Transformers Recommendation

[acappellasaurus]

My just-turned 3 year old son has developed a new fascination with Transformers. I am not really all that well versed in the franchise. Basically, I remember a little bit of the original cartoon from when I was a kid, and then the current movies. Can anyone give a recommendation on the best iteration of the animated series for a kid his age to watch? Something maybe lighter on the talking and more focused on the robots and action? But not too heavy? Do any of the versions of the cartoon encompass something like this?

 

[Aragorn]

The original series is coming back to DVD, if it isn't already. Shorthand, people refer to it as "G1." No one ever dies, not even the robots (that's saved for Transformers: The Movie). I'm pretty sure most episodes are self-contained and when they have messages, they hit you over the head with them.

The voice of Optimus Prime in this cartoon is also the voice in the Michael Bay movies, if that means anything.

 

[Nick Ryder]

Or have him check out the Transformers Animated on Cartoon Network - its pretty good. Made better if you watch the original G1 Transformers series - then you'll get all the little in jokes and nods that they pop in there, but you don't HAVE to, but if you do see it, you'll go "Hey! That looks like so and so or Oh haha yeah... good one"

I really enjoyed Animated - pity they canned it. But it only went three seasons so eventually when you get it on DVD you can get the whole kit and kaboodle

 

[captcalhoun]

get him reading the trades of the Marvel comic when he's about 5 or 6. (especially the UK stuff) it's superior to the cartoon.

"Comics superior, cartoon inferior."

yes, thanks, Soundwave.

 

[acappellasaurus]

Just to reiterate, he's only just barely 3...no reading going on just yet. He's all "boy", don't mistake, but things need to stay pretty basic at this point. Too much plot and too little action and he loses interest.

 

[Bishbot]

Just to reiterate, he's only just barely 3...no reading going on just yet. He's all "boy", don't mistake, but things need to stay pretty basic at this point. Too much plot and too little action and he loses interest.

The original G1 cartoon is probably your best shot then - although Transformers: Animated is very bright and colourful with a lot of action so it might well hold him. Plus if you watch it with him you might enjoy it on another level - the plot is actually really good.

 

[Aragorn]

G1 isn't exactly plot-heavy, despite what people's childhood memories say.

 

[Bishbot]

G1 isn't exactly plot-heavy, despite what people's childhood memories say.

Quite so - which makes it a good choice for a small child. Animated is out and out the better show though, and, while actually having a decent plot, probably wouldn't confuse a child who was mostly watching it for the brightly coloured robot fights.

 

[Admiral2]

G1 isn't exactly plot-heavy, despite what people's childhood memories say.

I remember the old cartoon quite well and I would never say it was plot-heavy. It had just enough plot to drive whatever episode was on.

And acapellasaurus, you might want to factor this into your decision. The one big difference between the versions mentioned so far -G1 and Animated - is that in the original both sides had guns. It's actually the thing that bothers me most about animated. The Decepticons are shooting rockets and directed energy weapons and the Autobots are confronting them with fire extinguishers and magnets. Whereas in G1, Optimus Prime, for example, had a big-ass rifle which he used liberally against his enemies. For this reason alone I would pick G1.

Of course, if you'd rather not have the good guys depicted as gun-users in front of your 3-year-old, you might want to go with Animated.

 

[Flying Spaghetti Monster]

I have never seen Animated. I hate the style of the artwork

 

[acappellasaurus]

We're cool with guns here in Alaska. Heh heh. But seriously, guns aren't a huge deal for us in the animated world. Heck, he runs around now playing with the pistol styled Trek phasers.

Back to the topic - what about Transformers Beast Wars? Anything there?

 

[Bishbot]

I have never seen Animated. I hate the style of the artwork

Understandable - it is very different - but it is worth giving it an episode or two to see if you can get used to it. It's very worthwhile if you can.

Back to the topic - what about Transformers Beast Wars? Anything there?

Beast Wars is still the best series in terms of plot, especially for the adult fan - although the CGI is very dated these days. Of course your son won't notice this, and there is a fair bit of action - it really depends if he's ok with animals or wants cars and trucks.

 

[Captain Craig]

I can't reiterate the original "G1" enough. I'm fond of it for nostalgia reasons but like Aragorn said most of them are self contained. I'd say 95% or more are one off tales.
Ironically a fair number of them are about using Earths resources for Decpticon gain while the Autobots try to stop them, to use a newer term, "eco-terrorism" on the planet.

For pure silliness there is the TF:Robots in Disguise series. Not sure if its compiled on DVD, a quick scan of Amazon should answer that, but its got a silly flying shark and humans who are equally silly while there are lots of nonsensical robot battles.

 

[EmmanuelZorg]

G1.
TF Animated.
Beast Wars.

 

[Admiral2]

We're cool with guns here in Alaska. Heh heh. But seriously, guns aren't a huge deal for us in the animated world. Heck, he runs around now playing with the pistol styled Trek phasers.

Back to the topic - what about Transformers Beast Wars? Anything there?

I preferred Beast Machines to Beast Wars, but you kind of have to watch at least some Beast Wars first.

 

[Bishbot]

We're cool with guns here in Alaska. Heh heh. But seriously, guns aren't a huge deal for us in the animated world. Heck, he runs around now playing with the pistol styled Trek phasers.

Back to the topic - what about Transformers Beast Wars? Anything there?

I preferred Beast Machines to Beast Wars, but you kind of have to watch at least some Beast Wars first.

That's interesting - but I do feel compelled to point out, in the spirit of a recommendations thread, that most fans DON'T prefer Beast Machines - in fact it's not that well liked, although I do like it a fair bit. Don't want to knock your taste, Admiral2, but you must be aware that you're in the minority? What exactly makes you prefer it?

 

[Captain Craig]

Beast Machines was a step down for sure....until they made R.I.D.
Beast Machines now looks like a much better show when held up to Armada, Energon and R.I.D.

But I get what Bishbot is saying, its not an entry level show for a child of the age described in the OP.

 

[Nick Ryder]

Animated - G1 - Maaaaybe Armada and the rest of the trilogy - Energon and Cybertron - but I'd stick with G1 and Animated really. Less confusing really and hey its what a lot of us grew up with. Animated has the edge in story telling and just plain fun and its not dubbed like Armada, Energon, Cybertron - RiD is just... silly I wouldn't really recommend it. If anything, check out YouTube chances are there are full episodes that people have uploaded that will give you a good taste of each series before you invest in dvd sets. And trust me, as he gets older... he'll thank you!

 

[Hartzilla2007]

I would also like to point out that you may want to avoid the Japanese G1 stuff especially Headmasters.

 

[captcalhoun]

ESPECIALLY Kiss Players.