Product: The Transformers - The Movie (1986)
Rating: 3.0
This Movie Deserves To Be On DVD---Revisited
Before I begin, allow me to say this: If you're a fan of the movie, scratch this review and give it five stars. Nothing I say will change your mind, but this reflects the DVD content, not the movie itself. I wrote a review back in May concerning my expectations of the DVD. Am I pleased with the results? For the most part....no, not quite. I finally sat down and watched my copy of the DVD and I thought the picture quality was worth the price of the DVD in itself. I own the VHS copy already, so I did do a direct comparison immediately. But why the picture was presented in pan and scan (fills the TV screen, for the technically declined) is beyond me. I was really hoping for widescreen so I could get the theatre feel. Oh well! At least it did look good. As for the sound, it could have been so much better. I know the original soundtrack needed to be redone for a DVD-worthy presentation, but this too is an improvement over the VHS version. Nonetheless, the sound is very weak compared to what it could have been. I mean, how can Unicron dig his fingers into Cybertron without any power behind the sound?? That part alone BEGGED for an earthquake-like bass output. Alas, it wasn't there. :( As for the extras, there are storyboards to see and an interview with the vampire....oops, got carried away....an interview with Vince DiCola, the composer of the sythesized score, which I did like. But where is the rest of the stuff we all asked for? No director's comments? No trailers? (Yes, there was one) I guess they couldn't find it in time, but I would have gladly waited for the DVD release a little longer if it had all this. Now, some good points. This DVD shows the original theatrical release, which is most noticable in the opening credits. Gone is the Star Wars-like commentary (no big loss there) and the credits have been restored. Yes, Spike does say the four-letter word. It sounds a bit odd coming from him, but then again, it did fit the situation. Overall, I do recommend this DVD, even with the disappointing results of the presentation. It's not a work of art, but it does carry a very loyal cult following. If you're a fan of the original series, get this DVD, if nothing else for nostalgic reasons. For those not familiar with the original series, I recommend renting this before buying. Because of the lack of character developement at the beginning of the originals, most of the movie won't make much sense. As for me, this movie captures a time of my youth which I'm proud to say the Transformers were a part of. Judging from the number of reviews generated, many share my sentiments. Buy the DVD!