Beast Machines: Transformers

While the show is a suitable follow-up to the Beast Wars series, it is not without some problems. However, if you are a fan of Beast Wars, you may like Beast Machines equally so. The thing to keep in mind is that the characters from Beast Wars that were carried over are in a new environment and facing new challenges. Along with some nice G1 references, Beast Machines is a fine program and does not deserve the amount of flack it receives. At least, in my opinion.

"Beast Machines" puts the remaining maximals - Optimus, Rattrap, Cheetor and Black Arachnia - back on their home planet Cybertron after the ending of "Beast Wars". Unfortunately, they wake up and find themselves with no memory, in their original forms (the very first ones from the first season of Beast Wars) and being pursued by fierce robotic drones. They find out that their nemesis, Megatron, escaped en route to Cybertron and conquered it before they could arrive. After escaping the drones they find "The Oracle" of Cybertron and are transformed into more organic transformers, who fight Megatron and his new team of henchmen - Jetstorm, Thrust, Tankorr, Obsidian and Strika.

There are quite a few mysteries at the start of the series, including how Megatron managed to conquer Cybertron and the true identities of the main villains henchmen. It is pretty exciting at times, especially with the introduction of character Noble at the start of the second (and last) season. I wont give away anything, just watch the show!

Of course, there are many faults that make "Beast Machines" not as good as "Beast Wars". First, it turns into a weird new agey, environmentalist show about three quarters the way through, because Optimus finds out that the planet's core has always been organic rather than metalich, so the maximals start fighting to bring plants and fluffy animals back. Also, Megatron often whines about how he wants to leave his organic form (a huge metal dragon) because instead he wants to be pure metalich. I have no idea why the writers put this development in, because in "Beast Wars" Megatron never complained once, and actually loved his dragon form. He basically becomes a metaphor for the evil logging corporation that's chopping down precious trees. And the introduction of Nightscream's naive character (a bat) takes away from Cheetor's conflict with Optimus for the same reason.

All in all, "Beast Machines" is a good show, but not a match for "Beast Wars", 7/10.

i just saw the first episode and let me say i was very impressed with it.it was very interesting the way the characters now have to learn HOW to transform as compared to when they could just easily transform at will.this series could be a ratings blockbuster for sat. mornings

This is what happens when writers stop caring they mess up a good thing.BEAST WARS ruled when the predicons and the maximals transformed they actully transformed now they morph.The story lines lack originality and soul.When continuing a saga you have to be true to you and to your viewers sometimes it pays to listen to yourself not some corporate yes man.Beast Machines is a musn't see.

I remember seeing pictures, and thinking, "eww." Quite literally, "eww." But watching everything in action was a sight. I loved the show's animation style. It somehow reminds me of traditional cel-style, and after watching two episodes (sadly I missed the first) and reading the official site FAQ concerning the transformations and the concepts for the show, I think it will make a fine addition to the Transformers series.