How critical was the first death of Optimus Prime?

[Paul Agnew]

Instead of becoming Galvatron, Megatron would be restored as... Megatron!

This is a part of the movie I always had a problem with. Seeing as they combined Megatron's part along with some other new parts (and bot), he should have rightfully been called New Megatron.

[MayzaPrime]

This is a part of the movie I always had a problem with. Seeing as they combined Megatron's part along with some other new parts (and bot), he should have rightfully been called New Megatron.

Or alternatively Neo Megatron

[Darksaber]

if they didn't kill prime no one would be talking or thinking about the g1 movie and the franchise would have settled into the grave right besides the remains of the gobot army

[drifand]

As a movie point of view, I loved it. During those times, the ONLY other cartoon where a hero dies was in Macross "Do you remember Love". I was shock as a kid to see a hero does die. Transformers was doing a usual routine,
Decepticons plot, decepticons flawed plans and decepticons retreat.

So when I saw the movie being shown in a shopping center I was glued to it and watched the entire show. Optimus dying was a mature approach and that time I was more pissed that Ultra Magnus is lousy than Hot Rod being Rodimous.

I believe "The Matrix" was hardly ever introduced before the movie so this actually made part of the story line in the other parts.

I do remembered they revived Optimus but then he headed towards the sun and somebody how again someone manage to rescue it?

There are two folds of the story, before death of Optimus, I actually felt the decepticons were stronger with Megatron. Ever since Megatron became Galvarton the decepticon were like a bunch of stupid fools.

For me, I never follow Transformers after G1 as the toys were not looking great for me. The Transformer RID did brought me some interests back and the Binaltech revived it for me along with MP-01

I of course do not doubt the experts here who have followed on transformers throughout the entire series.