Why do so many Dinobots look ridiculous?

[nickh]

Ahoy! So I just posted a question/rant on TFArchive.com about Dinobots. I hope you guys don't mind me reposting it here. I'd like to get a Canadian perspective.

Here goes!

I grew up with G1 Dinobots. Snarl was my favourite, followed closely by Grimlock. The G1 Dinobots were awesome, and bad-asses.

As new Dinobots were released over the years, though, most of them look ridiculous, be they in dino mode and/or robot mode.

For example, check out Dinobot. What's with his tail splitting open to become a...who-knows-what. Dinobot II is totally different, but no better. In dino mode, he looks like a stalking rat with a beard.

As for Magmatron, well...'nuff said. He's pretty funny-looking. Most of the other dinobots in Beast Machines are killer in dino mode. But their robot modes are laughable. Who wants a head for an arm?

Things improved in Energon with Grimlock and especially Swoop. Swoop's wicked from a structural perspective, and his colours suit him really well. But Mega-Dinobot is, well, "mega" in terms of "weird". Hah.

Considering how small the Mini-Con Dinobots are, they're not bad. However, Terrorsaur's arms are hilarious.

Next, we have the Animated Dinobots. They're kinda comedic, but have a certain endearing personality. Overall, they're decent, but nothing special.

So, with all of that very opinionated stuff said, what do you guys and gals think about the evolution of the Dinobots?

For me, the G1 Dinobots stand far above the rest, and it's not due to the nostalgia. They simply look awesome in both dino and robot modes.

[Lysist]

What about MP Grimlock? That is a great update for a Dinobot.

I totally agree that most of the Dino TFs are kind of well, sad. The Classics Grimlock mold was a rather odd. Really....walking on his teeth? Really? Grimstone and it's Powercore team are good color wise but it is still a Powercore bot so it is a weak sauce IMO.

I agree that the G1 Dinos are still some of the best but the MP is a great update, if the only good one.

[Prowl_2009]

^^ Agreed! The G1 Dinobots reign supreme when it comes to Dinosaur transformers, but MP-Grimlock is a great update to the classic character. The other Dinobots just don't measure up to the original 5.

[chans formers]

the looks/aesthetics all boil down to one thing, "different time lines",which equal different aesthetics per line.

i like all of them,though i also agree the energon combined thing is pretty fugly.

[nickh]

Originally Posted by Lysist

What about MP Grimlock? That is a great update for a Dinobot.

Good point. MP Grimlock does kick arse.

Originally Posted by Lysist

The Classics Grimlock mold was a rather odd. Really....walking on his teeth? Really?

Hahhaha I'd totally forgotten about Classics Grimlock. Yeah, walking on his teeth is hilarious. And sad. So sad. Poor Grimlock...

[nickh]

Originally Posted by chans formers

the looks/aesthetics all boil down to one thing, "different time lines",which equal different aesthetics per line.

That's true and valid, but it's no excuse for some of the fuglier 'bots.

[ConvoyGTR]

The Dinobot look stopped working when they went from mechanical dinosaurs with standard arms and legs robots to actual organic dinosaurs with limbs as weaponry. Animated went back to the original concept and they're awesome, but the animated aesthetic robbed then a bit of their intimidation factor.

[nickh]

Originally Posted by ConvoyGTR

Animated went back to the original concept and they're awesome, but the animated aesthetic robbed then a bit of their intimidation factor.

Agreed and agreed. Animated Dinobots look pretty good, but as you said, they're not very intimidating. In fact, they look a bit comedic/goofy. Grimlock especially, due to his enlarged jaw bones.

[Robimus]

Universe Dinobot was a solid toy. I'm not a fan of the earlier 90's mold for him though.

[obakemono]

I totally agree, I wad such high hopes for beast wars dinobots toys but the best he got was the TM2
and that was still pretty terrible.

As it seems soooo unlikely that HasTak will ever make them I do sincerely hope a third party company makes the rest of the Dinobots in MP scale and Quality. I can just see the swoop and slag on my shelf now.