"Such heroic nonsense." (Transformers: The Movie [1986] (2 DVDs))

Name: dididave

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Product:	Transformers: The Movie [1986] (2 DVDs)
Date:	31.05.05 (381 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Fast paced, Moralistic, A great soundtrack

Disadvantages: Corny dialogue, Poor animation

Transformers - The Movie is the first film my befuddled memory recalls seeing at the cinema. At the tender age of six I remember the excitement of its release. It was greeted with the same furore as Power Rangers was and is probably one of the first children's films and animated series that was devised with marketing in mind.

Over the years the franchise transformed itself in several guises and has recently made a comeback. However, my rose tinted mind is tinged with nostalgia and accepts no substitute for the original and of course superior series.

More than meets the eye?
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The movie centres on the age-old battle between the Autobots (good) and Decepticons (bad). These robot like beings have waged war on each other for countless millennia and after their home planet "Cybertron" was destroyed have continued this battle on earth. Of course the Autobots being good are desperate to protect the people of earth from the scourge of the evil Decepticons. After a titanic struggle the Decepticon leader Megatron is defeated and his second in commander and successor Starscream gleefully jettison's him into space. However, Unicron ravager of planets saves Megatron from death and promises to transform him into the ultimate Decepticon on one condition...Megatron must destroy the Matrix, the one thing that can harm Unicron.

Robots in disguise
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This movie is epic. As a child it evoked emotions of anger, sadness, grief and happiness. It is an action-packed, ninety minute, adrenaline rush and watching it as an adult has done little to change this. The tale is the usual good versus evil yet seemingly as with most 80's children's animations it is suitably moralistic. Yes the emphasis is on battles and gunplay as robots turn into cars, planes and countless other objects. However, there is also sacrifice, redemption and salvation to be found here.

Transformers is an undoubtedly dark and violent film (reflected by its PG rating) vividly so at times yet I remember as a child being strongly influenced by the morals held within. This is perhaps due to some superb voice acting. Peter Cullen is great as the voice of Optimus Prime leader of the Autobots and adds a gravitas and commanding tone to the role that has become infamous to all 80's children whereas Frank Welker is suitably devious as the Decepticon leader Megatron. Orson Welles as the forbidding Unicron and Leonard "Spock" Nimoy as the reborn Galvatron adds the icing to the cake although perhaps the annoying, ingratiating Chris Latta as Starscream steals the film.

However, let us not pretend that Transformers- The Movie is full of Oscar winning acting. Even my nostalgic view of the film cannot ignore the largely corny dialogue and idealistic morals present throughout. Also, there is no doubt the animation is poor even for its time with an anime/comic feel akin to that of Japanese animation of a similar time.

Look past all of this though and what you have is a rip-roaring film that is still highly entertaining even today. I watched it with my 7-year-old the other day and he loved it. Add to this perhaps the best theme tune of an animated series ever (80's rock at its best) and what you have is a watchable, affordable 80's classic.

£8.71 on DVD at Amazon

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