The Transformers: The Movie Review

The Transformers: The Movie

Release Date: 26th December 1986 – Australia

Production Companies

Sunbow Productions

Marvel Productions

Hasbro

Genre: Animation/Family/

Sci-Fi

Rating: PG

Runtime: 85 minutes

Budget: $6,000,000

Box Office Gross: $5,860,601 (Worldwide)


Plot Summary
In 2005, the Decepticons were in control of the planet of Cybertron, while the Autobots, led by Optimus Prime, tried desperately to reclaim their home. What neither side expects is an even worse threat, which is Unicron, a devourer of worlds! Can the Autobots find the Chosen One and destroy Unicron before they lose everything?

Voice Cast

Peter Cullen – Optimus Prime/Ironhide

Judd Nelson – Hot Rod/
Rodimus Prime

Robert Stack – Ultra Magnus

Neil Ross – Springer/Slag/
Bonecrusher/Hook

Susan Blu – Arcee

Lionel Stander – Kup

John Moschitta Jr. – Blurr

David Mendenhall – Daniel Witwicky

Buster Jones – Blaster

Paul Eiding – Perceptor

Gregg Berger – Grimlock

Scatman Crothers – Jazz

Casey Kazem – Cliffjumper

Dan Gilvezan – Bumblebee

Eric Idle – Wreck-Gar

Norman Alden – Kranix

Frank Welker – Megatron/
Soundwave/Wheelie/Frenzy/
Rumble

Leonard Nimoy – Galvatron

Chris Latta – Starscream

Corey Burton – Brawn/
Shockwave/Spike Witwicky

Stan Jones – Scourge

Roger C. Carmel – Cyclonus/
Quintesson Leader

Regis Cordic – Quintesson Judge

Arthur Burghardt – Devastator

Orson Welles – Unicron

Victor Caroli – Narrator

Crew

Co-Producer/Director – Nelson Shin

Writer – Ron Friedman
Story Consultant – Flint Dille

Associate Story Consultants – Douglas Booth and Roger Slifer

Executive Producers –
Margaret Loesch and Lee Gunther
Producers – Jules Bacal and Tom Griffith
Supervising Producer – Jay Bacal

Voice Director – Wally Burr

Original Concept Designer – Floro Dery

Production Manager/Animator Director –

Gerald Moeller

Background Art Directors – Robert Schaefer,

Takao Sawada and Dario Campanile

Supervising Animation Director – Kozo Moroshita

Animation Directors – John Freeman,

Bob Matz, Norm McCabe and Margaret Nichols

Supervising Film Editor – Steven C. Brown

Film Editor – David Hankins

Supervising Sound Effects Editor – Brian Courcer

Re-Recording Mixers – Peter Reale,

Bill Thiederman and Howard Wilmarth

Music Score/Score Arranger and Producer –

Vince DiCola

Performers: Songs – Stan Bush,

Lion, "Weird Al" Yankovic, N.R.G. and

Kick Axe (Spectre General)

Review

The animated movie adaptation of my favourite animated series, Transformers, was thought to be the only film in the franchise until 2007. That same year the live-action movie by director Michael Bay was released, followed by its sequel, Revenge of the Fallen, in 2009. It is known for its surprisingly dark tone, which differs from the usual lighthearted kiddie fare in the classic eighties cartoon. At the time of its release, it received backlash from many children who saw it that they were traumatised by the deaths of several characters and walked out of theatres. Today, for its contribution to the mythos and its sheer awesomeness, it has a cult following among fans of the franchise.

From a narrative standpoint, the story is too brisk, and there's too much action. However, all is not lost. The soundtrack includes excellent songs from various artists such as "Weird Al" Yankovic and Stan Bush and terrific voice acting with some well-known celebrity actors such as Leonard Nimoy from Star Trek and the great Orson Welles (in his last performance as the planet devouring transformer Unicron). The animation was decent, and the movie has a hard-hitting emotional moment that we Transformer fans remember.

It remains a worthy addition to the Transformers series, but if you prefer live-action, the first two Michael Bay movies will suit you better.

Star rating: (4/5) Good Movie

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