Friday, July 18, 2014

Transformers AOE film informatics Part 26: Jazz


First Lieutenant Jazz is one happy-go-lucky Autobot. Good-natured and always able to take things in stride, he provides a decent contrast to the more serious demeanor of Ironhide or Optimus Prime himself. He's also a talker, something Ironhide and Prime like to tease him about. He might be the smallest Autobot but he's by no means a coward, willing to take on any foe, big or small.
Jazz was described as having a love of style, with a hip-hop personality. Jazz is a trickster who manipulates everyone including the Decepticon leader. Jazz first appears in the film arriving to Earth in his Protoform state, and searches for a suitable alternate mode to proceed unnoticed. Afterwards, using a fluid capoeira inspired style, he can be seen transforming using a windmill dance move in his first scene and dialogue.
During the main battle in Mission City, Jazz tried to delay Megatron when he appeared on the scene in order to cover the escape Captain Lennox's men and civilians. Despite Lennox's cries for him to fall back, Jazz bravely faced Megatron alone, but all he got for his trouble was being blasted by the Decepticon's fusion cannon. As Ironhide and Ratchet escorted Sam and the AllSpark to safety, Megatron preyed upon the small Autobot who had the audacity to attack him. The Decepticon leader tossed him through the air onto a nearby building, then landed upon him with the crushing grip of his talons. Valiantly, Jazz fought on to the bitter end as Megatron tore him in two, throwing his pieces to the ground before attacking Optimus PrimeRatchet separated from Sam and quickly hurried to Jazz, but his spark had already faded. 

In the aftermath of Megatron's defeat, Ironhide somberly handed Optimus Prime Jazz's remains as Ratchet reported that he could not save their comrade. The Autobot leader somewhat half-heartedly eulogized him, and quickly moved on.


ALTERNATE MODE
Jazz transforms into a silver/gray customized hardtop Pontiac Solstice GXP.