Tag Archives: Hasbro

Transformatorium

Surprise package from Hasbro!

Leave a comment

As many of you would know, a week ago I appeared on ABC Radio National’s Life Matters, talking about the ‘kidult’ trend.  Also two months before that I appeared on Channel 10’s The Project, showing off The Transformatorium.

Well Hasbro Australia must have been watching because they were kind enough to send Orion and I a surprise gift for our continuing support of the brand!  Check out the video below:

Massive thanks to Hasbro Australia for their generosity!  Our Bumblebee, signed by Keegan Michael-Key, will sit MISB in pride of place in The Transformatorium for many years to come!

Big Angry Trev visits Hasbro Australia!

Trev interviewed on ABC RN about the ‘Kidult’ Trend

Video: Trev & The Transformatorium on National TV!

Movie Review: Transformers One

 

Transformatorium

Event Review – Transformers 40th Cinema Event

1 Comment

As most members of the Transformers Fandom would be aware, this year is the 40th anniversary of the franchise.

As such, worldwide Hasbro held a special Transformers 40th Cinema Event worldwide!

This event consisted of firstly a sneak peak at Season 2 of the cartoon series Transformers Earthspark.   This was then followed by a Table Read of the script of the very first episode of the Generation One cartoon, with many of the surviving voice actor cast.  Lastly the subsequent 3 episodes of the G1 cartoon were shown.

Whilst it was cool to get a look at the upcoming S2 of Earthspark, a short two minute section of an episode showcasing Starscream and his Seekers fighting the Autobots, and was also cool to see the G1 Episodes up on the big screen, it was really the Table Read that was the highlight of the show.

As someone who knows (either proudly or sadly depending on your viewpoint) every episode of the old 80’s cartoon by heart, it was interesting to hear the likes of Pete Cullen and Frank Welker reading out their lines.  Not only were the inflections different, but you could also hear (especially in Cullen) how their voices have aged over four decades.

Other members of the original cast were there too, but of course sadly not all have survived, necessitating some characters vocals being performed by other voice actors.  The voice actor that picked up Starscream and Wheeljack did an impressive rendition of Starscream, however made Wheeljack sound like he should be trying to order food at a Kosher Deli before having an afternoon nap.  The highlight however was Gregg Berger reading Spike Witwicky – he sounded nothing like Spike but rather a 4 year old about to tell on another student in kindergarten for taking his favorite toy.   Every time he did Spike the audience erupted in laughter and delight!

Myself personally booked tickets the moment the showing was announced at Event cinemas and went along with a large group of friends and our sons, including superfans Dallas, Trent and Brendan.

Fun for the kids…
… and the kids at heart!

However two weeks after we had booked and paid for our tickets, I was contacted by Hasbro and Double Jump Communications to let me know of a special VIP Showing in Sydney that same night.  Whilst I would have loved to attend, there was no way I was bailing on my friends so sadly had to miss out.  However lots of other friends attended, including David Quinn and Lisamaree.  They have kindly provided some photos and a few words about their experiences.

 

Recount  by Lisamaree:

I was lucky enough to attend the VIP 40th Anniversary Transformers cinematic screening event at Event Cinemas in George Street, in the heart of the Sydney CBD.

One of the big differences with this event from previous VIP events I’ve been to was the diversity and sheer number of fans. Sure, the regular mega fans were there, but so were a lot of fans who didn’t know about any of the Australian Transformers clubs or online forums. Some were collectors and others just love Transformers cartoons or characters. It was a great mix of geekdom ready to celebrate 40 years of transforming robots. Yeah!

At 6pm the fans were invited into an area where glorious cardboard cut-outs (or giant standees as a lot of the “younger generation” were calling them) greeted us. G1 box-art of Megatron, Soundwave, Bumblebee and Ravage were super-sized and lining the entry for everyone to enjoy and take photos with.

Inside the foyer there was a giant backdrop of the classic G1 box art from the original toys to take photos in front of, a demonstration of the Robosen Optimus, Megatron and Grimlock self-transforming robots, a glass display of new and upcoming toys and an array of Transformer One cut-out characters to grab a photo op with.

For those who posted on social media with the right tags, the event organisers gave a limited number of Transformers One posters as prizes.

We were encouraged to post our photos from the event on social media, which I always do for these kinds of events in the hope of encouraging other fans to get involved and join in.

As we were ushered into the V-Max cinema everyone received a goodie bag that contained a G1 40th anniversary poster, a legend class Legacy United figure (either Tasmania Kid or Dinobot Sludge) and a discount voucher for Amazon.

The cinema greeted us with a movie sized still of the G1 backing box art on the big screen. It was impressive to see the classic 80’s artwork larger than life. The chairs were well spaced very comfy recliners. Masterpiece Ironhide, who had joined me as my figure of choice for the night, made himself quite at home on my chair as I took in the atmosphere of all the fans filling the cinema in excitement.

The event organiser started the session off with a transformers trivia competition. They were all easy trivia until the question “Name the four moons of Cybertron” was asked. Can you answer that without googling it? No one in our cinema could and there were some absolute Transformers masterminds in the room.

We were given a preview of the Transformers One trailer before getting into the viewing of the first 4 episodes of the Transformers G1 cartoon. The first episode voices were re-recorded with as many of the original cast as possible and a couple of more recent voice actors standing in for those we’ve lost. Watching Peter Cullen and Frank Welker side by side reprising the first episode was nostalgic, funny, amazing and so very 80’s. As the episode progressed the voice actors were shown performing their lines side by side with the animation, which, was very pixelated and didn’t translate well onto the big screen… but that didn’t stop anyone enjoying the show. Notable shout out to Frank Todaro who did an amazing and incredibly expressive job filling in as Starscream.

At the end of the first episode we got to see a bloopers reel of Frank making Peter laugh, Greg Berger trying to make everyone laugh and some of the antics that had taken place while the voice actors had recorded the session together around a table.

There was a collective disappointment that the 2nd, 3rd and 4th episodes shown hadn’t been given the same re-recorded voice actor treatment but it was a novelty to see the tv episodes in a cinema format.

After the episodes finished the event organisers came back to the front of the cinema and told us there was one last prize for the best social media post.

Then they said the winner was … “aus – geek – mum”. My jaw dropped as I belatedly processed… ausgeekmum… that was me! I raised Ironhide in the air and yelled “woohoo” as the organiser came up and game me my prize. The prize included Rise of the Beasts Airazor, Rise of the Beasts legend class Arcee and a Rise of the Beasts Bumblebee mask.

At first I looked at it and thought “oh no – not ANOTHER Airazor!” but then another collector pointed out to me it was autographed. In fact, all the items were autographed. Arcee was autographed by the actress who voiced her in Rise of the Beasts – Liza Kolby. I was told Airazor was autographed by Michelle Yeoh, however I have yet to confirm this as the signature doesn’t look like her normal signature. Bumblebee was autographed too, but I gave him away to another collector I know really well as the mask wasn’t something I would have displayed in my collection and I believe in sharing the good luck around.

As everyone moved out of the cinema fans were congregated near a number of the large cut-out figures. People were focussed on a group of the cut-outs on one side of the walkway when I noticed Ravage standing on his own behind everyone. I walked up to him and said “well, since no one is taking you, you can come home with me!” I grabbed him with glee and said “I’m taking him”.

Someone asked if I wanted to swap with Bumblebee and I politely said no while in my mind thinking there was no comparison between the autobot scout and the supremely superior Ravage. I made the trip home via the train with Ravage taking up his own 3-seater seat, much to the delight of most of the people in the carriage who couldn’t believe what they were seeing. He will now take up pride of place as the Prime Shrine attack kitty for the rest of his days.

Overall it was a fun night. Lots of laughs, nostalgia and fun was had with a small swag of goodies to top it all off.

 

Photo’s by David Quinn:

 

From Big Angry Trev thanks to Hasbro and Double Jump for putting on these fantastic events!  I’m sure we speak for all fans when we say we look forward to more in the future!

 

Transformers: Rise of the Beasts – Special Preview Screening Event!

Games & Competitions, My Transformer Collection Showcase, Transformatorium

Transformers Collection – TCG Cards

Leave a comment

A few years ago Wizards of the Coast, in conjunction with Hasbro, released the Transformers Trading Card Game.

Though the game has come to a close now, it was very popular for quite a while, and WOTC/Hasbro were even kind enough to send me a few different sets to review when the game was at its height.  Even if you no longer play the game, the artwork on the cards makes them well worth keeping.

 

Transformers Trading Card Game Cards

 

Decepticon Character Cards

*Item #TTCG0001: Megatron (Decepticon Leader)

*Item #TTCG0002: Megatron (Arrogant Ruler)

*Item #TTCG0003: Starscream (Decepticon King)

*Item #TTCG0004: Starscream (Air Commander)

*Item #TTCG0005: Flamewar

*Item #TTCG0006: Specialist Flamewar

*Item #TTCG0007: Major Soundwave

*Item #TTCG0008: Skywarp

*Item #TTCG0009: Dirge

*Item #TTCG0010: Raider Ion Storm

*Item #TTCG0011: Raider Flamefeather

*Item #TTCG0012: Seargent Sparkstalker

*Item #TTCG0013: Decepticon Venim

*Item #TTCG0014: Ruckus

*Item #TTCG0015: Raider Runabout

*Item #TTCG0016: Raider Runamuck

*Item #TTCG0017: Seargeant Skrapnel

Exclusive Cards Reveal: Dirge and Defensive Driving. Transformers: TCG

 

*Item #TTCG0018: Bonecrusher

*Item #TTCG0019: Hook

*Item #TTCG0020: Scrapper

*Item #TTCG0021: Longhaul

*Item #TTCG0022: Mixmaster

*Item #TTCG0023: Scavenger

*Item #TTCG0024: Divebomb

*Item #TTCG0025: Predacon Headstrong

*Item #TTCG0026: Torox

Devastator Pack Review: Part 1 – Transformers TCG

 

*Item #TTCG0027: Motormaster

*Item #TTCG0028: Breakdown

*Item #TTCG0029: Decepticon Drag Strip

*Item #TTCG0030: Offroad

*Item #TTCG0031: Dead End

*Item #TTCG0032: Dead End (2nd unit)

*Item #TTCG0033: Dreadwind

*Item #TTCG0034: Blackwing

*Item #TTCG0035: Raider Laserbeak

*Item #TTCG0036: Raider Ravage

*Item #TTCG0037: Raider Storm Cloud

*Item #TTCG0038: Raider Visper

*Item #TTCG0039: Raider Detour

*Item #TTCG0040: Raider Road Hugger

 

Autobot Character Cards

*Item #TTCG0041: Metroplex

*Item #TTCG0042: Optimus Prime

*Item #TTCG0043: Bumblebee (Courageous Scout)

*Item #TTCG0044: Bumblebee (Trusted Lieutenant)

*Item #TTCG0045: Bumblebee (Brave Warrior)

*Item #TTCG0046: Dinobot Swoop

*Item #TTCG0047: Six-Gun

*Item #TTCG0048: Scamper

*Item #TTCG0049: Slammer

*Item #TTCG0050: Red Alert

*Item #TTCG0051: Private Red Alert

*Item #TTCG0052: Grapple

*Item #TTCG0053: Ironhide

*Item #TTCG0054: Major Prowl

*Item #TTCG0055: Seargent Hound

*Item #TTCG0056: Private Trailbreaker

*Item #TTCG0057: Private Arcee

*Item #TTCG0058: Seargent Chromia

*Item #TTCG0059: Autobot Novastar

*Item #TTCG0060: Sergeant Kup

*Item #TTCG0061: Blurr

Review – Metroplex Pack: Transformers TCG

 

*Item #TTCG0062: Autobot Hot Rod

*Item #TTCG0063: Optimus Prime

*Item #TTCG0064: Prowl

*Item #TTCG0065: Autobot Mirage

*Item #TTCG0066: Autobot Mirage (2nd unit)

*Item #TTCG0067: Alpha Bravo

*Item #TTCG0068: Skydive

*Item #TTCG0069: Fireflight

*Item #TTCG0070: Air Raid

*Item #TTCG0071: Dinobot Snarl

*Item #TTCG0072: Dinobot Sludge

*Item #TTCG0073: Private Top Shot

*Item #TTCG0074: Private Flak

*Item #TTCG0075: Private Mudslinger

*Item #TTCG0076: Private Tote

*Item #TTCG0077: Private Stakeout

*Item #TTCG0078: Private Red Heat

Exclusive Card Reveal: Private Stakeout – Transformers TCG

 

Decepticon Cards

*Item #TTCG0079: Fusion Cannon of Megatron

*Item #TTCG0080: Tooth and Claw

*Item #TTCG0081: Stunticon Swagger

*Item #TTCG0082: HV Electron Breacher

*Item #TTCG0083: Decepticon Crown

*Item #TTCG0084-86: Builder’s Tools (x3)

*Item #TTCG0087-88: Scoundrel’s Blaster (x2)

*Item #TTCG0089-91: Heavy Loading (x3)

*Item #TTCG0092-93: Reclaim (x2)

*Item #TTCG0094: Tower

Exclusive Card Reveal: Electro-Optical Visor. Transformers: TCG

 

Autobot Cards

*Item #TTCG0095: Combat Commands

*Item #TTCG0096-97: Noble’s Blaster (x2)

*Item #TTCG0098: Electrified Spikes

*Item #TTCG0099-101: Protected by Metroplex (x3)

*Item #TTCG0102-104: Height Advantage (x3)

*Item #TTCG0105-107: Rally the City (x3)

 

Double Orange

*Item #TTCG0108-122: Improvised Shield (x15)

*Item #TTCG0123-124: Mounted Missiles (x2)

 

Double Blue

*Item #TTCG0125-137: Handheld Blaster (x13)

*Item #TTCG0138: Energized Field

*Item #TTCG0139: EMP Wave

 

Orange & Blue

*Item #TTCG0140: Recon System

 

White & Green

*Item #TTCG0141-147: Spare Parts (x7)

*Item #TTCG0148-149: Secret Dealings (x2)

*Item #TTCG0150-152: Attack Drone (x3)

*Item #TTCG0153-158: Escape Route (x 5)

*Item #TTCG0159: Espionage

*Item #TTCG0160: Personal Targeting Drone

*Item #TTCG0161: Inverted!

 

Orange & Green

*Item #TTCG0162-165: Enforcement Batons (x4)

*Item #TTCG0166-167: Reactive Armor (x2)

*Item #TTCG0168-169: Focus Fire (x2)

*Item #TTCG0170-174: Bashing Shield (x5)

*Item #TTCG0175-176: Sparring Gear (x2)

*Item #TTCG0177-178: Scrounge (x2)

*Item #TTCG0179: Press the Advantage

 

Blue & Green

*Item #TTCG0180-182: Backup Beam (x3)

*Item #TTCG0183: Extra Padding

*Item #TTCG0184: Sturdy Armor

*Item #TTCG0185: Reflex Circuits

*Item #TTCG0186: Dismantling Claw

*Item #TTCG0187: Master Plan

*Item #TTCG0188-191: Smelt (x4)

*Item #TTCG0192: Covert Armor

 

Green

*Item #TTCG0193-200: Rest & Relaxation (x8)

*Item #TTCG0201-202: Sonic Scramble (x2)

*Item #TTCG0203-208: Tech Research (x6)

*Item #TTCG0209-211: Enemy Combat Analysis (x3)

*Item #TTCG0212: Metal Detector

*Item #TTCG0213-214: Cornered (x2)

*Item #TTCG0215: Battlefield Scan

 

Blank

*Item #TTCG0216: Hiding Spot

*Item #TTCG0217: Bad Attitude

*Item #TTCG0218-220: Ready For Action (x3)

*Item #TTCG022`: Dismantle

*Item #TTCG0222: Calculated Strike

*Item #TTCG0223: Crash Landing

*Item #TTCG0224: Smokethrower

*Item #TTCG0225: EM24 IR Laser Launcher

*Item #TTCG0226: Repurpose

*Item #TTCG0227: Steamroll

*Item #TTCG0228-234: Fling (x7)

*Item #TTCG0235: Medic!

*Item #TTCG0236-237: Plasma Burst (x2)

*Item #TTCG0238: Medic! (2nd type)

*Item #TTCG0239: Strafing Run

*Item #TTCG0240-241: Bolt of Lightning (x2)

 

White

*Item #TTCG0242-243: Piercing Blaster (x2)

*Item #TTCG0244-248: Data Pad (x5)

*Item #TTCG0249-250: Delibitating Crystal (x2)

*Item #TTCG0251: Force Field

*Item #TTCG0252-259: Force Field (2nd type) (x8)

*Item #TTCG0260-262: Superior Jetpack (x3)

*Item #TTCG0263: Intelligence Mission

*Item #TTCG0264-266: Backup Plan (x3)

*Item #TTCG0267: Diagnosis

*Item #TTCG0268: Frag Toss

*Item #TTCG0269-285: Rapid Conversion (x17)

*Item #TTCG0286-291: Surprise Attack (x6)

*Item #TTCG0292-296: Field Communication (x5)

*Item #TTCG0297-299: Work Overtime (x3)

*Item #TTCG0300-302: Leap of Faith (x3)

*Item #TTCG0303: Fog of War

*Item #TTCG0304: Combat Training

 

Blue

*Item #TTCG0305: Battlefield Report

*Item #TTCG0306: Reclaim

*Item #TTCG0307-313: Pep Talk (x7)

*Item #TTCG0314: Brainstorm

*Item #TTCG0315: Steady Shot

*Item #TTCG0316-320: Underhanded Tactics (x5)

*Item #TTCG0321-322: Universal Network Access (x2)

*Item #TTCG0323-328: Vaporize (x6)

*Item #TTCG0329: Bumpers

*Item #TTCG0330-334: Energon Slingshot (x5)

*Item #TTCG0335: Urban Camo

*Item #TTCG0336: Smoke Cloak

*Item #TTCG0337-347: Primary Laser (x11)

*Item #TTCG0348-352: Blast Shield (x5)

*Item #TTCG0353-355: Bravery (x3)

*Item #TTCG0356-357: Evasive Manoeuvres (x2)

*Item #TTCG0358-360: Leap into Battle (x3)

*Item #TTCG0361-366: Inspiring Leadership (x6)

*Item #TTCG0367: Start your Engines

*Item #TTCG0368-380: Armoured Plating (x13)

*Item #TTCG0381: Drill Arms

*Item #TTCG0382: Reinforced Plating

*Item #TTCG0383-385: Superior Plating (x3)

*Item #TTCG0386: Marksmanship

*Item #TTCG0387: Brainstorm

*Item #TTCG0388: Inferno Breath

*Item #TTCG0389: Heavy-Handed

*Item #TTCG0390: The Bigger They Are…

*Item #TTCG0391-392: Team-Up Tactics (x2)

*Item #TTCG0393: Collateral Damage

 

Orange

*Item #TTCG0394: Mining Pick

*Item #TTCG0395: Superior Cannon

*Item #TTCG0396-400: Flamethrower (x5)

*Item #TTCG0401-402: Combat Dagger (x2)

*Item #TTCG0403-407: Scrapper Gauntlets (x4)

*Item #TTCG0408-409: Power Punch (x2)

*Item #TTCG0410: Basic Combat Protocol

*Item #TTCG0411: Bolster

*Item #TTCG0412-413: Defensive Formation (x2)

*Item #TTCG0414-418: Field Repair (x5)

*Item #TTCG0419-421: Reckless Charge (x3)

*Item #TTCG0422-426: Swindled (x5)

*Item #TTCG0427-432: Testify (x6)

*Item #TTCG0433-435: Rapid Ascent (x3)

*Item #TTCG0436-439: Ramming Speed (x4)

*Item #TTCG0440-441: Repair Bay (x2)

*Item #TTCG0442-446: Supercharge (x5)

*Item #TTCG0447-453: Grenade Launcher (x7)

*Item #TTCG00454: Swarm!

*Item #TTCG0455-456: Incoming Transmission (x2)

*Item #TTCG0457-458: Vandalize (x2)

*Item #TTCG00459: Treasure Hunt

*Item #TTCG0460-464: Confidence (x5)

*Item #TTCG0465-469: Erratic Lightning (x5)

*Item #TTCG0470-471: Body Armor (x2)

*Item #TTCG0472: Ancient Wisdom

*Item #TTCG0473-474: New Designs (x2)

*Item #TTCG0475: Stealthiness

*Item #TTCG0476: Battle Ready

*Item #TTCG0477: Tackle

*Item #TTCG0478: Cooling Vents

 

Enigma Cards

*Item #TTCG0479-481: Constructicon Enigma (x3)

*Item #TTCG0482-483: Stunticon Enigma (x2)

*Item #TTCG0484-485: Predacon Enigma (x2)

*Item #TTCG0486: Sentinel Enigma

*Item #TTCG0487: Dinobot Enigma

*Item #TTCG0488-490: Aerialbot Enigma (x3)

ROTC Booster Packs. Part 2: Gameplay – Transformers TCG

 

Boxes

*Item #TTCG0491: Starter Pack (MISB)

 

*Item #TTCG0492: Rise of the Combiners Booster Box

Rise of the Combiners Booster Packs. Review Part 1 – Transformers TCG

Fan Interviews & Art, Transformatorium

Video: Trev interviewed on the Frostbite channel

Leave a comment

Today I was very happy, after many delays on my end, to be interviewed by Leeny for his youtube channel Frostbite’s GI Joe Repro.  However instead of discussing GI Joe’s, we discussed Transformers – evrything from how my hobby began to my most beloved figures to how I now share the hobby with my son.

So tune in and enjoy Big Angry Trev interviewed on Frostbite.

And dont forget to subscribe and check out some of the other great interviews on the Frostbite’s GI Joe Repro channel!

 

Video: Interviews at Transformers Rise of the Beasts Preview Screening

Video: Interviews at More than Meets the Eye Exhibition

 

Tales of the Trev, Transformatorium

Transformers: Rise of the Beasts – Special Preview Screening Event!

Leave a comment

Rise of the Beasts, the highly anticipated seventh live action Transformers movie, officially hit cinemas around the world on Friday the 9th of June, 2023 (June 22 in Australia).

A June 22 release for the rest of Australia, but a few of us lucky ducks didn’t have to wait that long

However, as befits a multi-million dollar movie of a beloved toy franchise, Paramount and Hasbro held a Special Preview Screening on Thursday the 8th, and for those notables lucky enough to receive an invitation, what an event it was!

If you are going to see a movie, do it in style!

Here in Sydney Australia, the event was held at the Hoyts Entertainment Quarter, and much excitement was in the air.  One could attribute part of this excitement to the fact that due to international date lines, it was the 8th here in Australia before the majority of the world, making this one of the first ever showings of the movie!

Love getting invitied to these special events – thanks Hasbro and Paramount!

The attendee’s were made up of executives from both Hasbro and Paramount, professional movie reviewers and various celebrities such as actors, social media influencers and even cosplayers.  Naturally everyone’s favourite radio star and blogger Big Angry Trev was on hand, much to the excitement of the crowds!  Photographers snapped pictures and a film crew was on hand to interview guests.

Video: Interviews at Transformers Rise of the Beasts Preview Screening

There were even some extra special guests in the form of some of the movie cast themselves – Bumblebee and Mirage decided to come along to grace their fans with their presence and pose for pics.

Mirage
Bumblebee

Over the course of the year we have seen many Transformers events here in Sydney, such as the Beasts Base Camp at Taronga Park Zoo, and the More than Meets the Eye Exhibition at Kings Comics.  What was wonderful to see with all these events, were not only the usual cream of society invited, but also notable members of the Australian Transformers Fandom.

Big Angry Trev & Miguel Maestre at the Beasts Base Camp

In attendance for this Special Preview Screening event were Transformer Exhibitors such as Lisamaree Chiu, Ben Keenan and Michael Vella and Transformer Superfans such as Trent Munn and Dallas Roderick.  Yes, the royalty of the Aussie fandom were on hand to strut their stuff and I know all were appreciative of how Hasbro and Paramount have included the fandom in this years movie festivities.

Big Angry Trev and his trusty sidekick Orion posing for photo’s with Superfans Dallas & Trent

Free soft drinks and popcorn was on offer for all attendee’s as they entered the theatre, where individual recliner seats, soft and plush, were on offer to cradle every buttock.  And for the very crème de la crème of the attendee’s, Hasbro reserved some very special seats dead centre of the theatre for the optimum viewing experience.

What’s better than attending an exclusive event? Getting VIP seating at the exclusive event!

These Special Preview Screenings were not only held in Sydney, but also Brisbane and Melbourne, making it not only a regional but national event!

The Brisbane event, photo courtesy of M.K Griffin of Ozformers
The Melbourne event, courtesy of Jason Murray of TCCA

Transformers: Rise of the Beasts turned out to be a fantastic movie, earning a well deserved round of applause from an appreciative audience.  I heartily recommend everyone get out themselves out there to watch this fun and entertaining flick.

Movie Review – Transformers: Rise of the Beasts

Sadly, this event was likely the last event for the Transformers social season this year.  Lets hope that the powers that be make the next highly anticipated instalment just as fun!

Were you one of the favoured few to get to attend one of these Special Preview Screening Events?  Lets us know in the comments section below!

 

Random Rants, Random Reviews

Movie Review – Transformers: Rise of the Beasts

1 Comment

After a 5 year absence of giant shape changing alien robots in theatres, Transformers Rise of the Beasts has hit cinemas worldwide June 9th.  Thanks to the generosity of Hasbro and Paramount Pictures, some of us lucky folk even got to attend Special Preview Showings on Thursday 8th, being able to quench our thirst for Autobot antics a day early.

Even Mirage got invited to his own flick! Love Hasbro & Paramount putting on these special events!

Warning, this is a Movie Review – so SPOILERS!

One of the main complaints of the live action Transformer films is having to wait around for ages to finally see some robots.  No such complaint can be made here.  One of the main groups of protagonists – The Maximals, and the main antagonists – The Terrorcons and their gigantic master Unicron, are introduced at the outset, setting the stage for much mayhem to come.  We are also introduced to the Allspark Matrix Control Pillar Seed Staff of Merlin Transwarp Key, a… glowy thingie… which will be used as an excuse for robots to travel to Earth, trapse all over the globe and fight each other to obtain it.

I can eat whole planets – but can be defeated by the lack of a glowy thing the size of your forearm

And then of course we transfer to the obligatory human characters and their backstories.  Firstly Noah Diaz, an ex-solider who is about to embark on a life of crime in order to support his younger brother who, I dunno, has a pain in his hand or something.  And Elena Wallace, an undervalued researcher in a museum.  So yes, we have humans but good news – there is no romantic subplot!  That’s right folks, a live action Transformers movie with no romantic awkwardness between teens or overt sexualization of young women – can I get an amen!

We are never scantiy dressed or sexually attracted to each other – are we sure this is a Transformers movie?

Anyways, these humans need to meet the Transformers for the plot to advance, so Noah tries to steal Mirage, police chase ensues, they escape and we get introduced to the bulk of the Autobot cast.  Brooding Optimus & perky Bumblebee, the mainstays of the movie series are on hand with Arcee, returning for her third outing, combining her robot look from the Bumblebee movie with her motorcycle altmode from ROTF.  But its Mirage who takes the staring role both in this scene and for much of the movie (oh thank you, thank you Primus for not making yet another movie all about Bumblebee and Optimus again!).

We are fam-i-ly!

Lets take a look at Mirage shall we.  Originally in Generation One the character was a blue & white Autobot Warrior, a member of the upper class who wants the war over so as to return to his lavish lifestyle on Cybertron, who could turn into an Indy Racer as well as cloak himself with invisibility.

‘A giant robot race car that can cloak? I rock!’

Here he seems to be a pastiche of other G1 Transformer characters.  He has the youthful exuberance of Hot Rod, the altmode of Jazz and the holographic powers of Hound.  That said, at least there is some resemblance to previous incarnations there.

‘You are  really going to enjoy me’

Mirage also seems to be able to turn into anything.  Yes I know that’s the point of Transformers, that they can change their forms, but Mirage can change into most anything on a whim.  In short order he transforms into a Porsche, a Lamborghini and an Indy Racer (in an homage to his G1 counterpart).  Yup, all cars approximating his mass and size, so what’s the problem?  No problem as such yet, but a short time later he transforms into a garbage truck bigger than Prime himself, and near the end an exo-suit for Noah which is not much bigger than the human.  By making Mirage seemingly able to be anything, it waters down the specialness of the transforming ability in general.

Wait, wasn’t I like 100 times bigger only an hour ago in the movie?

It isn’t long before, in pursuit of the glowy key thingie, the Autobots meet the Terrorcons, with much fighting and general violence taking place.  Thankfully for the franchise it learned from Dropkick and Shatter from the last flick as in a few fleshed out bad guys can prove more interesting than an army of generic ones (don’t worry, that happens later too). Scourge, the Terrorcon leader and main Herald of Unicron, is powerful and commanding enough as the main villain, though can’t be said to be breaking new ground – at least he comes with a couple of deployable Freezer minions.  Battletrap is pretty cool, using chains with clamps and wrecking balls on the end in both his modes to hurt his opponents, often using the environment around him to help smash his foes.  Nightbird can fly to provide her group air support, she also produces her signature swords near the end of the movie but doesn’t do much with them.

I will use the one ring to rule you all!

The glowy thingie is found, but oh no!  It got all broke up and now we need to find the second half!  Cue off to Peru, courtesy of Stratosphere, a pretty cool old transport plane character.  They meet up with Pablo Wheeljack who has an idea where the second half may be.  There we see the Autobots actually using their ‘robots in disguise’ moniker by hiding around the city in vehicle mode while the humans do their thing.  Then off to the jungle where the Maximals are hiding out where they are most definitely not robots in disguise.  Don’t get me wrong, they look cool.  But they are all way bigger than the animals they are supposed to be disguised as (the glowing eyes don’t help much either).  Maximals and Autobots team up, get their arses kicked, the glowy thing is put back together and thus the final act is underway.  The transwarp portal is opened, allowing Unicron to come and chow down on Earth.

‘Wait, you can tell that I’m not an Earth-gorilla? How?!’

But things don’t happen that fast.  Despite the transwarp portal castle thing materializing in seconds, it takes a long time for the portal to open enough for Unicron, so even though Airazor is now dead and Bumblebee near death himself, the remaining bots go to stop the portal opening, Optimus and Noah learning the magic of friendship (or something) and trusting each other.  Here we get the big final battle, with all the good guys who survived near dying at some point but never quite managing it, while the bad guys (along with the promised hordes of weaker bad guys to go smashy smashy on) get their comeuppance.  Cue some post battle scenes and that’s a wrap folks.

Movie Review – Bumblebee

So yes, the plot is very formulaic and nothing you haven’t seen in a hundred other flicks.  So is this movie worth watching?

Yes, yes it is!  This is actually to my mind the best live action Transformers movie to date, as well as being the most fun!  The majority of robots are treated like actual characters, receiving their fair share of screen time and character development, not simply murderbots to show up to kill each other between prolonged human scenes.  Speaking of, they finally seem to have struck the right balance for robot-to-human screen time – it’s a Transformers movie with actual Transformers!

We are in the film! We are in the film lots!

The only time I got sick of the squishies was the final battle scene; a huge stunning battle taking place with the Maximals and Autobots fighting the Terrorcons and a legion of their minions while Unicron decends from above, and they halt the action for two full minutes for Noah to have a heart-to-heart with his brother over a walkie-talkie?!  Shut the hell up Noah – we want to see the robots fight!  This did detract from the exo-suit scene for me, as I was all pissed off with Noah ruining the flow, but thankfully times like this in the movie were rare – no 10 minute scenes of Sam Witwicky having a mental meltdown in class, followed by talking about how a kiss had a deisely tinge to it.  The pacing of the movie is spot on, keeping you entertained without things going so fast you don’t know what’s happening, the humour gives you a few genuine laughs without it ever sinking into the gutter, in short this movie seems to have listened to all the fan gripes about the first 5 movies and rectified them, producing a fun and entertaining flick about our favourite giant, shape-changing alien robots!

I give Transformers Rise of the Beasts 9 out of 10 stolen Autobot badges.

You like me, you actually like me

Have you seen this movie?  What did you think of it?  Leave your thoughts in the comments section below.

Movie Review – Transformers: The Last Knight

Fan Interviews & Art, Tales of the Trev, Transformatorium, Videos

Video: Interviews at Transformers Rise of the Beasts Preview Screening

Leave a comment

On Thursday the 8th of June, here in Australia, some of us lucky few were chosen to attend a Special Preview Screening of Transformers: Rise of the Beasts.

Love getting invitied to these special events – thanks Hasbro and Paramount!

The lads Mikey and Clinton from the Toy Reel channel were invited along to do a pre-movie taping, discussing the potentials of the new film as well as interviewing some of the special guests attending.  This included professional film reviewer David Quinn, as well as fans Wes and Kelvin.

And naturally, if they are interviewing people they weren’t going to miss out on that master of all things Transformers, the curator of the world famous Transformatorium, Big Angry Trev himself!

I’m here, and I’m fabulous!

So enjoy this discussion from the lads from Toy Reel and their 4 interviewee’s (if you want to be naughty and watch the bit with me first, its at the 8.20 mark 😉)

 

Don’t forget to check out all the other video’s on the Toy Reel YouTube channel, and give them a like and subscribe while you are there 😊

Other Big Angry Trev Interviews:

Video: Interviews at More than Meets the Eye Exhibition

The Transformatorium Makes Front Page News!

 

Transformatorium, Transformer Toy Reviews

Toy Review – Studio Series Airazor

Leave a comment

The new Transformers: Rise of the Beasts movie is less than two months away, and figures are already turning up on shelves in anticipation of the latest instalment of the franchise.

Movie Review – Bumblebee

When I attended the Beasts Base Camp experience at Taronga Zoo I was lucky enough to be given a gift bag by Hasbro that contained, amongst other things, a Studio Series Airazor.  Then when attending the MTMTE Exhibition at Kings Comics my son was lucky enough to receive the same!  So being the first foray for both of us into the new movies toyline, thought it only fitting that we give you our thoughts on the figure.

 

Robot Mode

Given that Airazor has not, as of the writing of this post, had her robot mode shown in any footage, it is hard to give a proper account of how screen accurate the figure is.  It is certainly a nice looking figure, with an avian-like head, consistent colour-scheme, good proportions and decent articulation.  The wings give a cape-like appearance and the missiles on the arms lend that combative look of an alien robot about to enter the fray.  The face is not particularly feminine, but then very few Airazor figures in the past have had one either so one could say its true to form.  The feet should be turned so that the smaller talons face the front, but I personally think she looks that bit cooler and more bestial with the larger facing forward.

 

Falcon Mode

The figure really shines here.  A beautiful wingspan that can be adapted to a number of different configurations and poses.  A sufficiently detailed head and claws really give that metallic-bird appearance, with this Airazor not having an organic outer form like previous iterations of the character.  Looking from below she doesn’t look great, but then to be honest most real life birds don’t from that angle either (I raise ducks and chickens – trust me on this) so I personally find it forgivable.  The only main detractor is that the outer wings unclip very easily.  They can be clipped back on with similar ease so it’s a mild irritation at best.

 

Worth Getting?

Studio Series rarely lets us down in terms of screen-accurate & highly detailed figures, and has not disappointed once again.  The figure boasts a lot of detail, though more detail in the Transformation would have been nice, you definitely don’t need the instructions for this gal.  The figure shares much of its engineering with Kingdom Airazor so anyone who has that figure will know largely what to expect.

If you are into Beast Wars characters, or are looking to pick up toy representations of characters from the upcoming movie, then Studio Series Airazor fits the bill nicely and I welcome her as the first Maximal to enter my Studio Series collection.

Got something to say about this figure?  Pop it in the comments section below!

Tales of the Trev, Transformatorium

Transformers Beasts Base Camp

3 Comments

With the imminent approach of the new Transformers movie, Rise of the Beasts, promotion and marketing is in full swing!

Yours truly was lucky enough to get invited to help represent the Fandom on the opening night of the Transformers Beasts Base Camp Roar & Snore Experience at Taronga Park Zoo.  Along with a couple of other fans as well as celebrities and media, courtesy of Hasbro we were treated to a truly amazing night!

First off, you knew you were in the right place when there are two big fellas ready to greet you!

Big Angry Trev & Optimus Prime – I smell a spin-off coming!

We were  given a guided tour by the keepers around some of the animal enclosures.  It was interesting to see just how more active many of the animals are at dusk, it was the most animated I’ve ever seen koalas in my life!  The zoo is very cool after opening hours.

They weren’t asleep!

We were subsequently ushered into an auditorium where we were given a special glimpse at some Rise of the Beasts material.  A non-disclosure agreement prevents me discussing what we saw, but fans will be very happy indeed!

Surprises on the way!

After our secret viewing we were treated to some displays of the upcoming Rise of the Beasts action figures, due to hit shelves here in Australia on April 10th.

Sometimes it pays to be a superfan

Next a jaumty stroll to Beasts Base Camp – so cool!  Everywhere you looked there was jungle-themed Transformer touches on show.

Into the main communial area we were ushered.  Plenty of food and drink on offer as we lounged about on Transformers-themed cushions.  Time for Big Angry Trev to go to work and shmooze with the other Aussie celebrities.

Miguel Maestre
Jordan Raskopoulos

As dark approached were escorted to our tents.  Each tent was numbered and had its own Transformers theme.  My tent-mate (Griffin of Ozformers) and I were in Tent 6 – The Mirage Tent.  And talk about the views!

Inside on our beds, we found the very pleasant surprise of gift bags, containing all manner of Transformers merchandise – thanks Hasbro!

Freebies!

After another short tour we were given dinner, a delightful array of different traditional African foods.  Then a special after-dark walk around some of the habitats.

No, not a satanic camel. At night the red light bothers the animals a lot less than white light

Next morning its more tours from the incredibly friendly keepers and then breakfast, followed by some up close and personal interactions with some of the animals.  I must admit I absolutely ADORE giraffes, so getting to hand feed one was definitely a personal highlight and I was almost in tears, feeling so moved by the experience.

The event finished just as the zoo was opening up for the day, and what a fantastic fun experience it was overall!  I’d like to thank Hasbro Australia once again for the opportunity, I can’t wait to bring my son to meet Prime & Primal!  Don’t forget that the toys hit shelves on April 10th, and the Transformers: Rise of the Beasts movie will hit theatres on June 8th.

“Don’t mess with us – especially the little bloke below me, he’s angry!”

 

Big Angry Trev visits Hasbro Australia!

 

Games & Competitions, Transformatorium

Exclusive Card Reveal: Electro-Optical Visor. Transformers: TCG

1 Comment

Thanks to Hasbro and Wizards of the Coast, BigAngryTrev.com has once again been given an exclusive reveal for the Transformers: Trading Card Game to share with the world! Rather than a new character, this card is an Upgrade – Armour card from the new Titan Master packs that will be available later in the year.

Note: Neither Hasbro nor WOTC have paid for this reveal and have in no way tried to dictate the content of this review. BigAngryTrev would like to thank both companies for the continuing opportunities to share facets of this card game with the public.

 

So let’s have a look at the Action Card Electro-Optical Visor. 

 

Using the card in game

The usefulness of the card will rely heavily on what cards you and your opponent are sporting. If you are sporting a team of all Autobots, when you place this on a character and it adds 1 Defence point via an Armour Upgrade to its stats and the cards usefulness stops there.

However, if you have any Decepticons in your team, putting this card on one of them will not only add 1 Armor Upgrade point, but also:

*Makes your opponent reveal their hand

*Your opponent must scrap an Autobot card of their choosing from their hand

Of course, your opponent could quite easily have no Autobot cards in their hand, which means they don’t have to scrap any card at all. But even if this is the case, it still means that you get to have a good look at their hand, see what cards they are sporting and prepare yourself accordingly.

 

The Artwork

The artwork is lovely, showing Soundwave wearing what one assumes to be an Electro-Optical visor. Oddly I don’t recognise the origin of the artwork, so I am making the assumption it is from the IDW Transformers comics reboot, as I have not read all of them yet. If I am in error, or you know which exact comic, please pop it in the comments section below and I will be sure to credit you.

Note: According to reader ‘Flip Flip Bang Bang’ this is probably new artwork as WOTC no longer uses IDW comic art.

 

So all in all, depending on the cards you and your opponent have, this could prove to be either an average or a very useful card to pick up. I look forward to getting a physical copy in my hands and trying it out in gameplay.

The new Titan Master Packs for Transformers: TCG are slated for a release on the 17th of April, 2020.

  

Related Articles:

*Exclusive Card Reveal: Private Stakeout

*Exclusive Cards Reveal: Dirge and Defensive Driving