Transmorphers: A Knockoff of Transformers
Regarded as one of the most infamous films from the Asylum production company, “Transmorphers” made its debut in 2007, just after the release of “Transformers.” The film’s content revolves around robot warriors transforming into various forms, much like its blockbuster counterpart.
Not resting on their laurels, the production company released a sequel titled “Transmorphers: Fall of Man” in 2009. While this film is a blatant knockoff and cannot compete with the original “Transformers,” it still managed to attract a fair number of intrigued viewers.
Sherlock Holmes: A Parody of Sherlock Holmes
Robert Downey Jr. is not only known for his role as Tony Stark – Iron Man in the Marvel universe; he also made a significant impact on audiences with his portrayal of Sherlock Holmes, the brilliant detective crafted by Arthur Conan Doyle.
The film quickly sparked a parody, resulting in an entirely different cinematic version that remarkably lacked any logical coherence. Yes, while the characters could engage in logical dialogues within Sherlock Holmes, this knockoff introduces robot characters in a perplexing twist.
The Autobots: A Take on Cars
In June 2016, a film studio in China produced a parody inspired by Pixar’s blockbuster “Cars,” titled “The Autobots.” The movie features anthropomorphized vehicles similar to those in the original film.
A notable point worth mentioning is that Zhuo Jianrong, the producer, previously mentioned to CNN that he had never seen “Cars,” so it’s unclear how he ended up creating this parody. What he intended to do was inspire creativity in his children. However, this explanation has not been widely accepted by the public, given the blatant similarities in visual elements.
Pirates of Treasure Island: A Knockoff of Pirates of the Caribbean
Asylum re-emerges with its unique brand of filmmaking, launching a parody inspired by the popular “Pirates of the Caribbean” series. For those who are fans of Johnny Depp’s iconic portrayal of Captain Jack Sparrow, watching this film may prove to be a challenging experience.
The film captures the essence of the original in a rather philosophical way but fails to recreate the thrilling scenes and character dynamics of “Pirates of the Caribbean.” If you are not prepared for disappointment, it might be best to skip this movie altogether.
Mad Shiela: A Take on Mad Max
Another film produced in China is a parody of the action-packed “Mad Max” series, which has also garnered attention online. The film’s premise revolves around a post-apocalyptic world, but the main character has been transformed into a female figure.
While the character designs and dynamics in the film have been altered significantly, it becomes difficult for viewers to appreciate the underlying homage to the original “Mad Max” series due to the overwhelming absurdity in this parody.
