In stark contrast to the huge expectations for the last part of transformers Animated film series Transformers Onethe first animated film in the series, Transformers: The MovieThe film was released in the summer of 1986, with little fanfare, when the film was shown. It ended its theatrical run with a total box office gross of less than $6 million.and became a commercial and critical failure.
Unlike the 2007 release of the first live-action film, transformers The film launched a franchise that has grossed over $5.2 billion at the box office, Transformers: The Movie Its primary purpose was to create a new toy production line.The film was financed by toy manufacturer Hasbro, which decided that the best way to launch a new product was to The toy line was supposed to kill off several original characters in the franchise, most notably the beloved Optimus Prime, whose death in the film sparked much outrage. transformers Fans, especially children.
While the bold decision to kill off an iconic character like Optimus Prime has been praised over the decades since, as evidenced by the enduring cult following that followed. Transformers: The Movie The company had been gaining over the past 35 years, and the immediate consequences were disastrous for its franchise, which took more than 20 years to fully recover from this huge miscalculation.
The Great Mutant Massacre of 1986
The series takes place in 2005, nearly 20 years after the end of the second season of the animated series. transformers TV series, Transformers: The Movie The film begins with the evil Decepticons invading the Autobots' home planet Cybertron. Forced to operate from Cybertron's two moons, the heroic Autobots plan a counterattack in which leader Optimus Prime sends a vehicle to Autobot City on Earth for supplies.
However, the Autobots' plan is discovered by the Decepticons, who hijack the ship and kill several Autobots in extremely violent fashion. Prowl is shot, his body riddled with explosive bolts, his eyes glazed over as smoke billows from his mouth. Ratchet is shot repeatedly in the chest by Starscream, the deputy to Decepticon leader Megatron, who also blows off one of Ratchet's arms. The most notable kill is that of Megatron, who shoots a wounded, defenseless Ironhide in the head at close range, execution-style, using Megatron's signature fusion cannon.
All of this happens within the first 10 minutes of the film, which includes nearly 70 deaths.Of course, the most significant death in the film is that of Optimus Prime, who dies about 20 minutes into the film from injuries sustained in a titanic battle against Megatron, who was also mortally wounded in the fight, only to be regenerated into the body of the robotic villain Galvatron, while Prime's chosen heir Ultra Magnus becomes the new leader of the Autobots.
With the death of Optimus Prime, Transformers: The Movie Breaking one of the most important rules of genre filmmaking in the 80s. In terms of killing off a franchise-building hero without first finding a proven commercial replacement. While it took real courage for Hasbro to kill off its best hero, transformers Characters, fans rejected the alternatives, as evidenced by the declining television ratings and toy sales that followed the film's release. By greatly diminishing the strong emotional connection that 80s kids had with the classic film, transformers Figures, especially Optimus Prime, Hasbro, as Prime put it from the 2011 movie. Transformers: Dark of the MoonHe made a huge mistake.
Transformers: Traumatized Children
When parents took their children to see Transformers: The Movie In 1986, nothing could have prepared them for how dark and disturbing things would turn out to be. While the execution sequence on the Autobot space shuttle was certainly shocking, it was nothing compared to the shock they felt when they witnessed Optimus Prime’s dying moments, his damaged body turning gray as the light from his eyes dimmed.
Prime's death scene in Despite the film's dramatic power and poignant presentation, it was strong material for children in 1986, many of whom simply could not stand it, as evidenced by reports of children crying and being escorted out of theaters by their parents. Eventually, the resulting backlash forced Hasbro, overwhelmed by complaints from upset children, to revive Prime with an animated TV series..
Given the cynical commercial motives that inspired the making of Transformers: The MovieIronically, the resulting film alienated audiences of all ages in 1986. While adults viewed the film as one long commercial for children's toys, many children were terrified and did not want to see another film. transformers The movie until they became adults.
The Transformers: The Movie left a lasting legacy.
While the decision to kill off Optimus Prime and other classic characters transformers The characters in the film had dire short-term consequences for the film and the audience at large. Franchise, this ruthless approach, no matter how contrived, This has been shown to be beneficial in the long run.. before Transformers: The MovieKilling the series' protagonist was almost taboo. By breaking this unwritten rule, the film instilled a sense of danger and unpredictability in the series, forcing the audience to think that anything could happen. transformers A character, no matter how prominent, can be killed at any time.
Moreover, Transformers: The Movie Hasbro and the production team behind the upcoming film series have shown how they can push the boundaries of realism while maintaining their popularity with audiences, as evidenced by the positive reviews for Transformers Onewhich proved that it is possible to make successful animation. transformers A film that explores mature themes without scarring a generation of children. Transformers: The Movie Not available for streaming at this time. Transformers One The film will be released in theaters on September 20.
