Optimus VS. Rodimus
With the "new" Transformers Movie coming out soon, I felt compelled to see some sites about the old version. On IMDB there's a forum/dabate over Rodimus Prime and Optimus Prime (who was better).
One poster (robbstark) gives such a compelling argument I couldn't resist posting it here. G1 fans: enjoy!
"Optimus was clearly the greatest Transformers warrior. He was, for the most part a cunning strategist (ie the Aerialbots were a great strategic response to Megatron's brilliant Stunticon idea), respected life in all its forms, showed utmost loyalty, gave second chances when honest mistakes were made, and fought with honor. BUT he had IMO two crucial faults: 1. His reluctance to take a "kill shot"--this applies to both many of his own battles and the grand strategy he employed during the 5(of 9)-million-year war he directed against Megatron. At numerous points on Earth the Autobots had, besides a significant numerical advantage, a real advantage in strength/firepower, technical expertise, and specialized abilities. Yet Optimus never ordered a crushing assault on Decepticon HQ and never ordered pursuit in response to a retreat. In fact, Optimus Prime's Autobots were almost exclusively reactionary in response to matters concerning their war with the Decepticons. While that may be expected of the peaceful faction of the Transformers, it was also detrimental to their long-term survival. 2. His refusal to employ or allow sacrifices for the greater good--Optimus never viewed any of the Autobots as cannon fodder...there was no such thing as an acceptable loss. And while that trait is on the one hand very admirable, it is not conducive to being a successful war-time leader. Optimus never pressed advantages when one of his own might be at risk. He either ordered a retreat and regroup or took on all of the responsibility himself despite having plenty of skilled, capable warriors at his disposal.
Both of these faults add up to a war that spanned 9 million years, bled Cybertron dry of energy resources, dragged in humans, nearly resulted in Earth's destruction on numerous occaissions, and for what? Megatron conquered Cybertron and severely crippled the Autobots' ability to continue the war...only Optimus' battering of Megatron and Rodimus' subsequent galaxy-spanning, Matrix-assisted toss of Galvatron enabled the Autobots to reclaim Cybertron and reinforce Earth in the face of a leaderless group of Decepticons.
And in defense of Rodimus, many of the reasons Optimus is a great leader should also give Rodimus a pass. Optimus' reputation, trust, and respect, was built over 5 million years as leader of the Autobots. Rodimus was thrust into war against broader, (eventually) far more capable enemies, and followed on the heels of what all consider to be the greatest Autobot leader. His handling of that responsibility given his position was both realistic and genuine. I would question whether any character of any kind could have realisticly reacted better under the same circumstances...which makes it all the more sad that the writers gave him such an ignominious season as Chief Autobot. In fact, I would argue that Rodimus' accomplishments compare favorably to Optimus' in the brief time we saw both of them. The destruction of Unicron and the chance to rebuild Cybertron are perhaps pure luck, but Rodimus fought more far-flung wars, staving off defeat on numerous fronts, and fighting *more with less* than Optimus had in terms of quality of fighting forces."
Personally, I call it a tie. If Galvatron's shots (the same type of blasts that vaporized Starscream, BTW) hadn't bounced off Rodimus, I may have had a different opinion.
One poster (robbstark) gives such a compelling argument I couldn't resist posting it here. G1 fans: enjoy!
"Optimus was clearly the greatest Transformers warrior. He was, for the most part a cunning strategist (ie the Aerialbots were a great strategic response to Megatron's brilliant Stunticon idea), respected life in all its forms, showed utmost loyalty, gave second chances when honest mistakes were made, and fought with honor. BUT he had IMO two crucial faults: 1. His reluctance to take a "kill shot"--this applies to both many of his own battles and the grand strategy he employed during the 5(of 9)-million-year war he directed against Megatron. At numerous points on Earth the Autobots had, besides a significant numerical advantage, a real advantage in strength/firepower, technical expertise, and specialized abilities. Yet Optimus never ordered a crushing assault on Decepticon HQ and never ordered pursuit in response to a retreat. In fact, Optimus Prime's Autobots were almost exclusively reactionary in response to matters concerning their war with the Decepticons. While that may be expected of the peaceful faction of the Transformers, it was also detrimental to their long-term survival. 2. His refusal to employ or allow sacrifices for the greater good--Optimus never viewed any of the Autobots as cannon fodder...there was no such thing as an acceptable loss. And while that trait is on the one hand very admirable, it is not conducive to being a successful war-time leader. Optimus never pressed advantages when one of his own might be at risk. He either ordered a retreat and regroup or took on all of the responsibility himself despite having plenty of skilled, capable warriors at his disposal.
Both of these faults add up to a war that spanned 9 million years, bled Cybertron dry of energy resources, dragged in humans, nearly resulted in Earth's destruction on numerous occaissions, and for what? Megatron conquered Cybertron and severely crippled the Autobots' ability to continue the war...only Optimus' battering of Megatron and Rodimus' subsequent galaxy-spanning, Matrix-assisted toss of Galvatron enabled the Autobots to reclaim Cybertron and reinforce Earth in the face of a leaderless group of Decepticons.
And in defense of Rodimus, many of the reasons Optimus is a great leader should also give Rodimus a pass. Optimus' reputation, trust, and respect, was built over 5 million years as leader of the Autobots. Rodimus was thrust into war against broader, (eventually) far more capable enemies, and followed on the heels of what all consider to be the greatest Autobot leader. His handling of that responsibility given his position was both realistic and genuine. I would question whether any character of any kind could have realisticly reacted better under the same circumstances...which makes it all the more sad that the writers gave him such an ignominious season as Chief Autobot. In fact, I would argue that Rodimus' accomplishments compare favorably to Optimus' in the brief time we saw both of them. The destruction of Unicron and the chance to rebuild Cybertron are perhaps pure luck, but Rodimus fought more far-flung wars, staving off defeat on numerous fronts, and fighting *more with less* than Optimus had in terms of quality of fighting forces."
Personally, I call it a tie. If Galvatron's shots (the same type of blasts that vaporized Starscream, BTW) hadn't bounced off Rodimus, I may have had a different opinion.
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