 archon]

I'm not trying to sway your opinion. Taste is subjective.

I'm just saying, it's anything but lazy.

[Benbot]

It's still better than transforming into a giant (or tiny) gun. I just want a good tank Megatron. Is that too much to ask?

[LBD "Nytetrayn"]

Seemed to me that they were following Movie Megatron's whole "Earth mode? I don't need no stinkin' Earth mode" mentality from the first two movies...

--LBD "Nytetrayn"

[Octavius Prime]

I am a bit tired of cybertronIan modes for Megatron for this point, but two things have helped mitigate that: A) DOTM Megatron and B) how awesome TFP Megatron's alt mode is. It's easily the best Cyb mode he's gotten (toy wise, anyway) and the deluxe in particular really makes it look great, divergences from the show model aside. Too bad I had to pay as much as I did for it; Hasbro really needs to make sure it gets a domestic release.

[Daith]

My only question in this debate. Has Meg's been anywhere within a populated area to warrant a disguise even?

Nope! Every time Megatron has been out in the open it's been in some place in the middle of nowhere or in rural areas that not many people are gonna see him anyways. At this point his need for disguise is minimal.

This post has been edited by Daith: Mar 20 2012, 02:53 PM

[mx-01 archon]

Nope.

Although, it could be argued that almost none of the show's characters have been near a populated area (IMG:style_emoticons/default/icon-waspy.gif) . Only really Arcee, Bumblebee, and Bulkhead, since they pick the kids up from school.

Otherwise... Jasper, Nevada.

[Daith]

Nope.

Although, it could be argued that almost none of the show's characters have been near a populated area (IMG:style_emoticons/default/icon-waspy.gif) . Only really Arcee, Bumblebee, and Bulkhead, since they pick the kids up from school.

Otherwise... Jasper, Nevada.

And the Museum the one episode. And even then it's like a ghost town where ever they are anyways.

[Destron D-69]

aren't we not past the point yet of needing to address that people have different opinions on things?

lol

I like Megatron not having a recognizable earth mode... it suits His character. now if Bumblebee was just driving around as a yellow landbound saucer like in mtmte part 1... I'd take issue.

you'd almost think we'd have gotten spoiled of late with all the 'looking for something to complain about' that goes on these days (IMG:style_emoticons/default/icon-fire.gif)

then again I still see the odd person complaining that Polarclaw was swapped out for tigatron in the tv show (IMG:style_emoticons/default/icon-primal.gif)

[Professor]

The franchise's tagline never meant what people want it to mean. "Robots in Disguise" is a commentary on the toyline's play pattern. They are robot toys disguised as things that are not robot toys. It never meant "these robots hide from each other."

Where are you getting this from? At the very least, it seems pretty clear that the tagline was meant to evoke both changing real-world toys and hidden fictional robots. The disguise aspect has appeared plenty of times in the fiction, and that the Decepticons have the word "deceive" built right into their name, after all. It seems awfully forced to argue that every single time "more than meets the eye" or "robots in disguise" comes up its purely a meta-textual toy reference that has nothing whatsoever to do with the fiction. Why wouldn't the toys and fiction share a theme?

This post has been edited by Professor: Mar 20 2012, 05:42 PM