Self-transforming Optimus Prime is a thing

During Friday's first-ever Hasbro Pulse Fan Fest, the Pawtucket-based company announced the most advanced Transformers toy in history.

For $700, Transformers fans (myself included) can purchase a 19-inch app-controlled self-transforming Optimus Prime. Filmmaker Kevin Smith and longtime friend Jason Mewes demonstrated the voice-controlled fan-favourite Autobot Leader (featuring the voice of Peter Cullen). This is the stuff of childhood dreams.



"After over 11 years of rigorous R&D, the talented team at Robosen was able to produce the first-ever consumer robot that features a comprehensive set of functions, including automatic convertible movement from vehicle to robot, bipedal walking ability in robot form, race function in vehicle form, programmable/code development, and robot control/commands by either voice or mobile app," reads the press release from Hasbro.

The transforming technology is impressive and would make Sphero's Star Wars app-enabled droids blush.

"We are thrilled to collaborate with Hasbro and look forward to ushering in a new standard of robotics with the most advanced Transformers robots for consumers ever created," said Robosen USA director Sean Tang. "The team is working hard to deliver an amazing user experience for fans of this esteemed franchise and produce Transformers that will be a premium addition to their collection with its superior functionality."

Optimus Prime is currently only available in the US and beyond my price range as a casual collector. So, I've pre-ordered Kingdom Commander Rodimus Prime and evil Autobot Blurr from IDW's Shattered Glass for toy photography on Instagram.

What do you think? Would you spend $700 on a robotic Optimus Prime? Let me know in the comments below.

Revenge is Coming

With the official UK theatrical release of Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen only a week away. You can now download IDW Publishing's lavishly illustrated comic book adaptation #1-4. Avoid if you do not want to read spoilers.



It's worth pointing out that you can now follow @ParamountUK on Twitter!

After seeing Terminator Salvation - A misguided melange of Mad Max meets Transformers-wannabe via Spacehunter: Adventures in the Forbidden Zone - at the refurbished Odeon, Exeter...

Bring on the Bayhem!

Download on iTunes

You should follow me on twitter here.

PlayStation Home Transforms

June 5th, 2009: To promote the release of TRANSFORMERS: REVENGE OF THE FALLEN, Paramount Pictures International (PPI) and Sony Computer Entertainment Europe (SCEE) today announced the release of a selection of Transformers merchandise, available exclusively through a virtual treasure hunt in Home.

A variety of T-Shirts and a unique ‘Autobot Trophy’ will be rewarded to residents who embark on the ‘Transformers Quest’. This activity continues PPI’s commitment to take innovative film marketing within online virtual communities to the next level. TRANSFORMERS: REVENGE OF THE FALLEN, directed by Michael Bay, is due to release internationally on June 24th this year.

Starting today, Home residents can begin the quest by finding the Transformers theatrical poster, placed at a few points throughout the public spaces in Home. Another will succeed this poster and targeting it will launch the first in a series of games that will be released over the coming days and weeks. The completion of each game will deliver a unique voucher code, which can be redeemed for an exclusive piece of Transformers merchandise. More information about the game can be found on the PlayStation EU Forum.

Home residents can already watch the TRANSFORMERS: REVENGE OF THE FALLEN trailer in the Home Cinema and this treasure hunt will take Transformers to all corners of PlayStation Home.

Both companies are again working with marketing agency, The Picture Production Company (PPC), heavily experienced in film promotion and marketing within virtual worlds and across the wider social web, on strategic direction, original content production and promotion.

Home is a 3D social gaming community that allows PLAYSTATION®3 users to meet, chat, plan, and launch into games together. They can create their own custom avatar, decorate their personal apartment, play mini-games, shop, watch videos and attend special events.

This press release originally appeared on Silverscreen and is republished with kind permission.

Download Transformers comics on iTunes

To mark the theatrical release of Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen, IDW Publishing has launched the official comic book prequels on iTunes!

Journey across the globe as humans and AUTOBOTS join forces to defend Earth against the DECEPTICON threat in Transformers: Alliance. The very origins of CYBERTRON are revealed in Defiance, which leads directly to the start of the movie. Get all eight comics on iTunes or at your local book store.

Download from iTunes

Transformers Do Blu

Paramount Home Entertainment has revealed the specs for the upcoming Blu-ray release of Michael Bay's blockbuster hit 'Transformers' (link to my review), due to hit store shelves on September 2nd.

On this two disc special edition, video will be presented in 2.35:1 1080p AVC and be accompanied by both a 5.1 PCM and 5.1 Dolby TrueHD lossless soundtracks.

Extras for the release are exhaustive, and include:

* Commentary: Commentary by Director Michael Bay
* Featurette: OUR WORLD:
* Featurette: The Story Sparks HD
* Featurette: Human Allies HD
* Featurette: I Fight Giant Robots HD
* Featurette: Battleground HD
* Featurette: THEIR WAR:
* Featurette: Rise of the Robots HD
* Featurette: Autobots Roll Out HD
* Featurette: Decepticons Strike HD
* Featurette: Inside the AllSpark HD
* Featurette: Transformers Tech Inspector (TBD) HD
* Trailers: TRAILERS (will play after the feature via a menu)
* Trailers: Iron Man Trailer HD
* Featurette: MORE THAN MEETS THE EYE
* Trailers: Transformers Teaser Trailer HD
* Trailers: Rise of the Autobots HD
* Other: Transformers H.U.D. (Heads Up Display)
* Other: BD-Live Features (TBD)
* Featurette: From Script to Sand: The Skorponok Desert Attack HD
* Featurette: Concepts HD
* Trailers: Trailers HD:
* Trailers: Teaser Trailer 1 HD
* Trailers: Theatrical Trailer 2 HD
* Trailers: Theatrical Trailer 4 HD
* Easter Eggs: EASTER EGGS:
* Easter Eggs: Michael Bay Cameo HD
* Easter Eggs: Girl in Dress HD
* Easter Eggs: Bay Bot HD
* Easter Eggs: Casting Mojo HD

Although no official announcement has been made by Paramount, Transformers is a prime candidate for the D-BOX Motion Code™ system! Jumper (Blu-ray) showcases the feature to dazzling effect.

Transformers is going to be a system seller this upcoming holiday season! You'll be able to pre-order Transformers from my Blu-ray Shop and support my blogging. Your support is very much appreciated and, most importantly, at no additional cost to yourself! Thank you.

Hasbro Masterpiece Starscream needed!

This is a request to my readers (also posted on Cloister Bell)!

If you can help me procure Hasbro’s G1 version of the amazing Masterpiece Starscream (a Wal-mart exclusive), for review, please use the contact form (right hand sidebar). You will, of course, receive a credit/link.



Transformers Masterpiece Action Figure:
Starscream
Amazingly detailed Decepticon robot-to-vehicle figure
Exact replica of the character featured in the 80s hit cartoons and comics
Features interchangeable heads, hidden missile pods, an opening canopy and more
Comes with display stand

Thank you in advance.

Transforming Scribes

Dorling Kindersley (DK) and myself are offering one lucky reader a chance to win a copy of the terrific Transformers: The Movie Guide book, which sports an eye-catching lenticular hologram morphing from Autobot insignia to Optimus Prime.



This hardback book is a backstage pass to the "Transformers" movie. Get under the metal and discover more about the Robots in Disguise in this spectacular guide to the earth-stopping film.

Packed with incredible images, this book enables you to check out transport and locations from the Transformers universe and come face-to-mask with all your favourite characters from Optimus Prime to Megatron. Plus, get a fascinating insight into all the bots and take a serious look at their unstoppable powers (but keep your distance!).

To enter for a chance of winning this prize, please leave a comment. Good luck. Special thanks to DK for supplying the competition prize.

Explore the Star Wars galaxy through DK books.

About DK books
Since 1974, Dorling Kindersley has published an extensive range of internationally acclaimed titles in 51 languages for adults and children. As the UK's market leader in illustrated non-fiction, we pride ourselves on creating books that combine comprehensive information and superb design.

Over the years, as the world's leading family illustrated publisher, we have inspired and informed readers who find DK books to be educational, distinctive and of consistently high quality. We value this reputation and will continue to create reference titles that are, without question, exceptional.

"Underwater, no one can hear you scream."

Nerd alert!

Spent a pleasant afternoon basking in the sunshine on Exmouth seafront and envisaging Transformers Seacons, an aquatic team of Decepticons that combined to form Piranacon (known as King Poseidon in Japan), harassing swimmers, jet skiers and kite surfers! Old habits die hard, blame Steven Spielberg's Jaws (1975) and the recent media moral panic surrounding alleged Great White shark sightings off of the Cornish coast!

A monolithic menace. The diabolical combination of the five Seacons who comprise him. Master at undersea warfare. Few Autobots can outdistance him or escape his evil clutches. Destroys everything in his path with ghoulish glee. A troublemaker and malcontent. Rarely follows orders. Fellow Decepticons are unable to control him. Capable of creating colossal tidal waves over 300 feet high. Because of his incredible size, Piranacon's reflexes are impaired out of water. Armed with the Seacons' entire arsenal of firepower.

This evening I've been analysing site search statistics. And the top two search terms for this blog are:

1). Jennifer Love Hewitt
2). Scarlett Johansson

Hmm...