"Beast Wars: Transformers" (1996) TV series 1996-1999

User Rating:

8.8/10   

Seasons:

1 | 2 | 3

Release Date:

6 August 1996 (Canada)

Genre:

Action | Fantasy | Animation | Sci-Fi | Thriller

Tagline:

The Transformers story continues in the acclaimed sequel!

Plot:

The Transformers' war continues in an older time, through a newer generation. On a prehistoric Earth, the heroic Maximals and the evil Predacons battle for survival against each other and against nature.

Plot Keywords:

Planet | Battle | Robot | Spaceship | Alien

Awards:

1 win & 1 nomination

Cast

Scott McNeil	...	Dinobot / ... (52 episodes, 1996-1999)
Gary Chalk	...	Optimus Primal / ... (51 episodes, 1996-1999)
Ian James Corlett	...	Cheetor / ... (50 episodes, 1996-1999)
Richard Newman	...	Rhinox / ... (50 episodes, 1996-1999)
David Kaye	...	Megatron (48 episodes, 1996-1999)
Venus Terzo	...	Blackarachnia (40 episodes, 1996-1999)
Alec Willows	...	Tarantulas (35 episodes, 1996-1999)
Jim Byrnes	...	Inferno (28 episodes, 1997-1999)
Doug Parker	...	Terrorsaur / ... (25 episodes, 1996-1997)
Don Brown	...	Scorponok (24 episodes, 1996-1997)

Also Known As:

Beasties: Transformers (Canada: English title)
Beasties (Canada: English title)
Transformers: Beast Wars (USA) (last season title)

Runtime:

30 min (52 episodes)

Country:

Canada

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby (1997-) | Matrix Surround (1996-1997)

Certification:

Australia:PG (some episodes) | Singapore:PG | Australia:G (some episodes) | USA:TV-Y7

Company:

Alliance Atlantis Communications

Trivia:

The "Golden Disk" that Megatron stole in the pilot is from one of the Voyager spacecraft, though we're never told *which* Voyager craft the disk is from.

Goofs:

Continuity: In the episode "Fallen Comrade", during the fight over the bridge, Waspinator is missing his stripes on his posterior. They are missing again when he and Terrorsaur are attempting to open the stasis pod

Quotes:

Silverbolt: Although attacking your own comrade is no doubt business as usual in Predacon guides of villainy it is simply... unacceptable behaviour... in my book.

Movie Connections:

Followed by "Chô semeitai Transformer: Beast Wars Neo" (1999)

WOW!!

I absolutely love this show! It has everything going for it: top-quality animation from Mainframe, an excellent voice cast, great music, and the most intricate story lines I've seen in a while. This should be a reference guide as to how a quality TV series should be done. I must state that my favorite character by a longshot is Dinobot. The animators did a wonderful job on him. His facial expressions combined with Scott McNeil's incredible performance drive home the point that he is a complex character. He is cunning, yet noble and in deep thought. Even thought he leaves the Predacons for the Maximals, you are never quite sure what he is going to do next. In a sense, he is neither Maximal nor Predacon; he fights on his own side. I thought the "Code of Hero" episode was sad, yet fitting for him.