Customer Reviews:
GREAT FILM.......2008-02-26
Please, anyone reading this do not pay any attention to the complete idiots who have posted other reviews.
I cannot for the life of me understand why people would think this is the new transformers live action film. For a start the picture on the box clearly shows the cartoon charachters and not the live action charachters. Second it is widely known that transformers will not be out on blu-ray for a very long time.
As for this disc, well as a huge transformers fan I got this and have to say the picture and sound are very good. I have seen better HD pictures but considering how old the film is I was impressed. Very dissapointed as none of the standard definition dvd extras are here but still worth a purchase.
Transformers - The Movie [Blu-ray] [1986].......2008-02-24
Bought it from Amazon, then realised it was the CARTOON version not the movie, VERY dis appointed, but we all learn from our mistakes. Check BEFORE you buy, to make sure it is what you want.
WARNING - Not the Transformers Movie.......2008-02-01
Blu Ray DVD of Transformers, release date of 2007. You would imgine that it is the recent Transformers Movie, especially since it has a very similar cover. It is not that blockbuster movie. It is an ancient cartoon version that has been released at the same time as the movie.
Fantastic .... but not........2008-01-24
This looks great in hi-def. It was never going to look amazing due to how old it is, but it still looks impressive with a new set of intro titles. However, don't go throwing all your old DVD versions away asthis version has ZERO extras, hence only 3 stars.
Oh god, I thought it was the new movie...but no!.......2007-12-02
When I seen this come up a few months ago on amazon, I thought it was the new movie so I added it to the rental list. I pulled the kids together (with popcorn) and slapped it into PS3 and waited.
Cartoons came on for the first minute, I thought oh must be a trailer then I realised it was the original cartoon of soooo long ago. I'm sorry but it is still true to its origins and is now looking dated...as well as a cartoon. Glad I didnt buy it.
Out it comes and back into the packet and sent straight back to amazon. I wonder how many others have made this mistake with this similar release time periods. I gave it a three star as i watched at least 5 mins of it and one of the kids watched that bit before I removed it. Great if your retro I suppose.
Customer Reviews:
I still function..........2008-01-22
I missed this film in the 80's but bought a copy a few years ago, its a great film, its got some of the best lines I've ever heard. Such as (Megatron has been turned in Galvatron by Unicron and reappers just as Starscream is about to be crowned king of the decepticons) Starscream "Megatron?" Galvatron "Here's a hint!" and blows Starscream away with his huge arm cannon! I prefer this film over the recent Transformers movie.
The real reason for the altering of frame sizes.......2007-12-15
Mr. K. A. Barlow "Kid Keith doesn't have a clue about why some shots are altered. Its not to do with making them 16:9 but rather because as the Transformers The Movie Recontructed DVD makes very clear is:
"The 35mm negative [of the TF movie] had been shot by several different animators using various size gates, therefore the framing [of scenes] is inconsistant."
Many frames in the old versions of the movie where stretched and enlarged. All the Reconstructed and this version do is return the frames to their normal size which does make them look like they have been hacked at along the tops or sides, but nothing is lost and the detail is crisper.
If Mr. K. A. Barlow "Kid Keith" does have several versions of the TF movie, i suggest he gets the Reconstructed one to understand the issue. HOWEVER this version of the Transformers movie is not about 16:9 resolution (thats already been done) - it is about having 5:1 surround sound something the other versions do not have thus giving you a real cinematic version of the movie.
Stellar, Best since I was a kid.......2007-11-30
Wow, this version is the reference for all future efforts.
The only scene i can qualm about is the secene where Hot Rod and Spike are sitting fishing. The scene is a bit of softfocus. The color is phenominal and consistant in this version. The clarity of the frames is with the exception of a few frames from that one scene remarkable. I prefer what i saw to a real high end digital remastering. It is phenominal. I'd almost swear it's MPEG2-HD. Might be. I imported it to the US, works fine on US PS3, is not region locked. There is nothing more i can say. You MUST own this if you are a transformer's fan. I don't watch most of the 'extras' and there are some here, I understand there was more on the Anniversary DVD from a couple years ago. Nice disc, but, the framing in widescreen is far superior here. Just seeing the detail in the HD one of Optimus standing far in the background but they still fully hand drew his details... again, just phenominal.
A harmless trip down memory lane.......2007-10-30
This film is a bit of a Star Wars rip off with planets being wiped out , heroes dying & then communicating with their successors and even female characters sharing a hair-do ! A wise old warrior lays down his life to thwart the arch baddie . It is quite clearly an attempt not just to make money at the box office but to wipe out many characters whose toys where being discontinued and to build up excitement surrounding new Transformer models . The story has few twists & turns of any great note and the editing is pretty feeble while the fate of a number of characters is far too ambigious as some scenes were cut out . The vocal talents are impressive enough - but the credits are misleading as some people who are supposed to have spoken do not get a word in edgeways . Children could be upset at their favourites being wiped out and this film feels wrong as some new Transformers portrayed in Season Two are not in it . All in all it is a missed opportunity - as it could & indeed should have been better . But it is harmless if you wish to relive your youth in the 1980's .
Such Heroic Nonsense............2007-09-07
...But its NOT. From the words of Megatron to the Mammoth Unicron, this movie summons you here for a purpose. -A quality tale of gripping, fast paced, character-forming good versus evil story. After the heroic battle at the beginning which grabs your attention by the throat, the movie follows on into a slower, chilling area where you learn more of the other good & evil robots in the transformer story. With fine character interplay particularly by Cup, HotRod & the Dinobots, you instantly warm to this story and appreciate the twists and turns it delivers.
Customer Reviews:
Transform and roll out!!.......2007-06-27
Ahh! Wonderful day of the 80's. Getting out of bed at 8:00am on a saturday morning to watch this great new cartoon show were cars and planes turn into robots, HOW COOL IS THAT?
So after such success with the TV shows and the fabulous toy range (I was lucky enough to get Prime for christams on the year of release!) it seemed only a matter or time before the big movie outing was to take place. Were we disapointed? NO WE WERE NOT! It had it all, big fights, great 80's soundtrack, a planet sized transformer and even the death of Optimus Prime!
A story that deals with the principals of change, re-birth and fulfilment of one true destiny. The details of the story have already been written here so I will skip that part. The movie has a much darker and more adult feel than the TV shows and hence a little more realism is injected for the viewing adults.
The animation still stands up well and looks good all the way through, even in these days of CGI, although some little mistakes can be seen, see if you can spot them!
For many years due to the advent of modern CGI I often wondered when somebody out there was going to give Optimus Prime and Megatron the royal treatment and bring them back for us to see again in new spangly CGI, my wish has been granted and its on its way with the new Transformers The Movie.
So, after you have taken your little ones to see the new movie, dig this one out and watch it again with them and bring back those halcyon days of Waker Day and the guy with the big mallet!
Pure nostalgia.......2006-05-31
I loved this film as a kid, and guess what??? on recent rewatching I find I still do.
It has an excellent eighties rock soundtrack, featuring a song about drug addiction, although I didn't realise it at the time.
The animation was excellt at the time and still stands up today.
The film is a real tear jerker, the death of Optimus Prime.
What a Classic!.......2005-07-19
In my lifetime I have watched many cartoons, including their movie versions.
When I first hooked up to Amazon the first one I remebered straight away was this movie.
As a kid, I watched it constantly on video as growing up I had so many transformer figures you could lose count.
The idea of vehicles, dinosaurs and guns morphing into fighting robots was so entertaining as a young kid it was great.
Though slightly dated looking, the cartoon has a brill story, lots of action and plenty of weird and wonderful characters to keep you entertained for its entire showing.
Definately a classic cartoon from generations ago, those of you that like this type of thing should go and buy it.
A Bargain.......2005-07-12
Although this may well be cut,it is still an awe-inspiring film which is a pretty rocking bit of mindless entertainment which reminds me of being 6 years old
Get the Maverick version........2004-01-18
Just a warning - this is the CUT version of the film, presumably aimed at the new generation of Transformers fans. I'd suggest getting Maverick's PG rated, uncut version, which I've reviewed rather more positively...
Customer Reviews:
shockingly poor.......2007-11-29
this travesty of a film doesnt deserve much of a review,so ill keep it short.
its terrible....
An excellent edition.......2007-08-21
Re, the below criticsm:
-Yes, the top and bottom have been trimmed. The movie was made in a 4:3 format, so to anamorphically fit widescreen it's been trimmed. To be fair, it's not really noticable and certainly doesn't detract.
-The "Star Wars" style opening text has been removed as this is the USA edition of the movie, not the European; it also omits the fianl voice-over clarifying that "Optimus Prime will return!" as that was only added after horrified USA reaction to Optimus' death.
Onto the movie: well, so much has been written about it already, I'll be brief. The beginning (until the Autobots flee Earth) is superb. The middle is terrible. The ending, where Unicron attacks and the story is resolved, is superb. It's like two films strangely stitched together.
The extras are interesting, the commentary is entertaining. The remastered picture looks absolutely beautiful. Recommended if you like the old TF cartoons, or have a nostalgic streak. Note that this is far, far better than the Metrodome release of "Transformers the Movie: Reconstructed" which was critized for its altering of sound effects, variable picture, and the showing of too MUCH picture (the complete 4:3 plus unfinished animation edges and corners).
Hmmm... Not convinced.......2007-08-16
I own this version of the movie in various guises both on VHS and a couple other versions on DVD. The thing that attracted me to this version was the promise of the 16:9 cinema full screen aspect and the fact that it has been remastered...
Now... the film has had a full revamp, however, there has been some changes that some people might not like. The start with the starwars-esque text scroll explaining the state in which you find the Tranformers has been removed. Not sure why, just has... and for some reason I found it annoying purely because this is supposed to be the "Ultimate" version of the movie.
Perhaps the most annoying thing I found about it was that the promised 16:6 aspect ratio was only delivered at a cost!! Done in a most blasphematic way. It seems (and trust me on this) that they have enlarged the 4:3 aspect screen to fit the 16:9 then chopped the top and bottom slightly to give the impression of the 16:9... so actually your getting a cut down and not a sideway extension! I have checked this along side my trusty 4:3 version... "Ultimate"?!
Yes the movie does sound and look very impressive in comparison to the older versions but people wanting to see the true '86 version might want to consider other versions out there... dare I even suggest VHS?! Either way it's one for your collection and cheap enough to buy without feeling too swizzed.
The ULTIMATE edition? Unquestionably yes!.......2007-08-10
Here we have a timeless classic. Transformers: The Movie was unquestionably a milestone and turning point in the history of the Robots in Disguise. It's failure at the box office doesn't mean a thing these days, as it has since gone on to become one of the most memorable cult classics of all time.
The critics who panned it as being `one, giant toy commercial' didn't know what they were on about. It changed everything about Transformers, introducing such radical, yet awe-inspiring concepts that inspired and fuelled the success of Transformers comics and future shows. The movie also showcased deeper and darker storytelling than that usually seen in the first two seasons of the TV show, boasted a phenomenal soundtrack and all-star voice cast, and had animation beyond anything else from Generation 1.
For those who don't know the plot of the film, it goes like this. It's set in the year 2005 (God, does that feel weird now or what?). Twenty years have passed since the end of Season 2, and things have gone very bad for the Autobots. The Decepticons now rule Cybertron, and whilst the Autobots are planning their uprising, the Decepticons attack Autobot City: Earth to wipe out their arch-enemies once and for all. But whilst all this is going on, a new threat arrives which makes the civil war pale in comparison. Unicron, a monster planet that is intent on destroying the Transformer race.
Now, there're have been so many DVD releases of this film. Starting in 2001 when Maverick released a long-awaited Region 2 copy of this film. Then we've had versions of the film that can be purchased for a fiver and come without any extras. And when Metrodome took up the rights to produce Transformers DVDs, as well as releasing box sets of the G1 show, they naturally released their `Reconstructed' version of the movie. And now, to coincide with the release of the new live-action Transformers film, we have the Ultimate Edition of the cult classic, this time spread onto 2 discs.
Regardless of how it's released on DVD, I will always give the FILM five stars. The issue here is whether or not the extras make this edition the DVD release of Transformers: The Movie the one we've REALLY been waiting for after all this time.
Surprisingly, there are TWO versions of the film released here, but there's a reason for this. On disc one, you have an extensively remastered version of the original cinematic release from the US, presented here in 16:9 widescreen format and complete with a 5.1 surround sound option. This version of the film is absolutely gorgeous. It is so crisp and colourful and the audio is truly of cinematic levels, which will please any widescreen/surround sound fan. However, because this is the original US version, you will notice changes in this that may take you by surprise, such as the inclusion of Spike's infamous expletive and changes that I had never even heard of, like Superman-style opening credits and the absence of narrations here and there by Victor Caroli.
On disc two, you have the original 4.3 full screen version of the film. And it's still a real treat to see. The visual here is more darker and thus suits the tone of the film more, regardless of the superior mastering on the widescreen version. It's also more pleasing to see the familiar UK moments, such as the Star Wars-style intro at the beginning and the narrations that are missing from the widescreen release. Both versions have their pros and cons over the other, but either way, it's all good to see. The choice of full screen or widescreen is refreshing and one of the greatest strengths of this Ultimate Edition.
Moving on to the extras, there are absolutely loads here, again spread onto the two discs. These include the alternate US and UK scenes (highlighting the differences between the cinematic releases), trailers, TV spots, character bios, animation tests, storyboards, DVD-ROM original script and the Paramount trailer for the latest live-action film.
All these are brilliant and earn their keep on the two-disc set, but there're extras that truly stand out above the rest. Such as the audio commentary on disc one provided by Transformers expert, Chris McFeely. Five minutes into listening to the commentary made me realise that McFeely knows what he's talking about. He provides such a fascinating insight into not just the film, but Transformers as a whole, talking about the origin of the concept, certain characters, voice actors, later incarnations of Transformers etc. I was absolutely amazed to discover things even I didn't know about Transformers. It really is so enjoyable and enlightening to listen to McFeely's narrative. It stays away from being boring and will interest all fans.
There's also an exclusive booklet written by McFeely, uncovering more interesting facts about the movie and the whole Generation 1 saga (as released on Metrodome's box sets). A great interview with Flint Dille, who acted as a story consultant for the movie and wrote numerous episodes of the TV series. An exclusive Q & A with the legendary Peter Cullen (the voice of Optimus Prime in the original cartoon series), which is a real treat to watch. And finally, the long awaited release of Scramble City, the Japanese-exclusive episode that took place instead of the movie (which Japan didn't get till 1990). This is subtitled and also features commentary from Chris McFeely. It's a great piece of animation, filled with everything that makes Transformers so great.
So...is this the ULTIMATE edition of Transformers: The Movie? I would definitely say YES. It has all the extras it needs to flatter a great, great film. And the collector's tin that comes with it is so beautiful. Metrodome have really delivered here. This is the best release ever of TF:TM. Get rid of your old versions and replace it with this one. You WON'T regret it.
Remember the 80s? If 'yes' then you'll love it........2007-08-09
THE STORY:
The evil Decepticons launch and all out attack against Earth which leaves the heroic Autobots grieving for their dead and fleeing into the stars. Meanwhile, the planet-eating Unicron advances towards the Transformers' homeworld.
WHAT'S GOOD:
This film is carried to lofty heights on a wave of nostalgia. I used to love Transformers as a kid (what boy wouldn't love a toy which was both a tank and a robot?) and then rewatched this film after nearly a decade... and still loved it! Corny 80s soundtrack (you can almost see a guy with Def Leppard hair clenching his fists and yelling "You've got the touch!"), cool sound effects, funny dialogue and big robots fighting each other; what more could you want? How about the vocal talents of Eric Idle, Leonard Nimoy and (get this) Orson Welles.
WHAT'S BAD:
Well, there's lots of criticisms that you could make if you decided to take the film seriously, but if you did that you'd be missing the point.
Get the beers in, turn the telly on and pretend you're ten again!
Amazon.co.uk Review
During the 1980s, one cartoon series ruled the airwaves... The Transformers. This paragon of consumerism was created with a dual purpose: to entertain and to galvanize children to buy the toys. Somewhere along the line, the show became a cult favorite, so in 1986 they fashioned an epic tale of good versus evil specifically for the big screen. The result looked vaguely like an animated remake of Star Wars. Who are the Transformers? The good guys are the Autobots: Optimus Prime, SoundWave, Jazz, Ultra Magnus, and many more. Their mortal enemies are the evil Decepticons, led by Megatron and StarScream. The Autobots must save their home planet from an evil entity known as Unicron (voiced by Orson Welles). At the same time, they must defend themselves from an all-out attack from the Decepticons. Along the way, lives are lost, battles are fought, and a new Autobot leader is born as another dies. The story and action never stop in a thrilling ride that often makes you forget that you're watching an '80s cartoon with inferior graphics. The violence will also come as a mild shock to those who haven't seen this film for a while--definitely a movie for the 8 and over audience. For those who grew up on this series, this is a movie that must be watched. Unlike cartoon serials before and after, The Transformers relied on solid stories and interesting characters, a manifesto the film itself upholds with gusto and grace while also being morally responsible. Don't underestimate this movie; there is definitely more to it than meets the eye. --Jeremy Storey, Amazon.com
Customer Reviews:
Out with the old..........2007-08-30
Despite being a HUGE Transformers fan as a kid, for one reason or another I didn't see the film on its release so have had to live with the feeling that I missed out on an important part of my youth ever since.
Well, having now seen it, the good news is that the TF film is an entertaining and occasionally inspiring piece of work. The characters are solid (helped no end by the excellent voice cast) and the script is of good, if not great, quality. The film was originally shot in various non-widescreen formats and was cropped top and bottom for its cinema release and the way the makers of this DVD have transferred the print means that we see the whole film, rather than the cropped cinema version. I initially found this irritating, with large borders showing at each side of the screen, but have grown to appreciate it somewhat more over time. I nevertheless think that the film would look more cinematic and less like a TV show if the widescreen format had been preserved.
The bad news is that the animation can't compete with that which kids are now used to seeing every day on the cartoon channels, often being only as sophisticated as that used in the original Transformers TV series. The sound is also a bit of a mixed bag, serving up some great sound effects but also some at times indistinct dialogue. Whether this is inherent in the master copy, or a by-product of the transfer to DVD, is unclear. The other issue I have with the film is the fact that it appears occasionally little more than a contrived way of getting rid of old characters and replacing them with new ones, maybe with pushing toy sales in mind. A number of old favourites are despatched within seconds of appearing on screen, often without saying or doing little, if anything, of value. I suppose that the film was a sort of transition piece between the old and new Transformers, so I won't blame the makers for it, and having loads of new characters would have added a sense of freshness to the franchise at the time.
It's apparent from the first few minutes that the film was a work of genius when it was released back in 1986. Some of the opening scenes in particular are reminiscent of a Hollywood blockbuster of that period and would undoubtedly have served to make for memorable watching. The problem is that, whilst the film would have been untouchable back then, it can't really compare to what we've seen since. I doubt that many kids today would bother with it, whilst some older Transformers fans would be unable to get past its shortcomings. That's not to say that it isn't worth buying, because it is, I just can't shake the feeling that I would have appreciated it far more as a ten-year-old than I ever could today. I won't mark it down for those reasons, primarily because it was made for kids in 1986 rather than adults in 2007, but I still wish that I had seen it on its release, when I was less likely to spot its faults.
"Such Heroic Nonsense.....".......2007-04-07
...But its NOT. From the words of Megatron to the Mammoth Unicron, this movie summons you here for a purpose. -A quality tale of gripping, fast paced, character-forming good versus evil story. After the heroic battle at the beginning which grabs your attention by the throat, the movie follows on into a slower, chilling area where you learn more of the other good & evil robots in the transformer story. With fine character interplay particularly by Cup, HotRod & the Dinobots, you instantly warm to this story and appreciate the twists and turns it delivers.
dont make' em like they used to! .......2006-11-08
If your 20 something and want to relive your youth, then this is it. It doesnt get much better than transformers the movie. Ground breaking animation, decent dialogue, and a soundtrack to take your breath away. For those growing up on the "new" transformers then this is a must. See how it all began,how it all used to be, cos you aint gonna get better. "now light our darkest hour"
Great film - Terrible Soundtrack!.......2006-08-11
What an action packed explosion of 1980's nostaligia, strobe effects and cheesy power-ballad soundtrack!
Features the voice talents of Orson Welles and Eric Idle, to name but a few.
My only disapointment (aside from the music), is that the original picture has been restored to a normal 4.3 ratio (so it's square) which leaves two black margins eitherside of the picture. Still - I'd rather this than have the picture stretched to fill a wide screen.
A solid cartoon classic.......2005-09-30
I always used to love Transformers and although, looking back, the series (especially the first) was pretty naff, the film has always been good. It does my head in when it gets critisised for being a marketing stategy when the same hypocrites probably go to watch films like Star Wars and Batman, knowing the merchandise surrounding them.
The story in Transformers the Movie is fairly simple and fits into two halves; the first is a gigantic battle between the Autobots and Decepticons which is shot beautfully and has plenty of action and a terrific showdown. The second half however, is a bit slower and concentrates on a giant planet-like Transformer who simply "devours" other planets.
Despite some iffy animation here and there, the film knows how to turn on the drama in the right places and is always fun to watch. And the soundtrack, however cheesy, superbly fits the atmosphere and excitement. The guest voice-overs arent really anything special, although Orson (yes thats right!) Welles' Unicron is memorably authoritive and sinister.
There is barely any difference from what i can see between the PG and U versions except for one use of the word s**t. So there u go, u may as well by the U version now.
Amazon.co.uk Review
It's the year 2005, and the universe is going right down the toilet. Not only have the heroic Autobots lost their homeworld of Cybertron to the evil Decepticons, a giant metallic planet named Unicron is on the prowl, treating solar systems like a gigantic buffet and gunning for the Autobots' matrix of leadership. Fortunately, struggling against the odds is what heroes do best, and it is indeed hard to keep a good robot down. As the battle rages from space to earth and back into space again, characters die, others are reborn and, ultimately, good must face evil in a climactic battle for the fate of the universe.
When this animated film arrived in American cinemas in the mid-1980s, the Transformers--both the robot toys and the television show--were at the height of their popularity. Transformers The Movie took these battling 'bots and, er, transformed them into film stars, albeit of the cult variety. The animation is a bit touch-and-go: at its best, it's up there with classic Japanese manga; at it's worst, it reeks of horrible 80s assembly-line productions. And the plot is little more than an advert for the (then) new toys, many of which show up as main characters in the film (Hot Rod, Kup, Ultra Magnus, Galvatron, etc). However, some of the action sequences are indeed spectacular--especially the battle for Autobot City--and the violence is a bit intense for what is, basically, a kid's film (they may just be robots, but they still die, apparently). What really makes this film more than meets the eye, though, is the names who show up as voices in the credits: Leonard Nimoy, Judd Nelson, Robert Stack, Eric Idle and even Orson Welles, in one of his last roles, as Unicron. --Robert Burrow
Customer Reviews:
I'm 5 Years Old Again.......2006-10-18
Ok, so watching Transformers the Movie may not be the most mature viewing of alltime and no, no woman is ever going to be impressed if you can quote any lines from the film, but boy is it fun!
When my family first bought a VHS player in 1988 when I was just five years old, this was the first VHS my parents picked up. I loved it at the time, but unlike so many things I loved as a kid, this stands up very well. The music is 80s hair metal and never less than hard-rocking fun (btw the soundtrack is also worth checking out) and goes perfectly with the on-screen boys action. The siege on Autobot City, the death of Optimus Prime, the reincarnation of Megatron as Galvatron and the final assault on the giant, robot planet Unicron are stunning. The film is always enjoyable and should not be dismissed as a kids movie, or just a run of the mill action flick.
The film is classic 1980s animation and should bring back warm memories as well as being a barrel full of fun no matter your age.
Optimus.......2004-03-20
I think many can says they owe their lives to transformers, gave such a great message Optimus Prime the greatest hero we'll ever know how does he die? like a man fighting his ultimate enemy the best way to die!
This film is as good as when i saw it back in the eighties, Orson Welles last gig, and I do love Orson Welles he did a couple of very metal songs with ManOwaR. This really is the pinnacle of cartoons
This DVD is brill.......2004-02-13
Contrary to popular believe this DVD is beyound brilliant, considering i was only little when it first came out, when it was reissued i remembered who all the characters were instantly, and i could fully appreciate the people who voiced the characters like, orson welles, leonard nemoy and all those other random people who were stars in their day, and who are still stars now forever immortilized in this movie.
There is also some speculation about ole Roddo Prime, in theory he was a very valuble character, i mean the Decepticons have the advantage of living under a new leader why not let the Autobots have the same, see how different it really is, also this character has had a chance to develope more, they had a chance to develope a street kid into a leader.
But at the end we see how the power of wisdom can beat all, a truely powerful meaning and a brilliant movie.
The uncut version!.......2004-01-18
Okay, so it's not 'Godfather' standards, and as I can see now was basically intended as a toy advert, but in its own way, Transformers: The Movie is worth five out of five. It's well made, is pacy, has a great cast of cult actors (Eric Idle! Leonard Nimoy! ORSON WELLES!!!), a rockin' soundtrack and is supremely entertaining.
Maybe to a non-fan it wouldn't impress, but this review isn't aimed at unbelievers. The storyline is full of epic drama, and is sufficiently big to fill the demands of a one and a half hour movie. The characters are well established, the animation excellent, there is tragedy and humour.
And not only that, but the Maverick edition is the full, uncut, PG rated version I'd never known existed until I heard Spike Witwicky swear and saw rather more violence than I remembered. Unfortunately, this now seems to have been withdrawn and replaced by the more child friendly cut version.
After seeing this I'd recommend everybody reads the UK comic stories printed in 'Target 2006', 'Fallen Angel', 'Legacy of Unicron', 'Space Pirates' and 'Time Wars'. They form a great series of sequels which take the movie out of the cartoon continuity and place it slap-bang in the middle of the superior comic continuity.
One shall Stand, One shall Fall!.......2003-11-13
This movie is Fantastic! I am a lifelong Transformer Fan and I remember seeing the trailer for the film - The FINAL battle between Optimus Prime and Megatron was worth waiting for.
This is the epic struggle between good and evil which has "raged for millions of years".
Orson Wells puts in a terrific performance as the coldly evil Unicron and Leonard Nimoy of Star Trek is an excellent addition to the cast.
My only complaint is that Rodinus Prime means nothing. Optimus meant first & greatest - surely Hasbro could have done better.
Still his transform is good.
Many people believe that the death of Optimus ruined the third series but I believe it forced the Autobots to stand on their own two feet. For all thouse die-hard purists out there do not worry. The Greatest Autobot of them all, Optimus Prime WILL return.
A MUST BUY ITEM (Note:- U version suitable for everyone, PG version has one swear word in it - admittedly they are being swallowed by a giant planet at the time).
Amazon.co.uk Review
During the 1980s, one cartoon series ruled the airwaves...Transformers. This paragon of consumerism was created with a dual purpose: to entertain and to galvanise children to buy the toys. Somewhere along the line, the show became a cult favourite, so in 1986 they fashioned an epic tale of good versus evil specifically for the big screen. The result looked vaguely like an animated remake of Star Wars. Who are the Transformers? The good guys are the Autobots: Optimus Prime, SoundWave, Jazz, Ultra Magnus, and many more. Their mortal enemies are the evil Decepticons, led by Megatron and StarScream. The Autobots must save their home planet from an evil entity known as Unicron (voiced by Orson Welles). At the same time, they must defend themselves from an all-out attack from the Decepticons. Along the way, lives are lost, battles are fought, and a new Autobot leader is born as another dies. The story and action never stop in a thrilling ride that often makes you forget that you're watching an 80s cartoon with inferior graphics. The violence will also come as a mild shock to those who haven't seen this film for a while--definitely a movie for the 8 and over audience. --Jeremy Storey
Customer Reviews:
excellent film i still love it all the way from when i was a kid.......2007-05-26
this film is amazing an i cant wait for the live movie its going to be so cool an i dunno why people are giving bad reviews for this oh an look at the box more closly dumb ass's an if you know your transformers its not computron on the back its supierion duh! an theres one transformer on the front that isnt in the film which is marashe an so what the art isnt up to spech an if you dont like the 4.3 picture then zoom in to take up the screen stupid idots! such a film like this does not deserve bad mouthing it should only be enjoyed so enjoy it! sorry if i seem harsh i jus dont like people who always complain about little things anyway this film is superb i would recomend it to anyone fan or not
Doesnt work on most PSPs.......2005-11-27
Don't buy this, it's not compatible with most PSPs because it requires 2.0 firmware or higher, which if you're a bright bunny you'l be avoiding like the plague. Unfortunately version changers and the like can't be used to get around this 'feature' of the newer UMD discs. So avoid.
A must for any fan!.......2005-09-23
I loved this film when I younger and I still love it now! The box is nothing to worry about unless you buy it to look at the case and not watch the film! The ratio is 4:3 because the original film was made like this, however this is not a problem as anyone with a PSP will know you can zoom the screen size and make it fit perfectly. The quality is superb although some of the finer detail is lost on the small screen. Again its nothing major so if you enjoyed the original you wont be disappointed!
A travesty.......2005-09-03
If you have a PSP, don't bother. What Amazon haven't said is that it has a 4:3 aspect ratio, so no lovely widescreen on your 16:9 PSP screen. You get big black margins and a 2 inch picture in VHS quality, just like the one you bought almost 20 years ago. The other thing that is awful about this is the box. The box art looks like it was drawn by a toddler and it features characters that aren't even in the film (in fact they only appear after the film). One still on the back cover is from an episode in the following series and clearly shows Goldbug, the other features Computron and looks like fanart. Don't waste your money on this, just download it or buy the new Reconstructed DVD and rip it onto your PSP. Don't give the lazy publishing company a penny for what could be a knockoff from Singapore. The only reason I give it 2 stars and not 1 is because it is still a great film, but I am reviewing the product and I don't enjoy watching films on a matchbox.
Amazon.co.uk Review
It's the year 2005, and the universe is going right down the toilet. Not only have the heroic Autobots lost their homeworld of Cybertron to the evil Decepticons, a giant metallic planet named Unicron is on the prowl, treating solar systems like a gigantic buffet and gunning for the Autobots' matrix of leadership. Fortunately, struggling against the odds is what heroes do best, and it is indeed hard to keep a good robot down. As the battle rages from space to earth and back into space again, characters die, others are reborn and, ultimately, good must face evil in a climactic battle for the fate of the universe.
When this animated film arrived in American cinemas in the mid-1980s, the Transformers--both the robot toys and the television show--were at the height of their popularity. Transformers The Movie took these battling 'bots and, er, transformed them into film stars, albeit of the cult variety. The animation is a bit touch-and-go: at its best, it's up there with classic Japanese manga; at it's worst, it reeks of horrible 80s assembly-line productions. And the plot is little more than an advert for the (then) new toys, many of which show up as main characters in the film (Hot Rod, Kup, Ultra Magnus, Galvatron, etc). However, some of the action sequences are indeed spectacular--especially the battle for Autobot City--and the violence is a bit intense for what is, basically, a kid's film (they may just be robots, but they still die, apparently). What really makes this film more than meets the eye, though, is the names who show up as voices in the credits: Leonard Nimoy, Judd Nelson, Robert Stack, Eric Idle and even Orson Welles, in one of his last roles, as Unicron. --Robert Burrow
Customer Reviews:
I'm 5 Years Old Again.......2006-10-18
Ok, so watching Transformers the Movie may not be the most mature viewing of alltime and no, no woman is ever going to be impressed if you can quote any lines from the film, but boy is it fun!
When my family first bought a VHS player in 1988 when I was just five years old, this was the first VHS my parents picked up. I loved it at the time, but unlike so many things I loved as a kid, this stands up very well. The music is 80s hair metal and never less than hard-rocking fun (btw the soundtrack is also worth checking out) and goes perfectly with the on-screen boys action. The siege on Autobot City, the death of Optimus Prime, the reincarnation of Megatron as Galvatron and the final assault on the giant, robot planet Unicron are stunning. The film is always enjoyable and should not be dismissed as a kids movie, or just a run of the mill action flick.
The film is classic 1980s animation and should bring back warm memories as well as being a barrel full of fun no matter your age.
Optimus.......2004-03-20
I think many can says they owe their lives to transformers, gave such a great message Optimus Prime the greatest hero we'll ever know how does he die? like a man fighting his ultimate enemy the best way to die!
This film is as good as when i saw it back in the eighties, Orson Welles last gig, and I do love Orson Welles he did a couple of very metal songs with ManOwaR. This really is the pinnacle of cartoons
This DVD is brill.......2004-02-13
Contrary to popular believe this DVD is beyound brilliant, considering i was only little when it first came out, when it was reissued i remembered who all the characters were instantly, and i could fully appreciate the people who voiced the characters like, orson welles, leonard nemoy and all those other random people who were stars in their day, and who are still stars now forever immortilized in this movie.
There is also some speculation about ole Roddo Prime, in theory he was a very valuble character, i mean the Decepticons have the advantage of living under a new leader why not let the Autobots have the same, see how different it really is, also this character has had a chance to develope more, they had a chance to develope a street kid into a leader.
But at the end we see how the power of wisdom can beat all, a truely powerful meaning and a brilliant movie.
The uncut version!.......2004-01-18
Okay, so it's not 'Godfather' standards, and as I can see now was basically intended as a toy advert, but in its own way, Transformers: The Movie is worth five out of five. It's well made, is pacy, has a great cast of cult actors (Eric Idle! Leonard Nimoy! ORSON WELLES!!!), a rockin' soundtrack and is supremely entertaining.
Maybe to a non-fan it wouldn't impress, but this review isn't aimed at unbelievers. The storyline is full of epic drama, and is sufficiently big to fill the demands of a one and a half hour movie. The characters are well established, the animation excellent, there is tragedy and humour.
And not only that, but the Maverick edition is the full, uncut, PG rated version I'd never known existed until I heard Spike Witwicky swear and saw rather more violence than I remembered. Unfortunately, this now seems to have been withdrawn and replaced by the more child friendly cut version.
After seeing this I'd recommend everybody reads the UK comic stories printed in 'Target 2006', 'Fallen Angel', 'Legacy of Unicron', 'Space Pirates' and 'Time Wars'. They form a great series of sequels which take the movie out of the cartoon continuity and place it slap-bang in the middle of the superior comic continuity.
One shall Stand, One shall Fall!.......2003-11-13
This movie is Fantastic! I am a lifelong Transformer Fan and I remember seeing the trailer for the film - The FINAL battle between Optimus Prime and Megatron was worth waiting for.
This is the epic struggle between good and evil which has "raged for millions of years".
Orson Wells puts in a terrific performance as the coldly evil Unicron and Leonard Nimoy of Star Trek is an excellent addition to the cast.
My only complaint is that Rodinus Prime means nothing. Optimus meant first & greatest - surely Hasbro could have done better.
Still his transform is good.
Many people believe that the death of Optimus ruined the third series but I believe it forced the Autobots to stand on their own two feet. For all thouse die-hard purists out there do not worry. The Greatest Autobot of them all, Optimus Prime WILL return.
A MUST BUY ITEM (Note:- U version suitable for everyone, PG version has one swear word in it - admittedly they are being swallowed by a giant planet at the time).
DVD:
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