#TRANSFORMERS THE LAST KNIGHT (2017) Review

[the-masked-reviewer]

Transformers: The Last Knight (2017) Review

potential spoilers ahead...

As always with this franchise, the CGI is on another level. The amount of detail and realistic movements applied to these robot cars is truly astounding.

For starters, this movie's story uses a take on Arthurian Legend and adds a dragon on top, and I for one am easily bought by knights and dragons, making the overall story more interesting and fun. Of course the movie with knights, swords, and a dragon Transformer, also manages to show you more of all of the various dinosaur transformers than age of extinction, the dinosaur transformer movie.

This movie directly follows possibly the worst of the Transformers movies (cough extinction cough) which made me almost believe that the movies after would go back to what made the originals before them so much fun (I was wrong, but that's not this movie's fault, its their performance's fault).

[rye-views]

Transformers: The Last Knight (2017) dir. Michael Bay. 7.6/10

I wouldn't recommend this movie to my friends. I wouldn't rewatch this movie.

I feel a bit of Star Wars mixed in here. Cade in the sub literally looks like Luke Skywalker.

We brought in the medieval times. This shit's for me. This dragon is for me. I like these baby dinos we got going on. I like the return of the cast. I did enjoy Cogman's background music. I liked this movie. omg not Bumblebee bringing Optimus back ㅠㅠ What a beautiful line.

omg Gemma chan??

I don't like that Optimus wasn't that relevant in a good chunk of the movie and he also wasn't who he is for no real reason. The Transformers are too CGI for me ㅠㅠ

We gotta get vaccinated before we open up Merlin's grave.

[jupitermelichios]

I'm feeling the need to be a hater but in a harmless and ultimately meaningless way, so join me around this barrell and lets shoot some motherfucking fish

Disclaimer: I am not telling you you can't enjoy these movies, or judging your taste if you loved them. This is literally just me being a hater about movies that happen to bug me personally for various reasons.

*of these random 10 11 movies I personally really hated

** obligatory disclaimer that I did not pay to watch this movie, JKR did not make a single penny out of my morbid fascination with cinematic trainwrecks

(despite what this list suggests, I watch a lot of movies that aren't cgi-heavy blockbusters, but having a specific interest in movie adaptations of comic books means I watch a lot of really terrible cgi-heavy blockbusters)

Anti-propoganda below the cut

Spawn: this movie hurts to look it. One of the single most visually unpleasant experiences of my life, and I'm including recovering from major surgery in that.

Batman v Superman: the entire plot hinges on people believing Superman shot a man to death with a gun. A less significant but unavoidable plot point involves Lex Luthor giving someone a jar of his own piss as a death threat. Compared to that, the Martha thing barely registers as stupid.

Cats: is it as bad as the viral reviews claimed? Sadly no. Did I almost strain a muscle trying not to laugh too loudly at how terrible it was when I saw it in the cinema? Absolutely.

Fantastic Beasts: none of the FB movies could reasonably be described as good, but the third one really lends credence to the JKR black mould poisoning theory.

The King's Man: they very clearly ran out of filming time/locations due to covid, and then for some reason instead of shelving what cannot have been a particularly expensive production, they decided to edit together what little footage they had and release it as one of the most fascinatingly incoherent movies of the last decade.

Last Airbender: the very rare movie that actually is as bad as the negative hype, this may have the worst use of cgi superpowers in all of cinema.

Fant4stic: if you don't have depression, but want to know what it feels like, watch this movie. That utter emptiness you're now feeling? That's what depression feel like. You don't feel bad, necessarily. You just feel nothing.

Transformers: none of the bayformers movies are good, but Last Knight is the only one which just straight up doesn't make sense. It's like someone took the strawman 'terrible soulless entirely CGI blockbuster' movie people use in tumblr arguments about hollywood, and decided to actually make it.

Black Adam: I feel bad about how terrible this film is, because it was a genuine passion project, and it has a great cast, but it also has the worst colour-grading and some of the worst editting I've ever seen. If a group of untallented first year film students got trapped in purgatory with dwayne johnson, pierce brosnan, and manual editting equipment from the 1930s, and had to make a superhero film in order to escape, this is the film they'd make.

TMNT: this film just makes me irrationally angry. It feels like a bad youtube skit about 'what if michael bay made an animated kids movie' but it's real and it cost $150 million

Flash: this was going to be a 10 option poll, but then I remembered this movie includes CGI christopher reeve, against the express wishes of christopher reeve, and WB went ahead and released it after Ezra Miller was arrested for kidnapping, and then it had the gall to also be a terrible film in almost every way.

[mars2bradleyknox]

Cogman (Transformers)

Cogman is a character from the 2017 film 'Transformers: Last Knight' he is a Transformer butler for Anthony Hopkin's character Sir Edmund Burton.

The film reveals that Transformers have been present on Earth for centuries. It opens with a flashback to the Middle Ages, where King Arthur and his knights receive help from a group of Transformers led by a Cybertronian knight named Dragonstorm. Merlin, the wizard, is given a staff of immense power by the Transformers to help Arthur win a battle.

In the present day, Earth is in chaos as the government hunts Transformers. Optimus Prime, having left Earth to find his creator, meets Quintessa, a powerful alien who claims to be the creator of Cybertronians. She corrupts Optimus, turning him into Nemesis Prime, and sends him back to Earth to retrieve Merlin’s ancient staff—an object that can restore Cybertron by draining Earth’s energy.

Meanwhile, Cade Yeager (Mark Wahlberg) is in hiding for helping Autobots. He encounters an old Transformer knight who gives him a mysterious talisman. He is later brought to Sir Edmund Burton (Anthony Hopkins), a historian who reveals the Transformers' deep connection to Earth's history. Burton also recruits Viviane Wembly (Laura Haddock), an Oxford professor, as she is the last descendant of Merlin and the only one who can wield the staff.

As factions clash over the staff, Optimus returns under Quintessa’s control and battles Bumblebee. However, Bumblebee’s voice—restored for the first time—snaps Optimus out of his trance. The Autobots, Cade, and the military join forces to stop Quintessa and her Decepticons from using the staff to destroy Earth.

The final battle takes place in Stonehenge, where Cybertron is beginning to merge with Earth. The heroes manage to retrieve the staff and defeat Quintessa. Optimus and the Autobots then vow to rebuild Cybertron while also protecting Earth.

In a post-credits scene, Quintessa, disguised as a human, warns that Unicron—Earth's true form—is awakening, setting up potential future conflicts.

The movie attempts to expand the Transformers mythology, blending historical and sci-fi elements, but was met with mixed reviews for its convoluted plot.

The design of Cogman stands out because unlike the rest of the Transformers he is human-sized and has anatomy very similar to a humans. I don't really like this design choice as part of what makes Transformers cool is their giant size and designs of car parts formed together to make something humanoid but this character doesn't have that so he stands out but not in a good way.

[watching-pictures-move]

Movie Review | Transformers: The Last Knight (Bay, 2017)

It wasn’t until the previous entry that these movies bothered to throw in robots that might actually appeal to audiences. This time around we get a cute little blue guy named Sqweeks who is a friend to all children, some cute little baby Dinobots who are friends to all children, and Cogman who is a friend to only Anthony Hopkins. There’s also a plot twist where Optimus Prime briefly turns to villainy, but it might have landed better had he not spent so much time in previous entries killing other robots execution style and giving wildly hypocritical speeches. Didn’t realize we were supposed to care about the guy. 

I was hoping after my positive reaction to the widely reviled second movie that I would find more to appreciate with this rewatch, but I still don’t like it very much. Bay’s fatal mistake this time is to juggle different film formats. I’ve talked about the subtle differences in sheen between the different entries, which is fine when in separate movies, but becomes a tad distracting when the aspect ratio and colour timing seems to change with every shot. And while he still opts for longer shot lengths like in the last two movies, they’re stitched together with no regard for visual continuity, changing scale and vantage point seemingly arbitrarily. And I found the sense of shot composition was a lot weaker in the taller aspect ratio. Perhaps it’s easier to tell what your eyes should be directed to if you see this in 3D, but in 2D, it’s a pretty exhausting visual experience. 

And plot-wise, this is as lumpy as any of these, feeling at least twice its runtime, although there are sporadic elements that generate a certain nerdy frisson. (Bay does a fun mock historical epic at the beginning, and the movie is most enjoyable when it leans into this angle.) I suppose it’s worth noting that a subtle critique of robot realpolitik has crept in, but Bay seems a bit too indifferent to the story for the subtext to be as fun to unpack as previous entries. 

And I will say that Anthony Hopkins is enjoyably hammy, and it’s nice to have John Turturro back, however briefly, and more sparks fly during their phone call scene than in the entire remainder of the movie.

[cineaura13]

Transformers One: A New Chapter in the Legendary Franchise

The Transformers franchise has been a staple of action-packed entertainment for over a decade, captivating fans with its blend of breathtaking special effects, intriguing characters, and epic battles between the Autobots and Decepticons. With Transformers One set to be released, the excitement has reached new heights. This film is highly anticipated not just for its role in the larger Transformers universe, but also for its promise of fresh storytelling and innovative cinematic experiences.

In this article, we’ll explore everything you need to know about Transformers One—its plot, cast, what makes it stand out from previous films, and how you can watch it online for free. We’ll also introduce cineaura. in, a popular platform where you can catch the latest movies and enjoy high-quality streaming without breaking the bank.

The Transformers Franchise: A Brief Overview

Since its inception in 2007, the Transformers film series has become one of Hollywood's most successful and iconic franchises. Based on the beloved 1980s toy line and animated series, the live-action films brought the battle between the Autobots and Decepticons to a whole new audience. Directed by Michael Bay, the initial series delivered cutting-edge CGI that revolutionized how action and sci-fi movies could be made.

The Evolution of the Franchise

The first Transformers film, released in 2007, introduced audiences to the world of Cybertronians, alien robots who could transform into various vehicles and machines. The movie was a financial juggernaut, grossing over $700 million worldwide. Following the success of this film, sequels such as Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (2009), Transformers: Dark of the Moon (2011), Transformers: Age of Extinction (2014), and Transformers: The Last Knight (2017) followed, each adding to the universe’s lore.

While these films have received mixed reviews from critics, their appeal to fans of large-scale action, complex battles, and visually stunning CGI has never wavered. The series’ ability to blend humor, heart, and action has created a loyal fanbase that eagerly awaits each new installment. However, as the sequels piled up, fans started clamoring for a fresh take—something that could reignite the magic of the original movies while introducing new themes and perspectives.

That’s where Transformers One comes into the picture.

Transformers: More Than Meets the Eye

At its core, the Transformers franchise has always been about more than just action. It explores deeper themes such as loyalty, friendship, sacrifice, and the moral complexities of war. Whether through the leadership of Optimus Prime, the cunning of Megatron, or the human struggles intertwined with the robotic battles, the series has always managed to tug at heartstrings amidst the explosions.

Over the years, the movies have built an intricate universe that has now expanded into prequels, spin-offs, and animated series. One such spin-off, Bumblebee (2018), set a new standard by focusing on character-driven storytelling rather than just spectacle. Transformers One is poised to build on this momentum by exploring the origins of the war between the Autobots and Decepticons, giving fans a deeper understanding of the conflict.

Overview of Transformers One

Plot Summary

Transformers One takes us back to the beginning, long before the events of the previous movies. This prequel delves deep into the origins of the war on Cybertron, the home planet of the Transformers, and reveals how the longstanding rivalry between the noble Autobots and the malevolent Decepticons began. The film serves as a bridge between the rich history of Cybertron and the first Transformers film, providing crucial insights into the characters and the political strife that shaped their personalities and motivations.

The storyline centers on a young Optimus Prime, who is not yet the wise and battle-hardened leader we know. Instead, he is a bright-eyed idealist trying to find his place in a world divided by political intrigue and a rising war. The film explores how Optimus and Megatron—once close allies—end up on opposing sides of the devastating conflict. Fans will finally get to see the events that caused Megatron's fall into tyranny and Optimus Prime's rise to leadership.

This prequel also promises to introduce new characters, factions, and settings, expanding the world of Transformers in ways fans have never seen before. From deepening the lore around Cybertron's society to highlighting the ethical dilemmas faced by both Autobots and Decepticons, Transformers One aims to strike a balance between large-scale action sequences and poignant storytelling.

Themes in Transformers One

While the film will undoubtedly feature the high-octane battles and stunning visual effects that the franchise is known for Transformers One also promises to be a more introspective story. By focusing on the early days of Optimus Prime and Megatron’s relationship, it will explore themes of betrayal, the cost of war, and the difficult choices that leaders must make.

Moreover, Transformers One is set to examine the broader political context of Cybertron’s civil war, painting a complex picture of a society on the brink of collapse. This new layer of depth could breathe fresh life into the franchise, appealing to both longtime fans and newcomers alike.

Cast and Crew of Transformers One

A significant part of the excitement surrounding Transformers One comes from its star-studded cast and the creative minds behind the film. Although the casting choices are being kept under wraps for now, some early announcements have already generated significant buzz.

Directors and Writers

Transformers One marks a departure from the traditional direction of Michael Bay. While Bay has been a key figure in shaping the live-action Transformers universe, this new film will see a fresh creative team at the helm. Rising talents are expected to breathe new energy into the franchise, delivering a more nuanced and character-driven experience without losing the larger-than-life action sequences that fans love.

The script for Transformers One has reportedly been crafted by a team of seasoned screenwriters who have worked on both blockbuster films and acclaimed television series. With an eye for balancing character development with spectacle, the writing team is committed to delivering a prequel that honors the past while setting the stage for the future of the franchise.

Voice Cast

The voice cast for Transformers One is shaping up to be one of the film’s biggest attractions. Rumors suggest that well-known actors from the world of film and television have been tapped to bring the young versions of Optimus Prime, Megatron, and other key characters to life.

While Peter Cullen and Frank Welker have long been the voices of Optimus Prime and Megatron, respectively, it’s not yet clear if they will return for this prequel or if younger actors will take their place to reflect the characters’ earlier stages in life. Either way, fans can expect top-tier voice talent that will add depth and gravitas to these iconic roles.

What Makes Transformers One Unique?

With so many Transformers films already released, it’s natural to wonder what sets Transformers One apart from its predecessors. The answer lies in its approach to storytelling and its focus on character-driven drama.

An Origin Story Like No Other

Unlike the previous Transformers movies, which have largely focused on the Earth-based adventures of the Autobots and Decepticons, Transformers One takes us back to the heart of Cybertron. By exploring the political and social landscape of the Transformers’ home planet, this film adds a new layer of depth to the franchise. It also gives fans the origin story they’ve been waiting for—showing the personal and political events that led to the civil war that would eventually spill over to Earth.

A More Mature Tone

While the previous films, particularly those directed by Michael Bay, have often leaned heavily into explosive action and humor, Transformers One promises to be a more mature and introspective film. The focus on the relationship between Optimus Prime and Megatron, and how their differing philosophies ultimately tore them apart, gives the movie a Shakespearean quality that could appeal to older audiences as well as younger fans.

State-of-the-Art Visual Effects

Of course, no Transformers film would be complete without jaw-dropping special effects, and Transformers One is expected to push the boundaries even further. With advancements in CGI technology, this film promises to deliver the most visually stunning depiction of Cybertron to date. From massive battle scenes to intricate transformations, every frame is expected to be a feast for the eyes.

Watching Transformers One Online: Cineaura.in

Now that we’ve covered the excitement surrounding Transformers One, the next question on everyone’s mind is: how can you watch it? Thankfully, cineaura.in offers a fantastic option for streaming Transformers One and other popular movies for free.

Cineaura.in is a reliable and user-friendly platform that provides access to a wide range of movies across genres, including action, sci-fi, and fantasy. Whether you’re a fan of high-octane action or more character-driven dramas, cineaura.in has something for everyone.

Why Choose Cineaura.in?

Free Streaming: Cineaura.in allows users to watch movies without any subscription fees or hidden charges.

High-Quality Content: The platform offers high-definition streaming, ensuring that you can enjoy Transformers One in the best possible quality.

User-Friendly Interface: Navigating through cineaura.in is a breeze, making it easy to find and watch your favorite movies with just a few clicks.

If you’re looking to catch Transformers One from the comfort of your home, cineaura.in is your go-to platform. Not only can you watch this highly anticipated movie, but you can also explore a treasure trove of other blockbuster films.

Conclusion

As the Transformers franchise continues to evolve, Transformers One represents an exciting new chapter that delves into the origins of one of the most iconic rivalries in cinematic history. With its fresh approach to storytelling, deeper focus on character development, and stunning visual effects, this prequel is set to be a must-watch for fans of the series.

And when it comes to watching the movie, cineaura.in provides an excellent option for enjoying Transformers One online. Make sure to visit cineaura.in to stream this film and immerse yourself in the epic saga of the Autobots and Decepticons! 

[thecinemacritic]

REVIEW: While unfortunately feeling a little tired and having a difficult to follow plot, Transformers: The Last Knight has enough insanity, stylised direction and large action sequences that I enjoyed it.

[thebrayingmoose]

My ★½ review of Transformers: The Last Knight on Letterboxd https://boxd.it/5HkDgp

[geekgemsspooksandtoons]

Considering the news from hours ago, and other things that’s been going on...I’m gonna make this before I go to bed. I’m using parts of my tweet from here. https://twitter.com/Geekgem1/status/1600776657110913024?s=20&t=5HQl82Z_yqflH8fboKcHpQ

Thank you, Zack Snyder and Henry Cavill...for everything. 

Thank you, Zack, for giving us the Snyderverse. And along with many who helped you out on them along the way. Man of Steel, Batman V Superman, Zack Snyder's Justice League. Particularly these three, I'll keep on cherishing them.

 And thank you Henry Cavill for giving us the best Superman, or more so, my Superman. Thank you giving us your performance as the iconic character.

I won’t forget this universe. Even whatever new reboot comes. I’ll treasure it, always.

Anyway, here’s my rant when the news of Henry not being Superman anymore was...fresh or so. This was sent to @hawkofkrypton my good buddy. Who I wanted to tell first because...it was something. https://twitter.com/Geekgem1/status/1603209861805723649

From a Twitter message, a messy rant/ramble. Unedited and raw. Be warned.

“Henry Cavill was my Superman. Despite I have seen the Superman character in different versions growing up. 

I loved Zack's take on the DC universe. And despite how hopeless stuff would be like...this is what happens...after all of the bullying, the insults, the horrible people who act like their better when they need to look at themselves in the mirror. After everything that had happened. 

This is what we get...this is what happens... I'll treasure my Blu Ray copies of Zack's DC trilogy forever...they are on the level of The Dark Knight, and I will never forget the impact those films or just...I loved these films. I had wished I became a fan much earlier. But maybe that would've been more painful. I became a full-on Zack fan during 2017 before JL released. 

I liked Man of Steel, BVS was mixed to me at first, but the reviews that made me wonder just...I'll never forget the man that had the fuckin balls for the films he made. And this is what happens when people bitch about their being no jokes and 30 minutes being cut out from the film. 

Or when a studio becomes a pussy an they hire a racist comic book writer to lead their franchise. Or they hire another abusive asshole to direct and reshot nearly the entire movie. Geoff, Joss, Haramda, and whoever else. People like them are the reason this happened. 

Amazing I am listening to some fitting music and...even before that... This is the death of Superman...more so, our Superman...and his last appearance would be possibly a glorified cameo in a film that wasn't saved by that same cameo. 

This is what happens when WB doesn't have the fucking balls like Paramount to release Transformers films and I'm rambling on man. I've said enough.”

[the-masked-reviewer]

Transformer Movie Reviews

Transformers (2007)

Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (2009)

Transformers: Dark of the Moon (2011)

Transformers: Age of Extinction (2014)

Transformers: The Last Knight (2017)

Bumblebee (2018)

Transformers: Rise of the Beasts (2023)

[jackbootsinc]

Shorthand Review - Transformers: The Last Knight (2017)

The Transformers franchise has never been good. Some say that the series is "Dumb fun with good action and cool explosions". To me, that could maybe be used to describe only the third movie. The first one is promising and has a certain "child-like-wonder" appeal. But neither of them are truly good. The second Transformers is meaningless garbage.

But when Age of Extinction was released in 2014, the franchise hit new, abysmal lows. Watching Transformers wasn't just a chore, it wasn't just boring, it was excruciating. It was so bad I felt nauseous. I was aggravated to the point of brimming with feelings of genuine anger. They say that if a film makes you feel something, that is a victory in itself. Be it sadness, excitement, intrigue, joy, hope, nostalgia, hysteria, love, fear, warmth - whatever - I tend to agree with that statement. What I felt in Age of Extinction was not a victory. It was a failure. A Guinness Book of World Records level failure.

Transformers: The Last Knight, is at least that bad again.

Arguably worse.

I guess it didn't dedicate an entire character to being a justification for paedophilia, so it has that up on its predecessor.

Final rating:½ - So bad it’s offensive. I may never fully recover.

[yeonchi]

Kisekae Insights #26: The Superhero Project Prelude (a preview of things to come)

(Art by blakehunter)

My journey into tokusatsu began in 2013 when I watched Power Rangers Samurai on television and was enthralled at the use of kanji in the series. This led me to learn about Super Sentai through watching its counterpart, Samurai Sentai Shinkenger. Later, I began to learn about Kamen Rider through watching Decade thanks to its crossover arc with Shinkenger, which would lead me to watch other Super Sentai and Kamen Rider series. Eventually, I also learnt about Metal Heroes through watching crossover movies and Ultramen after watching some episodes of Orb online out of curiosity (Ultraman was on TVB through satellite back in the day, though I never really cared for it).

While the adaptations of Super Sentai and Kamen Rider in Gokaiger and Decade were among the initial elements teased and hyped for the Moushouden Series, it should be noted that they had their roots in previous series. In the final instalment of the second run of Kisekae Insights, allow me to walk you through how I implemented Super Sentai before 2018 and give you all a little bit of a preview of what is to come.

Samurai Mode: The prototype powers

The second half of Series 9 in 2014 featured the Doctor and his companions becoming beta testers for the Superhero Project in the form of Samurai Mode. The arsenal of Shinkenger was adapted, but the names were kept close to their adaptation counterparts, with the exception of the core rangers’ morphers, which are named the ShodoPhones. The Samurai Morpher and the Gold Ranger’s powers were the first to be developed for alpha testing; their tester, Hiroki’s assistant who was also one of his “triad” comrades, would go on to become ShinkenGold when the Superhero Project was launched. Akari had also managed to get her hands on a ShodoPhone as well, presumably having been stolen from UNIT.

Red Samurai Ranger: Hiroki Ichigo

Blue Samurai Ranger: Momoka Mizutani

Pink Samurai Ranger: Angelina Mouseling

Green Samurai Ranger: The Doctor

Yellow Samurai Ranger: Satoyuki Saitō

Gold Samurai Ranger: Hiroki’s assistant

Female Red Samurai Ranger: Akari Ichigo

Samurai Mode was first used by the Doctor and his companions on Destination One, but unlike in Shinkenger, they weren’t fighting demons or monsters; they were fighting Girl Power and their allies. Following that adventure, the Doctor passed his ShodoPhone on to Storm Dasher, who used it when he fought Lord Tirek alongside Twilight Sparkle on Equestria. Dasher did not transform into the Green Samurai Ranger, but he did temporarily transform into an alicorn – an unintentional foreshadowing of things to come in the Moushouden Series. Dasher gave his ShodoPhone back to the Doctor at the end of the episode.

As for the other five, they went on to fight at Sekigahara, Osaka and Kyoto (Honnōji and Nijō Castle), though they never used their Samurai Mode powers at Sekigahara. The Doctor would rejoin them when they fought the final battle in Yokohama as he had been on Trenzalore during the events of the Series 9 finale.

The year after, I wrote a “director’s cut” version of the arc which is basically just a remake but with the Samurai Mode powers given more prominence than they did during the series while also toning down on influences from Dynasty Warriors, Samurai Warriors and Final Fantasy. I also used Mega Mode outside of a Megazord setting (instead of it being a combination of power-ups) and featured Megazord finishers on human-sized opponents with the Mega Blade. Because the events of the director’s cut version are different to the original episodes, I consider them to be non-canon.

The road of the Xtreme Legend

Before Gokaiger and Decade premiered, a set of prelude stories were made for Series 10 and 11 in 2017; to complement the BBC Series 8 and 9 having 12 episodes each, I write a total of four episodes – one to replace Deep Breath (titled The Advent of the Doctor), two extra original episodes (one for each series) and an original Christmas Special (titled Dawn of the Space Pirates).

After Girl Power’s defeat, everyone began focusing on their high school studies. By 2016, the first wave of UNIT’s Superhero Project teams were launched; alongside the new Shinkengers led by Akari that replaced the beta testing team, the Gekirangers, Go-Ongers, Goseigers and Zyuohgers were formed as well. The five teams got into a conflict with the Doctor, Hiroki and his assistant while they were investigating a conspiracy involving the Clockwork Droids harvesting organs from students who had committed suicide over their studies and a company giving students unfair advantages in their studies (through cheating).

The year after everyone graduated high school (2017), Hiroki, Akari and Narutaki discover the return of Kawakara, the lost city of Akari’s grandfather, Antoni. Later that year, Narutaki went missing after she and Hiroki were freed from the possession of Evil Death (the Grim Reaper, not to be mistaken for Good Death based on the character played by Simon Farnaby in Horrible Histories) and her role as ShinkenBlue was replaced by another member of Girl Power. Around the same time, Takumi Kamijō and his team at Torchwood Pleiades became the Magirangers after testing a prototype system during the Superhero Project’s beta testing phase.

That Christmas, Hiroki encountered a demon named Suira, also named Sui after the demon in Chinese folklore that explained the origin of money in red pockets. Suira transformed Hiroki into Gyūki after having done so 17 years earlier in an effort to help him get revenge on his parents after being sent to time out. Meanwhile, the Doctor began gathering up the Gokaigers in response to the Zangyack Armada’s vanguard fleet attacking cities. They fought Shikabanen before they help the other Rangers fight Suira, who had transformed into a demonic orge named Dokkaebi (based in Korean folklore) and later combined with Gyūki and Nian (the Chinese New Year Monster) to become the Krlunk Smasher. Although the Rangers defeat the Krlunk Smasher, he grows giant and the Gokaigers form the Legendary Megazord to defeat it.

From the Doctor’s point of view, the 2017 Christmas Special and the events of Gokaiger take place between Series 11 and 12 – after Hell Bent but before The Husbands of River Song and the episodes featuring Nardole, which are collectively known as the Nardole Saga.

A look at the first wave teams

So in summary, the first wave of Superhero Project teams shown in the preludes to Gokaiger and Decade are the Magirangers, Gekirangers, Go-Ongers, Shinkengers, Goseigers, Gokaigers and Zyuohgers. For the most part, the names of their arsenal are derived from their original Super Sentai series, but there are a couple of exceptions; the Shinkengers’ arsenal uses the names from Power Rangers Samurai (as stated earlier) while the Gokaigers’ Zords and Megazord combinations uses names derived from Power Rangers Super Megaforce.

Very few teams had Megazords in Gokaiger due to time constraints; in fact, the only teams that have Megazords featured (aside from the Gokaigers) are those that have a button on their morphers to summon or combine their Zords. Out of the teams in the first wave, the Zyuohgers are in this category, though Cyber Knight and the Gosei Ground Megazord would appear mid-way into Gokaiger.

Speaking of the Shinkengers, what happened to the beta testers for the Superhero Project? Hiroki would go on to become Kamen Rider Decade; Hiroki’s assistant would retain his equipment and become ShinkenGold; the Doctor and Angelina would become part of the Gokaigers; and Momoka and Satoyuki would resign. The ShodoPhones were handed back to UNIT and four of the new Shinkengers received the Samuraizers (from Samurai) as their morphers; Akari retained her ShodoPhone when she became the official ShinkenRed.

Power-ups for the Shinkengers and Goseigers were also introduced; the Black Box and Shark Disc were introduced in Series 9, while the Super Goseigers were introduced in the 2017 Christmas Special.

And that’s all I’m going to tease for the third run of Kisekae Insights. As I stated in the last instalment, this is going to be final instalment of the second run as I want to focus on other things, including the Doctor Who Series 13 reviews and finishing off my personal project. I don’t know when I’ll begin work on the third run, but right now, I’m currently dreading the time until then because of various things, particularly in regards to current affairs.

Kisekae Insights will return, but be warned that things might not be the same. I leave you with my take on an English version of the Shinkenger opening song that I wrote in 2018 after being inspired by Psychic Lover’s take on it. For the most part it’s the same, but I modified the lyrics to fit with the tone of the Shinkenger arc in Series 9.

That’s it again from me. Don’t forget to follow me on Facebook and Tumblr to see more of my posts.

Samurai Sentai Shinkenger English Lyrics (modified by me)

Original lyrics here

Dance! Dance! Get up! Fight together! Chop! Chop! Take down Girl Power! Samurai Sentai Shinkenger Forever! Year upon year it goes This Time War never ends Humans, Time Lords and Daleks are fighting again So we are serious And we are dangerous When we see your weaknesses Your future is over! Let the words light up the sky The elements make us strong! These heroes are makin’ noise They’re fighting for us all! Swords clash, gunshots blazing loud Go Go Samurai Power Rangers! Just do it! Fight for time and for our universe! Don’t! Don’t give up! Don't be afraid We say ‘Banzai’ in the end When Rangers get together, it’s Samurai forever! That’s ‘Bushido’ Hey bring it on! Samurai Sentai Shinkenger Forever! What are we fighting for? Harmony or discord? We indeed fight for peace To understand your drive When we get serious Regrets are part of us We practice so we can fight with no more regrets! Let the words light up the sky The elements make us strong! These heroes are makin’ noise They’re fighting for us all! Flowers blossom, moon sun storm Go Go Samurai Power Rangers! Just do it! Fight for those who really believe in you! Fighting, dancing, shining, dreaming For our future, don’t be afraid! When we combine our powers We will not be beaten! That's 'Bushido' Cut with the sword! Samurai Sentai Shinkenger We are dreaming of the day when the world will be at peace If you don’t wanna understand, then we will take you down! Dance! Dance! Get up! Fight together! Chop! Chop! Take down Girl Power! Our love and courage is what powers our swords! Dance! Dance! Go Go Samurai! Chop! Chop! Go Go Power Rangers! Altogether we will break the darkness of the world That's 'Bushido' Hey bring it on! Samurai Sentai Shinkenger Forever!

[sandysreviews]

Catching Up On Reviews Post 2

My second post to catch up on reviews!! This post includes the following; A Cure For Wellness, Get Out, John Wick Chapter 2, The Mummy, Baywatch, Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 2, and Transformers The Last Knight. A Cure For Wellness – Absolutely phenomenal movie!! Creative and unique storyline, with a spectacular leading performance by Dane DeHaan – it’s a psychological thriller which plays with the mind, while creating an interesting story that doesn’t drag on through its 2 and a half hour duration. If you haven’t seen this movie, I highly recommend checking it out – it’s not for everyone, but it’s a movie you should definitely witness yourself. Get Out – Another Psychological Thriller that should definitely be seen!!! The cinematography throughout the film is incredible, and gives so many scenes double meaning, that can allow endless interpretation. The whole cast give a fantastic performance, and it’s definitely a film worth seeing. John Wick Chapter 2 – I absolutely love John Wick, and Keanu Reeves is one of my favourite actors so I was super excited when this was announced. Unfortunately, Australia got this film 3 months late – some how I managed to avoid all spoilers and it was worth it! The storyline was fantastic and did just as well as the first, the action/fight sequences were enjoyable, with great cinematography/light effects to emphasise many of the fight sequences. If you love John Wick, you will definitely love this. Can’t wait for Chapter 3!! The Mummy – I love The Mummy starring Brendan Fraser, so when I thought this might be a potential sequel or a rehash to continue on that story I was pretty excited. This doesn’t really acknowledge the other films (with the exception to a book) so I’m unsure if it was hinting at a sequel or not. I did enjoy this film regardless, but it definitely wasn’t as good as the others… Tom Cruise, Jake Johnson, and Sofia Boutella was great in the movie – but the storyline was lacking as the subplot kept taking over and they cared more about the special effects rather than providing a strong story/franchise. Worth seeing if you’re a fan of ‘monster’ movies. Baywatch – While I was never a fan of the TV show, the movie is pretty enjoyable. It’s very over-the-top but quite hilarious. The chemistry between the cast helps the jokes be funnier/believable making the characters and their development more enjoyable. Comedy fans should definitely check it out – I saw it twice and the jokes hold up on both viewings. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 – I wasn’t a huge fan of the first, but I did enjoy the humour and I of course loved Groot – so I was very excited to see baby Groot. The second is even better than the first – a pretty solid storyline with a surprising twist, great character development that was deprived from the first film. Fans of Marvel and GOTG will definitely like it – the 5 after credit scenes were a bit much, but at least funny. Transformers The Last Knight – Is the latest Michael Bay Transformers film for a franchise that should’ve stopped 2 movies ago. Although with saying that The Last Knight was a decent film, way better than Age of Extinction so it was an improvement to the story – Mark Wahlberg had a decent performance (and thankfully his daughter is no longer in this one). My major issue with this with the misleading trailer of Prime being ‘bad’ and the unnecessary swearing in almost every scene. I am not uptight about swearing in the slightest, but have Sir Anthony Hopkins saying ‘bitch’ and other transformers saying ‘bitch’ in every scene – it just seemed very odd considering the audience used to be targeted towards younger children. Anyway The Last Knight is a slight improvement – so worth checking it out if you like the previous Transformer movies.

[pigballoon]

Tranformers: The Last Knight

(Michael Bay, 2017)

As someone that has either liked, enjoyed, or defended three out of the four previous Transformers movies... Well, I wouldn’t say that this is a new low, because it’s tough to imagine a movie ever quite bottoming out in the way that 2009′s Revenge of the Fallen managed to, but the latest effort in Michael Bay’s franchise that has over the past decade become the byword for cinematic crap sure does give it a run for its money.

It’s honestly tough to know where to start when talking about this film. I have never particularly found the accusations of incomprehensiblity aimed at these movies to be particularly warranted, and maybe this is no different, and I’m just getting old, but I really did struggle to keep up with what the hell was going on here a lot of the time. Now whether that’s because the verbal exposition was squeezed in between too much madness to be memorable, or the movie is just too heinously, and idiotically overplotted for anyone to be able to wrap their head around it, I don’t know. The Last Knight does for sure often feel like 2 or 3 movies content have been thrown together into one without a care in the world for whether or not it all blended together, and when you see the film has 3 credited screenwriters, and Akiva Goldsman getting a story credit too... That should come as no surprised.

Indeed, it’s an overstuffed movie, but it also somehow manages to feel strung out well beyond the point of being bearable. It is hard to imagine based on official run times that this movie is apparently only 149 minutes, clocking in as the second shortest movie of the quintet after only the original film. The Transformers movies have never been quick affairs, they always go on and on and on, but they normally maintain an assault on the senses from beginning to end in a way that obviously annoys plenty of people, but at least feels like it somewhat earns its length because they have so much to get through. This movie didn’t feel like that at all, and it’s latter stages prove a genuine chore to get through. Noise wise I actually think it was a less of a maelstrom than some of its elder siblings, but never for a second does that make it easier to sit through, or understand. Whatever these movies do or do not do, they’re usually too fast moving, and loud to be boring, and I almost fell asleep during the climactic stages of this movie.

The fact that the movie is filled with characters, and very few of them seem to matter in any way doesn’t exactly help either. None of them get enough time for you to get to know or care about them, for them to fleshed out in any meaningful way, whether through the writing or the acting. the characters bought back from the previous films don’t even really fare any better than the new ones, with Mark Wahlberg’s lead maybe the one exception. The fact that a number of the characters and events here feel quite clearly introduced less to serve this movie, and more to serve one more extended universe also just renders it all laughable.

Young Isabela Moner and her cybertronic sidekick Squeeks are a particularly strong pair introduced early on to great promise, only to serve absolutely zero purpose within the confines of this movie. Other positives that should not be overlooked are the almighty Anthony Hopkins, delivering exposition in a way that makes exposition the highlight of the movie, and the vocalisations of Jim Carter as his cybertronic sidekick, the damn near show stealing Cogman. The character of Cogman is also key to perhaps the best thing about the movie (at least early on) and that is its generally irreverent tone. We might all be sick of this franchise by this point, and they seem to (intentionally, I think) deal with that problem by adopting heaps of absurdity right from the off courtesy of Stanley Tucci returning in little more than a cameo after his movie making performance the last time around (other pointless miniscule performances come from Steve Buscemi, Ken Watanabe, Omar Sy (all transformers), Tony Hale, and the returning John Turturro who for some reason has been lured back in after escaping the last outing). That kind of helps, the movie is for sure heavy on the laughs, Mark Wahlberg has always been better at the funny stuff, and the fact he gets to flex that side of his screen persona more often than not helps, but it’s all too little in the grand scheme of things.

The movie is just too much like this review - too long, completely aimless, and doing far too inadequate a job communicating its ideas to its audience. The amount of times that the ‘end of the world’, not really a small term to be easily bandied about, is mentioned in this movie would lead you to believe there is some serious shit at stake, but I don’t think the movie ever gets anywhere near close to earning all that talk. When the entire world is supposedly on the line at the end here, all I could think was “That’s the fakest grass I’ve seen since The Phantom Menace”.

Anyway, I could go on talking about this movie forever if I hadn’t already forgotten most of it a couple of days after seeing it, and struggled to stay awake while I was watching it. A bad movie is a bad movie, but a bad movie on which so much talent is involved, so much money spent, and 150 minutes of your time required in return is unforgivable. The fact that they then end with a cliffhanger for where they want to go next makes the whole enterprise that much more laughable. I wonder how many of the people that make it through to the end of this movie will be stoked for the next one.

[iseedumbthings-blog]

Reviews

2019

​

Theatrical Reviews

Cinepocalypse 2019: Belzebuth- CINAPSE.CO

Cinepocalypse 2019: Mope - CINAPSE.CO

Cinepocalypse 2019: Kindred Spirits - CINAPSE.CO

The Gangster, The Cop, The Devil - CINAPSE.CO

Booksmart - PHAWKER.COM

Godzilla: King of the Monsters - PHAWKER.COM

John Wick 3: Parabellum - PHAWKER.COM

Hail Satan? - PHAWKER.COM

Avengers: Endgame - PHAWKER.COM

Hellboy (2019) - PHAWKER.COM

The Beach Bum - PHAWKER.COM

I Spit on Your Grave: Deja Vu - CINAPSE.CO

Us - PHAWKER.COM

Captain Marvel - PHAWKER.COM

Alita Battle Angel - PHAWKER.COM

Horror Noire - PHAWKER.COM

Glass - PHAWKER.COM

​

Home Media Reviews

Evil Town: Blu-ray - CINAPSE.CO

Growing up with I Spit on Your Grave - CINAPSE.CO

Uninvited: Blu-ray - CINAPSE.CO

The Suckling: Blu-ray - CINAPSE.CO

Fleshpot on 42nd Street: Blu-ray  - CINAPSE.CO

Bloody New Year: Blu-ray- CINAPSE.CO

A Star is Born: 4K - CINAPSE.CO

Valentine: Blu-ray - CINAPSE.CO

Weirdo and Monstrosity: Blu-ray - CINAPSE.CO

8mm: Blu-ray - CINAPSE.CO

Let the Corpses Tan: Blu-ray - CINAPSE.CO

2018

Theatrical Reviews

Aquaman - PHAWKER.COM

The House Jack Built - PHAWKER.COM

Green Book -PHAWKER.COM

Vox Lux - PHAWKER.COM

Creed 2 - PHAWKER.COM

Suspiria (2018) - PHAWKER.COM

Halloween (2018) - PHAWKER.COM

A Star is Born (2018) - PHAWKER.COM

The Predator (2018) - PHAWKER.COM

Blackkklansman - PHAWKER.COM

The First Purge - PHAWKER.COM

Sicario 2: Day of the Soldado -PHAWKER.COM

Jurassic World PHAWKER.COM

Hereditary - PHAWKER.COM

Upgrade - PHAWKER.COM

Deadpool 2 - PHAWKER.COM

Infinity War -PHAWKER.COM

Aardvark - PHAWKER.COM

Ready Player One - PHAWKER.COM

The Death of Stalin - PHAWKER.COM

Black Panther - PHAWKER.COM

Phantom Thread - PHAWKER.COM

Fantastic Fest 2018: Girls with Balls - CINAPSE.CO

Fantastic Fest 2018: You Might Be the Killer - CINAPSE.CO

Fantastic Fest 2018: Between Worlds - CINAPSE.CO

Fantasia 2018: Hurt - CINAPSE.CO

Fantasia 2018: Satan's Slaves - CINAPSE.CO

NYAFF 2018: One Cut of the Dead - CINAPSE.CO

NYAFF 2018: Premika - CINAPSE.CO

NYAFF 2018: Dynamite Graffiti - CINAPSE.CO

NYAFF 2018: The Hungry Lion - CINAPSE.CO

I Kill Giants - CINAPSE.CO

​

Home Media Reviews

The Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Next Generation: Blu-ray - CINAPSE.CO

Zombie: Blu-ray - CINAPSE.CO

Critters: Blu-ray - CINAPSE.CO

Luciferina: Blu-ray - CINAPSE.CO

Def By Temptation: Blu-ray - CINAPSE.CO

Blood Harvest: Blu-ray - CINAPSE.CO

Urban Legend & Urban Legend: Final Cut - CINAPSE.CO

Trauma: Blu-ray - CINAPSE.CO

The House on Tombstone Hill: Blu-ray - CINAPSE.CO

American Psycho 4K - CINAPSE.CO

Scream for Help: Blu-ray - CINAPSE.CO

Last House on the Left: Blu-ray - CINAPSE.CO

Grave Robbers: Blu-ray - CINAPSE.CO

Blood Theatre: Blu-ray - CINAPSE.CO

Tomb Raider (2018) 4K - CINAPSE.CO

The Maze: 3D Blu-ray - CINAPSE.CO

Lara Croft: Tomb Raider & The Cradle of Life: 4K - CINAPSE.CO

The Transformers Franchise: 4K - CINAPSE.CO

Interstellar: 4K - CINAPSE.CO

​

2017

Theatrical Reviews

I, Tonya - PHAWKER.COM

Shape of Water - PHAWKER.COM

Star Wars: The Last Jedi - PHAWKER.COM

The Disaster Artist - PHAWKER.COM

Justice League - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

Thor: Ragnarok - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

PFF26: Ladybird - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

PFF26: Let the Corpses Tan - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

Blade Runner 2049 - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

PUFF 2017: Assholes - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

Mother! - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

IT - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

Ingrid Goes West - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

The Dark Tower - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

Dunkirk - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

War of the Planet of the Apes - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

Spiderman: Homecoming - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

The Beguiled - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

Baby Driver - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

Transformers: The Last Knight - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

Wonder Woman - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

Baywatch - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

Alien: Covenant - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

The Fate of the Furious - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

Colossal - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

Ghost in the Shell - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

Power Rangers - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

Kong: Skull Island - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

Logan - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

The Lego Batman Movie - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

John Wick: Chapter 2 - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

XXX: The Return of Xander Cage - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

Split - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

Fantastic Fest 2017: Prince of Nothingwood - CINAPSE.CO

Fantastic Fest 2017: King Cohen - CINAPSE.CO

Fantastic Fest 2017: Top Knot Detective - CINAPSE.CO

Fantastic Fest 2017: Bat Pussy - CINAPSE.CO

Fantastic Fest 2017: Let the Corpses Tan - CINAPSE.CO

Fantasia 2017: Game of Death - CINAPSE.CO

Fantasia 2017: Replace - CINAPSE.CO

Dunkirk - CINAPSE.CO

NYAFF 2017: Zombiology: Enjoy Yourself Tonight - CINAPSE.CO

NYAFF: Aroused by Gymnopedies - CINAPSE.CO

NYAFF: KFC - CINAPSE.CO

​

Home Media Reviews

Gun Fury: 3D Blu-ray - CINAPSE.CO

Wish Upon: Blu-ray - CINAPSE.CO

Transformers: The Last Knight: 3D Blu-ray - CINAPSE.CO

Red Roses of Passion: Blu-ray - CINAPSE.CO

Snapshot: Blu-ray - CINAPSE.CO

The Tashio Trilogy: Blu-ray - CINAPSE.CO

Ghost in the Shell: 3D Blu-ray - CINAPSE.CO

New Battles Without Honor Series: Blu-ray - CINAPSE.CO

Ghost World: Blu-ray - CINAPSE.CO

Rings: Blu-ray - CINAPSE.CO

Trailer Trauma 3 - CINAPSE.CO

Hellraiser: The Scarlet Box: Blu-ray - CINAPSE.CO

Dark Water: Blu-ray - CINAPSE.CO

Blair Witch: Blu-ray - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

Doctor Strange 3D: Blu-ray 3D - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

Wishmaster: Blu-ray - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

Moana 3D: Blu-ray 3D- GEEKADELPHIA.COM

Underworld: Blood Wars: Blu-ray - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

La La Land: Blu-ray - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

Resident Evil: The Final Chapter: Blu-ray - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

​

​

2016

​

Theatrical Reviews

Rogue One: A Star Wars Story - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

Moana - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

PFF25: Arrival - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

PFF25: Raw - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

PFF25: Personal Shopper - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

PFF25: La La Land - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

PFF25: Jackie - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

Shin Godzilla - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

Antibirth - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

Suicide Squad - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

Ghostbusters (2016) - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

Ghostheads - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

The Neon Demon - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

Bite - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

Batman Vs. Superman: Dawn of Justice - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

10 Cloverfield Lane - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

Pride + Prejudice + Zombies - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

Deadpool - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

​

Home Media Reviews

Microwave Massacre: Blu-ray - CINAPSE.CO

Nikkatsu Diamond Guys Vol. 1: Blu-ray - CINAPSE.CO

Female Convict Scorpion Series: Blu-ray - CINAPSE.CO

The Happiness of the Katakuris: Blu-ray - CINAPSE.CO

Blind Woman's Curse: Blu-ray - CINAPSE.CO

Comin' At Ya!: 3D Blu-ray - CINAPSE.CO

Stray Cat Rock Series: Blu-ray - CINAPSE.CO

Zombie Fight Club: Blu-ray - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

Ninja Busters: Blu-ray - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

The Curse & The Curse 2: Blu-ray - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

The Hateful Eight: Blu-ray - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

Swiss Army Man: Blu-ray - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

The Neon Demon: Blu-ray - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

​

​

2015

​

Theatrical Reviews

My Life Directed By Nicolas Winding Refn - CINAPSE.CO

Headless - CINAPSE.CO

A Labor of Love - CINAPSE.CO

Kung Fu Killer - CINAPSE.CO

Mad Women - CINAPSE.CO

Fantastic Fest 2015: German Angst - CINAPSE.CO

Fantastic Fest 2015: Assassination Classroom - CINAPSE.CO

Biozombie - CINAPSE.CO

The Force Awakens - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 2 - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

Spectre - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

PFF24: Love - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

Jem and the Holograms - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

The Martian - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

Mistress America - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

Fantastic 4 - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

Mission Impossible: Rogue Nation - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

The Look of Silence - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

Ant-Man - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

Minions - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

Terminator: Genisys - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

Jurassic World - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

When Marnie Was There - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

The Connection  - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

Tomorrowland - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

The Human Centipede III (The Final Sequence) - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

Mad Max: Fury Road - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

Avengers 2: Age of Ultron - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

Furious 7 - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

It Follows - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

The Divergent Series: Insurgent - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

The Kingdom of Dreams and Madness - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

Predestination- GEEKADELPHIA.COM

Inherent Vice - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

​

Home Media Reviews

The American Dreamer: Blu-ray - CINAPSE.CO

At Close Range: Blu-ray - CINAPSE.CO

Catacombs and Cellar Dweller: Blu-ray - CINAPSE.CO

Madman: Blu-ray - CINAPSE.CO

Heart of America and Auschwitz: DVD - CINAPSE.CO

A Labor of Love: DVD - CINAPSE.CO

Love at First Bite and Once Bitten: Blu-ray - CINAPSE.CO

Candyman: Farewell to the Flesh: Blu-ray - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

John Wick: Blu-ray - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

Dear White People: Blu-ray - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

Big Hero Six: Blu-ray - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

Phantom of the Opera (1989): Blu-ray - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

Blacula & Scream Blacula Scream!: Blu-ray - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

The Tale of Princess Kaguya: Blu-ray - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

Invaders From Mars: Blu-ray - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

The Babadook: Blu-ray - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

Carrie and The Rage: Carrie 2: Blu-ray - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

Escape from New York: Blu-ray - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

Class of 1984: Blu-ray - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

Ghoulies 1+2: Blu-ray - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

Mad Max: Blu-ray - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

Gun Woman: Blu-ray - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

Sleepaway Camp 2 & 3: Blu-ray - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

Tentacles and Reptilicus: Blu-ray - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

Dog Soldiers: Blu-ray - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

Spirited Away: Blu-ray - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

Ex-Machina: Blu-ray - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

Howling 2: Blu-ray - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

Robot Jox: Blu-ray - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

Ghost Town: Blu-ray - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

The Toolbox Murders 2: Blu-ray - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

Mad Max: Fury Road 3D:3D Blu-ray - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

The Editor: Blu-ray - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

People Under the Stairs: Blu-ray - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

Metamorphosis and Beyond Darkness: Blu-ray - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

The Sentinel: Blu-ray - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

Shocker: Blu-ray - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

Avengers: Age of Ultron: Blu-ray - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

San Andreas: Blu-ray - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

Aladdin: Blu-ray - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

Tales From the Crypt Demon Knight and Bordello of Blood: Blu-ray - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

The Human Centipede Complete Sequence: Blu-ray - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

Army of Darkness: Blu-ray - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

The Garbage Pail Kids: Blu-ray - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

Cooties: Blu-ray - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

Knock Knock: Blu-ray - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

​

​

2014

​

Theatrical Reviews

The Strange Colour of Your Body's Tears - CINAPSE.CO

Wetlands - CINAPSE.CO

Fantastic Fest X: Dwarves Kingdom - CINAPSE.CO

Fantastic Fest X: Electric Boogaloo the Wild Untold Story of Cannon Films - CINAPSE.CO

Fantastic Fest X: Kung-Fu Elliot - CINAPSE.CO

Fantastic Fest X: Wastelander Panda: Exile - CINAPSE.CO

Fantastic Fest X: Danger 5 Series 2 - CINAPSE.CO

Fantastic Fest X: Open Windows - CINAPSE.CO

Waiting for August - CINAPSE.CO

The Hobbit: Battle of the Five Armies - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1

PAAFF 2014: Uzumasa Limelight - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

Interstellar - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

PAAFF 2014: A Leading Man - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

PFF23: Big Hero 6 - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

PFF23: The Guest - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

PFF23: Revenge of the Green Dragons - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

PFF23: Mudbloods - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

John Wick - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

PFF23: The Immortalists - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

God Help The Girl - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

Live - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

Life After Beth - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (2014) - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

Guardians of the Galaxy - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

Lucy - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

The Purge: Anarchy - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

Dawn of the Planet of the Apes - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

Transformers: Age of Extinction - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

The Signal - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

X-Men: Days of Future Past - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

The Amazing Spiderman 2 - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

The Raid 2: Berandal - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

Captain America: The Winter Soldier - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

Veronica Mars - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

Morris County - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

The Wind Rises - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

Pompeii - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

Robocop (2014) - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

The Lego Movie - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

​

Home Media Reviews

Christmas Evil: Blu-ray - CINAPSE.CO

Dogville Shorts: DVD - CINAPSE.CO

Fire in the Sky: DVD - CINAPSE.CO

Motel Hell: Blu-ray - CINAPSE.CO

Hallucination Strip: Blu-ray - CINAPSE.CO

You're Next: DVD - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

Catching Fire: Blu-ray - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

The Grandmaster: Blu-ray - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

Thor: The Dark World: Blu-ray - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

Here Comes the Devil: Blu-ray - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

Beyond Outrage: Blu-ray - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

Nurse 3D: 3D Blu-ray - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

Big Bad Wolves: Blu-ray - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

Escape From Tomorrow: Blu-ray - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

Journey to the West: Blu-ray - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

Grand Piano: Blu-ray - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

The Monkey's Paw: Blu-ray - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

Adjust Your Tracking: DVD - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

Ginger Snaps: Blu-ray - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

Nymphomaniac: Blu-ray - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

Under the Skin: Blu-ray - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

The Protector 2: Blu-ray - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

Phantom of the Paradise: Blu-ray - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

Toy Story of Terror: Blu-ray - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

Ong-Bak Trilogy: Blu-ray - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

Locke: Blu-ray - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

Legend of Hell House: Blu-ray - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

Captain America The Winter Soldier: Blu-ray - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

Pumpkinhead: Blu-ray - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

Jack and the Cuckoo Clock Heart: Blu-ray - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

Sharknado 2: Blu-ray - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

Life After Beth: Blu-ray - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

Night Breed: Blu-ray - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

The Squad: Blu-ray - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

The Doctor and the Devils: Blu-ray - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

Maleficent: Blu-ray - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

Pumpkinhead 2: Blood Wings: Blu-ray - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

Guardians of the Galaxy: Blu-ray - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

​

​

2013

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Theatrical Reviews

Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

The Hunger Games: Catching Fire - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

Thor: The Dark World - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

PFF22: The Suspect - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

Machete Kills - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

Riddick - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

You're Next - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

Drug War - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

The Wolverine - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

The Act of Killing - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

Pacific Rim - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

World War Z - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

Man of Steel - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

Violet and Daisy - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

Fast and Furious 6 - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

Iron Man 3 - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

Oblivion - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

Lords of Salem - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

Evil Dead (2013) - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

The We and I - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

Zero Dark Thirty - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

Fantastic Fest 2013: Escape from Tomorrow - CINAPSE.CO

Fantastic Fest 2013: The Green Inferno - CINAPSE.CO

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Home Media Reviews

Five Dolls for an August Moon & Bay of Blood: Blu-ray - CINAPSE.CO

Tai Chi Zero: Blu-ray - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

The Thieves: Blu-ray - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

A Simple Life: Blu-ray - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

Dead Ball: Blu-ray - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

Cloud Atlas: Blu-ray - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

Side Effects: Blu-ray - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

Mad Max Trilogy: Blu-ray - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

Sadako 3D: 3D Blu-ray - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

Enter The Dragon: Blu-ray - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

Bullet to the Head: Blu-ray - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

Pacific Rim 3D: 3D Blu-ray - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

Monsters University: Blu-ray - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

Wolverine Unleashed Extended Edition: Blu-ray - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

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​

2012

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Theatrical Reviews

Django Unchained - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

Les Miserables - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

Skatopia: 88 Acres of Anarchy - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

PFF21: Flight - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

PFF21: We are Legion - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

Looper - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

Dredd 3D - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

Brooklyn Brothers Beat the Best - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

Sleepwalk with Me - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

The Words - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

The Dark Knight Rises - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

Moonrise Kingdom - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

Men in Black 3 - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

Dark Shadows - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

The Avengers - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

The Cabin in the Woods - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

The Raid: Redemption - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

The Hunger Games - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

Casa Di Mi Padre - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

John Carter - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

Red Tails - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

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Home Media Reviews

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Gremlins 1 & 2: Blu-ray - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

Cherry Bomb: Blu-ray - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

Quick! & Karate Robo Zaborgar: Blu-ray - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

Battleship: Blu-ray - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

Jaws: Blu-ray - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

The Expendables 2: Blu-ray - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

V/H/S: Blu-ray - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

The Dark Knight Rises: Blu-ray - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

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​

2011

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Theatrical Reviews

Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

Hugo/The Muppets - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

PFF20: Melancholia - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

Paranormal Activity 3 - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

The Thing (2011) - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

The Human Centipede 2 (Full Sequence) - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

Drive - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

Bellflower - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

Don't Be Afraid of the Dark - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

Fright Night (2011) - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

Final Destination 5 - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

Rise of the Planet of the Apes - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

Cowboys and Aliens - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

Captain America: The First Avenger - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

Transformers: Dark of the Moon - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

Green Lantern - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

Super 8 - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

X-Men: First Class - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

Cinefest 2011: Robot aka Endhiran - GEEKADELPHIA

Pom Wonderful Presents: The Greatest Movie Ever Sold - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

Super - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

Suckerpunch - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

Your Highness - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

Insidious - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

Limitless - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

Paul - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

The Adjustment Bureau - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

I Am Number Four - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

Gantz (Live Action) - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

The Green Hornet - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

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Home Media Reviews

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Bambi: Blu-ray - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

Tron & Tron: Legacy: Blu-ray - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

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​

2010

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Theatrical Reviews

Tron Legacy - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

The Warrior's Way - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

PFF19: Mutant Girls Squad - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

Let Me In - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

PFF19: Black Swan - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

The Social Network - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

Buried - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

Catfish - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

Machete - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

Salt - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

Danger After Dark: The Temptation of Saint Tony - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

Danger After Dark: Amer - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

Danger After Dark: Robogeisha - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

Danger After Dark: Dogtooth - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

The Square - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

Kick Ass - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

The Black Waters of Echo Pond - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

Repomen - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

The Crazies - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

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Home Media Reviews

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Toy Story 1 & 2: Blu-ray - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

James and the Giant Peach: Blu-ray - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time: Blu-ray - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

Toy Story 3: Blu-ray - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

Best Worst Movie: DVD - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

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​

2009

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Theatrical Reviews

Fall Down Dead - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

The Fourth Kind - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

AstroBoy - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

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Home Media Reviews

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The Princess and the Frog: Blu-ray - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

Ponyo: Blu-ray - GEEKADELPHIA.COM

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[wardencommanderrodimiss]

In honor of the end of Lost Light today, I’m posting an essay that I wrote for one of my writing courses last fall, where the assignment was to write a persuasive review about something we feel passionately about. I’m always trying to sell these giant robot comics to everyone, so if nothing else, I made all my peer reviewers read about Transformers - but if you’re at all ever wondering what More than Meets the Eye and Lost Light are about, more than just “canon gays”, like “what’s the plot even?” or “how much do I need to know about Transformers if I wanted to read this”, take a gander.

(This review contains spoilers for several plot arcs throughout these comic series.)

Mentioning the Transformers franchise usually elicits one of a few common reactions: an eye roll, a sardonic remark about children’s action figures, or an admittedly-deserved rip on the Michael Bay films (“Have you seen the Rotten Tomatoes score?”). And while nerd culture and mainstream culture overlap more and more, to announce interest in reading comic books is still a mark of fringe-level geekery, never mind the big-budget blockbusters that much of the general public flock to at each new release. So to say that one of the most engaging pieces of media I have engaged with in the past several years is the currently-ongoing comic book series Transformers: Lost Light, I find myself bracing for any of the expected reactions with qualifiers: “It’s good, for Transformers!” or “It’s a good comic book!”

But really, it’s just good.

The publishing company, IDW Publishing, is not the big two of Marvel or DC Comics, but it is sizeable, with several current Transformers series and many more past, creating the labyrinthine continuity that plagues most comics besides small independent creators and publishers or brand new properties. Transformers and IDW Publishing are neither of these; the Transformers comics continuity of today began in 2005, and I have not read a majority of the comics published since then. Lost Light provides just enough backstory and context to understand the necessary, major points (sometimes assisted by footnotes “*See Issue #X of Series: Y”), and from its beginning spins a new plot that stands firmly on its own.

Transformers: Lost Light’s tenth issue just released in October [2017] but it exists as a direct continuation of Transformers: More Than Meets the Eye, which contains 55 [correction: 58? it’s complicated, and even in his end note for the final issue, the author acknowledges officially 55, but several more un-sequenced] issues from 2012 to the end of 2016, and it was rebranded as part of a publication company-pushed effort to provide new readers with a good starting point. (While I understand that seeing “Issue 55” may scare some readers away, I admit to being disappointed with the rebranding, having wanted to see how high of a number the series could reach. Most of the “Big Two” (Marvel and DC) series that I have followed only reach around 20 before being cancelled, wrapped up, and the characters passed off two new writers.)

This kind of executive meddling in the course of the books is common in comics and IDW is no different. They have pushed “crossover events” where all of the ongoing Transformers books come together for the same story, using all of the characters, with writing alternating between the writers of each series from one issue to the next, and they have insisted on inclusion or seeing more of a certain character; Transformers is, at its heart, a toy line, and if the parent companies want to see more of Megatron in this particular comic to push a new toy that is being released, then Megatron will be placed in a main role in that comic.

In spite of the whims of IDW and Hasbro (the toy company which ultimately owns the Transformers license), the writer of More Than Meets the Eye (MtMtE) and Lost Light, James Roberts, who maintained his position across the rebranding, has plots which have a remarkable coherency and cohesion. Mysteries from the first issue of MtMtE come into play in a big way in the mid-30s, the 50s, or even finally culminate in Lost Light. If my memory serves me correctly, all but one of the questions posed in the first issue have finally been answered, but if experience serves me correctly, I will again find myself flipping back through the very first pages to follow a new trail that Roberts will next reveal in the narrative. The one question not answered is the driving force behind the plot, a simple enough question: “Where are the Knights of Cybertron?”, the mythical founders of the Transformers’ home planet who the crew of the ship the Lost Light hope to find and gain their assistance in rebuilding Cybertron after its destructive civil war. Along the way, the crew find themselves waylaid and misdirected by wartime tensions that have followed them on their quest away from the ruins of Cybertron into space, interpersonal relationships of the friends, rivals, and nemeses who are all part of the crew, and by the individual histories, goals, and machinations of characters with their own agendas.

While Roberts’ attention to detail is remarkable, and his plots and mysteries compelling, his greatest strength lies in his character writing. The crew of the Lost Light is large, and while he does have a core group that the narrative most often focuses on, that group consists of around a dozen characters, all of whom he juggles smoothly enough to give compelling personalities and motivations to each, and minor characters as well are distinctive and memorable. The relationships between characters can be touching, funny, intense, and sometimes all of the above.

There are moments throughout the series that feel “comic book”-y: cliffhangers that are more misleading than not at the end of issues to carry the reader’s attention to next month, deaths that are debatably shock value, fake-out deaths, and characters brought back from the dead. Most of the time, though, even the back-to-back plots about stumbling across the dead bodies of apparent clones of most of the crew, the ship and almost all of the crew disappearing into thin air, and time travel, feel remarkably grounded. It is the characters and their reactions that sell these most outrageous plots, because in each of them there lies a heart that is deeply human. The mad scientist Brainstorm carries a briefcase everywhere, even to the funeral of his best friend’s husband (the Transformers-equivalent term for spouse is “conjux endura,” a term Roberts introduced to the franchise), and refuses to open it or tell anyone what it contains. It happens to be the key to his time machine, which he spent centuries inventing, intending to return to the past and stop the war from ever happening. Because he was created after the war began, as a disposable foot soldier, he would undo himself from existence, and this is a price he means to pay to save the life of a fellow Transformer that he loved. Ultimately, Brainstorm cannot bring himself to pull the trigger to kill the Transformer who started the war, because for all of his time spent building weapons, he has never personally taken a life.

The war is over at the onset of MtMtE, but its reverberations echo through the story as the characters try to understand for what, exactly, they destroyed their planet and nearly their entire species. In flashback, Roberts returns to the origins of the war – and not just during the crew’s time travel misadventure – and its onset because of deeply stratified social classes. An oppressive government enforced the belief that the alternate mode (vehicle, microscope, gun, USB stick) a Transformer was constructed with at their time of creation determined their life trajectory. A microscope would be part of the intellectual class; a truck, a miner; and a USB stick was what was known as one of the “Disposables,” who were built to die after the fuel they were supplied with at creation ran out. This classism and discrimination by circumstance of “birth” is made more concrete by the mechanical nature of the Transformers, but it is not an issue unfamiliar in our own lives. The Functionists are portrayed as unequivocally bad, and their religious extremism lingers in villains who the Lost Light encounter, but at what point did the revolution against them step too far into the destructive war that ruined Cybertron, and then Earth when the Transformers met humanity?

As one can follow the political thread of Roberts’ writing, the social issues highlighted are just as, perhaps even more, timely. Roberts is given freedom to build off of the continuity created by other writers before him, one aspect of which is the concept that Transformers are all only male. A prior writer of Transformers books have said this limits the kind of emotion that the Transformers can have, lacking love because they lack women, but Roberts invented the term “conjux endura” mentioned above. He first applies it to the quiet, committed romance between the characters Chromedome and Rewind, two Transformers who use male pronouns, say “I love you,” and hold hands, both as the main focus of a panel and unremarked upon in the background of other action. (Neither of them have mouths, so kissing is out of the question.) Brainstorm creates time travel in an attempt to save his crush, Quark, who is also a male robot.

Roberts is not the only current writer who has found the inability to write female characters without breaking established canon limiting. Another Transformers series, Windblade, named after its titular (female) character, published during MtMtE’s run,, introduced a number of lost colonies of Transformers who all have robots who use female pronouns. Suddenly their main planet of Cybertron and its male-only robots is no longer the norm – it is in fact an anomaly in Transformers culture – and its sole female character who has a convoluted backstory to justify her gender now has company who do not need their gender explained. Since the Windblade series, MtMtE has added several female Transformers to its core group, and many more on the sides. In one issue, at a dance party, the robot Skids is remarked to have been “flirting” with “that hothead,” a female Transformer named Firestar whose head looks as though it is on fire. Later Nautica mentions Firestar to Skids and Skids refers to her using the pronoun “he”; Nautica corrects him, telling him that Firestar is a “she.” Skids apologizes, calling his use of “he” a “force of habit,” and the fact that he assumed himself to be flirting with a male robot is not remarked upon as a big deal in the narrative; neither are Chromedome and Rewind, nor is the gender of Brainstorm’s crush (the real matter there being, of course, his nearly erasing four million years of history). Later, in the first issue of Lost Light, the characters Lug and Anode are introduced, a pair of female conjux endurae who encounter an old acquaintance who refers to them both as “he.” Anode corrects him to tell him that both she and Anode now refer to themselves as “she,” saying that after the two of them had explored the galaxy, and encountered other species with more genders than Cybertron had, that “It’s just a better fit.” [They two do have mouths, and do kiss on-panel.]

For a story about giant alien robots who can transform into planes and cars (though they rarely do transform within the pages of this comic, and a reader could be forgiven for forgetting that this is what “Transformers” refers to) and are so long-lived that they fought a war for four million years, their politics and social issues feel timely to humanity today. Interwoven with memorable characters, and plots that leave wide room for the reader to theorize where it will go next and enough clues to predict it, Transformers: More Than Meets the Eye and Lost Light always leave me eagerly awaiting the next issue.

[I would be remiss, as this is a comic book, not to acknowledge the artists who work on the book and truly bring the series and the characters to life. Comic books are not always known for having the best art, but the creative team deliver time and time again. Know that there are far more than Roberts whose presence in making the series should not be understated - Alex Milne and Jack Lawrence as the main artists; Josh Burcham, Joana Lafuente, and Josh Perez as the main colorists; and numerous guest artists. Their work is a far cry from the difficult-to-parse designs and muted colors of the Bay films, and while I’ve focused on the writing, the art cannot be taken for granted.]

Addendum: November 2018.

Today, Lost Light came to a close at issue 25, after a nearly seven-year-long run between it and More Than Meets the Eye. Earlier I spoke of the troubles of executive meddling, and this ending is no different; Roberts has spoken on Twitter, his primary platform for communicating with fans, about how he had hoped for a longer run and still had stories that he wished to tell and indeed had planned for. In the world of comics, though, MtMtE and Lost Light have had a remarkable run, and the IDW Publishing’s Transformers universe an even longer one. I can understand wanting a fresh start and a new jumping-on point for readers, but I will mourn the stories that weren’t told and hope that JRo (the fans’ affectionate nickname for Roberts) will dole out some more tidbits about what was to come.

Given this truncated length, the pacing of the plot of Lost Light overall does suffer in some places, especially towards its close. Knowing the broader context as I do, I find it hard to fully blame Roberts - he does his best with what he has, and his best is very good. At its close, Lost Light turns its focus to what made it great: even with the final mysteries solved, the heart and payoff of the series is in its characters. After so long following the crew and watching them grow and change -- sometimes for worse, often for the better -- I feel almost proud to see the end of their personal and relationship development. The real culmination of the series lies in issue 24, in a speech that Rodimus, captain of the Lost Light, makes to his crew; heartwarming and heartwrenching both, it is genuine and heartfelt and unprepared, a far cry from other speeches he has made. It shows Rodimus’ growth as much as it showcases that of the crew he has led, and it speaks to the reader as much as it does to the characters. Issue 25 is more an epilogue than anything. I cried. Of course I did. It’s hard to end the journey. It’s hard to say goodbye.

I hope that this won’t be the end of the Lost Light and its crew. I hope that the story will find itself new readers in its complete, finished form, in full collections that I hope will be compiled so that I can own about half of the run in double. And I hope that some of the final words of issue 24 rings true for the entire series as well: Don’t forget me.