Taken from my myspace blog

 

I been waiting for this day since Sony BMG announced this earlier this year. At first, I thought it would be like the last DVD release of the movie which was the 1st time on dvd, with only 3 extras. It was also given a darken tone coloring. Man I was sooo wrong with this release.

Its a 2 disc DVD with chalk full of extras. On the 1st disc Theres a commentary by the director(whos 1st language isnt english, hes Korean, he doesnt really speak much, but you cant understand him.) writer and one of the voice actors. Theres also a fan commentary by sorta well known transfans, one is a writer of a book, the others have fan websites or message board. Theres a info track ala VH1 popup video, mostly interesting tidbits. If your a hardcore fan, you already know alot of the behind the scenes stuff or references to Transformers in mainstream media.

 

The 1st disc is the Widescreen version. Now fans have been WAITING for this version for YEARS since dvd was introduced. The 1st release was full screen since animation is designed for tv which is 1:33. Widescreen is usually 1:85. Since this is the 20th anniversary of the movie which came out Aug 8th, 1986, Sony BMG remastered and color corrected the widescreen version.

When it was mentioned that the movie would color corrected, I thought they fix a scene where 2 characters that colored the same in one scene for a second or 2, but are really 2 different characters, Transfans will know what Im talking about. As far as for more extras, theres the Trailer, but its a different one than I have seen before from the net. This one is a shortened version from a promo reel with japanese writing. A promo reel is some test/completed footage to be "shopped" to the film companies if they would buy the film for distribution. Theres also numerous tv spots, a featurette/ teaser trailer on the 2007 live action Transformers movie, and lastly included in the 1st disc is a anime episode or in this case, a OVA(original video animation) as the Japanese would call an anime movie/episode that goes straight to video, called Scramble City. Its suppose to bridge the gap in Japan between some of the later season2 characters and few of the movie characters before the movie comes out in Japan. The movie in Japan didnt show up til 3 years later. The 3rd season of Transformers in Japan was dubbed 2010. Most anime/tv series in Japan only last a season with about 40 to 50 episodes. Anyway The Scramble City episode doesnt have the original Japanese audio and voices, so its only fan commented.

 

2nd disc is the full screen version of the movie, the most notible difference in this, one of the characters Hot Rod is more of a red color than pink in the 1st disc. Theres toy commericals both american and japanese, and I guess Sony BMG doesnt want to pay royalties to the kid actors in the commerical, they blurred their faces. Theres also 3 featurettes interviews with the director, writer, voice actress, and the producers. Theres also fan commentary on the promo reel, and lastly theres a interactive game.

 

One gripe I have about the dvd release is its missing the real theatrical trailer, (Transfans will know what Im talking about) the promo reel with Japanese writing, Stan Bush The Touch music video(believe it or not this was shown on MTV back in the day, and it features mostly footage from the movie. FYI, The Touch song was featured in Boogie Nights starring Mark Walhberg) Weird Al's song thats featured in the movie, Dare To Be Stupid music video, and more of the Tv commericals from the 1984,1985, 1986,1987,1988 years both from US and Japan, thats on the various Transformers fan websites. Maybe they should have made it a 3 disc set.

 

Transformers The Movie has the distinction of having toddler boys 5-10 yr olds cry due to Optimus Prime dying, which was unheard of in an animated film. Parents were outraged and that they wrote to Hasbro the toy company and demand they bring back Optimus Prime back.

Animated films in the 80s were mostly done by Disney and were commerical sucesses. This one wasnt, but gotten a cult like following besides Transfans. This movie is also the last movie of the great Orson Wells. He voices the monster planet Unicron in the movie. Other notable movie stars are Robert stack of The Untouchables, and Unsolved mysteries, Lionel Stander (some old actor Im not familiar), Monty Python alumnus Eric Idle, brat packer Judd Nelson, and lastly Leonard "Mr. Spock" Nimoy as one of my fave characters Galvatron. The movie also is the 1st to incorprate 2 swear words in an animated film which is unheard of back then. Thats why its PG.

 

In all, a very good dvd release, Sony BMG really thought of the fans for this one. So THANK YOU Sony BMG from the bottom of my heart.

Like I said, I would give this a perfect score but its missing music videos, the real trailer, promo reel, the japanese audio for Scramble City and more toy commericals.

4 out 5. A Must Buy this holiday season. I would even buy a 2nd copy.

I say that was a fair review

The 1st disc is the Widescreen version. Now fans have been WAITING for this version for YEARS since dvd was introduced. The 1st release was full screen since animation is designed for tv which is 1:33. Widescreen is usually 1:85.

 

I suppose the question is more "Is the Rhino dvd Open Matte or was it Pan and Scan?"

 

http://www.rexer.com/cine/oar.htm

 

Because if it was "Open Matte" then we might actually have the original aspect ratio. But if it's Pan and Scanned then we still aren't seeing the "fabled" widescreen version. Since basically the new "widescreen version" is just the Rhino dvd cropped down to widescreen format.

That's what I've been wondering about. Either way it looks awesome now though.

this whole aspect ratio thing is bothering me more than it should.

 

i got my copy yesterday and still have not seen it.

:grr

 

But to be fair i also got my Bitter films DVD too. so that took precidence.

The 1st disc is the Widescreen version. Now fans have been WAITING for this version for YEARS since dvd was introduced. The 1st release was full screen since animation is designed for tv which is 1:33. Widescreen is usually 1:85.

 

I suppose the question is more "Is the Rhino dvd Open Matte or was it Pan and Scan?"

 

http://www.rexer.com/cine/oar.htm

 

Because if it was "Open Matte" then we might actually have the original aspect ratio. But if it's Pan and Scanned then we still aren't seeing the "fabled" widescreen version. Since basically the new "widescreen version" is just the Rhino dvd cropped down to widescreen format.

 

 

From what I have seen between the anniversary edition and the so called 'special edition' from rhino in 2000, the 20th ann version is open matte not pan and scan. as you never see the 'camera' move from one character to another when they are talking in one shot, its gotta be the open matte version.

what is there, 5 threads going for this topic now? someone, please merge this stuff.

 

based on all the info i've found, i'm convinced. it was open matte- the 4:3 is all there is. i would argue strongly that the debate is over. see my long winded reply.

what is there, 5 threads going for this topic now? someone, please merge this stuff.

 

based on all the info i've found, i'm convinced. it was open matte- the 4:3 is all there is. i would argue strongly that the debate is over. see my long winded reply.

 

Nah, we need more threads like these. :tfevil