Clarity in a world of chaos

I don't know about you guys, but back in 1985, 86, 87- A few years after I proclaimed myself”too old to watch cartoons anymore" I heard kids talking about "Transformers".  We didn't have cable at the time, but my great aunt did- so, I asked- and she let me come over to check it out.  I loved it.

So, for the next 2 years, everyday (after football season, and between basketball games) from 3:30 - 5:00 I was over there, watching Transformers, Thundercats, and G.I. Joe.  The Transformers Movie came out- Optimus Prime was killed, and I lost interest.

In the series, the Autobots were now lead by Rodimus Prime, and the Decepticons by Galvatron (Instead of Megatron).  Right before I left to join the Army (August 1987), Optimus Prime was resurrected- but it Rodimus Prime, and Optimus Prime- it just wasn't the same- and again, my interest fell off.  From that point on- having a chance to watch Transformers was rare.

Since news of the new movie came out- I began to takeinterest again. When I saw it, I bought my son one of the Optimus Prime toys from Target.  He loves it. so I wanted to get him the original DVD  box set.  I heard they had the original series at Frye's, so I went there to get that for him, they didn't have it-  all they had was the anime versions of Transformers (WHICH I CAN"T STAND). But, I wanted to show him Transformers- so I bought Transformers: Armada and Transformers: Energon for him. 

The most recent artwork and animation is far superior to the 80's work, but excessive in its delivery. There is so much background crap, only a discerning eye can pick out the "robot" from all the "add-ons".  There's so much add-on, cyberkey-crap there, with super huge guns, super-modes, heavy-attack modes, and attacks with no results, that it gets annoying (or- I’m just getting too old)… The new cartoons are delivered in a very Pokemonish– but typically anime-fashion. They all have to "chant" in order to call on their “powers” ; even telling themselves to “transform” before they do anything. Fans of the original series may be sickened by this display (As we were when Alien -vs- Predator came out, PG-13) but my son, and my brother-in-law/son both enjoys it. (I hate anime’).

Anyone who grew up watching the original, will have to muscle their way through the gag reflex to watch the new cartoons.

But, getting back to the MOVIE:  It debuts July 3, 2007.  The previews have been very well done. Megatron looks crazy and cool at the same time, albeit without his massive fusion cannon. He looks far more evil than the original Megatron.  I certainly hope the previews don't tell the whole movie-(as the previews of most bad movies do).  With Spielberg involved, my hopes and exp[ectations are high. The only way they could possibly be higher, is if Spielberg, Bruckheimer, and Lucas did this together, rather than Spielberg and Michael Bay.

The question becomes:  How are us guys aged 26 - 40, going to be able to tell our wives/girlfriends- we're taking our children (who know nothing about Transformers- or probably have little interest) to go see Transformers, and not have it written across our faces, that it's really for us to see- not the kids!  :)