Transformers - The Movie Reconstructed [1986]

Average customer rating:

Out with the old...

"Such Heroic Nonsense....."

dont make' em like they used to!

Great film - Terrible Soundtrack!

A solid cartoon classic

Transformers - The Movie Reconstructed [1986]
Starring: Transformers , Leonard Nimoy , Orson Welles , and Eric Idle
Manufacturer: Metrodome Distribution
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

Transformers | Characters & Series | Children's DVD | Categories | DVD | Video
Other | Animation | Children's DVD | Categories | DVD | Video
All Children's DVD | Children's DVD | Categories | DVD | Video
DVD | Format (binding_browse-bin) | Refinements | DVD | Video
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ASIN: B0009OJ990
Release Date: 2005-09-05

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.

Average customer rating:

Sextette - one last fling for Mae West!!

Sextette [1978] (REGION 1) (NTSC)
Starring: Mae West , Timothy Dalton , Dom DeLuise , Tony Curtis , and Ringo Starr
Director: Ken Hughes
Manufacturer: Rhino Home Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

All Comedy | Comedy | Categories | DVD | Video
All Children's DVD | Children's DVD | Categories | DVD | Video
Region 1 | Special Features | DVD | Video
DVD | Format (binding_browse-bin) | Refinements | DVD | Video
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ASIN: B00004YA6M
Release Date: 2000-11-07

Customer Reviews:

Sextette - one last fling for Mae West!!.......2006-04-27

This movie has to be seen to be believed. A review in Time magagazine called it "A movie that is so bad, so ferally awful that is an instant classic!!"

It is a campy kitsch-fest for diehard Mae West fans. Made in 1976/77, when Mae West was anywhere from 84 to 90 depending upon which estimate you believe - it represents a brave last stab at celluloid fame - or infamy (!!) - before a final stroke felled her on November 22nd 1980.

Starting her sixth honeymoon with Timothy Dalton as Sir Michael Barrington who serenades our blue marabou trimmed begowned heroine Marlo Manners with his version of the Captain and Tenille's hit Love Will Keep Us Together !!!

Mae/Marlo encounters all of her ex husbands played by a variety of actors from Ringo Starr to George Hamilton in a curiosity of a movie that is worth seeing despite itself!

It has to be said that this British DVD of the movie presents the Mae West fan with the best version available of this quirky movie the colour and sound are excellent, although the are no extras of course!

If you love Mae West buy it and enjoy!!

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