DVD Reviews

Transformers (Two-Disc Special Edition) – Blu-ray Review

By Patrick Luce Sep 15, 2008, 1:12 GMT

From director Michael Bay and executive producer Steven Spielberg comes a thrilling battle between the heroic Autobots® and the evil Decepticons®. When their epic struggle comes to Earth, all that stands between the Decepticons® and ultimate power is a clue held by young Sam Witwicky (Shia LaBeouf). Unaware that he is mankind’s last chance for survival, Sam and Bumblebee, his robot disguised as a car, are in a heart-pounding race ...more

Blu-ray, Michael Bay, and Transformers are a perfect combination and demonstrate how great the picture can be on the format.

Yeah, the film is a no brainer, but it is tons of funs with enough action happening on the screen to give your senses an overload.

The Blu-ray format makes the picture and sound so much better that it is well worth the double-dip if you already own the title on DVD.

Based on the popular toy line from Hasbro and the television cartoon series which helped make Transformers a pop culture icon, Bay and executive producer Steven Spielberg take the Transformers story to the big screen the way it should be: giant robots blowing all kinds of stuff up and having huge fights with humans in the way. The plot is ridiculous, but who watches Transformers for the plot.

The film’s story takes the epic battle of the Autobots and Decepticons to Earth as they fight for the powerful artifact known as the “Allspark.” The robots in disguise have come to our world to find the “Allspark” and need the help of a teenager named Sam Witwicky (Shia LaBeouf) to find it.

The Autobots want to protect Sam as he helps them, but Decepticons aren’t as concerned for his safety. Like most Bay films, the film moves at a breakneck pace that keeps the audience from getting bored or questioning the plot.

Sam is the typical teenage boy. He wants to buy a car and get the hot girl (the ever tanned Megan Fox). Like many used cars, Sam’s has a few problems – like turning into a giant robot or playing theme music as Sam tries to win over Mikaela (who proves Hollywood high school girls look like they belong on a Maxim cover).

When his car transforms into a giant robot named Bumblebee, Sam has to go from the average teenager to the guy who can possibly save the whole world from the Decepticons. Luckily, Sam has help from the other Autobots, and a group of soldiers, led by Captain Lennox (Josh Duhamel).

The movie continues to move forward with a few missteps - such as Jon Turturro and the whole Sector 7 organization and Anthony Anderson hacker role. It all leads to a huge popcorn blowout for the “Allspark” with the fight you have been wanting: Optimus Prime (thankfully voiced by Peter Cullen) and Megatron (voiced by Hugo Weaving).

The film’s final battle is what makes Transformers worth watching and lets everyone who grew up watching the classic cartoon geek out all over again. There is so much robot action that it is impossible to feel letdown with any of the film’s weak spots.

The Blu-ray’s special features comes with some holdovers from the Two-Disc Special Edition DVD but in HD. They include: Our World – which takes you into the world of Transformers with interviews and behind the scenes footage; Their War – which looks at the designs of the Autobots and Decepticons, and what it took to bring them to the screen; and More Than Meets The Eye – an “in-depth” look at the making of the Skorponok Desert Attack from concept boards to trailers.

The Blu-ray also features commentary from Bay, BD-Live Features (which gives you access to exclusive online content), and a Transformers Heads Up Display.

The Heads Up Display is worth watching if you are a fan of the movie and features picture-in-picture information on the making of the film.

Transformers is a good example of what makes Blu-ray worth buying thanks to the amazing picture and sound. Without a doubt, the movie has some flaws, but it is a fun rollercoaster ride of a film. Bay manages to make sure there is enough action packed into the story to keep fans entertained from start to finish.