Beast Wars: Transformers
By Emily Ashby,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Award-winning '90s series is violent but entertaining.
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What you will—and won't—find in this TV show.
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What's the Story?
BEAST WARS: TRANSFORMERS takes place years after the original Transformers series and concerns two warring factions, the Predacons (descendants of the Decepticons) and the Maximals (descendants of the Autobots). Led by Megatron (voiced by Gary Chalk), the Predacons travel through time and space in the hopes of locating and controlling Earth's vast supply of the substance energon. In hot pursuit are the Maximals, led by Optimus Primal (Chalk again), who hope to intercept Megatron and protect the universe from his greed. But when the two sides crash land onto an unidentified planet, they find its energon levels too toxic for their robotics, forcing them to assume the forms of native animals to protect themselves until they face off in battle.
Is It Any Good?
The second animated series in the Transformers franchise, Beast Wars is a futuristic story that bears just the right amount of resemblance to the original to simultaneously please existing fans and tickle the curiosity of those wanting a bigger, broader story. It's always an accomplishment when a sequel succeeds on its own merit rather than leaning too hard on the original's popularity, and that's just what's going on here. If you're already familiar with the Autobots and Decepticons' tale, you'll notice aspects of the story that remind you of it, but because the characters and setting are entirely different, there's no harm in making Beast Wars your introduction to the Transformers.
For a '90s show, the graphics feel surprisingly modern, which bodes well for keeping kids' interest, and the continuity between the characters' robot and animal forms makes it easy to keep track of who's who as they morph from one persona to the other. As for the show's content, parents' biggest issue may be the verbal jabs and put-downs between the sparring characters. If your kids do watch, be sure to remind them what is and is not appropriate for them to say around their friends.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about this show's message about violence. Is it portrayed in a positive way? Should violence ever be used to resolve differences in real life?
What distinguishes this series from other shows and movies in the Transformers franchise? Which qualities, if any, make it better than the rest? What similarities exist among them? Do you have a favorite among them?
How much influence does what we see on TV have on our desires for toys or products with particular characters' images? What other shows have ties to product lines?
TV Details
- Premiere date: September 16, 1996
- Cast: David Kaye, Gary Chalk, Ian James Corlett
- Network: Syndicated
- Genre: Kids' Animation
- Topics: Magic and Fantasy, Superheroes, Space and Aliens
- TV rating: TV-Y7
- Award: Emmy
- Last updated: April 10, 2023
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