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During the 1980s, one cartoon series ruled the airwaves… TheTransformers. This paragon of consumerism was created with a dual purpose–to entertain and to galvanize children to buy the toys. Somewhere along the line, the show became a cult favorite, so in 1986 they fashioned an epic tale of good versus evil specifically for the big screen. The result looked vaguely like an animated remake of Star Wars. Who are the Transformers? The good guys are the Autobots: Optimus Prime, Jazz, Ultra Magnus, and many more. Their mortal enemies are the evil Decepticons, led by Megatron and StarScream. The Autobots must save their home planet from an evil entity known as Unicron (voiced by Orson Welles). At the same time, they must defend themselves from an all-out attack from the Decepticons. Along the way, lives are lost, battles are fought, and a new Autobot leader is born. The story and action never stop in a thrilling ride that often makes you forget that you’re watching an ’80s cartoon with inferior graphics. The violence will also come as a mild shock to those who haven’t seen this film for a while–definitely a movie for the 8 and over audience. For those who grew up on this series, this is a movie that must be watched. Unlike cartoon serials before and after, The Transformers relied on solid stories and interesting characters, a manifesto the film itself upholds with gusto and grace while also being morally responsible. Don’t underestimate this movie; there is definitely more to it than meets the eye. –Jeremy Storey

On the DVD

The 2007 live-action Transformers feature isn’t the first time the massively popular line of robot action figures invaded theaters; back in 1986, a full-length animated adventure set adolescent boys’ hearts racing (for better or worse) with its action-packed storyline and cliffhanger ending, and now Transformers ? The Movie arrives on DVD in a deluxe two-disc set that’s bursting at the seams with supplemental features. The premise pits the valiant Autobots and their leader, Optimus Prime, against their nemeses the Decepticons, which find an ally in the colossal, planet-devouring Unicron (voiced by Orson Welles in one of his final roles), which seeks to consume the Autobots’ Matrix of Leadership and conquer the universe for its own. Parents of very small children may find the violence here a little strong, and the demise of several characters (including one main figure in the Transformers pantheon) may rub viewers the wrong way (as it did during the film’s theatrical release), but the action is frequently spectacular, and the story itself is fast-paced enough to keep any 21st century kid audiences distracted from the somewhat outdated animation style. The Transformers DVD set presents the film in two formats for viewing ? full-screen and widescreen ? on two separate discs, each with their own set of extras. Commentary by director Nelson Shin, story editor Flint Dillie, and voice actress Sue Blue (who voiced Arcee) dominates the first disc, but viewers can also check out extremely detailed commentary by a pair of expert fans, or enjoy the film with the “Autobox Matrix of Knowledge” (a text-only track that provides information and trivia). The “Scramble City” episode of the original TV series, which never aired in the United States, is also included her (with fan commentary), along with the original trailer and TV spots for the film, and a sneak preview of the 2007 live action film, which includes interviews with producer Steven Spielberg and director Michael Bay. The second disc is the real treasure trove for fans, with three making-of featurettes that cover all aspects of the film, from voice-over talent (which included Leonard Nimoy and Robert Stack) to favorite characters, with Shin, Dillie, Blu, and producers Joe Bacal and Tom Griffin weighing in with opinions. Deleted and alternate footage featured in the pre-release trailer is highlighted and given its own commentary track, and a battery of American and Japanese TV commercials for the toy line are also included. Finally, DVD-ROM owners can enjoy a trivia game and a link to exclusive online content. — Paul Gaita