Transformers: The Movie (1986) was a feature length film bridging the first series with the new batch of toys. The Transfomers were a line-up of Japanese toys that were marketed to the young consumers through an animation series. In the United States, the show was re-dubbed and edited in English. Even Marvel Comics launched a comic book series that went beyond the storyline that was featured in the t.v. show. Enough of the background story, let's get to the movie.

Several years into the future, near the turn-of-the-century the Autobots and the Decepticons finally had enough of each other and wage a giant battle against one another. Optimus Primes gets his boys ready to clash with the evil Megatron and his crew. When the dust settles, there are heavy casualties on both sides. Quite a few are fatal. But that's only the start of it. Unknown to both sides, a dark and evil entity is coming near the Transfomers home planet. It's negative energy can destroy everything in the solar system. Who'll stand up to this threat? Will Optimus Prime and Megatron finally get the hate out of their systems? To find out you'll have to watch TRANSFORMERS: THE MOVIE.

Highly recommended for fans of the t.v. series.

The release of Bay and Spielberg's megablockbuster is the ideal time to look back on "Transformers: the movie", the original (and animated) big-screen adventure of the famous toy. This feature was commissioned to revamp the product, and kill off many of the original characters in order to introduce new ones. It sees the Autobot/Decepticon war take a backseat to a global war of survival against planet eater Unicorn (voiced by Orson Welles).

Surprisingly enough, there is a lot worth mentioning in this film, both good and bad.

On the minus side, of course, the predominantly 80s soundtrack has aged quite horrendously and some new characters are less appealing than they should be, chiefly the dinobots whose "comic relief" is neither comical nor relieving. The ending also feels rushed, which is a shame since such a fast-paced and action-packed film as this could have used a calmer denouement.

On the plus side, though you can fault the film's purely commercial objective, you can only admire its inventiveness. Unicorn is a beauty, both in design and in how the creature is used. The opening planet destroying scene is abrupt, savage and hugely impressive, even 20 years later. Optimus Prime is used to maximum effect, as is the whole Megatron/Galvatron storyline. The fast pacing and varied locals are the real strength though, since our heroes run from planet to planet and bump into intriguing (and often disturbing) creations, such as the genocidal Quintessons. The film's laudable level of violence is probably a key component of its enduring appeal.

All in all, one can only hope that at least a few of the many neat ideas explored here will find their way into the sequel to 2007's live action version.

This may not be Shakespeare, but to an extent, it is worthy of its minor cult following. A more than adequate 85 minutes with touches of bizarre genius.

**POSSIBLE SPOILERS AHEAD**

I grew up in the 80s and Transformers were the best toy ever. To build on the Transformers empire, after various waves of toys, cartoon series and comics, came this movie.

Some people have their gripes with this film, but at the end of the day it's aimed at Transformers fans, not for someone outside that world. Characters don't need to be introduced, as anyone worth their salt will know who they are. And it doesn't matter if said characters are killed off within 5 minutes of their first appearance either.

Kudos to the awesome idea of having a Transformer who is a planet, who is seemingly indestructible. His name is Unicron. It's still jaw-dropping to see him transform even today.

The only thing that can stop Unicron is a power called The Matrix. Obviously it all comes to a head between the two.

The soundtrack is pure 80s cheese, but who cares. It goes very well with the film and is still memorable even today.

Thank god this film was issued onto DVD.