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Transformers - Heroes - Rebirth (Vols. 1-3)

Transformers - Heroes - Rebirth (Vols. 1-3)

List Price: $19.95
Your Price: $17.96
Product Info Reviews

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Rating: 2 stars
Summary: Skip It
Review: "The Transformers" is a great animated series from the '80s, but this DVD ain't great. They can fit 6 or 7 episodes on a DVD, but they put only 3. You're paying the price of this DVD plus tax for only a little over one hour of TF. "Rebirth" is a great 3-part episode, but that's not a good enough reason to buy this disc. Save your money and wait for the Season 3, Part 2, and Season 4 box set, which includes these same episodes and a lot more, instead.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: words can't describe this episode
Review: a must see for any transformer fan.its great seeing optimus prime back as leader and also we see the best duo in my opinion hot rod and cop back together.we see a few older autobots and descepticons like the ariel-bots,combaticons,constructicons even a chaged bumble bee whos now"gold bug"and part of the prodel bot .. my only disappointment was that the dinobots were no where to be seen but the headmasters and target masters made up for that .a must see for all buy u'l enjoy

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: The final three episodes of the series
Review: After Optimus Prime's heroic return (finally) in the final two-part episode "The Return of Optimus Prime," Marvel and Sunbow geared up for what was supposed to be the fourth season for our beloved cartoon show. Unfortunately, they ended up only producing a three-part episode "The Rebirth," which somewhat concludes the series in general. This brought in the Headmasters and the Targetmasters, in addition to Fortress Maximus, the new Autobot base, and Scorponok, the Decepticon base that transforms (duh!) into a scorpion. The storyline consists of several Autobots crashing on a far-away planet Nebulos while carrying the "key to the plasma energy chamber" (or something like that) and the Decepticons were in pursuit. They join two factions on the planet, the Nebulans themselves and the "Hive," an underground organization that rules the planet with an iron fist.

Actually, come to think of it, I'm glad they didn't extend the series to a longer seasonal run. By season 3, Transformers had gone as far as it could. While it delved further into the mythology of the Transformers, the charm (and more importantly, the CHARACTERS) the made the series so excellent to begin with are practically nonexistant with the exception of a key few characters. So, is this three parter excellent with the return of Optimus Prime? While Optimus does have a decent role in the final installment, it's still an episode that seems jampacked with new characters (obviously because of the new toys that were out). Hot Rod's back to his old self like the movie and while that it appropriate given Optimus's return, it feels so awkward and out of place. Also, I was disturbed by the Arcee/Daniel relationship in the movie... seriously, a little kid loving an Autobot?? How could that work? I won't go into that much because Amazon edits submitted reviews, but I'm just going to say that it's inappropriate and completely WRONG.

The subplot of Vector Sigma's "plan" (which causes Cybertron's second golden age) seemed very rushed as well. They didn't spend enough time like any true transfan would've wanted.

I would only get this DVD if you are a die hard Transformers fan. It's still an interesting rental, perhaps, to see how the mighty cartoon series came to an end. Otherwise, I recommend caution. Perhaps it'll come with season 3, even though it's supposed to be season 4 (and only 3 episodes in the season).

Rating: 2 stars
Summary: The decline of the series
Review: After viewing this 3 episode DVD, I was saddened to see the apparent decline of what was once a great series. I grew up in the 80s and was a rabid Transformers fan (and still am) but these three installments were terrible. The story was much too convenient and the characters used were perhaps the weakest of both factions. While to be a true fan, you must take the good with the bad. this compilation was truly the worst. I can't wait until the box sets debut!

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: The Last Hoorah for the Transformers
Review: By 1986, the Transformers were still very popular, but fans had grown tired of the show, especially since its 3rd season changed its tone very drastically. It was more of a "space bonanza" kind of show and it no longer featured our hero, Optimus Prime. After the show's producers responded to the demands of the fans wanting Optimus Prime back, they ended Season 3 with his much-welcomed resurrection. They geared up for a 4th season, but by now, the popularity had waned, and thus the series ended with one last three-parter that was initially intended to launch the would-be 4th season. "Rebirth" introduced many new Transformers into the mix, most of them being the Headmasters (robots that transformed from the robots' heads) and the Targetmasters (robots that transformed from weapons).

Our story is about a planet called Nebulos, in which the society is fighting back against their evil rulers, "The Hive." The Hive control all the machinery and basically do their dirtywork. Several autobots crash-land on the planet after being pursued by the decepticons. The autobots had the "key to the plasma energy chamber" which was what the Transformers were forged from (or maybe it was just the autobots?). Once the decepticons find them on the planet, both robotic factions take sides and engage in combat. Optimus Prime discovers this because of Alpha Trion (who merged with Vector Sigma, recall), who says that Vector Sigma allowed Galvatron to know of the key. New battles are fought, new Transformers are introduced, and the decepticons are shot halfway across the galaxy while Cybertron hits another Golden Age.

Plotwise, it's ok, but most of the episodes spend time introducing the new characters and this planet that they're on. It seems like it could've been a decent direction for the show had it lasted longer, but instead, everything seems crammed together. The "love" relationship between autobot Arcee and human Daniel is rather disturbing to say the least. After all, wasn't Arcee supposed to hook up with Hot Rod or Springer anyways? Speaking of which, Hot Rod was also disappointing in this episode. He has returned to the "young-in" that was portrayed in the movie, but seriously, after leading the autobots for almost a friggen year you think he could've matured a little. It's like the third season never happened.

Overall, while it's certainly not a terrible episode, I find myself wishing the Transformers series had ended on a better note. "The Return of the Optimus Prime" seemed like a near-perfect ending to me, with Prime gaining Galvatron's respect and all. Maybe I'm just thinking this way because it's the Transformers last hoorah and being a fan of this show, I never wanted it to end. A must for Transformers fans; others needn't bother.

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: The Last Hoorah for the Transformers
Review: By 1986, the Transformers were still very popular, but fans had grown tired of the show, especially since its 3rd season changed its tone very drastically. It was more of a "space bonanza" kind of show and it no longer featured our hero, Optimus Prime. After the show's producers responded to the demands of the fans wanting Optimus Prime back, they ended Season 3 with his much-welcomed resurrection. They geared up for a 4th season, but by now, the popularity had waned, and thus the series ended with one last three-parter that was initially intended to launch the would-be 4th season. "Rebirth" introduced many new Transformers into the mix, most of them being the Headmasters (robots that transformed from the robots' heads) and the Targetmasters (robots that transformed from weapons).

Our story is about a planet called Nebulos, in which the society is fighting back against their evil rulers, "The Hive." The Hive control all the machinery and basically do their dirtywork. Several autobots crash-land on the planet after being pursued by the decepticons. The autobots had the "key to the plasma energy chamber" which was what the Transformers were forged from (or maybe it was just the autobots?). Once the decepticons find them on the planet, both robotic factions take sides and engage in combat. Optimus Prime discovers this because of Alpha Trion (who merged with Vector Sigma, recall), who says that Vector Sigma allowed Galvatron to know of the key. New battles are fought, new Transformers are introduced, and the decepticons are shot halfway across the galaxy while Cybertron hits another Golden Age.

Plotwise, it's ok, but most of the episodes spend time introducing the new characters and this planet that they're on. It seems like it could've been a decent direction for the show had it lasted longer, but instead, everything seems crammed together. The "love" relationship between autobot Arcee and human Daniel is rather disturbing to say the least. After all, wasn't Arcee supposed to hook up with Hot Rod or Springer anyways? Speaking of which, Hot Rod was also disappointing in this episode. He has returned to the "young-in" that was portrayed in the movie, but seriously, after leading the autobots for almost a friggen year you think he could've matured a little. It's like the third season never happened.

Overall, while it's certainly not a terrible episode, I find myself wishing the Transformers series had ended on a better note. "The Return of the Optimus Prime" seemed like a near-perfect ending to me, with Prime gaining Galvatron's respect and all. Maybe I'm just thinking this way because it's the Transformers last hoorah and being a fan of this show, I never wanted it to end. A must for Transformers fans; others needn't bother.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Last 3 Episodes.....just amazing
Review: Everything a Trans Formers fan could want. Targetmasters, Headmasters, Optimus Prime, Hot Rod, ummmm..... bumble..I mean, goldbug?.... nah, he [is smelly] and all TRUE Trans Formers fans know he sould have died at the hands of Megatron. I don't understand how a useless Autobot like him ever made it to 2005 (nevermind survive the great war, and live to tell). Anyway, the plot is Galvatron's best ever and and Optimus shines through.

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: Good but keep them coming and give us more content.
Review: I am a huge transformers fan. I was one of those kids who grew up watching them. This episope was OK, it is post movie and optimus is alive again. I thought actually that it was the episodes where optimus comes back to life, the one where he ends up flying a shuttle through an asteroid field and you think he is going to die again but he ends up saving the day. I was saddened that it wasnt this episode and I hope that rhino will release that multipart series because it was a great series and a great follow up to the movie but this episope series is OK. It introduces a ton of new autobots and decepticons and also ushers in the golden age of cybertron. It is kinda neat to see all the tranformers that they roll out that some of you like me might have bought as a kid. They could have done more, and they could have put more episodes on it, but above all I wish that it was the episodes that I thought that they were and I hope that by this review other fans will demand that the episodes where optimus is brought back to life will be released, it would be good for fans and good for rhinos buisness.

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: TF Episodes on DVD are cool, BUT...
Review: I am as glad as every other TransFan to see my favorite cartoon coming out on DVD, but this meager offering is frankly ridiculous and fans of the show are frankly being robbed by Rhino with this one. Pardon my strong words but to offer fans a puny three-episode DVD version of an episode available on VHS for about (dollar amount)cheaper (and with no extra features to motivate the discerning fan to go digital) is wasteful, bad business, and a bit insulting to the intelligent consumers who love this cult cartoon. Rhino is a bit redeemed in also offering "The Ultimate Doom" on DVD as it's one of the best episodes of the series, but "Rebirth" was a three-part junkpile of an episode that represents the entire 4th season run of the show in the States! And in both cases, fans are paying (dollar amount)and frankly getting ripped off for what they're getting.

I hope the folks at Rhino read this, because the company can make a great deal of money on what I think I have to say.

Kid Rhino, here's a way for you to please us Transfans to no end AND make yourself a ton of money:
Step 1: Capture the rights to ALL Transformers Episodes if you don't already have them.
Step 2: Restore the originals to the best of your ability. Fans will understand if a miracle can't be performed here, but at least make some effort to enhance and preserve these episodes.
Step 3: Release them in a 14-Volume DVD set, 7 episodes on each, covering the three full seasons of the show in the United States IN CHRONOLOGICAL ORDER with as many extra features as you can scrounge up (interviews with voice actors, commercials, etc.)
Step 4: Make the DVD's affordable both in a complete set, and individually.

As a TransFan, I love the thought of my favorite cartoon of all time showing up on DVD, but Transfans need to be given a reason to BUY the DVDs consistently. Rhino should have started this process when they released the episodes on video, and done them in more perfect chronological order, but what's past is past.

Kid Rhino, please make an effort to serve your customers better in this regard. We will respond, and we WILL buy, if you give us something worth our money.

Rating: 1 stars
Summary: Duplication Error?
Review: I bought this and the Villains DVD at the same time... but they both have the same content!... I popped it in, and sure enough... it's got the same 3 episodes on it as the Villains DVD...


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