This is another under the radar gem. I was a kid from the 80's and yeah I remember the toy line of the "Go Bots" which were really cool and actually came out first before the "Transformers" rolled in. They were a big hit at the time, I remember those commercials which were cool, then again most to almost all commercials based on 80's toy lines were cool. One of the things I really love was that mobile base they had, though sadly unfortunately I don't have a copy. But other than that, I always had a think for transforming vehicles to robots it was by its nature having two toys at once. I honestly never heard of this show, until I caught it on the "USA Cartoon Express" and I thought it was good for what it was. Sadly, this toy line as time went on has became forgotten just as this show has.
Yeah, its true that this show's storyline does take its cues from "Transformers" as the good bots are fighting for freedom to save their home planet and ours, its nothing new but it's all done right and were all really in it for the action and the robots anyway. Also, this show has a different feel from "Transformers" as that show was a little more series and even dark, this show is a little more light in tone which makes watching both series all the more interesting because you can watch them depending on what mood your in; If you feel like watching something serious then you have "Transformers" but if you feel like taking a load off then you can see "Go Bots"
The animation is good by Hanna Barbara standards, it's not as crisp and detailed as you would see from "Transformers" but it's still good enough all the same. Really like the details on the Go Bots along with the transformation sequences though sadly there isn't any sound effect for the transformations, which would have enhanced the effect. Even like the action the choreography is well done, from seeing them use their lasers and transformations to their advantages. One of the things that make the action stand out is that they each had secondary abilities, from Leader One a force field, Cy Kill scanner power, etc. That I thought was kind of cool giving each of the bots another edge to them and raising the stakes in the battles more.
The music is good/decent, there is an animated intro theme that is decent if not memorable but at least has the right feel of getting you on the go for robot vehicular assault action.
The character is all good/decent, they each have their unique personality and there is a pretty good voice cast for the characters one of them Frank Welker and Peter Cullen which is ironic considering both did the "Transformers" franchise. Even certain other names that are well known as Brook Peters, Phil Hartman, Rene Arberjonois, Arthur Burghardt, etc.
For your heroes you have, "Leader One" which is cool as he's my favorite "Go Bot" as he turns into a fighter jet but also just like his color which is silver which is a cool color as that the usual trademark color for hero characters. But his character is cool, despite the archetypal strong leader but hey if it works it works.
Villains of course there's, Cy Kill is also cool even though he's the archetypal evil leader but works all the same. Really like the name which is probably one of the best names for a villain.
For number two on the villain roster is Crusher whom is the female villainous which is cool as there are always many female robot character, it was the same with "Transformers", kind of like how there is this mischievous to her which makes her have some really good lines.
Other is Turbo who is cool and my favorite character in the show, let alone voiced by one of my favorite voice actors Arthur Burghardt whom is of course well known for doing the voice of Destro on G. I. Joe. It was cool hearing him as a good guy as that's not a role he plays a lot but shows he's capable in that role. He's pretty much a bit of who Jazz is in "Transformers" as he' has sort of that 70's funk persona but with a deeper voice and with just as many snazzier lines. However, what I like about him is that he's the most aggressive, like that he's not afraid to take action when needed and doesn't take crap from anyone.
Unfortunately, this show has a couple of nails on the road that keep the Go Bots to go the distance. One is that the show it's not quite that memorable, which is strange to say though not really considering the toy line has become forgotten. Mainly because the ongoing plot doesn't advance enough, I know that most animated shows and even live action shows back then didn't have linear developing storytelling at the time. But I felt that for a property as this that could of really helped a lot give the plot and the actions of the Go-Bots more weight.
Also, the show also suffers a fundamental problem most TV shows sometimes suffer, as it went a little on the wrong track by the second season. It wasn't bad I thought it was decent as there are some good episodes to be had though not enough; it's just some of the writing was just kind of off as there were some plotlines that were out of place and silly (in a not so good way) even by animated show standards. This unfortunately killed the chance of another season where "Go Bots" fans were robbed of seeing a few more robots added to the roster and raising the stakes in the war. Sadly, this will only happen in the realm of fan fiction and even comic/graphic novels if a series ever gets going that is.
It would be cool if there was an animated revival of this franchise, you can make it darker, give the plotline more weight with a constant developing storyline, updated and better animation style, have a good ensemble of voice actors/well-known actors to do the voices just the works. Though sadly this may not happen as there hasn't been any plans of the toy line making a resurgence let alone the fanbase for the Go Bots isn't so big. But even if this doesn't happen personally, I'd love a comic book series out of this franchise, there was that miniseries from IDW that was good so why not pick up from there. Well, it's a thought anyway to consider.
Overall, the is a good fun 80's cartoon, it's not an animated classic (in my book anyway) as it's not on the same level as certain other beloved ones in that decade. Let alone not one of Hanna Barbara's best cartoons in their long line up but all the same the show is fun and just like the Go Bot toys themselves it's worth a test drive.
Rating: 3 stars.
