Not the absolute best animated show of the Transformers franchise, that's still Transformers(1984). But it is a good, very good even, show, the most accessible to younger audiences of the Transformers animated shows(the movies as well) and a long way from a disgrace to Transformers no matter how unconventional it may be deemed to be. The animation may not be for all tastes, from a personal perspective the bounce, fluidity and colour will delight the main target audiences and most importantly it looks good. If anybody wants visual depth, look elsewhere like Transformers: Prime. Each of the episodes are well-scored, in a way that's appropriate and also so that it can be remembered easily. The main theme likewise. The writing also strikes the right balance, not too sophisticated and not too simplistic or childish, while it is easy for youngsters to understand it is handled intelligently. Parents and older fans will also appreciate the various continuity nods and media references, so there is definitely something for them too. The story lines admittedly are not very original and perhaps on the formulaic side, but they are fun and make sense with some themes that children and adults can relate to. Older fans will also appreciate how dark and violent the season one finale was, but the more dark and violent nature didn't juxtapose too much and there is no real reason why some would go and say "this is not for children", it's not quite of that kind. The characters are all engaging, the humans, robots and villains. We also have some terrific voice acting, Lacey Chabert, Steve Blum and Maurice LeMarche are pitch perfect and you cannot go wrong with appearances from Peter Cullen as the ultimate and definitive Optimus Prime and Tim Curry as a mad scientist. Overall, it's a good solid show that should be rated higher here. Not one to dismiss because it's aimed at a younger audience, it's a good introduction to youngsters and later on they can go onto darker, even more intelligently written and more conventional Transformers shows like the original one from 1984 and Transformers Prime. 8/10 Bethany Cox
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This show is absolutely a surprise. I watched it out of curiosity, and I've been blown away by the clever writing. It's obvious that the writers are lovers of the Transformers lore and franchise. The show strays away from violence, even avoiding the word "death" or "die" whenever possible, but even though the show itself isn't that violent, it is obvious that the universe presented is connected to the universe opened up in Transformers: Prime and Transformers: Robots in Disguise, where peril exists, violence exists, and, most of all, Decepticons exist! In Rescue Bots, we get references to the Transformers lore that work as fun easter eggs for Transformers fans, as well as alluding the possibility of there being "more than meets the eye" to the world that is being presented. The references range from Unicron to Alpha Trion himself! The show even gives us fun movie references, such as E.T., Jaws, Back to the Future, and Aliens!
This show has such well written characters who have interesting personalities that get tested, strengthened, and even grown in the course of the three seasons the show has had so far. We have BLADES, afraid of heights but proving that he's brave enough to face his fears when others are in need. We have BOULDER, homesick for Cybertron but in awe of the wonders and beauty of Earth. We see HEATWAVE, the strong-willed and often arrogant leader of the Rescue Bots who grows fond of the Burns family and will put anyone's life before his own. Lastly, we have CHASE, a law enforcer who follows everything down to protocol, but learns to act on his own will as a Rescue Bot when protocol is not enough.
Along with the Rescue Bots, we have the Burns family, Kade, Cody, Dani, Graham, and Chief Burns, who work alongside the bots, teaching the Autobots while learning from them at the same time. The show demonstrates growth in the characters, both robot and human, while placing challenges and obstacles in their way that reveal vulnerabilities and flaws. No one is perfect, and children watching the show can see that not every person has good intentions, as several characters in the show want nothing but money and power (i.e. Dr. Morocco).
So, as a lover of storytelling and Transformers, I say that this show is perfect for young viewers and Transformers fans alike. Yes, Griffin Rock is the least safe city I've seen in a kid's show. I even nickname it "Murphy's Island", a reference to Murphy's Law, as every event going on in the show goes horribly wrong somehow, and literally nothing and no one is safe from danger. But the writing and character design separates Rescue Bots from shows like Transformers: Prime, which suffered from poor character writing and design (in my opinion). Who knows...maybe we'll get to see First Aid, a Protectobot from Transformers G1! Can't wait for season 4! -
Transformers: Rescue Bots is targeted to a younger fan group of Transformers and to help introduce them to the Transformers but it does allow for the adult fans to watch it with their children.
The plot of the series centers around Four Autobots: Heatwave (Voiced by Steve Blum), Chase (Voiced by D.C. Douglas), Blades (Voiced by Parvesh Cheena) and Boulder (Voiced by Imari Williams) are given the mission by Optimus Prime (Voiced by Peter Cullen) to learn about Earth, about humans and serve and protected.
Along with their human allies Chief Charlie Burns (Voiced by Maurice LaMarche, and his family Cody Burns (Voiced by Elan Garfias, Dani Burns (Voiced by Lacey Chabert), Kade Burns (voiced by Jason Marsden) and Graham Burns (voiced by Shannon McKain)
The series also feature guest stars such as LeVar Burton, Jeff Bennett, Kath Soucie, Mark Hamill, Michael Bell,Katherine McNamara,Tim Curry, Stacy Darrow, Dee Bradley Baker, Jim Cummings, Roger Craig Smith
The stories for the show do work for both kids and adults with having both serious and humor but along with making the show work.
Also the creative written does present some funny one liners so the writers have done something right.
Voice acting is pretty talented as well and good we got Transformers Vets returning to work in The Transformers.
Animation is original and only the best way to give it a understanding is to watch it for yourself.
What I like best about the series is the theme song and intro it is very catchy and the lyrics work for the show there are times I replay the song over and over because I enjoy it that much.
If you're a fan give Transformers: Rescue Bots a try you might be surprised. -
WeAreLive22 March 2018Even though this is no Transformers prime and it is not aimed at my age but it is a great show for younger kids. Since it doesn't have any violence or guns.
Though the flashy animation is way too bright it's still pretty decent if you want to get your kids into Transformers.
I hope we see something similar with GI Joe one day. -
We watched this show with a 4 year old obsessed with fire fighters. It was a great transitional show for him. As a parent, I thought the messages in the show were pretty positive. I also appreciate that they had cool mega robots that weren't engaged in violent activity. My son liked the plot, the characters (both robot and kid) and most of all, the giant transforming robots.
Pros:- No serious guns or violence
- Giant transforming robots
- Functional family themes
Cons:- Would have liked to see more use of the female characters
- The toys that accompany the series certainly encourage consumerism.
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sean_receiver1 January 2013My 5 y.o. loves this show. He's seen all 23 episodes and wants to watch them again. For a kid that is into robots or space themed stories, the Transformers Rescue Bots is a home run hit. The stories are innocuous and with just enough "danger" to make the little ones care about the happenings. Remember the target audience and don't expect the whole family to be enthralled, but it won't make the adults groan too often. To help make it more interesting for the grown ups, we try to figure out the voice actors and there are some good ones on display for Transformers Rescue Bots. No extreme violence, though and mild, measured language. Show it to your kids without fear.
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valfaro3429 December 2012I feel that the writers tried to direct the show towards a younger audience, but at the same time they missed. The drawings are cute, but the women are all very curvy. The mayor is a middle aged heavy set man and his wife is a skinny, busty, super model type woman which I feel is a little much for a child's show. They also have a "Miss Griffin Rock" competition in which all the women are in bikinis and of course the mayor is hosting it. I am a little disappointed that they are pushing innuendo into a young children's show, almost all main women characters are drawn curvy. I might sound a bit extreme, but I feel like this show is a bad example for kids, like women are supposed to look a certain way and the men are supposed to look strong and have square jaws and 6 packs. I don't understand why animation people do this, I thought it was supposed to be directed towards children, not adults. My kids were watching it and I had them watch something else, kids are like sponges and we need to be careful about what they absorb. Anyways, I feel Transformers Prime is way better! :-)
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ersinkdotcom2 October 2012Hasbro takes a page from Marvel for their new television show "Transformers: Rescue Bots." They make the Robots in Disguise look cuter and more toddler friendly to grab that audience. It's something toy manufacturers and television producers have been doing for decades. Anybody remember "Muppet Babies," "Tiny Toons," "The Flintstone Kids," or "A Pup Named Scooby-Doo?"
"Transformers: Rescue Bots" brings the metallic heroes to the town of Griffin Rock, Maine. Each of the four Transformers take on the forms of a bulldozer, fire engine, helicopter, and police car. Chase, Heatwave, Blades, and Boulder are recruited by Optimus Prime to assist a police chief, firefighter, helicopter pilot, and engineer fight fires, aliens, and other dangers.
The show is perfect for younger children and geared to them. However, most Transformers fans will enjoy the show for what it is. It moves at a quick pace and is entertaining yet simple. Like most animated shows these days, there's a message of some type for kids.
This would fit in perfectly with "The Superhero Squad" on Saturday mornings. The animation is similar but still has its own flavor mixed with it. It's colorful and fun to look at, which is perfect for its target viewers.
"Transformers: Rescue Bots" will keep children and their parents enthralled with quality family-friendly adventures featuring everyone's favorite robots. -
binky-309261 January 2018Guess I got spoiled by Transformers Prime, because this show sucks. Characters suck, voice acting sucks(except Peter Cullen of course). Stereotypical garbage. Basically one family runs the town. Can't stand the guy with the fire truck (Cade, I think). Just no.
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We first discovered this show a few years ago on a rainy day and have returned to it many times since then. It's a great show and has a bit of everything in it - it's full of adventure and danger, a little scary and the characters are good too, plus it's a good introduction to transformers. 10/10
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bowesam-505909 December 2023I've seen people say how 'grrrrrreat' this is, but I know about a better Transformers series and the theme song goes ike this: our worlds are in danger. To save them and the galaxy we must find the four cyberplanet keys before the Decepticons can use them for evil. It is our mission. Hotshot, Jetfire, vector prime, landmine, scattershot, Optimus prime, transform and roll out. Transformers, more than meets the eye. Autobots, Decepticons. Go. Transformers, robots in disguise. Transformers Transformers, go. The Autobots wage their battle to destroy the evil forces of the Decepticons. Transformers Go. Transformers.
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summerooskis7919 October 2014My 2 & 3 year old boys absolutely love this show! Even I don't mind watching it with them when it is on. The music is cute and the characters are sweet/funny. The theme song is awesome and the background music is sweet. It is a great action show for little boys!
I prefer they watch this instead of the other Transformer shows as it is innocent and age appropriate for them. Optimus Prime & Bumblebee make appearances throughout the series. There are only two seasons out. so far. I am hoping they keep this show going. Check out the cast, too! If you were a child of the 80's/90's, you are sure to recognize some of the people! I was pleasantly surprised! :-) -
samgina-terrell2 October 2013My oldest son first became interested in Rescue Bots when my husband and I purchased the Rescue Bots game for his LeapPad. Since then he has seen all the episodes (numerous times) and hasn't got sick of viewing them yet. I do not have the same concerns as a previous parent/reviewer who commented about the women being too curvy and men looking too strong with square jaws and six packs. My son is four (turning five next month) and the only thing he "sponges" from this show is the importance of helping and saving others. He sees how the Rescue Bots and the "Griffin Rock team" (the police chief, firefighter, helicopter pilot, etc) go out of their way to help and save the people who live in Griffin Rock. I always try to ask my son questions about the shows or movies he watches. Sometimes you'll be surprised to know your child has "sponged" something unexpected, like the act of kindness of others.
My son wants to be a Rescue Bot (even the whole family joins in) so he can help mom, dad, brother, even his small town. I'm very pleased with Rescue Bots and we can't wait for season two!! -
j-melanie2421 September 2014For a children show it's very well done.Yeah I know it not deep like prime,but it isn't dumb down.Wonderful writing and charming characters.Both humans and the bots.RB goes to show you that Transformers can be worth watching without cons . It a great show okay maybe not great.However it not that bad, so what if it doesn't have any cons.It still got it own villains.SO STOP HATING just because it has no cons.GROW UP!.Okay I need to add more words because the website said so.I prefer RB over TFP. I Prime is good and all, but light and fluffy show are more for me.PS light and fluffy doesn't equal dopey.Come IMDb what more do you want. Isn't this enough for you guys.No I guess not.I like all the characters especially Blades and Heatwave. Blades is cute.I mean come even you haters can agree.
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bwancup8 November 2020This is the best show I've ever watched. I've seen many award winning films and read many award winning books, but this show is by far the BEST show I have ever seen!! It has everything! Sci-fi, action, drama, it's perfect! I love it!
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ersbel14 August 2017This is cheap indoctrination into legalism. The police is good. The bad don't listen to the police. But the god like police always catches them. Because they are good. And they catch the bad. Also some special beings like transformers are obviously important enough to be guarding the woods in the middle of nowhere for speeding drivers. And they serve the police. Because they are good too. And women are secondary. Because men do the violence. And women make the babies and the cooking. Right?
Also the animation is as good as the scripting. Meaning crap. -
pennykitty-9930121 April 2024The animation for the show is really good for as many seasons as it has. It conveys great messages. From showing not to do wrong, how you should make sure people don't feel left out, responsibility, and much more! The soundtrack of this show is great, and the theme hits hard. This show raised me, and is great for everyone! Personally, I think the show is enjoyable for both kids and adults. I've seen many people compared this to other shows, which isn't really how a review about one show should go. And, I feel this is I show is better than the ones they compared it to. Have a good day, night, or whatever time zone your in! I hope I could help! :D.