- 4 minutes ago
There's more to these robots than meets the eye! Join us as we explore all the ways the "Transformers" franchise has left its mark on pop culture history! From revolutionizing toy engineering to inspiring mature animated features, the Autobots and Decepticons have shaped entertainment as we know it. How have the Transformers impacted your life? Let us know in the comments!
Category
🎥
Short filmTranscript
00:06Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we're paying tribute to one of Hasbro's flagship franchises
00:12and all the impacts it's had on pop culture history. Much like a Transformer, each entry
00:18on this list will shapeshift into two separate examples. Keep count with us as we get to 40
00:23in celebration of the first film's 40th anniversary.
00:37Transforming toy-driven entertainment Whether we like it or not, merchandising is one
00:42of the strongest factors in keeping an animated franchise alive. Thankfully, with so many
00:48characters and repaints to sell, Transformers managed to crack the code for the perfect
00:53synergy for toy-based entertainment, creating a marketable empire to keep the franchise
00:58alive. Beyond its own legacy, Transformers became the blueprint for future franchises. It wasn't
01:14long before other animated brands started following Transformers' example with toy-based entertainment.
01:33G.I. Joe and He-Man may have been around already, but we'd argue that the Autobots and the Decepticons
01:39took things to the next level, appropriately transforming this toy-based renaissance.
01:44G.I. Joe, Wolverine, and Cobra's Hiss, each with figure, other figures and equipment sold separately from Hasbro.
01:58Inspiring mature animated features For the longest time, animation for Western audiences was mostly seen
02:06as a product for younger audiences. However, Transformers helped raise the bar by tackling more mature,
02:12heavier subjects outside its target demographic. These include war, political tension, survivor's guilt, PTSD,
02:31and the fact that not everyone makes it home alive. Along with more mature themes in kids' programming,
02:37the Transformers franchise opened the gateway for more adult-oriented cartoons such as The Simpsons
02:43and South Park. This helped prove once and for all that cartoons are for everyone.
03:06The fall of Optimus Prime. Feel like some repressed memories? The energon spilled in the original
03:13Transformers movie was more than the audience could bear. But nothing could prepare us for seeing Optimus
03:19Prime, our indestructible hero, be mortally wounded on the battlefield. We all watched with tears in our eyes
03:36as the colour drained from Prime's body, and the torch was passed to another to lead the Autobots in his
03:42honour.
03:48Not many kids' films were willing to kill off their main character at the time. This cult classic took
03:54the risk and reminded us why learning about death is important. From that point on, we realised that no
04:01character was safe and no character was safe and not just did Transformers.
04:14The movie's soundtrack. Who could forget that fateful moment when Optimus Prime rolled into battle with
04:21Stan Bush's The Touch blasting over the scene. Nowadays, you can't listen to this song without
04:38thinking of that epic battle and how the hard rock music seamlessly added a kick of energy to one of
04:44the
04:44most hardcore scenes. Thanks to Transformers' use of The Touch, other movies and TV shows started
04:51incorporating more mainstream music into their soundtrack to help them stand out in pop culture.
05:07Some tend to overdo it, but those who get it right can thank the robots in disguise for giving their
05:12soundtrack a boost of energy.
05:26Box office success. Whenever the Autobots and Decepticons hit the silver screen, they're almost
05:32guaranteed to dominate the box office. Since their big start in 2007, the live-action Transformers movies
05:38have repeatedly doubled their budgets. Their brand recognition and innovative special effects ensured
05:55that these films would outdo others by millions, billions even. Sadly, the original animated movie and
06:02Transformers 1 didn't perform as remarkably at the box office as their live-action counterparts.
06:18However, their dramatic storytelling and inspiring animation earned them a cult following, making them
06:24even more recognizable and long-lasting. Smash hit or not, these films proved that a strong enough brand
06:32can stand the test of time. Collector culture. Are you a collector who banks on acquiring nostalgic toys
06:47from our youth? There's a strong chance that Transformers took up residence on your shelves at some points.
06:53Connoisseurs of vintage toys can't resist showing off their collection to teach us more about the
06:58franchise's early days in the market. The advantage of having characters that were technically robots
07:09instead of humans, but had human traits, so it wasn't exactly like shooting a tin can. Before long,
07:15Hasbro and other major toy companies started capitalizing on nostalgia with retro re-releases or
07:22limited editions that faithfully recreate the products of yesterday for more modern toy aficionados.
07:27And plus, the Turtles have always had the smoother skin, especially those vintage toys. So,
07:32some people were a fan of it, others were not. I was in the not-a-fan camp. So honestly,
07:38I love this improvement. Today, collector culture is bigger than ever. Have you ever wondered why
07:44IPs like Power Rangers or the Ninja Turtles keep harking back to their earliest days? Because nostalgia
07:51sells, as the Transformers proved throughout the decades. Inspiring fan creators. Like any great
08:06franchise, the Transformers brand helped inspire the more creative side of the fandom. Using the toys they
08:12bought, they create their own characters and reskins, or even craft upgrades to make the toys even better.
08:20Megatron must be stopped. Autobots, Transform and Ro-
08:25Oh, hold on a second.
08:31Usually, they'd sell these customs to build a stronger community for collectors and passionate fans.
08:49Some creators go the extra mile with their very own fan videos. Using the toys they've collected over
08:56the years or creating their own digital assets, aspiring animators go above and beyond to tell
09:02their own stories to honor their favorite franchise. Or occasionally, take playful jabs at it.
09:12Good job everyone! Megatron was defeated with only 50 humans killed in the crossfire. A new record!
09:21Hooray!
09:22The Extended Universe Model
09:24When people think of extended media, they usually think of Star Wars or the MCU. And yet,
09:31Transformers was one of the first to master the expanded media formula. Tie-in comics,
09:36novels, and even spin-off series add an extra layer of worldbuilding to the franchise's ever-growing lore.
09:42The AllSpark itself is comprised of pure energy. In order to contain it and launch it off-world,
09:50Alpha Trion forged a vessel capable of extracting it from the ether. It is this indestructible reliquary
09:58we seek. The AllSpark began as the name for the Cybertronian afterlife in Beast Machines.
10:03The Sparks of Cybertron! Optimus Primal, let us add our strength to yours!
10:12However, since its introduction in the first live-action film, the term has since then become
10:17the source of all life in modern Transformers media, showcasing how every new concept can help
10:23inspire future works across a franchise. Cross-media storytelling
10:34Continuing from the extended media discussion, the Transformers franchise continues to evolve
10:39by learning from its previous generations. In 2010, they introduced the Aligned Continuity,
10:46which helped set new standards for the modern lore of the franchise for the various media over the
10:51decade, several of which still remain relevant today. Media from other franchises have adapted this
10:57brand of storytelling as well, with each new outlet honoring its source material while bringing
11:03something new to the table. For example, the Boom Studios' Power Rangers comics took the iconic campy
11:09superhero franchise and added an extra layer of depth and character development that the original
11:14series couldn't deliver. Understanding Megatron! Usually seen as the textbook example of a
11:21power-mad warlord, Megatron's character has been expanded on in media outside the cartoon.
11:26Starting his life as a miner, Megatron rose the ranks as a gladiator aiming to challenge Cybertron's
11:32corrupt system, only to become corrupted himself as the leader of the Decepticons. Transformers 1 took
11:39Megatron's fall from grace to a heartbreaking level by having D16 be best friends with young Orion Pax.
11:59The corruption of Cybertron embittered him until he pushed away his only friends and vowed to take the
12:05planet for himself. A bleak reminder that even the baddest villains don't always star evil.
12:30The more than meets the eye concept
12:33Before becoming the franchise we know today, Transformers started as two Japanese toy brands,
12:39Diaclone and Micro Change. By combining both transforming robot brands, they crafted one
12:55of the most iconic taglines, More Than Meets The Eye, a perfect description for Titans that can hide in
13:02plain sight. The tagline, More Than Meets The Eye, also implies a deeper meaning for the franchise as a
13:17whole. If we can look beyond the awesome butt-kicking exterior of these Cybertronians, we see complex
13:23characters with perplexing personalities, ambitions, and conflicts that only a few series could perfectly replicate.
13:30I don't think it was a mechanical failure, Jazz. Look!
13:43The Transformers The Movie
13:45It's fair to say that the first Transformers animated movie has become a staple of pop culture today.
13:51From the hard rock soundtrack to the dynamic, immersive animation, and of course, the dramatic,
13:57traumatizing storytelling.
14:14While it sadly fell short at the box office, it gained a cult following that still reveres slash
14:20has nightmares of the experience. Since its blessed release, the film has served as an influence to
14:26other animated features, especially ones based on popular brands. Bigger animation budgets,
14:32more engaging, relevant music, and higher stakes to push for more dramatic storytelling for normally
14:38kids-friendly franchises.
14:59Complex Villains
15:00Along with the usual power-mad Megatron and treacherous Starscream, the franchise broke the mold with some of
15:07the most complex villains in pop culture. Dinobot from Beast Wars, for example, was a member of the
15:13Predacons. He eventually joined the Maximals and even sacrificed himself in the end, proving himself as
15:32more than just the brutish bad guy. Inversely, we have Sentinel Prime, Optimus' predecessor,
15:38who occasionally flips the script as the leader of the Cybertronians gone rogue.
15:54In certain portrayals, he'd willingly align himself with the enemy to preserve Cybertron's future,
16:00or even sell out his whole planet to keep himself in power. Transformers made it clear that the lines
16:06between good and evil aren't always clear.
16:17Voice Acting Legacies
16:19Even after the original show ended, the late, great Peter Cullen was called back multiple times to voice
16:26Optimus Prime. He even earned a Lifetime Achievement Award for his decades of dedication to voicing the
16:45heroic leader of the Autobots long after his first outing. Along with his many creature noises, Frank
16:58Welker is still renowned for voicing the insidious Megatron. He was invited back into the role multiple
17:04times, during which he evolved his performance from deviously scheming to downright intimidating,
17:10once again proving his versatility as a voice actor. Boosted franchise-based marketing. How can a
17:26concept as otherworldly as Transformers manage to stand the test of time? The power of franchising,
17:33that's how. The positive reception, coupled with the merchandise sales, ensured that the brand would
17:38last long after the original show's ending. This would include more new shows and even more
17:44theatrical releases. Naturally, other brands learned a great deal from their example. Heavy hitters like
17:57G.I. Joe, He-Man, and the like managed to stay alive for future generations thanks to brand recognition
18:04and a powerful franchising model. Remember when the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles had their name on
18:14everything? They cracked the code even more so. Advanced special effects in films We can debate over the
18:30quality of the live-action Transformers movies writing-wise, but we can't deny how well detailed
18:35these special effects were. The amount of detail put into the robot's models, blending with the
18:53practical effects, made them look all too real, raising the standards for special effects in cinema.
18:59It wouldn't be long until other live-action remakes would try to follow Transformers'
19:03technique for realistic special effects, with varying results. The Sonic movies had a rocky start
19:14while trying to translate the Blue Hedgehog into live-action CGI. They pulled it off in the end,
19:19making a perfect balance of realistic yet cartoonish. Popularizing the mecha genre. Who doesn't love giant
19:34fighting robots? Before the bots and cons hit our television screens, the mecha anime genre was making a killing
19:41with audiences in and out of Japan. Suddenly, Transformers entered the scene as one of the earliest giant
19:59robot western cartoons and became a literal giant among titans. Whether Transformers is considered part of the
20:06mecha genre is still up for debate. But with its introduction, general interest in mechas as a whole
20:24began to grow globally until it became a universal pillar of pop culture. This helped inspire films
20:31like Pacific Rim to pay homage to the genre as a whole. Inspiring Comic Book Storytelling
20:48One of the best parts about comics is that they can take the story to places the source material didn't
20:54try yet. The Transformers comics demonstrated this by introducing new lore not shown in the original
21:01series, introducing characters from across the different media and adding new layers to already
21:07established characters. Could you imagine a moment in the original show where we could show sympathy for
21:12Megatron? Not until the comics gave us an actual reason to. Other franchises have adapted this formula
21:19for tie-in comics. Originally campy, kid-friendly IPs suddenly gained much-needed depth and explored concepts
21:27often overlooked in the source material. Higher animation standards
21:43Even though the original film underperformed at the box office, it helped raise the standards for
21:47animated films outside of Disney. It encouraged animated features to be more dynamic with their
22:02animation and lighting, especially for the action-packed and emotional scenes and colors to
22:08help it feel more lively. As we mentioned, the original film also showcased what happens when you write
22:25above the family entertainment label that animation is usually given. With them being able to tackle more
22:31mature, sensitive topics, the movie cemented that animation isn't a genre, it's another form of cinema for
22:37all ages. Do you remember the way to the Great Valley? I guess so. But why do I have to
22:47know you're gonna be with me?
22:50I'll be with you, even if you can't see me.
22:57If you love games, be sure to check out WatchMojo's new game Terrible Influence, just launched for purchase
23:03videos at TerribleInfluence.com. Terrible Influence is a satirical board game about the dark side of fame
23:08from the writer of the most popular girls in school and us. WatchMojo.
23:12Boom. I can make an apology video.
23:15Oh, you so would.
23:16Click on the link in the description to check out the game and be the first to play Terrible Influence.
23:23Revolutionizing Toy Engineering
23:25Taking notes from its predecessors, Transformers cemented itself as one of the most iconic toy lines
23:30in pop culture. The unique concept of robots in disguise has been cited as encouraging more
23:37interactive play. Seriously, who could possibly resist having a car, a laser, a tape player,
23:43and an awesome robot all in one? And the biggest and most expensive Autobot for 1984 was the commander,
23:51the king of the road, the Freightliner FL86 cab over engine truck, Optimus Prime.
23:58Let's roll. Along with the interactivity, the Transformers toys were cited to be a hit with
24:06kids who love puzzles. The toys' transformations are more intricate than others, helping kids develop
24:13hand-eye coordination and problem-solving skills. And unlike other shows where no one ever got shot,
24:19stabbed, or harmed, Transformers featured characters regularly being blasted.
24:31Furthermore, they'd evolve their craft down the line with more complex toys, guaranteeing that this
24:37unique brand would always feel fresh. How have the Transformers impacted your life? Let us know in
24:50those comments below!
Comments