Review of The Transformers: The Movie (1986) by Christopher S — 10 Aug 2012

By itself, this movie is a loud, colorful, angry, abrasive, somewhat nonsensical and confusing film. And most of the critics rated it as such as a stand-alone movie.

But when viewed within the chronological context of the exceptional animated series that ran from 1984-87, it is the crown jewel and highlight of Transformers fiction. Serving as the gateway from the franchises first two seasons and its third, to this very day, very few animated films can stand up to it in pure scope and detail. I am still artistically inspired by the efforts of the countless artists that contributed to it. Vince DiCola's often overlooked rock-oriented score - much like his score to Rocky IV - is fast and unrelenting, and the 80s rock in the film - although dated - is still a fun reminder of that era in music.

True, like the series, it was an 86 minute advertisement for the toy franchise that shares its namesake, but to belittle it as a foolish film just because of this is simple-minded. To millions of adults who grew up in the 1980s, this is one of the most memorable and shaking movies of that era.