Transformers merchandise to be launched

By Alex Villafania, hackenslash Reporter INQUIRER.net A FEW days before the opening of the Transformers movie, local merchants are all ready to cash in on the potential blockbuster of the year. On June 29, several companies will be introducing several lines of Transformer-themed products. The launch of the Transformers movie merchandise launch will be held at the SM Megamall in Mandaluyong City. Most of the items would be action figures from the movie and from the previous cartoon series, clothing lines and similar items. Apart from the merchandise, the event will also have several side events such as trivia contests, diorama exhibits and collections. In an interview with hackenslash, Transformers Philippines event organizer Azrael Coladilla said the launch would be one of the big movie highlights of the year thanks to a 23-year-old cartoon franchise that made an impact among Filipinos. In fact, the recently introduced toy line from the movie have been selling out in such stores as Toys "R" Us and Toy Kingdom. Among the most sellable characters are the new movie versions of Optimus Prime, Bumblebee, Megatron and Blackout. "It's going to be a big blockbuster that can compete with other movies. Of course we can't say it'll beat the other franchises but the Transformers movie will surely be a hit for both the fans of the original cartoon series and first-time viewers," Coladilla said. Already, local websites are abuzz with information regarding the upcoming film, directed by Michael Bay and produced by Steven Spielberg, particularly the Transformers Philippines online forum, the largest and most prominent Transformers-related forum in the country. The upcoming movie will be a retroactive continuity (or retcon) of the first cartoon series that came out in 1984, which means that much of the story has been rehashed but the main plot is retained. According to forums, the heroic Autobots and their enemies the Decepticons have come to earth to look for an energy source called Allspark (a retcon of the original concept of the fictional "energon cubes"). The location of the Allspark is unwittingly being held by Spike Witwicky (another original character from the TV series). Both Autobots and Decepticons disguise themselves as earthly vehicles to avoid detection. As toys, the Transformers were a hit in the early 1980s up to the late 90s. According to Coladilla, based on forum discussions, as well as the release of a kiddie book, a continuation of the Transformers movie is easily noticed. Sequels have also been confirmed in previous interviews with Spielberg and Bay.