Greatness in Disguise (Transformers: The Movie [1986] (2 DVDs))

Member Name: martial_loh

Product:	Transformers: The Movie [1986] (2 DVDs)
Date:	31/07/01 (44 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Robots in disguise...what a concept!, Music, Voice acting

Disadvantages: Too short for me.

This movie is based in the Transformers universe. Basically, you have 2 warring factions of robots, who can transform into other objects/vehicles.
Leading the good-guys, you have Optimus Prime, is faction called the "Autobots". Leading the bad-guys, you have Megatron - his gang is called the "Decepticons". The opening scenes show the Decepticons atracking the Autobot bases. Events lead up to a Optimus + Megatron brawl, which is pretty impressive and well "choreographed".
Fans of Optimus will not be initially pleased to hear that their favourite red 'n blue trailer gets mortally wounded by Megatron.... and has to hand over the leadershp Matrix to Ultramagnus - another big trailer-type soldier.
The end has not arrived yet though! The story has just begun! A large planet-object is flying around the galaxy destroying planets. It is becoming a threat - a big one- since it wants to consume Cybertron - the home of both the Autobots and Decepticons.

After the fierce battle between Megatron and Optimus, Megatron is left badly wounded. Betrayed by the treacherous Starscream, he is left floating in space. However the mysterious planet-object rescues Megatron and reveals itself to be a being called "Unicron". Unicron gives Megatron a new body and a new troop of robots, on the condition that he destroy the Autobot Matrix of leadership - this is the only thing that can stop Unicron from gaining ultimate power.

Feeling afresh, with new powers and a new army, Megatron, now called Galvatron sets out to find the matrix of leadership and destory it once and for all. The Autobots are already fleeing their much-battered Earth base, not knowing what dangers lie ahead and right behind them!!!

This movie has got to be one of the most exciting titles that I've seen (animation). Not only does it combine a great script with our favourite multi-usage robots, but it features some very solid music from Stan Bu
sh, Spectre General and Weird Al Yankovic.
80s rock is a timeless-music genre, and its well written lyrics fit in with all the sections of the film that they are played with.
The classic sounds of Transforming (I'd try to represent the phonics in words, but its hard!) are used, as is the speedy animation style that most fans have grown accustomed to, watching the televised series. I definently say that the movie features much better visuals than its tv-counterpart - which is a very good thing!
The characters are very warm, for a bunch of metallic guys -
you got Hotrod - a young robot, who's overconfidence and cool image make him instantly seen as the plot's hero.
Kup - the old timer transformer who has seen more battles than anyone else. He'd easily remind you of an old relative - "In my day...."
Megatron/Galvatron - not so easy to warm to, but you know that he's evil...especially with the cold voice supplied by Leonard Nimoy - Spock!!
Grimlock - very stupid dino-bot. Nevertheless, you have to admire his determination to prove his great strength and braveness.
There are many other characters to see, but these are the ones that always stick in my mind.
Story-wise, I feel that this movie serves as a good climax builder leading up to "The Return of Optimus Prime". Sadly I have not been able to get a copy of this movie.....so I'll never know how he did come back... However, the story is tight enough to support itself and is a watch-worthy 86 minutes.
The many worlds that the Autobots find themselves on are well varied and are used to show the diversity of the Transformer race. The savage Sharkticons are anothe feature of the movie that I really liked. Despite being very primal, they did have the sense to run from the overpowering Dinobots!!!!
Although this title is slightly dated now, it will bring back many good memories to lots of grown men (and some women) who remember watching
this movie and series. Some kids may like it too - my younger brother loved it, despite not having seen any of the series!
I'd like to see Transformers stage a comebak in this new millenium, not any stupid "Beast" incarnations, but the old style Autobot-Decepticon fights!!!
The only cons for this show is that it is too short... maybe, some of the fight scenes towards the end should have lasted a lot longer.....I wont spoil it for those who have no seen the movie, but those in the know- you must admit that the last fight was disappointing? It was over way too quickly!! Also, a short epilogue segment to the show would not have gone amiss. It would have been nice to see what happened in the days following the end of the story - just 1 minute would have been sufficient!!!!
Oh well. Beggars cant be too choosy! I picked up this video for £4.99 in Forbidden Planet. Well worth every penny.
THis show is suitable for all generations, unless you're the type who shuns violence of any sort. However, no violence is depicted as being inflicted on a fello human being, so I reckon it 'd be safe to let really young kids watch it. I know my 2yr old cousin did - and he loved it!! So there's no reason for you not to!

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