 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Transformers: Animated
- Cartoon Network
- Genre: Kids' Animation
Common Sense Media says
So-so; feels like a barely disguised commercial.
Parents say
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that a good portion of every episode in this action-heavy cartoon series revolves around the inevitable clash of the two rival robot groups (the hero Autobots and the evil Decepticons). Though the machines seem to cause a lot of damage, since they aren't human and don't bleed, it's not particularly upsetting. The show -- which is just the latest in a long line of Trasnformers titles -- is tied into an extensive line of toys; in fact, the toys came first, and parents of young fans should expect to be besieged with requests for Transformer gadgets.
What's the story?
The Transformers characters have been around since the 1980s, first as a popular line of toys (kids loved the action figures), then as a hit cartoon TV series. Other animated iterations followed (including Transformers: Cybertron), as did, of course, Michael Bay's movie blockbuster. In this series, the Autobots (the good guys) and the Decepticons (their sworn enemies) return to the small screen. The series' basic idea is pretty simple: The Autobots have a powerful object called the Allspark, and the Decepticons want to take it. That's enough of a story to justify the many mechanical combat sequences that are the series' central element.
Is it any good?
Fans of the live-action 2007 movie Transformers -- about a race of living robots that have the ability to change themselves into a variety of vehicles and other mechanical objects -- may be disappointed to know that TRANSFORMERS: ANIMATED serves up the same fare as so many other cartoons. Sure, it's kind of cool to see the robots' arms and legs start to flip around, changing from a humanoid shape to a car, but the effect is less impressive in the cartoon version of the franchise than it was in the big-screen film.
Transformers: Animated is simple enough entertainment for kids -- not too complicated, easy to follow, and the good guys always win. It doesn't win any points for originality, but young viewers are often comforted by the familiar.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about marketing -- particularly the stuff that's aimed at kids. Kids: Is it obvious to you that this show is linked to a campaign to sell something? Did you know that the original show came out after the toys were introduced, with the main purpose to boost toy sales? Is that OK? Should young kids be shielded from such obvious sales efforts? Can you think of other shows that are particularly closely linked to toys and other products?
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- All members
- Parents
- Teens & kids
AGE
Not bad, but could be better.
This series definitely could have been better. It may appeal to younger children more than the older ones.
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AGE
not bad
not good gets boring at parts even the action.
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AGE
Pft!
Yes, the Transformers franchise is based off of a toy series, but why is that such a bad thing? You don't see people knocking off Elmo because he has dancing dolls! This is one of the first Transformers cartoons that have a tolerable human character! And one that's highly relatable. They go through situations kids go through every day!
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Kid, 12 years old
March 29, 2011
AGE
Best Show I have ever seen!
I LOVE THIS SHOW! Why did have to be canclled? Very awesome and the best show I have ever seen!
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AGE
Awesome show!
I hated it when the series ended, and how it ended. It made me rethink all the other series were not that bad. I hope another series like this comes soon.
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Kid, 12 years old
December 11, 2011
AGE
I love this show!
This is a totally awesome show!! I really like how Bee can actually TALK~ This show is really humorous compared to TFP but I love TFA and TFP <3 Both great shows, and they're both awesomely epic! xD
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AGE
Boring show
I watched this show about in 2008, but i didn't enjoyed.
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AGE
This was one of the worst shows ever made. It had alot of animated violence and some mild flirting between an evil female robot and a good male robot. This show lacked anything fun and was kind of scary and dumb.
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AGE
I enjoy watching this with my boys.
I disagree that this show is an extended commercial. My sons both enjoy it. I can sit through it with them and not feel like my brain is rotting. It teaches that good triumphs over evil, friendship is to be valued, and the human race is worth protecting.
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AGE
Thought I would hate this show....ended up loving it!
At first the show looked cheesy
but then I watched the 3 part movie and I loved it!
yeah there's the animation thing, but you shouldn't mind cause it's action packed and also full of comedy thanks to Bumblebee.
Social behavior is good, the Autobots work together as a team to defeat their enemies and learn together as a team.
Please give this show a chance if you still think it's cheesy
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| Topics: | cars and trucks, magic and fantasy, adventures, robots, space and aliens |
| TV rating: | TV-Y7 |
| Network: | Cartoon Network |
| Cast: | Bumper Robinson, Corey Burton, David Kaye |
| Genre: | Kids' Animation |
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