DVD Corner

Transformers: The Movie 4K Steelbook Review

The very 80’s “Transformers: The Movie” is as strange as it ever was.

“Transformers: The Movie” (which is celebrating its 35th anniversary) finds the Autobots looking to retake Cybertron from the clutches of the Decepticons. Outside of that battle, however, there is an even greater threat in the form of Unicron. Unicron wants the Matrix Of Leadership (which is in possession of the Autobots) destroyed as it poses a threat to his planet conquering plans. He tasks his minions (including Megatron who becomes Galvatron) to do so. Can the Autobots stop the Decepticons AND Unicron?

Directed by Nelson Shin and scripted by Ron Friedman, 1986’s “Transformers: The Movie” remains one of the best TF films. For the first 20 or so minutes, the movie seems like a typical TF story with the Autobots and Decepticons duking it out. The story then takes a huge risky turn and the movie only gets weirder from there on out with a random Weird Al song, cursing, the classic power rock song “The Touch,” and, of course, the universal greeting “Ba weep granna weep ninny bong.” Did I mention this movie also has Orson Welles voicing Unicron? Sure, it all looks and feels goofy, but there’s something refreshing about its surprising twists and turns. Yes, it may have saddened or angered a lot of fans initially, but it went against the grain.

For devoted Transformers fans, there’s a ton to absorb here with appearances by fan favorites like Grimlock, Devastator, Insecticons, Starscream, and even the human characters Spike and Daniel. In fact, there’s a lot of cameos from start to finish. Naturally, the leads such as Optimus Prime, Soundwave, Megatron, and Hot Rod get plenty of screentime as well. Now, if you’re not steeped in the history of TF, I’d imagine some viewers might found themselves lost in this movie. There are numerous scenes where characters are flying, racing around, quipping and even perishing. To say it’s hard to keep track of everything is an understatement unless you’re an expert in all things TF.

Orson Welles isn’t the only big name in the cast. Eric Idle, Judd Nelson, Leonard Nimoy, Robert Stack, Casey Kasem, Peter Cullen, and Frank Welker also round out the rather star studded cast. For the most part Judd Nelson has the biggest role as Hot Rod (who  is the hero of this particular story).

Video/Audio:

Presentation: 1.85:1 2160p with HDR and Dolby Vision. How does it look? The 4K restoration impresses with sharper looking colors. Well worth the upgrade.

Audio Track: 5.1 DTS-HD M. How does it sound? A little soft to a degree in terms of the dialogue. However, the action and sound effects is quite lively.

Extras:
* Blu-ray copy
* Feature-length storyboards
* 4 post cards in an envelope.
* A private acoustic performance by musician Stan Bush from 2016.
* Commentary by co-director Nelson Shin, story consultant Flint Dille and actress Susan Blu. The only extra that appears on the 4K disc.
* Original theatrical trailers and TV spots
* Cover art gallery by Matt Ferguson.
* 11 ½ minutes of storyboarded deleted scenes mixed with some complete shots.
* “The Death Of Optimus Prime”- A quick 5 minute featurette on the death, the reaction to it, along with some other interesting notes regarding the toy line and franchise.
* “Transformers Q&A”- A Q&A with Flint Dille, Nelson Shin, Susan Blu, Tom Griffin, and Joe Bacal (they are not all in the same room).
* “‘Til All Are One: Retrospective Documentary”- An in-depth 46 minute documentary looking back on “Transformers: The Movie” complete with interviews, behind-the-scenes stories, analysis, toy discussions, creative decisions, and more. 

August 2, 2021 - Posted by nicklyons1 | 4K UHD Review | Autobots, Decepticons, Optimus Prime, Orson Welles, Transformers, Transformers Animated Movie, Transformers: The Movie 4K Steelbook Review