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Transformers: The Movie - 20th Anniversary DVD

Okay, I really should get this out of the way now… Ahem… Ready? No, are you really ready?

Good.

You got the TOUCH... You got the POOOOOOWAHHH!!!!!!!!!!!

Woooo... Way to go Sony/BMG... Never has one DVD release been able to take advantage of my aging Gen X sensibilities… Those sly Promoticons at Sony have achieved levels of manipulation hereto only scaled by George Lucas and his slimy yes-men. However, unlike the flannel one’s manipulation from within the ivory towers of Marin County; Sony/BMG's release of Transformers: The Movie had been embraced with open Geek arms!

We all know the plot, so, there isn't a point in recapping that here. If you don't know the plot to one of the most pivotal pop-culture films of the 1980s, then, um... Hell, then why are you reading this site?

Instead, let us only focus on the quality of this fantastic DVD. And fantastic it is!

For the first time since the movie debuted in 1986, the movie is presented in its original widescreen aspect ration. Even the much-vaunted Canadian Laserdisc was afflicted with a terrible pan and scan version. Much credit must be given to Sony/BMG. They clearly knew the target demographic on this release. Not content with a simple transfer; they know their audience spent their entire lives obsessing over all manner of pop culture and all things Robots in Disguise. The digital transfer is spectacular. Does it match 1080p styles levels of quality? Well no, but, given the source from poorly maintained film stock, the DVD is crystal clear.

The DVD contains both a Dolby 2.0 and 5.1 soundtrack. No, no DTS, which is again something I accept. The original film stock would have made a DTS track extremely unrealistic. The 5.1 track is strong. There are a few moments when the voice tracking doesn't match perfectly with the image, but the moments are few and far between and the average viewer won't notice. The 2.0 is functional if you do not own a surround sound system or are listening to the movie with headphones.

Again, my hat is off to Sony/BMG. This 2-disc set is packed with extras (and Easter Eggs). Even the most hardcore of Transformer fan will find interesting facts and figures within the extras. A few of the standouts being the storyboarded but never filmed deleted scenes and the mini-documentary detailing the social impact the death of Optimus Prime had on the kids of the day. (Of which it did, no joke. I vividly remember being 10 years old and openly weeping as Optimus Prime spoke for the final time). Fans will also want to check out the never-before seen in America episode, Scramble City, which acted as a bridge from the show and the movie. Although, I do wish there was an option to turn off the commentary within the episode. Sure, it would have been in Japanese, but, still... would have been nice.

Like the Superman documentary DVD release many months back, this Transformers DVD could have simply been a 2-hour commercial for the upcoming Michael Bay film. However, like the Superman disc, the 20th Anniversary of Transformers: The Movie DVD stands alone as a wonderful presentation to fans who have asked for such transfer for...well... For decades.

This DVD is simply a must for Transformer fans, indeed, this movie should make the list of anyone who considers themselves a student of 80s pop culture.

I give the 20th Anniversary DVD of Transformers: The Movie 4.5 out of 5 Critical Hits!