But that doesn't change the fact that Transformers: Armada is possibly one of the worst series out there.
I've been watching Transformers since the 80's, and I have to say it is the worst of the worst here. I'm not some purist who says G-1 is the best there every will be, because let's be honest here: I've re-watched the original 98 episodes a number of times, and they aren't really all that stellar when you look back on them.
But enough about G-1, if you want to air your praise or grievance about it, then go read the G-1 comments... Let's talk about Transformers: Armada without falling back into a whine fest about why I think G-1 is better (Because in a lot of ways, Generation 1 is just as bad if not worse.) Here are some pitfalls with Armada: 1.) The animation at times is horrible. Just terrible. I think this is probably because the series was rushed into production. The only good animation you see through the course of most of the series is some of the transformation sequences they use as stock footage, although these animation sequences are used less often than some other Transformers series that were made entirely out of Japan.
2.) The voice acting is irritating, almost grating at time. Especially from the human characters.
3.) And speaking of human characters, they are usually the central focus of each episode. I thought this series was about giant robots, not the kids that hang out with them. I know they're trying to give the children picking up this show and watching it some characters they can relate to, but they go over kill.
4.) The Pokémon-esquire collection of the Mini-Cons, as much as a rip off that it is, fails miserably. Mostly because the series doesn't focus overly much on the repetition and constant screen time the Mini-Cons would need to be remembered easily by children, and the whole Mini-Con thing eventually falls on the way side. I can name all the different Autobots and Decepticons in this series, but I can be damned if I can remember who has which Mini-Con.
5.) Some of the plots are pretty weak, but that's true of any children's cartoon.
6.) Lots of talking, little action. Not very exciting. Which wouldn't have been so bad if it wasn't like listening to a bunch of grade school kids pretending they're playing Transformers.
Some positive things to say about Armada: 1.) Unicron, if you can't have a Transformers series without a reference to G-1, this should shut your whining loser face for about 30 seconds.
2.) Some episodes are passingly good, like the battle between Scavanger and Hot Shot, or Starscream's defection, the conflict between Hot Shot and Wheeljack, and of course Prime sacrificing his life.
3.) Some episodes have some great animation, it seems only the really important episodes they took the time to draw well.
Armada is a sub-par series, but don't listen to some loser who puts a G-1 DVD on whenever Armada comes on the air and pretends that G-1 plays on Cartoon Network (Dude, you need to get a life), check it out for yourself. Armada isn't TOO awful a series, and it does follow into Energon, which is a lot better (Although still pales in comparison to something of a higher caliber like Beast Wars) But remember, it's a kids show. If you want something a little more adult and you like your Transformers, get the Beast Wars/Beast Machines series (if you aren't an elitist G-1 snob), because it is after all, a kids show.
If you want your Armada a little more adult, then pick up and read the Armada comic book that was being published by Dreamwave (you can probably still pick up the trade paper backs or back issues at your local comic shop at bargain basement prices because Transformers stuff doesn't sell for crap like it used to.)
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