I find it poetic that the original cartoon formed the basis of Optimus Prime's modern backstory, while the Marvel comic formed the basis of Megatron's modern backstory. The two backbones of Transformers fiction, both equally important to the franchise's modern lore. also, i'd be remiss if i didn't mention that D-16's round black helmet that he had in his cogless form in the new movie is definitely a nod to Marvel Megatron's design. a great choice by the character designers that both differentiates D-16 from Megatron and acknowledges the franchise's origins.
@ChrisMcfeely 0:06 you got that right, I will go see it today... D-16, was a damn dirty decepticon leader: Megatron. My friends Nana, Miss Marie, nathan, and my Three Star raiders: road pig, detritus, and ferak will to learn about this film.
I still can't get over the moment when D-16 finally snapped and said that he wanted to kill Sentinal Prime. Years of suppression and anger under a corrupt system finally broke and you could feel his genuine anger. The tone of the film instantly shifted and I knew from then on that TF One truly was one of the best TF films we had in a long time. So much kudos to Brian Tyree. He truly brought the best for this.
That was a hell of a moment. It was absolutely palpable how much the relationship between them all changed at that moment I'm not sure how much of the shift in his personality was down to the two t-cogs influencing and encouraging him though.
It was the rage in D-16, so much rage that it spawned the creation of his infamous arm-cannon. I also loved the "it's never over, Prime" comment ... a nice nod to his final words to Optimus in the '86 movie
It wasn´t just the oppression, for all that time D-16 really admire Sentinel Prime like everyone, because Sentinel had built an image of him being a heroe, a protector of all Cybertronians, so nobody knew really they were slaves, that had been scamned all along, he felt so betrayed that all his admiration turned into hate
Ive never seen a better execution of "robots eyes turned red so they're evil now" than TF One. With "I'm done saving you." D-16 was gone and the film earned that moment.
When Optimus said "You are now exiled from Iacon City," there's a very brief moment where Megatron's eyes flash purple before changing back to red. Like for half a second he was thinking of throwing it all away and giving up, where he'd get blue Autobot eyes.
What I like most about the new take in Transformers One is how it removes the implied hypocrisy of someone who ostensibly hated an oppressive system he was born into, but when given a chance at power, became an oppressive tyrant himself. Now, this newest take's problem is no longer with the system itself. Even after learning the whole system was built on a foundation of lies, he seems to try clinging on to it, if seemingly only for the structure and sense of purpose it had given him. *D-16:* _"You just had to break protocol."_ *Orion:* _"Who cares about protocol?"_ *D-16:* _"I do! I care! Because nothing bad happens when you stay on protocol."_ It's a lot easier to see how that kind of belief could be twisted into a desire to overthrow the hierarchical leadership not so that everyone can be equals, but rather only to install himself at the top of a new pecking order.
Incredible observation. You can see that today with alot of supposed anti-establishment speak about "big goverment" and "deep state". They claim to hate the goverment and the system, but in reality they just think the guy in charge cheated their way on top, and the true "strong man" should rule with an iron fist, instead of the weak, cowardly man ruling with an iron fist. Megatron was never against this hierarchy, he just believed the hierarchy was taken over by someone who doesn't deserve it.
That makes way more sense. I was trying to reconcile D16 purpose in TF:one and was going to give it a second watch to make sense of it. You explained it very well
It's why I never liked most of Megatron's origins that tried to paint him as sympathetic in any way. Because there was always the inherent hypocrisy. The narrative is trying to convince me of something despite the evidence proving that to be a farce. I especially couldn't stand Netflix's War For Cybertron depiction trying to tell me that Optimus was partly to blame when it was entirely Megatron's fault the entire time. But more so I am just tired of all the lazy "but what if the good guys were the _real_ villains" narratives trying to rewrite awful people into halfass antiheroes. I liked this version. D-16's transformation into Megatron felt earned and natural. It also helped that Sentinel was unambiguously awful and insufferably smug. There was no dumb misunderstanding. He was a great catalyst for Megatron's villain origin.
@@darwinxavier3516: Speaking of the Netflix's War For Cybertron, the only time I ever really bought into its attempt to portray Megatron in a sympathetic light was the episode where he goes to visit an underperforming sector. It's very clear that he recognizes how hard the residents are trying to meet their quota, but he's also too deeply entrenched into his own sunk cost fallacy and so orders the sector shut down. I could even actually see the version of Megatron in Transformers One playing out pretty much the exact same scenario, right down to making the same decision. The only difference being that he would probably give the order to shut down the sector before leaving, so as not to give the residents any false hope. After all the reason he took Sentinel's betrayal so personal was because Sentinel had lied to his face.
@@EmeralBookwise That and Sentinel desecrated the corpse of D-16's hero after betraying them, then bragged about it. I appreciated that the movie didn't copout of killing Sentinel and went full God of War.
@OtakuUnitedStudio well, in animated, the status of a prime is non-existent. In comparison to "Ultra Magnus" when he's just a friend to OP in the oldies, UM is a rank higher than Prime. "Prime" in TF animated is just a rank
I think is worth pointing out that Orion’s attitude was important in D-16’s character arc in Transformers One, but in a different way. From the very beginning of the movie we see that Orion’s reckless behavior often gets D-16 into trouble, like when he insulted Darkwing or the whole situation with the Iacon 5000, he even blames Pax for dragging him along and discovering Sentinel’s lies as we see in the cave sequence. “Nothing bad happens when you stay on protocol.” “You’re never thinking about anything else just yourself! Fantastic, another Orion Pax masterplan, I can’t wait to hear this…” “No I want to kill him!” “But I guess it doesn’t matter what I want, right Pax!?” So, it could be said that Sentinel’s betrayal was the last straw for D-16’s patience, justifying his change of attitude better. That’s also why the “Im done saving you” and his expressions in that moment are so impactful, it is the moment where he finally decides that no one else will impact or decide his path other than himself. Nice video btw 👍🏻
The fact that Megatron’s ID number from the Japanese toyline has now become an integral part of his newer incarnations’ backstory is insane (Almost as insane as having a BotCon original character like Apelinq on a film)
I really like how much the gladiator take is so simple in concept but had expanded to so many different ways of exploring how cybertons government has shaped Megs into the bot he would later become, since they take such different approaches as to why he becomes fed up. Marvel is mainly the result of a personal grudge with the ruler of the nation, the movies was jealousy, IDW and Dreamwave were victims of the government policies and Prime was a mixture of all the above. It makes me love the TF:One version so much more since we see a version of Megs that actually did believe in the system he lived in only to have that illusion shattered and end up with the same conclusion as the other Megs. "Its like poetry it rhymes" - Star wars guy
The best thing about D-16 is that you can see Megatron in a more sympathetic light. He's no longer viewed as a one-dimensional villain but a bot who had good intentions but took things to the extreme and became the tyrant we all know.
Transformers One Megatron really recontextualizes Megatron in a whole new way as although Megatron may have been a great despicable entertaining villain for the span of 40 years of existing but there never truly much to the character to make him as nuanced as other villains and by no means does every villain need a sympathetic story since we've had fantastic villains like Joker, Emperor Palpatine, Hanz Gruber, Sauron, Homelander etc... all exist as chaotic, sinister monsters but then again it's refreshing to see a new take on Megatron that actually makes you care about him as a character and even makes you effectively sympathise with him, which Im amazed hasn't been attempted in media outside of the IDW comics. I adore the backstory between D-16 and Orion's friendship as it genuinely makes sense why they went down different paths and gives complexity to Megatron once being a simple miner who believed in the system but was betrayed by his idols, stripped of his right to transform from birth, and watched his fellow miners die for a leader that killed the Primes, sold out his species and created a class system of manipulation and death, if I was D-16 I would be just as pissed off as him. Megatron as a revolutionist who slowly goes down a darker path of anger, vengeance, distrust and blood lust becoming the ruthless deluded tyrant we know. I love this take on Megatron a lot and Brian Tyree Henry truly blew me away with how much emotion he brought to the character. I'm praying we get a sequel to see how far his downfall will affect his mental state and thought process going to war with his former brother
I adore the way that the story of Megatron and Prime was told in TF One. It changes how you look at Megatron, and makes him much more sympathetic as a "villain" in the universe.
I skimmed through Megatron Origins back in 2009 or 2010, and was intrigued by what direction was taken. One time, while in a group discussion, we came up with a scenario much like a scene from the movie, Gladiator. D-16 and various other combatants thrown what's supposed to be a very one-sided fight, only for him to lead the others in organizing a proper defense and eventual counterattack, defeating their opponents. With Transformers One, one could absolutely see and hear the pain from D-16 as his entire worldview was shattered.
Along with the toy code ‘D-16’, I love how part of his evolution was starting out with a black helmet, akin to the original Diaclone version… (Future prediction: I’m gonna wear the Blu-Ray OUT after it stops streaming…) 😅😂😅 Mr McFeely… I’m CONFIDENT that I’m not the only one who thinks so, but just to say - your content is among those I look forward to MOST. Thank you, as per always. Cheers… ‘til all are one! \m/, 😊 ,\m/
@@DiegoA-bv2gj What's more cringe is Solari, the strong female character with tomboy hairstyle, telling the Gundam Pilot Kid that Zeon won't come back to Earth when she tried Talk No Jutsu on him in "Gundam Requiem for Vengeance".
There was a scrapped concept of D-16 being a gladiator as a nod to his Aligned continuity counterpart in Transformers One film but there was no time or place to put it.
That would explain how he could fight so well, but honestly I would prefer a throwaway line that D-16 had a hobby of boxing when off duty. However that would only explain how he could fight so well, I don’t know how to explain how Orion could fight.
I think they could fit in the gladiator aspect after his betrayal and exile. Creating a gladiator pit with the high guard so he can train for the next time he meets Optimus.
Brian Tyree Henry absolutely *KILLED IT* as Megatron. He's one of my favourite underrated actors with so much vocal range and talent in shows like Atlanta and movies like Bullet Train, Spiderverse and now Transformers: One. He truly made me sympathise with Megatron as a character and allowed me to see him from a whole new perspective as this tragic revolutionary turned villain. The scene where he said he wanted to kill Sentinel gave me *CHILLS!* Transformers: One Megatron might be my favourite take on the character yet (and that's saying something since we've had great versions of the character before, like in Transformers: Prime, Transformers Animated, Transformers: Armada, Transformers IDW comics). What makes this Megatron more tragic but also more dangerous than other Megatrons in the past is that he isn't motivated by greed, hatred, or a lust for power...hes a victim, a product of a corrupt system. You can tell that after learning the dark truth about Sentinel's lies, D-16's entire world absolutely shatters as he was happy being a miner and with the life he was living, but now he sees how truly naive he was as he and his fellow miners worked themselves to death for a leader that murdered their true heroes and sold his own race out their greatest enemy. D-16 clearly feels betrayed and wants vengeance for all the pain, injustice, and death Sentinel has caused. He doubts that exposing the truth isn't enough for someone as powerful as him to be taken down. D wants to believe that there is a better way, but his rage and hate cloud his mind, and despite that rage, you can tell he still values Orion as his best friend, as he is the only person who treats D with genuine respect. He's motivated by a twisted yearning for justice. If anything, he ultimately lacks self-awareness: in his eyes, he is the hero, even though he wasn't the only one who was lied to; Orion, Elita, Bee and all of Iacon were lied to for generations, and many died just all because of Sentinels manipulation and when Orion took the black from D-16's fusion cannon, and D-16 holds him up why crying over the remorse of shooting his best friend he just can't understand why Optimus/Orion took the bullet. He can only process it as a personal betrayal on his part. Megatron was justified in his hatred and vengeance against Sentinel but lost sight of what he was fighting for and let his emotions consume him to the point of no return despite how much he knew Orion cared about him as a good friend, but couldn't fathom why he'd risk his life for a scumbag like Sentinel who took away their rights, their hope, their heroes and sold out his own people. Thus, he mentally snapped and had enough of covering Orion's back, and now D16 was dead, and only Megatron existed. What is truly sad is that Orion wasn't trying to save Sentinel...he was trying to save D-16 from making a terrible mistake, but sadly, D-16 was too far gone, and now only Megatron exists. The storytelling is truly captivating and downright Shakespearean for making us care about Megatron
Not sure if this was mentioned since I'm commenting while watching, but I really love how his helmet in TF One looks like that early version of Megatron in the G1 animated series.
IDW's Transformers where Optimus and Megatron have the conversation will always be one of the best moments in transformers history. I've always read it as a call mination of all there history not just in idw continuity. Everything they have ever done and what they do from now on.
Tf one has cemented itself to be _the_ origin of megatron and optimus prime in my mind. It's just beautiful to see elements of previous iterations of the origins of the two bots worked beautifully in this movie
On the quiz show The Chase Australia recently one of the questions was “D16 was the former name of which Transformers character “… honestly blew me away! Impressive.
The original Marvel origin of Megatron is still my favourite. It was interesting to see him start with his black head and yellow eyes from Marvel in Transformers One.
I feel like suggesting "the basics on Transformers as Humans" seeing how Bishoujo Series is a recent craze and how METAMOR VERSE might bring some equivalents or stand-ins. Plus it helps that various media actually do this so there's a decent bit to cover.
@@leithaziz2716 Those were pretty fun episodes for sure. For the former, I have to wonder which part people remember more - the concept of the gang becoming humans, or the reveal of Cobra Commander?
@@rikajougasaki3296I'am surprised Hasbro have never made an official TF/G.I.JOE crossover cartoon movie or miniseries. Sure we've had comics, & movie teasers/Easter eggs over the years, but never a G1 80's style team-up. Maybe it would've been to obvious?
As much as One has reformed most of my definitive origin for Orion and D, I can't let go of the idea of him being a gladiator, which is where he forms his own "might makes right" philosophy, and the element of him, with rose-tinted optics, believes that Cybertron's prosperity lies once more in expansionism, once the planet is under his rule.
I can imagine the Shattered Glass version of Transformers One where D-16 managed to reign in his anger within him and rise up to be a better person while Orion Pax became more and more obsessed in trying to bring real change to Cybertron's society the easy way or the hard way. SG!D-16 becomes "Megatronus Prime II" with the Matrix of Leadership after being acknowledged by Primus and his hero Megatronus himself while SG!Orion Pax takes Megatronus' T-Cog from Sentinel's body after he ripped him apart Bayverse style to transform further and rename himself as "Optronix Nemesis".
I mean, I had a similar idea, only it's with a normal Megatron. My Megatron ends up redeeming himself and becomes worthy of being a Prime, and Optimus and various other characters end up forming a group known as the "New 13", and they take on the roles that the original Primes once held. For example, Optimus becomes the leader of the New 13, as well as the new Prime of light just as Prima was. And my Megatron ends up becoming what I have deemed "Galvatronus Prime," a design that pretty much combines elements of Megatron and Galvatron, and he becomes the new Prime of entropy just as Megatronus was.
TfOne has the best version of D16/Megatron so far. He went from an ordinary bot who befriended with Orion Pax/Optimus who is only doing in by the book and trying not to get himself in trouble. But when he learned the truth about Sentinel Prime, his leader, betrayed and killed the 13 Primes including Megatronus Prime, his idol, D16 became furious and violent, almost to the point he'll kill anyone who stands in his way, even his best friend. And its even more sad that Orion was only trying to prevent his friend from falling a darker path, but D16 is so enrage that he doesn't listen to reason. [Spoilers] And as soon as his eyes turned red, D16 was no more, there is only Megatron.
Like Orion Pax vid, this was also 101 telling of various Megatron's origin. It's really humoring that D-16's name if callback to G1 Megatron toy's ID number, not to mention name that's hasn't been mentioned aloud till in TF One came along.
I donot want to spoil that much but yesterday I watched the movie at the hall and I loved the fight between D-16/Megatron and Orion Pax/Optimus Prime as the entire hall went wild while watching the fight between them. Especially I loved Bee's funny moments and Elita One's punched at Shockwave's face.
My definitive origin for D-16/Megatron would be a mix of his origin in IDW and Transformers One. However, I think Transformers One's story comes close enough. It does a good job making you feel bad for the events that transpire, even as we know what the outcome is. Once D-16 proclaims "I'm done saving you" we all understand that things will never be the same again.
Loved his characterisation in the movie D-16 slowly becoming the warmongering tyrant Megatron is known for due to his own rage and sensibilities of what needed to be done by his own views and ignoring Orion’s council
We've never really had a "perfect" Megatron backstory, by my reckoning, but I think IDW 2019 got the closest. He's not a cartoon villain - he has an understandable motivation and ideology - but that ideology isn't a GOOD one. It's much better than the slate of "he wanted equality, but too much!" Megatrons we've been saddled with.
Also, I do want to note how funny it is that the existence of other continuities' sympathetic Megatrons confused people into thinking that IDW 2019 Megatron was fighting for equality and justice, when his actual words were pretty bluntly fascist expansionism.
Finally, someone who puts words on something I couldn't say I agree, and I think TF One Megatron is a good example of this as well. Because he's understandable, but still, he's wrong at 100%
@@JoleneBlakeI’ve seen people who believe or interpret very clearly evil and unsympathetic Megatrons or incarnations of the Decepticon faction as sympathetic thanks no doubt in part due to the sympathetic Megatrons, so I can definitely see a more fleshed-out Megatron (especially one from IDW) getting that treatment from readers.
Sentinel was a Pretender? I missed that part. Gotta rewatch Transformers One. 😂 I'm joking, I thought it was a funny joke. Love you, Mr Chris Mcfeely. Thank you for your hard work on the videos.
The Megatron's story has envolved from a merciless warlord to a broken verssion of the classical heroes' journey: a low class miner who raises as a gladiator, changes his name after a historical/mythical figure, and uses the power hi got to figth against an unfair sistem. In some time, he befriend the young and naib low/middle class Orion Pax, who share his ideals and become close enough to calle each other "brother". But, in this journey the young rebeld lost himself in the hunger for power to become a tirant and destroyer, meanwhile Orion Pax keeps himself loyal to their old share ideals. Then, the friendship is broken and the war begins.
In IDW Megaton's first origin reminded me of Stalin. Born to a lower class in a corrupt system. Rose up with the promise of equality but delivering anything but. Corrupted by power. The parallels are there. IDW's rebooted origin reminded me of that German guy. Fought in one war, joined a group of people wanting to return to "the good old days" of expansion and dominance, took over and turned to violence, felt superior to others.
Something I would like to see a video about regarding megatron. is how The character changes at the end of stories yes he's defeated. But then there is rare moments Where He kind of reforms or exiles himself.
G1: Becomes Galvatron and goes crazy from lack of motivation or goals. Animated: Arrested for his crimes. Live Action: Dies twice (second is more left up to the air). Prime: Quits after getting a taste of his own medicine. IDW: Redeemed.
A lot of parallels between D-16 and Anakin Skywalker and how despite their original noble intentions they would subsequently become the ultimate incarnations of villainy and tyranny in their worlds, Megatron and Darth Vader respectively.
I recall that there are would-be Decepticons among the people of Iacon and participated in the Iacon 5000 race as seen on the list of participants. Which would imply that they joined the newly formed Autobots composed of Cogged citizens of Iacon and the former Cogless miners led by Optimus Prime in the ending of TF One film. Out of gratefulness that the True Prime with the Matrix of Leadership brought back the flow of Energon and that he saved everyone from Megatron and the High Guard going on a rampage on Iacon just for being associated with Sentinel despite the fact the citizenry turned against him after learning the truth of Sentinel being a puppet of the Quintessons. It's so hilarious to imagine Megatron unintentionally alienated powerful groups like Stunticons (Motormaster, Dragstrip and Deadend), the Vehicon Generals (Tankor and Jetstorm) and the Combaticons (Swindle) into siding with the Autobots.
@@gabrielchee8470 No way those would-be Decepticons whose names on the Iacon 5000 list of race participants would join some crazy lunatic and an army of terrorists who attack them all for being citizens of Iacon, the capital of Sentinel. Megatron just made a grand speech for the High Guard who cheered for him tearing apart Sentinel and then assaulted everything within sight, uncaring if they were in the way.
These two characters really formed the whole franchise. I sure do hope so we will see some great Transformers content in the future. Let's follow this trend and for the next video give a deeper look at Ariel! Even though I still hope for you to recognise the opportunity to make: "THE BASICS on Sunstreaker!" 💛✨
While almost ALL of D-16's stories end with him becoming Megatron and his bond with Orion forever destroyed it's good to know that some timelines show that there is hope and a happy ending. Legends would show us that Optimus and Megatron rekindled their friendship and put an end to the war where he and Optimus lead Cybertron together, their friendship and determination to have the other's back symbolized in the color-coded capes they wear. Earthspark would show us the same thing were Optimus and Megatron return to being allies and the relationship they have feels like an extension of the friendship they had in Transformers One as they worked together to help the Terracons learn from their past to be better than what they were.
5:10 before I found out that TF One was a full-blown reboot. Me and several friends joked that the film be hated on due to ignoring this pre-established backstory. We seriously doubt that it be hated but the Acoyle controversy of Mundi was still fresh in our heads. I get the show is hated, but that controversy is silly, it be hating on Energon for simply not having Starscream and Jetfire as pre-war BBFs despite there's a million other betters reasons to call it the worst series. It be calling Bumblebee a terrible film for having a different origin on how he lost his voice despite it was superior than the previous 5 movies.
Hey Chris, another great video. For me, I really found it interesting of how D-16/Megatron's original goal was to overthrow the oppression that was taking advantage of 'lower class' transformers was eventually twisted into a long standing war that got blurred into tyrannical warmongering through years of conflict. You really have a way with words Chris. I wish you the best of luck with your future endeavors. Stay safe and keep up the amazing work.
Megs had a noble goal to overthrow the high council and promote equality over all of Cybertron but he sadly became corrupt and lost sight of his original goal which is tragic
i honestly loved the storyline for Megatron’s birth and his rise to power on Tf: One and dark and twisted sentinel Prime was to the people of Cybertron. Giving megatons beliefs of violence and punishments more of a compelling argument
Megatron has had quite the journey over the years and so has Sentinel Prime when you think about it. Because as Megatron’s motive becomes more relatable and he becomes sympathetic, Sentinel looses any noble qualities he had originally, Transformers One being the most villainous version of Sentinel yet.
I don't dislike all the nuance that's been added to Megatron, but I think it's time to return to a version who doesn't have a point to make, who's just an awful guy who decided one day he should be the ruler of everything. Also, Megatron's current backstory (especially the live action film version) owes A LOT to Cy-Kill. Former good guy (or at least, well intended) who got power hungry, took over the local bad guys, and slowly became worse is exactly Cy-Kill's origin.
Finally saw it last Friday, only released here. Love its take on Rome, Gladiators and politics, the Decepticons being military hardware under Quintessons, its like Antz where they are assigned manual or military jobs at birth/assembly. D16 even catches a punch like Weaver but de-escalates the situation by punching Orion. Bought Sentinel Prime, Swoop and the Bumblebee Skywarp.
They were brothers who would have taken on the world together and helped each other back up when the other falls. But what happens when the hand that once lifted you up becomes the force that pushes you down?
In the Aligned continuity, of course the High Council chose Orion over Megatron. They themselves were members of the high classes, they thrived on the current system, while the lower classes struggled to just barely survive. Agreeing with Megatron would strip them of almost all of their power and leisures, which they obviously didn't want. So of course they chose Orion with his "peaceful" reformation views, which would allow them to keep their status quo. No wonder Megatron was pissed at Orion and his naivety. An oppressive system cannot be changed through negotiation with the oppressors. Only through action, only by removing said oppressors from power. Decepticons were the good guys, at least in the beginning. Long live Megatron.
Megs was the highlight of the movie for me and many others just seeing his gradual decline from chilled out straight man to a ruthless monster just tore me apart (kinda like sentinel) When he placed Megatronus’s cog in his chest I actually cheered with his followers as quietly as I could
I grew up on the G1 transformers so to me that's the true Origins of Megatron besides that I have the gun version of him and his tank one too it wasn't till I went to Japan where the show hails from that I learned the truth of the matter and it's the one that you mentioned I'm not saying which one is the TRUE Origins I'll let people decide that for themselves still a great video
