Transformers Animated: Transform and Roll Out (Paramount DVD)
Picture:
C+ Sound: C+ Extras: C Episodes: C
New to
television and DVD is Transformers
Animated: Transform and Roll Out.
The series follows the same basic premise as the previous Transformers television series, toy
line, and recent film (reviewed elsewhere on this site). It is the Autobots pitted against
Decepticons. It is the 22nd
Century, Detroit and Optimus Prime
along with his Autobot band of heroes fight the evils that lurk around every
corner of Detroit as the technically inundated city becomes a hub for all
things evil and criminal. As the
Autobots setout on their mission to help the organic beings known as ‘humans’
they concurrently must be on the lookout for the horribly evil
Decepticons. It is the same old story of
Good vs. Evil…but with a splash of new and exciting.
This
reviewer has always liked the Transformers
series in both animated and live-action form, but this new series just
feels a tad fabricated. As the series is
deliberately infused with elements such as a bright/stream lined art style, as
well as an anime edge to separate it from the older series and film, it just
feels too convenient that the series is out now and is taking advantage of the Transformers new high. The series is most definitely fun and
entertaining; something that younger audiences will certainly enjoy, but this
reviewer could do without.
The
technical features on this 1-disc set won’t transform you in any way, but are
adequate nevertheless. The picture is
presented in a disappointing 1.33 X 1 full screen that is crisp, bright and
colorful but most definitely would have looked better in an anamorphic
widescreen. The sound quality is also
well balanced in its Dolby Digital Stereo but lacks a certain degree of ‘pop’
that is necessary for a mega-charged robot such as this. The extras are few and unimpressive, offering
fans 2 additional Transformer Animated Shorts that are just ok.
Overall, Transformers Animated is a nice series
that can keep most Transformer/Anime/Cartoon fans entertained for a while, but
is definitely geared toward a younger audience with its simplistic storylines
and animation style. Worth a look for
fans, but don’t expect much.
- Michael P. Dougherty II
