Rating: 
Summary: The Last Great Hand-Animated Movie
Review: The Transformers: The Movie features the best modern hand-drawn animation, no doubt about it. This movie was made without the aid of computers, which is mind-boggling considering the sheer amount of detail that has been put into all 130,000 frames of animation.The story is fairly straightforward and drags a bit at times, but there is plenty of action and interesting visuals to keep most viewers entertained. There is even a touch of humor sprinkled throughout the movie and several highly emotional scenes. The incredible cast from the TV series (Peter Cullen, Susan Blu, Frank Welker, Chris Latta, Scatman Crothers, etc.) has been joined by some of the biggest names in Hollywood to handle the voice acting (Robert Stack, Judd Nelson, Leonard Nemoy, Orson Welles, John Moschitta [the Micro Machines and Federal Express commercial fast-talking guy], etc.), and it is some of the best. No one will ever forget the trademark voices of Megatron, Soundwave, Starscream, Optimus Prime, Grimlock, etc. The soundtrack is almost non-stop, with songs like "Dare to Be Stupid" by "Weird Al" Yankovic, "The Touch" and "Dare" by Stan Bush, "Hunger" by Spectre General, and "Instruments of Destruction" by NRG, and fantastic instrumentals by Vince DiCola. It's a shame that Hasbro and Sunbow Productions had discarded almost everything related to this movie over the years, hence the lack of extras on the DVD (the storyboards are interesting and the interview with composer Vince DiCola is better than nothing). Also, the people who put this DVD together wanted to do a fresh transfer of the original film in widescreen format, but the print was badly damaged and beyond repair. Some say the DVD was instead remastered from a pristine laser disc copy of the movie, hence the lack of widescreen. The audio on this disc has been tastefully remixed in crystal clear surround sound and stays true to the original stereo version (no "new and improved" sound effects have been added, thankfully). The picture is extremely high-quality with minimal compression artifacts. The colors are bold and everything stays sharp throughout most of the scenes. Whether you are a fan of The Transformers or just a fan of high-quality animation, you will not be disappointed with The Transformers: The Movie DVD.
Rating: 
Summary: Hey! No one calls this movie "uncrasimatic"!
Review: Even after my interest in the Transformers TV series fell by the wayside in my teens, I still hold the movie in fairly high esteem. The theme and story is a bit more mature than what the TV show offered, although it does have its many wacky and silly cartoon moments. For it's time it had some of the best Hired-for-American-release Japanese animation I've ever seen. Sadly, the level of detail & quality of the animation drops as the movie plays on. There's some big shakeups afoot as well- lotsa robot deaths, mostly Autobots! But at least Starscream, that conniving, raspy high-pitched annoyance, finally gets his. And Spike's uttering of a choice four-letter word has sent me searching for a more positive role model... scandalous! I was fairly amazed that the movie producers were able to load up on a few well-known actors for the voice-overs. You got Robert Stack, Judd Nelson, Eric Idle, Leonard Nimoy... and Orson Welles doing his very last gig. I read somewhere that Welles actually passed before completing the voice work for Unicron, and Nimoy finished it. Thanks to this revelation, I've been jinxed with one of animation geekdom's most hideous purgatories: listening to Unicron's verbal taunts to see if he sounds more like Citizen Kane... or Spock. One aspect of the TF:TM DVD I've found highly entertaining is the widescreen versus the full screen pan-&-scan debate over its release. I've read other reviews, message boards, and all sorts of other literature regarding this subject. One side says that the movie was originally filmed in TV screen format, and was actually cropped on top & bottom to give it a cinematic feel for the theatres. And I've heard the other side say that the flick WAS filmed in a wider-than TV-screen aspect ratio, and was panned & scanned for the video release. So far neither side has presented a completely compelling case, and I've neither read nor heard any info about it from Rhino on the subject. Since I never had the privilege of actually seeing the movie in theatres (my first viewing was on video a year after the theatrical release), and I'm not a widescreen absolutist, I don't feel I'm missing out too much one way or the other. Sorry all you cultists of the theatrical aspect ratio out there... Then there's the soundtrack, chock-full of big-hair metal tunes & Summer Olympic-style inspirational pop. Yes, it kinda dates the film and increases the cheeseball factor, but think about it. What better way to push one 80's pop-culture icon- some of the coolest toys ever cast from metal and plastic- than with the kind of music that epitomized "cutting-edge" in the 80's? Then of course there's Vince DiCola's synthesizer tunes that makes up the rest of the music, which adds a proper touch, especially the death of Optimus scene. That mournful dirge that plays as the big guy slips away always gets me a bit misty every time I watch, although not as much nowadays as when I was a kid. I was rather disappointed by the anemic special features. No trailers or teasers were included. All that was added was an interview with score composer Vince DiCola and a few storyboards. Ye gods...this was the only guy they could get to talk about his contribution to the flick? I mean, I like the soundtrack and all, but in my opinion it doesn't exactly make for a compelling discussion. I did find the storyboards interesting, however- they depicted a few scenes that they conceptualized for the movie that were either eventually altered or never produced. As a final note, I'll now disclose my favorite moment in the flick. Megatron's just been given the heave-ho, and the Decepticons are fighting amongst themselves over who'll be the next leader. Soundwave (the Walkman robot) is making his bid, when a 'comrade' calls him "uncharismatic". One of Soundwave's cassette robot buddies tries to defend his honor by saying, "Hey! No one calls Soundwave 'uncrasimatic'!" Okay, so it's a lot funnier in a stupid way when seen and heard in the movie, rather than me describing it. What do you want from me, huh? 'Late!
Rating: 
Summary: Till all are One.......
Review: As a child I was obsessed with the transformers, together with about 40 million other boys of my age. This whole concept of a vehicle that could transform into a humanoid form, wich not only had a deep character but also a form of spirituality, is very mind stimulating. Transformers The Movie is a modern myth, like Star Wars, only Star Wars is very limited in comparison to the Transformers. Like all good myths this movie has certain universal themes, the latter I shall describe below: - The battle between good and evil (Autobots vs Decepticons) - That wich transcends and unites good and evil (the infinte danger of Unicron that would wipe out all existence). - A secret power from within, a spiritual essence (the Autobotmatrix). - The transcendence of the hero (HotRod becoming Rhodimus Prime). - The transcendence of the villain (Megatron becoming Galvatron). - The exploration of an unknown realm (Cup and HotRod visiting Quintessa). - The victory over the subconciouss mind (when Cup and HotRod are thrown into the Sharkticon pool they even go deeper, and drive in circles, thus creating a vortex wich throws the water out giving them free game to battle the Sharkticons). - True comradry and friendship (well, this is just all over the movie). - The rise and fall of pride (Starscream's coronation). These are just a few wich are displayed but I think you have to watch the movie and decide for yourself. I rate this movie five stars because it is such a wonderfull myth (but a myth wich is greatly animated and highly entertaining and has fantastic music). And yes, maybe there are a few flaws like Starscream losing his foot and two seconds later there's nothing wrong with him and yes I would like to see some Unicron history but these are all details. Till all are One.......
Rating:
Summary: The Touch
Review: I wish people would stop complaining they were dissapointed that some characters were killed off in this film. That is what made the movie so moving for us 8-11 year olds at the time. I was more dissapointed that they brought prime back at the end of season 3. It killed the whole drama of Prime dying in the first place. Some of the inconsistancies were also annoying . The dying and the two swear words made me feel like the movie had some real life to it and was not just another commercial to buy toys. If only I had the power to remake this series in my own light. I'm just happy to see that g1 transformers are still popular enough with the people who first saw the whole sega unfold. Rhino is in the process of releasing all of the seasons and hasbro and takara are reissuing select g1 toys.
"The touch" song in Boogie Nights was great too. My friends had no idea the song was originally the transformer movie theme. I remember seeing the video for the original song on MTV with cartoon clips and everything. Also does anyone know if the movie was wide screen in the theaters in or not. It was a long time ago
an I only saw it once in the theatre. Don't lie now and say you think you know.
Rating:
Summary: Definitely not the series' finest hour
Review: Transformers: The Movie seems to garner a lot of praise among TF fans, both for its story and its musical score. Problem is, the story manages to eliminate many of the characters we spent two years caring about (including series favorites Optimus Prime, Megatron, Ironhide, Wheeljack, Brawn, and Starscream) and replaces that core cast with a group of new characters (which means-big surprise-new toys), a distinct deviation from the series' general loyalty to existing characters. The score is at times impressive, but the songs..... *groan* Other than Weird Al Yankovic's "Dare to be Stupid", the songs are C-grade '80s metal, and the classic TV series score by Johnny Douglas and Rob Walsh would have suited just as well (if not better). And the existence of the Matrix is particularly sloppy since we had seen Prime's innards twice before without the slightest mention of a Matrix of Leadership. Complaints about the film aside, its presentation is the best possible. The audio is remastered in Dolby 5.1, and the picture has been restored to equal brilliance. The movie is not, however, in widescreen, and the picture quality of two scenes (the opening attack by Unicron on the machine planet and the battle on Junk) have moments that are somewhat less brilliant, almost as if they come from the old pan-and-scan VHS master (meaning that the widescreen elements may truly be lost forever). The extras (storyboards from two scenes never animated by Sunbow and an interview with composer Vince DiCola) are interesting, but certainly lacking for a film that, despite my issues with it, really was a major event for children of the '80s, and is therefore not to be missed.
Rating:
Summary: this is a weird review but i need to do it for my class
Review: Throughout Transformers the movie, the one female transformer, Arcee, is stereotyped through the hollywood cinematic gaze, as well as through the myth of motherhood.The cinematic gaze, which objectifies and commodifies women as bodies by focusing on certain parts of their bodies, but also attempts to set standards for an "ideal" woman, is focused on Arcee by the way she looks. All the other robots look stereotypically male, with broad bulky soldiers, voiced by male actors, and are pre dominately male colors such as blue, black and silver. Arcee on the other hand is pink and white, has red lips to signify lipstick, has thin joints, voiced by a female actress, and has pertruding chest that resembles breasts. This shows that even in kids movies that is based on robots, females are stereotyped to resemble some kind of thin, big breasted sex object. Also reflected on Arcee through this gaze, is the view that men are stronger than women, especially when it comes to fighting, for there are many instances in the movie where Arcee is in trouble and needs to be rescued by a bigger male. An example is this is when the autobots are trying to escape from the invading decepticons (bad robots) and all stereotypical male robots make it onto the shuttle, but Arcee does not. The next shot used is that of framing, for all we see is a green hand engulf not Arcees hand, but her thin pink wrists. This is used to show that Arcee is weaker then her other autobot peers, and with only help from the male looking robots will she survive. The myth of motherhood, which is maternal instinct and the want and need to care for your child despite your well being, is shown through Arcee and the little human boy Daniel's relationship. Although not his real mother, Arcee repeatedly sacrifices life and limb whenever Daniel is in danger, and is seen in numerous scenes holding him and talking to him in a soothing calming manner. This is due to the fact that the stereotypical myth of motherhood is projected onto Arcee through the form of Daniel's character.
Rating:
Summary: Probably the best toy movie ever.
Review: That's right, while other toy franchises have come and gone (and the sooner Pokemon goes the better IMHO)Transformers has kept its loyal band of followers through the years. What differentiates it from the usual cash-in movie, is the amount of effort which has gone in to make this simply a good movie. The writers and producers ovbiously had a love for the subject, as the quality of the script is superb. It ranges all the emotions, even giving saving private ryan a run for it's money in the "war is hell" stakes. Featuring the deaths of major characters and the erosion of hope in the good guys, the storyline is quite mature for basically a kiddy movie. The continuity is sometimes lax (where does Blaster go to after the battle of Autobot city?) and the animation quality is varied, but the voice acting is superb (Leonard Nimoy and Orson Welles both feature), which along with the script, fleshes out the characters and gives a good heart to the film. The essential good versus bad cartoon. Buy this (and Iron Giant ;) instead of a yellow mutant rabbit, and you won't be disappointed.
Rating:
Summary: Oh the plotholes........oh the fun!
Review: There are a lot of problems with this movie. Why do they blow up one Transformer only to put him back together again, and yet they do nothing to try and save Optimus Prime from his minor wounds? Why do the Transformers need a female bot when they don't reproduce? Why does Unicron eat Galvetron when the latter is holding the thing that will destroy him? Where does the cargo hold of Optimus Prime's truck phase go after he transforms...and where did it come from in the first place?? And yet despite all these problems, you know what? Its all just good fun! This movie is not only a reminder of how fun my childhood was, but its such a perfect example of the 80's in general. There are all the mandatory characters from 80's TV shows, and the soundtrack...oh my god. If the soundtrack doesn't make you want to stick purple feathers in your hair and cavort around in shoulderpads and polka-dot nylons, then I don't know what will. Not necessarily a bad thing, but I say all this because I'm trying to point that you should watch this for nostalgia and fun. If you watch this expecting the greatest animated film since "Wings of the Honneamise" then I can only point at you and laugh in pity. Fascinating voice cast too. Leonard Nimoy as Megatron. Eric Idle as a French-Mongolian robot gang leader. Robert Stack adds into that cast, and the guy that did the Micro-Machine commercials back in the late 80's/early 90's is here as Blur. Finally...and no I'm not making this up...Orson Welles himself as Unicron. [close-up of Unicron's mouth]
Unicron: "Rosebud..."
[close-up of Unicron dropping Cybertron to the ground, where it shatters] Oh yeah, I've got one more comment to make. They have a good rock soundtrack the entire movie until the final showdown, and then they break out in the soft rock tone, "You've got the touch!" This is the equivalent to having "I've Had the Time of My Life" burst out during in the showdown between Neo and Agent Smith in "The Matrix." My friends and I had a good laugh at that.
Rating: 
Summary: THIS MOVIE IS THE GREATEST
Review: THIS MOVIE IS THE GREATEST MOVIE EVER MADE. HOWEVER GREAT CHARACTERS DIE IN THIS MOVIE OPTIMUS PRIME PROWL AND IRONHIDE AMONG OTHERS. ALL TRANSFORMERS FIGHT THE GREATEST EVIL EVER KNOWN IN UNICRON WHO MAKES MEGATRON AND GALVATRON WHO ARE THE SAME ROBOT LOOK LIKE GOOD HEARTED SOULS. WE SEE A NEW AUTOBOT LEADER COME IN THIS MOVE RODIMUS PRIME FROM HOT ROD. AND TONS OF NEW CHARACTERS TOO.GO OUT AND GET THIS MOVIE IF YOU LOVE THE TRANSFORMERS IT IS WELL WORTH IT.
Rating:
Summary: The coolest Transformer movie created!
Review: This movie rocks! Just if you're wondering, the Transformers are two legions of robots who war over the control of their home world, Cybertron. These robots convert from vehicle to robot, whenever they please. The good guys are the Autobots: Hot Rod, Kup, Blurr, RC, Ultra Magnus, Blaster, Wreck-Gar, Perceptor, Ironhide, Jazz, Cliffjumper, Bumblebee, Grimlock, Slag, Sludge, Snarl, Swoop, and of course, the legendary Optimus Prime (there are other Autobots; too many to list). The bad guys are the Decepticons: Megatron, Starscream, Astrotrain, Bombshell, Kickback, Barrage, Shrapnel, Venom, Soundwave, Thundercracker, Bonecrusher, Hook, Laung Haul (Bonecrusher, Hook, Laung Haul and a bunch of other guys combine to form the most powerful Decepticon called Devestator), and more.
What really was dumb to jam in the movie was 2 swear words. I thought the coolest scene in the movie was Hot Rod opening the Matrix of Leadership and Transform into Rodimus Prime, and also "lighting their darkest hour" while playing "The Touch" in the backround. Having the coolest soundtrack a director could dream of, this movie is probably the coolest you'll ever see! By the way, the Transformers theme song and the song called "Dare" are in my favorite range of soundtrack. Hope this reveiw helped everyone who read it.
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