Review of The Transformers: The Movie (1986) by Boomer G — 29 Oct 2009

Perhaps it is fortunate that this reviewer has taken such a long time to actually review this film. For now I can honestly review this as a movie-goer and not as a fanboy.

"Transformers: The Movie" is a quirky bit of cinema that is actually quite enjoyable even to children and adults today. Even as children, many kids like myself saw this as the last chapter of the Transformers saga; as if 'this' is how it will all end.

On it's own, "Transformers: The Movie" is a curiosity of a cult classic in that is at least enjoyable without ever really understanding why. That is until Michael Bay's "Transformers".

While Michael Bay did a very good and thoroughly entertaining 're-imagining' of the franchise, I have to admit that "Transformers" and it's sequel are both just weekend movies and nothing more when compared to this 80's curiosity.

As far as action for action's sake goes, the Bay movies have it in spades, hands down. However, the 80's animated feature has action combined with an air of suspense, dramatic tragedy, and even frustration at the endless plight befalling the heroes as I have witnessed even casual observers with no previous exposure to the series break out in fits of tears at the death of Optimus Prime.

This movie was obviously a template for the second Bay movie which fell short in so many ways as "Revenge of the Fallen" seemed to only settle for average. If possible I would highly recommend watching the first Bay movie and this one directly after to get a sense of continuity as these two movies definitely flow together in such a manner.