Transformers: Siege thoughts · 11:01pm Aug 1st, 2020
So, I watched Transformers War for Cybertron: Siege. I have a bit to unpack here, so bear with me. And for the record, I'll be calling it Siege as so we don't get confused with that game series.
Now, you don't have to take my word as gospel, and please don't actually. Hell, I'd urge you to watch this series if you've got two hours to kill and if you like it, good on you. Also, there's something I have to laugh at. Labeled Y7. I can guess why that is. Thing is, we have Wheeljack of all characters call Bumblebee a pain in the ass in the very first episode.
Admittedly, Prime's more mature than Siege, but I'm sure someone mucked up here. But I'm sorta dancing around the actual review here, aren't I? So, thoughts on Siege.
It's... okay. Not great, not bad, but not the best. I liked the take on Megatron, an introspective thoughtful hypocrite. Sadly, like I'll keep saying that aspect wasn't used as well as it could be. I'll keep on saying this. The chief problem with the series is it has way too many characters. The Guardians and Omega Supreme, for example, weren't really utilized aside from fanservice. Same thing with Soundblaster. He's a cool idea, but the clone thing isn't really explored further.
Ultra Magnus? Eh, we don't see why he's this great general. No showing of him actually being this great tactician. They also tease Optimus not doing a great job leading, but as far as I can see, he's doing a fine job. It's told he's doing a bad job, but they don't show it. This is a classic Rooster Teeth series, they tease at stuff but they don't use it to its full potential. I mean, credit where it's due, there are a few bright spots like Shockwave who I thought was legitimately disturbing and the usage of Elita One and Soundblaster who are sadly underused characters in animation. Also, the Code of Alpha Trion. I liked that idea. I do think the Code of Alpha Trion was a homage to Ozma and his many reincarnations from RWBY. Wouldn't stun me given who we're working with.
Honestly, this should have been a 9 to 13 episode season, allow the characters room to breathe instead of shuffling them off from place to place. It's horrendous in this regard. Also, a lot of the ideas we've seen used in this show? Been done elsewhere in some other series, and done better. Zombies? Transformers Prime. The Allspark? Animated. The war? That other War for Cybertron labeled series. This series? It really didn't tread any new ground. It's nothing we haven't seen before. Honestly... for all the hype it got with a great toyline -and it is a really great toyline- and such? The execution falls flat on its face.
Least it's not Prime Wars or Energon.
Your right, it felt rushed. Needed more episodes to develop the characters.