Ode To Optimus Prime

June 12, 2009

So the second installment in the Transformers revamps is almost upon us. Are you psyched about it? I know I am (IMAX here I come, baby). Back when I was growing up, I was always drawn to the leader figures in the shows I watched and Optimus Prime is the leader I always remember the most fondly. Thanks to the FCC lifting that pesky regulation in the 80’s that prohibited the production of cartoons that promoted toy lines, we all got to witness the first installments of the Transformers animated cartoon series. Oh and how I, as a little girl longing for something with substance, rejoyced watching these robots kick Decepticon tail every week. I even conned my parents into buying me the Optimus Prime toy. They gave me strange looks as I passed up Barbies with frilly dresses for my Mack truck Autobot but they didn’t understand. I think my mother still shakes her head at my hobbies, habits, and addictions but that’s a story for another time.

Optimus Prime, though… what a leader he was. He always looked out for the humans of Earth (something I have to commend the movie makers of today for keeping in his character) and was always ready to put his life on the line to keep his own people safe. When the first Transformers movie came out I was ecstatic! Well… I was ecstatic up until Optimus Prime died in the line of duty. I seriously think the rest of the movie was a bit of a blur to me for years, having to watch Hot Rod take the mantle in this perpetrated production that was supposed to be a passing on of the mantle.

Sorry, Rodimus Prime fans; I seriously have no love for that particular leader in the Transformers franchise.

When the first Transformers movie hit the big screen, I was there on opening night, watching in awe as Optimus Prime re-appeared in all his awesome glory (and good Lord can Steve Jablonsky compose the best music ever, complete with a chorus of angelic singers heralding the way for the best leader in cartoon history). Once that movie hit DVD I watched it over and over (and over) again in a patented addictive fashion. I still have much love for the series’s origins, those wonderful 80’s cartoons of my youth, but to see my childhood favorites get full CG renderings that are awe inspiring in their own right gave me hope for possible 80’s franchises remaking their special creations to enjoy in a whole new light.

But yes, I’ll be going to see Transformers 2 when it hits and I’ll be taking my family with me. I’ll be hoping that Optimus makes it through another movie and hoping to never see Hot Rod hit the big screen. When that time comes, I might have to watch through parted fingers and hope my poor childhood hero doesn’t meet a similar fate again. Just remember, boys and girls, where your fandoms came from, and remember to root for Optimus Prime when he makes his second big screen appearance!

Popularity: 5% [?]

Written by Uno · Filed Under 80s, 80s Cartoons, 80s Cartoons/Transformers, 80s Remakes, 80s digg, 80s toys

Military’s version of the He-man Attack Track

May 31, 2009

U.S. Defense Department Ripsaw MS1 by Howe and Howe is a large UGV (unmanned ground vehicle) that seems to be able to over just about anything.

Ok. I guess the UGV doesn’t look that much like the He-Man Attack Track. Once I found a picture of it I realized that it is not at all like I remember. Its still cool though.

Popularity: 3% [?]

Written by admin · Filed Under 80s Cartoons, 80s toys

Hottest Women Of the 80’s? Common Maxim

December 25, 2007

flashdance - jenifer beals - 80s babe The Digg submitter noted: “These lovely women stoked the hormones of every teenage boy in the 80s, sadly their time in the spotlight ended with hammer pants.”

I’ll admit Leslie Easterbrook Defining who played Sgt. Debbie Callahan in Police Academy was racked out, and Kelly LeBrock who was Lisa in Weird Science was shag-a-licious, but where is the SMOKIN’ Hot Jennifer Beals (chick from flashdance), where is Brook Sheilds (who clearly owned the ’80s).

Although the ladies are good looking the commenters on digg got it right:
–Renamed: “Most Forgettable Women of 80’s Films”
–No Elizabeth Shue, No digg

Maxim… upgrade your 80’s game.. don’t leave me limp. I am your neighbor.