autobots – My Geek Wisdom

“Fate rarely calls upon us at a time of your choosing.”

From: Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen

Genre: Cartoons, Movies

Who said it?: Optimus Prime

The story behind the quote: This week’s quote comes from the 2009 movie, Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen. Based on the cartoon series of the same name, the movie has the Autobots trying to protect the planet Earth against the evil forces of the Decepticons. However, there is a new threat, known as the Fallen who is now the main antagonist here.

The quote comes early in the movie. Sam Witwitcky (played by Shia LaBeouf), now a college student, goes to Optimus Prime (voiced by Peter Cullen). Sam is upset as it seems he cannot have a normal life since the events of the previous movie. Optimus Prime understands Sam’s predicament but he asks for the human’s help to remind the humans of their alliance. Sam doesn’t want anything to do with this intergalactic war and starts to walk away. This is when Optimus Prime delivers the quote.

Geek wisdom: The time to step up will come when it’s usually inconvenient. Yet we always must be ready to take up the call and do the right thing when the time comes.

“Autobots! Transform and roll out!”

From: The Transformers

Genre: Cartoons, Television

Who said it?: Optimus Prime (most of the time)

The story behind the quote: Most people nowadays have, at the least, a passing familiarity of the Transformers series. The cartoon has gone through various revisions and reiterations. But there are two things that have always remained fairly constant: The Autobots are led by the heroic Optimus Prime and Optimus Prime usually delivers the quote as a sort of battlecry before heading towards battle.

It doesn’t matter if the show has them transforming into vehicles, animals or other creatures/things, Optimus Prime will give this order when it’s time for the Autobots to charge into the battle to take on the evil Decepticons led by Megatron.

Geek wisdom: Change is always scary. Whether it’s trying something new or even getting feedback that you need to adjust something about yourself, the idea of change can be hard to swallow. However, sometimes, in order to move on, you have to be willing to transform yourself.

Change is not necessarily a bad thing; it’s just something you’re not used to. You never know if it’s good or bad until you at least try it out.

“More than meets the eye!”

From: The Transformers

Genre: Cartoons, Television

Who said it?: No one really… it’s part of the intro song

The story behind the quote: The Transformers is one of the most beloved cartoons of the 80’s. You probably know the story: Optimus Prime and the Autobots fight to save the Earth from the evil Decepticons led by Megatron. What made the characters incredibly memorable was the fact that they could (as the name suggests) transform into other things. Optimus Prime would transform into a gigantic trailer truck while Megatron would change into a gun. This led to a fantastic toyline. Never mind that people would complain that the cartoon was just a big commercial for the toys. It didn’t matter; the show was fantastic as well.

The quote actually comes from the theme song of each of the seasons of the regular (so-called) Generation 1 continuity (none of the Michael Bay movies or even the later cartoons). The title song lays it out: there is more than meets the eye for the series.

Geek wisdom: There is more to people than what we just see on the outside. Each and every one has different facets and you will not be able to determine them with just a simple look. You would have to go deeper than that.

We can shun people just because, from our initial impressions, we judge them instantly without really getting to know them. But everyone has something to offer so it’s best to really try to understand other people before we judge them. You never really know if your first impression should be your last impression of a person.

“Until That Day… Till All Are One”

From: Transformers: The Movie

Genre: Movies, Cartoons

Who said it?: Optimus Prime

The story behind the quote: This quote comes from the Transformers: The Movie. Not the live action Michael Bay films. This is from the animated movie that was released in 1986. The film was actually pretty controversial for its time because of the deaths of practically the entire cast of the TV Series… during the first 20 minutes, no less!

The movie is set in the year 2005 (which was pretty far off in the future then) and, somehow, the treacherous Decepticons have managed to conquer the Autobots home world of Cybertron. The Autobots, however, refuses to give up the fight and have set up bases on the planet’s moons. Unknown to them, both factions face a bigger threat than themselves: the planet eater called Unicron.

Geek wisdom: We all have an idea of what our future will be. Unfortunately, the way to get to that future will be difficult and a lot of obstacles will lay in our path, obstructing us from achieving it. We must push through and go beyond these barriers and focus on the end result.

It may be difficult, especially at the start, and giving up may feel like a viable (and easy) option. However, we have to look past the problems and look at our goal. We have to focus on until that day comes and when all that effort will pay off.

“Bah Weep Granah Weep Ninni Bong!”

From: Transformers: The Movie

Genre: Movies, Cartoons

Who said it?: Kup

Anyway, the quote comes during two parts in the film. The first part is when Kup and Hot Rod, two Autobots who had to retreat from a recent battle encountering a group of shark-like robots. The elder Kup tries to make friends with them by giving the “Universal Greeting,” which is the quote. However, this is met with disastrous results…

The second time the quote is used is when Hot Rod and Kup rendezvous with their fellow Autobots who were under attack by a group of robots called the Junkions. Here, Hot Rod tries his hand at using the Universal Greeting…

Geek wisdom: The Universal Greeting is actually kinda smart as it proves that its not really the words that people look at when you first meet them; its actually the actions of people that are more important. People tend to focus on the words people use and that’s okay.

However, words are just that: words. We tend to forget that actions always speak louder than words. It’s easy to make promises and say what we’re gonna to do something but they’ll have no meaning unless we can back it up by actually doing them.