Product: The Transformers - The Movie (1986)
Rating: 3.0
And now for a REAL review!!!
This movie has superior animation quality, and a [great]soundtrack (with the exception of Stan Bush). It's a treat to behold if it's not compared to any anime. The new characters are very cool, especially Hot Rod, because of what happens to him. (I also love the young punk - old veteran pairing with Kup.) What Unicron (LOVE that voice) does to Megatron, Skywarp, Thundercracker, and the Insecticons is worth the price of the movie alone, and not just because of the technical aspect, but also the character possibilities which were explored quite nicely in the 3rd season of the TV show. This movie has some truly awesome parts. (Love that trash planet and the Junkions!) The problem with this movie is that it could have been so much more. Transformers was the Pokemon of the 80's, and all the kids of my generation were so excited to see all their favorite characters on the big screen. But when the time came, they were treated with sights of some of their favorite characters being destroyed, permenantly. I'll never forget the light fading from Prowl's eyes, the hollow shell of Wheeljack (one of my favorite guys), or Ironhide begging Megatron to stop. It was the biggest marketing mistake in the history of children's programming, and I won't say the worst part, (though other reviews will dwell on it). When I was a kid, I actually didn't care too much (I liked the 3rd season, which was about the movie characters, the best anyway), but looking back, I realize how stupid it was to just get rid of certain characters like that. Also, there's only one gestalt in it, Devastator. Where are Menasor, Superion, Bruticus, and Defensor? Where is Skyfire? And let's not forget Omega Supreme. As another review states, a battle between Omega Supreme and Devastator would have been awesome, especially since, in the 2nd season (just before the movie came out), Omega said that he and the constructicons used to be friends. It would have been another awesome character oppurtunity. As for the new Decepticons, after they enter the scene the old ones are only seen a few times, and out of the six or so new guys, only two of them have any lines, and among those who don't: Cyclonus was one of the coolest characters of the 3rd and 4th seasons. They wasted oppurtunities if you ask me. All in all, the cool stuff will just barely save the film, but the possibilities of what they could have done will haunt you long afterwards.