The Transformers: The Movie

This was the original movie, way before Michael Bay's version.

Okay, I'll admit, this film makes me nostalgic. It takes me back to the days when conversations on the afternoon school bus revolved around the Transformers, G.I. Joe, and other eighties cartoons. And especially the soundtrack--not only does it sound like authentic eighties rock, it IS authentic eighties rock.

The animation is excellent in some parts, and sucks in some. Well, what would you expect? This film didn't have the same resources as a Disney animated film. But you would still appreciate the technical excellence that went into each of the individual cells. That's Japanese animation for you.

This film, by the way, provided the crossover between the old Autobots (those from the original cartoon series) and the series two Autobots. And to legitimize the rule of Rodimus Prime, they had to kill off Optimus Prime. And this broke many children's hearts back in the day.

Anyway, this film was an innovator in the realm of voice acting. It was the first animated film to use big names as voice actors. Check this out: Eric Idle as Wreck-Gar, Judd Nelson as Hot Rod, Leonard Nimoy as Galvatron, Robert Stack as Ultra Magnus, and...wait for it...wait for it...Orson Welles as Unicron. Yes, the Orson Welles, boy genius. This was way before Disney's Aladdin signed on Robin Williams to play the Genie. And of course, we all know now that voice actors have to be big name stars for an animated film to sell at the box office. The only exception, of course, is Pixar, who can manage box office success without a famous name on the microphone.

PS: I am the only one who noticed the sexual tension between Hot Rod and Arcee?


*some info from IMDb
pic from blog.analogmedium.com


The Transformers: The Movie. USA. 1986.


Rating: Seven out of ten.
Nostalgia factor: Nine out of ten.




You may also want to check out the review of Transformers and Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen. Or you could read the reviews of Transformers: Dark of the Moon here and here.