Beast Machines: Difference between revisions

''Beast Machines'' tried to tackle such concepts as loyalty, individuality, the merits of freedom vs. chaos, and the challenges of living in an increasingly technological society. This over-ambitious aim, coupled with the [[Continuity Lock Out]] and the radical departure in tone from its predecessor, as well as some ''massive'' departure from the ''Beast Wars'''s characterizations in some cases, turned this show into one of the most hated ''Transformers'' incarnations of all time when it aired; the sheer backlash over it at the time led to Hasbro [[What Could Have Been|scrapping]] a planned [[Sequel Series]] named ''[[Transformers: Trans TechTransTech|Transtech]]'' in favor of dubbing ''[[Transformers: Robots in Disguise]]''. However, with the subsequent release of the (generally lower-quality) [[Unicron Trilogy]] as well as readier access to Japanese post-[[Transformers Generation 1|G1]] series, coupled with the gap from the Beast Wars continuity and new fans watching it as a work of its own; ''Beast Machines'' is now looked upon somewhat more favorably, though it's hardly universal.

The toys were a mixed bag. The Vehicons had a living machine theme, and the toys were generally pretty good, but [[Show Accuracy, Toy Accuracy|looked nothing like the characters on screen]]. The Maximals aimed for a technological animal feel, but were of mixed quality and exceedingly show-inaccurate. Better quality, show-accurate toys were later released as part of the "Battle for the Spark" Beast Machines subline, and a few were held over until the ''[[Transformers: Robots in Disguise|Robots in Disguise]]'' line.

* [[Always Night]]: Both ''[[Beast Wars]]'' and this series established Cybertron being in orbit of a star, but this trope was rarely averted. Justified in that the Maximals (now as [[La Résistance]]) can't risk being easily spotted.

* [[Art Evolution]]: A step up even from the last few episodes of [[Beast Wars]], and [[Dull Surprise|Energon's CGI]] made it look even better in hindsight.

* [[Downer Ending]]: An overwhelming number of the episodes in this series end on a bad note.

** Played straight in the very same episode with Jetstorm, {{spoiler|who refers to himself as "the handsome devil with the silver wings."}}

* [[Killed Off for Real]]: {{spoiler|Rhinox/Tankor}} is fried in the season 2 premiere, {{spoiler|Noble}} is killed by Megatron, who also '' {{spoiler|devours}}'' several sparks in the same episode. Then, of course, we have {{spoiler|Optimus Primal and Megatron falling into Cybertron's organic core}} in the [[Grand Finale]]. As is appropriate, it's a ''huge'' [[Dying Moment of Awesome]] for {{spoiler|Optimus}}, as {{spoiler|Cybertron is reformatted}} as a result.

* [[Took a Level Inin Badass]]: Cheetor, as part of his promotion from [[The Chick]] in ''[[Beast Wars]]'' to [[The Lancer]] in ''[[Beast Machines]].''

** Silverbolt, too. Goes from a [[Knight in Shining Armor]] who was only really dangerous if you [[Berserk Button|hurt Blackarachnia]] to an angsty [[Anti-Hero]] who ''mows'' down Vehicon soldiers.

* [[What the Hell, Hero?]]: Beast Machines is ''made'' of this trope.

** "The Weak Component" has several instances:<br /><br />''Megatron'', of all people, calls Blackarachnia, Cheetor and Nightscream on mistreating Rattrap and Optimus for promising more than he can deliver.<br /><br />They also call Rattrap on making a deal with Megatron and Optimus calls him for attacking them.