1) Ultra Magnus Was a Pussy.

Ah, Ultra Magnus. He had a lot going for him. The heir apparent to Optimus Prime. The voice of that guy from Airplane! And a complete lack of genitals, however metal they would have been. By looking at the poster for the movie, you’re made to think Ultra Magnus is going to down the Decepticons with just a pea shooter and some blue sunglasses. It doesn’t take long to realize that’s never going to happen. From the moment Prime chooses to pass the Matrix off to him, we’re shown that Magnus definitely didn’t earn his “Ultra” tag. He replies with, “But Prime, I’m just a soldier. I’m not worthy,” which turns out to be the one right thing Robert Stack says all movie.

Showing his unworthiness in later scenes, Magnus displays his 'leadership' by telling the Autobots to take cover as he tries to “Unleash the power of the Matrix.” To do this, he transforms into an asshole, and allows himself to be blown up, handing the Matrix to Galvatron.

The worst decision the Autobots made was to have him rebuilt by Eric Idle and the planet of junk. And the worst decision the filmmakers ever made was having us sit through his whiny, undeserving storyline.

2) We’re Fucked! Let’s Dance!

You would think the creators of the Matrix (the movie, not the little ball that can bring peace to the Transformers) would have learned a lesson from a key scene halfway through Transformers: The Movie. While the Autobots are descending towards their darkest hour, most of our favorite toys are dead, their leader has turned gray, their faux-leader just got transformed into a million pieces, the Matrix is now in the hands of the Decepticons, but before they can fight the biggest battle of their lives…they just have to dance! Huh?!?

In one of the most baffling scenes I’ve ever witnessed, the Autobots battle some Transformers made of tires and used condoms for what seems like hours and then, without any reason, form a circle and jam out to Weird Al Yankovic’s Dare to be Stupid. And yes, I realize the irony could not have been soaked any longer on that one before it drips right off the screen. This scene almost single-handedly made me want to renounce my childhood so I could grow up and smack the idiot who came up with that one in the face with my Skullcruncher toy. Now that’s irony!

3) Judd Nelson Has the Touch?
Yeah, yeah. Judd Nelson was the voice of Hot Rod. And yeah, he used to be cool. We all know he was in Breakfast Club, but he was also in Suddenly Susan, and I’m pretty sure that slippery slope began with Tranformers: The Movie. This was the last time I remember him being cool, but also remember that he always sounded confused as Hot Rod, like he didn’t quite understand what he was voicing.

Add to this the fact that Hot Rod gets Optimus Prime killed and then is later rewarded for his recklessness by becoming Rodimus Prime, the one who unleashes the Matrix. What kind of a message is this sending to kids? Act like an idiot, and good things will come to you.

I know after reading this, it’s hard to believe anyone could like this movie, especially with a scene where robots are break dancing to Weird Al. But it’s hard to ignore all the things they did right in giving children life’s harsh lessons. Lessons such as: Alien robots that transform into cars, no matter how much you love them, can be killed in an instant. And, really, these are things that parents just can’t teach. And also why the reasons above are ALMOST why you hated Transformers.