Welcome to the Galactic Theater, where we'll explore the works of master manipulators of light waves, examine the themes brought to play, and critique the final products of months of hard work.
Welcome to the Galactic Theater, where we'll explore the works of master manipulators of light waves, examine the themes brought to play, and critique the final products of months of hard work.
This review does not represent the opinions of the general public. It reflects my personal thoughts and opinions on the movie.
That said, on to the review!
The war between the Autobots and the Decepticons has raged for millions of years from one end of the galaxy (Cybertron) to the other (Earth). Finally, in 2005 the Decepticons have gained the upper hand on their home planet while the Autobots mount a resistance movement on two of Cybertron's moons and Autobot City on Earth. Megatron leads his Decepticon forces in an ambush of an Earth-bound Autobot shuttle, planning on penetrating Autobot City's defenses and destroying the support base of the Autobots' resistance. The Autobots on Earth do their best to fend off the attackers, but caught off guard as they are, not even the leadership of Ultra Magnus or the determination of Hot Rod, Arcee, Springer, and Kup can hope to hold out for long. Their only hope lies in any reinforcements Optimus Prime might be able to field. But while the Decepticons on Earth move in for the final kill, a new threat emerges from the far reaches of the universe, and it has a taste for robotic civilizations, and it's name is Unicron.
A titanic battle between Megatron and Optimus Prime leaves both Transformers close to permanent deactivation, with both barely hanging on. The Decepticons retreat back to Cybertron. En route, however, the treacherous Starscream makes his bid for power, abandoning sorely wounded comrades and especially Megatron, setting them adrift in space. They don't drift for long, however: they encounter Unicron first. The planet-munching monster offers Megatron a choice: serve him or die. And Unicron can be very persuasive. In the end, Megatron becomes Galvatron, with Thundercracker becoming Scourge, Bombshell and Skywarp becoming Cyclonus, and the other Insecticons becoming the Sweeps. With new strength flowing through his circuits, Galvatron returns to Cybertron, destroys Starscream, and rallies the Decepticons for another assault against the Autobots.
On Earth, Optimus Prime's fuel injectors have pumped their last. Before he expires, though, he passes the Autobot Matrix of Leadership to Ultra Magnus to hold until a new leader steps forth from the ranks of the Autobots. Now it's a race for time as the surviving Autobots board their shuttles and head for Cybertron to save their friends from Unicron's vast hunger while Galvatron and his Decepticons dog their trails. Fate takes one party of Autobots to the twisted planet of Qunitessa and its corrupt rulers, the Quintessons, while the other shuttle crashes on the planet of Junk, whose robotic inhabitants speak in television terms. Can the divided Autobots join up with each other in time to prevent Unicron from devouring Cybertron? And while an Autobot finally succeed in opening the Matrix of Leadership in time to stop the largest Transformer in the universe from carrying out his destructive plans?
Here's a blast from the past! Transformers was my favorite television series and toy collection when I was in elementary and intermediate school, and it was really upsetting when the TV stations finally pulled the series from its line-up. I've been waiting and wishing for either Cartoon Network or the Sci-Fi Channel to begin broadcasting it again--maybe they did at one time, I don't know--but at least I have the movie on video tape now! Yes!
Out of all the characters in this movie, I'd have to say that Hot Rod was my favorite. So what if he's a robot? There was something that was superbly human about him that made him more likeable than a crusty old veteran like Kup or another long-time favorite of mine, Bumblebee. Maybe it's because the way he was drawn made him seem younger than some of the other Autobots. His face at least seemed less angular, less faceted than those of other Transformers. Then there's the way he was always striving to be the best he could be and helping those in need, whether from offering comfort to Daniel (the son of the Autobot's long-time human ally, Spike) to coming to Kup's rescue on Quintessa. Let's face it, a hero is a hero and a hero will always earn the fans' respect. Of course, there was the added fascination of having Arcee along for the ride. I can't remember now whether or not the female Autobots were introduced before the movie or not--I seem to remember Alita(?) One appearing during the series--but watching Arcee in action fighting alongside the male Autobots or helping Daniel through his first difficulties with an exo-suit makes me wonder whether the females aren't the stronger of the species. Er, stronger models of the race. Whatever!
There's only one thing that I've never been quite able to understand. Before I took it out of hand, following--all unknowingly--Samuel Taylor Coleridge's advice to undergo the "willing suspension of disbelief" when dealing with fiction (in this case, televised science-fiction). Now, though, I have to ask: how in the world do the Transformers manage to change size the way they do? I mean, somehow a huge Megatron manages to fit in Starscream's large (but not that large) hand, and Soundwave and his casette warriors (Rumble, Frenzy, Ravage, Laserbeak, and Ratbat) manage to shrink down small enough to fit in a human hand. And while we're at it, how do Unicron and the Matrix of Leadership manage to change Transformers at all? You'd think that short of being completely disassembled and reassembled with added upgrades Megatron couldn't possibly become Galvatron, his henchmen couldn't become Cyclonus and Scourge and the Sweeps, and the chosen Autobot leader couldn't change from a race car to a futuristic camper. But like I said, you just need to enjoy the "willing suspension of disbelief" if you're going to watch any television at all, so why even bother questioning this?
You can purchase The Transformers: The Movie on videotape at just about any video store you go to, and if not, you can always try ordering it from Kid Rhino Home Video. It's a great nostalgia piece for those of you who remember the series, and it's a great movie for viewers new to Transformers. Believe me: you've got to get it!
Interested in buying this video? You can! Just follow the link to order the VHS version. You can also visit the Stellar Video Store for other titles.
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