Transformers - The Movie Reviews

80s Cheesefest

Having seen this in the cinema when it came out, I wasn't really sure what I'd make of this, and to be honest I'm still not entirely sure.

I have to admit to some pretty intense nostalgic spasms whenever that transformation noise that sounds like a truck taking a dump comes on, and I think I would have really quite enjoyed the movie if it weren't for 2 things.

1) some of the characters are immensely annoying. It's like the aural equivalent of your little brother running around making police siren noises and scratching a chalkboard with an enraged cat.

2) the music. As much as I love cheesy 80s rock (which is sparingly), the movie plays more like someone's left their stereo on loop in the back of the dubbing room. It's incessant. And not that good either. For every 'so naff it's good' moment, there's at least another 7 where the same crap song you heard 3 minutes ago comes back far too loud and at a completely inappropriate moment. Like a little brother.

Actually, to stick with that analogy, it's the kind of movie people its own age probably find funny and engaging, but anyone else finds a little too much after a while. Nevertheless, there's still a big place in my heart for the nostalgia value alone, although it slightly worries me that the only reason I recognise half the characters is from remembering the colour of the toys I had...

Have to agree

Yep have to agree with the review above (or below) about reliving this one. The Story is good, however the music is great and really helps the movie along.

Quite a short one, but enjoyable!

You've got the touch!!

Orson Welles, Leonard Nimoy, Robert Stack and the regular Trasnformers cast in a beautifully animated adventure. Violent for the series and maybe a little upsetting for younger viewers especially existing fans this breaks off the old 80's series into the new adventures of Kup, Ultra Magnus etc. It also has an excellent 80's rock soundtrack. Watch 5 Faces of Darkness and the Rebirth after this for a night of pure Transformers pleasure.

Still as good as you remember

Ok, so there is no extras on this disc, just the movie, but what a great movie!! I last saw this when I was about 6 or 7 and I was totally into it then, 20 years later and non of the magic has gone.

It's a great story and a tragic one too in parts, plus the vocal talents of Leonard Nimoy as Galvatron and bizarrely Orsen Welles as Unicron (!!) however the movie has a good pace with humour and action for all ages.

I was slightly disappointed with the quality of the picture, afterall it's been transferred to DVD so I was kind of hoping it would come out all crisp and remastered, however it looks like they have just transferred the VHS or something, or maybe even that was just the animated style - whatever it is you won't be disappointed, except for the lack of extras!

Nostalgia rush!

Well worth renting for any child of the 80's! OK, so the story's only so-so and animation's been surpassed many times, but as a reminder of what it feels like to be young again, this can't be beat!

I cannot think of words to express the quality

Simply the best movie of all time.

Dated, but then isn't all nostalgia?

My five year old was drawn into this, but my three year old ignored it totally. So not for the really young.

The rapid pace of the story meant my son, who had never seen any Transformers before kept asking who the 'goodies' and 'baddies' were.

I may rent the original series for him so he has some background to the film.

The film was as cheesy and fun as I remembered from when my little brother was Transformer-mad, but the quality was quite grainy and it was noticeable that they hadn't remastered this one at all.

I all, this film is for 5-12 year olds who want a change from the pap on telly and nostalgic Dads...

What a Classic!!

Classic film. Brought back a lot of memories.

Shame its not remastered, but that doesn't matter.

At the end it suggested that there would be a sequel but there hasn't been, has there???

[Highly rated reviewer]

1 for the 20/30 something fans...

i loved this movie as a kid, saw it for the 1st time in 10 years when in 2000 and me and my older brother were both welling up at the familiarity of it all. the 80's have since had a massive revival, what with remakes, tv specials, etc but this for me is the most outstanding piece of 80's nostalgia.

better than the live action 2007 effort, at least in this Optimus Prime is hard as nails, hot rod is in it and they're not afraid to tread new ground. the soundtrack is amazing, stan bush providing a couple of (cheesy but this is 1986!) power ballad classics.

a space rock-opera nostalgia trip unequalled in it's action or feelgood factor

As a kid i had most of the transformer toys, so i was an avid fan of the autobots (the goodies) my brother was a fan of the decepticons (the baddies). Any person who was a kid during the 80's should be a fan of the transformers and if you were this is a must and if not if not shame on you!!!