* * *

Lately on the net, more specifically in Transformers fan circles there has been talk of another TF movie that might be in the works. Some fans want to see the film released on a serious mature level with CG1 (Computer Generated images) Technology mixed with live action, people like me prefer that the next project be a light-hearted affair with The Autobots and Decepticons basically trying to win a war on a galactic scale with no angst ridden plot line to complicate an otherwise enjoyable movie if it ever sees fruition.

The idea was tried in animated form back in 1986 and was given a PG-13 rating with a mixed reaction all over from fans the world over. Mainly because a lot of the main characters at the time were being killed off to make room for a new generation of characters by The Executives of Hasbro. Given how most of the fans felt I could agree and disagree with the way the script was handled. But all in all I did enjoy the movie in the theatre and on video.

I can see three major factors that could hinder the next version.
First off...

1. The Limitations of Live Action: Why can't a Transformers live action movie be done? First off it would be a very expensive thing to do. No biggie there. But the problem that I have seen when cartoon characters are translated into live action stars is that it loses the translation from one medium to another. Everything has to be tweaked to make it more realistic in some way and make it less "comic booky" as Stan Lee once put it. Example: The Incredible Hulk TV series of the Late 70's had to be more true to life than if he was fighting a character like The Leader in the comics. And even when The Hulk was in animated form it still was tweaked lifting elements from the book but not necessarily a straight out adaptation.

2. Computer Animation: Here again is an attempt to try to make things look as realistic as possible as that you can't identify what's real and what's been animated. It does have its good points to be sure when it's used to enhance the experience but the technology to do this has been used far too much in recent years. If it is used it cannot be a distraction to the plot involved. Oftimes the main reason behind the storyline is forgotten while everyone is paying far too more attention to the "Eye Candy" on the screen.

3. The Icon factor: Familiarity is a key factor in doing a tv show or movie. If it's not there and does not have any heart to it chances are the characters will be ignored. This is why The Flintstones are more popular than Transformers. The world over knows who Fred Flintstone is because he represents the average Joe whereas those who know nothing about Transformers couldn't tell you who Optimus Prime is off the bat.

To be sure there will be a Transformers movie but don't expect it to be as intellectually stimulating as "Saving Private Ryan" or as innovative and challenging as Ghostbusters were. I'll be watching and waiting to see what happens.

The End