More than meets the eye...

And so with glorious fanfare Transformers 2 blasted it's way into the theaters. Ever so special, it got a Wednesday release, and seemed to be the talk of media for a week.. maybe two.

Truth be told, I don't think I've seen more than a couple commercials for it since it released. I think it did well.. but I don't really follow box office numbers. It's not MY money, after all.

Now, Transformers was a cartoon I can kind of remember watching as a kid... and that's about it. I remember watching it.. even had some of the toys... but I can't recall a single episode. Likely just as well, Transformers was one of many cartoons that were created with the intent to sell toys. I've heard that for the creator had as many as three different story lines going for different regions of the world. Mass marketing, if I've ever heard of it.

But I digress. Like always. (Dundundun)

I'm an individual easily impressed and swayed by the shiny, glossy veneer offered by CG, and this movie has it in spades. Cinematically it was well done and spectacular, easily entertaining and distracting. The sort of thing that makes my teeth buzz for a bit and keeps me on an ADD laden rush for hours. Or would have if I weren't so drop dead tired at the end. The movie was freaking LONG.

The rush wore off, and I came to my senses a bit. I still enjoy the movie, and want to get a dvd when it's ready... but, in the post mayhem dust, questions began to pop up. Deep questions. Nagging questions. Questions with no easy answers. (actually, it's an easy answers that sum up to two words... Plot Device.)

First and foremost, I'm going to make an obvious statement about the transformers (Autobot and Deceptacon alike)... They're freaking robots.

Like, dur?

That said, one notices that each of the bots seems to have a rather clearly defined gender. This begins to boggle the mind a bit, but could easily be summed up to a sentient race who's individual members have developed a sense of gender identity. However.. They're robots, right? They're not REALLY boys and girls. Right? I mean... let me paint a couple pictures here of potential robot reproductive habits...

Big buff truck meets a sleek and sexy motorbike. He flashes some rims, she flashes some rubber. They get together over a couple of chilled cans of Maxoline. Then, under the shimmer stars, amidst the clanking and clanging of chasis parts, a new life is begot... a robo hatchling (WTF?! Robo hatchlings?! Seriously?!)

OR... a couple of robos decide they want to make new life and go out and buy a couple of erector sets. And a super computer.

Seriously... it's a question that's boggled my mind. They may be alive in a lot of senses.. but they're STILL freaking ROBOTS. BLARGH!

Huge as it is, robopron is hardly the only issue I have with the universe. Namely, we're dealing with creatures with advanced computer type brains. Not only alien in world, but in the very nature of their existance. For all that Optimus tries to assure us that our kinds are not so differet, there's a few glaring indications to the contrary. (Metal, ability to assume the shape of machines, probably long lived, if not all but immortal?).

Eh, I lost track of this a bit.. ultimately... it makes little sense how a race that is just so completely different from ours could begin to understand us... our broadcasts aside... even if they ARE the biggest softies in the universe.

A few other notes of point...

Robo balls! Funny, even a bit cute.. but in the end... whu?

Wheelie! Horny little bugger needs to be shot. Repeatedly. Preferably with a nailgun. Though, I admit he amused me.

Bumblebee! Is way, way, waaaaay too interested in Sam and McKayla's relationship.

War is my Destiny

This is the actual music video to the song being played here. Produced by MoreFrames animation studio, it was posted to Aniboom by the director, Adam Calfee.

It's rather bloody, as well as a rap song. I'm uncertain if it's explicit or not, I don't recall hearing any foul language, but I admit to getting lost in the tune and letting the pictures do the talking.



While I'm not a fan of rap, per say,I will admit I rather got into this one, for all that it was quite violent and bloody. The animation, while rather Samurai Jack'ish in look and feel seemed to suit the grittiness of what they were trying to portray, and I ultimately like the entire product from a story point of view. Might be worth a look.

Circle of Life

Since I posted Space Alone, it felt only fair to share Circle of Life in the same breath, as they come from the same artist, and are both quite remarkable, if not somewhat profound.



I'm a fan of the icon based style of the storytelling... rather universal in language. The music is a good fit, as well, if somewhat repetitive. But it really isn't the feature here, I suppose.

Space Alone

Occasionally I take a foray into Aniboom, a rather massive YouTube like entity which sports quite a collection of animations.. as might be expected by the name.

I've always been a fan of foreign animation, ever since my exposure to a handful of Russian masterpieces on public access. As is to be expected of generally independent student work, it's typically hit or miss. However, given the volume of student work or just hobbyist artists, quite a few golden gems pop up. Then, of course, there's the factor that I'm one weird nut, and tend to like things people pass over on.

And so, I present you with today's item.




It's quite the sad little number, as one might expect, and has long be among my Aniboom favorites.

Move Over!

Well, this makes for the umpteenth blog that I've started with the intent of continuing. Myspace is fine, and all, but far too many distractions, and too much potential to pull up old, bad feelings.

WOO! So, sorry Eric, you'll have to come here for your giggles from now on.

And now... to drag my sorry self over to the gym.