Product: The Transformers - The Movie (1986)
Rating: 5.0
Back to the age of Quarrel
After a war that has raged for millions of years a race of sentient robots is forced off their home planet of Cybertron, by a lack of resources. Devided into two warring factions, both the Autobots and the Decepticons make their way to a new planet, known as earth. Upon arriving, their mothership cleverly modifies their transforming ability - allowing them to change into vehicles of this planet, making them able to move around unnoticed. The Autobots believe they should protect the vulnerable race of 'flesh creatures' that inhabit this planet, while the evil Decepticons decide the human race can perfectly be used as slaves.The story of Transformers 'The Movie' picks up in the year 2005, when Autobots have relatively successfully integrated into human society, while Decepticons are scheming back on Cybertron. Little do they know that entire races of beings are following their moves, and are planning to strike at the both of them. Also, the story incorporates a giant, planet devouring ball-shaped entity. It's far away, yet it's closing in... And The Transformers will never be the same again.The entire movie is an action-packed thrillride, accompanied by a brilliant 80's-style rock music score. Still, there is plenty of room left for drama and storytelling, fluidily integrated into the storyline.One thing needs to be said, though - I can remember when this movie first hit the public, some people were more or less disappointed. Fans who had watched the tv-series for years somehow expected something else. It's true: TF the movie differs from the tv-series (I think it's a little bit more mature), but most fans revised their opinion after watching the movie a couple of times. Probably, the tv-series picking up the movie-storyline afterwards really did help with that.Still - this movie stands as a milestone in animated movies. The animation being vastly superior to any animated movie (at that time), and the storyline and its narration keeping you excited at all times.A warning ahead though: if you don't like 80's cartoons like (the original) Transformers, G.I.Joe, or maybe Robotech this movie might be disappointing. On the other hand - you have a chance to understand an entire generation of fans, in case you missed this the first time. For a couple of bucks, what's the risk? Your children will probably like it, anyway.Two things remain to be hoped for: a 5.1 remix and (please) the original theatrical aspect ratio. Even a lack of those couldn't ruin the movie, yet their presence would only intensify the experience...