Transformers Armada: Season One – Part Two
Picture:
C+ Sound: C+ Extras: C Episodes: C
If I
could transform into anything it would be a giant metal Stop sign, to inform
Hollywood’s animators that enough is enough.
In this day and age it remains understandable that nostalgia sells and
that the rehashing of such cartoon greats from the 80’s such as Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, He-Man, and now Transformers are in demand.
The concept behind this new generation of Transformers Armada centers once again on the Autobots versus the
Decepticons, battling it out in an epic way of good against evil. The new spice added to this variation of
Transformers is the creations called Mini-cons; these Mini-cons were spread by
the Autobots through the galaxy in order to protect them. We pick up with Season One – Part Two after looking at a few single DVDs of the
material.
The
Mini-cons give an extreme power advantage to who ever posses their unique
abilities, good or evil. Now it is a
race between time and space to for each faction to regain the Mini-cons before
the other side gets there metal hands on them.
This never ending battle of good and evil, that viewers are all too
familiar with, takes place on earth where a crew of fearless youngsters have
befriended the Autobots to aid them in there battle for justice. The show provokes warm, nostalgic, feelings
much like watching the original Transformers
series but does not surmount to the past.
Overall, serious fans will enjoy but the poor (Pokemon-like) animation
and bad voice acting of the humans of the series detract from the overall
flow. The Transformers for the most part
are well drawn but far from perfect.
The DVD
set comes in a shiny box that comic book and Transformer Armada fans alike are sure to drool over. This DVD set is presented in a stretched out-looking
1.33 X 1 full screen. The animation’s
picture quality is simply ok, but not impressive and could be much clearer; but
the poor picture quality goes hand in hand with the initial inadequate animation
from the start. The Dolby Digital 2.0 sound
is very weak and off balance, the humans’ high pitched voices standing out much
more than the supposedly strong Transformers.
The extras are lacking, only presenting forward an uninteresting segment
on Disc 4 where the viewer can take a look at all their favorite Autobots and
Decepticons. Overall, the extras are not
very mentally stimulating. The DVD
technical extras are poor and could use an overhaul.
If you
are a die hard Transformers Armada
fan grab your Batman money belt, hop in your lime green Honda, and get to that
store. For true fans of this series not
extremely overpriced set (like many fan favorites are) is a delightful treat. For casual viewers of such nostalgic
intoxication, hold off on this series until they turn Three’s Company into a blockbuster hit.
- Michael P Dougherty II
