Transformers – Two Disc Special Edition Blu-ray Set (DreamWorks/Paramount)

 

Picture: B+     Sound: A-     Extras: C+     Film: C+

 

 

Michael Bay finally gets his wish as his live-action hit version of Transformers arrives on Blu-ray and the good news is that we finally have a definitive playback version of the film.  The DVD was only so good and the HD-DVD a disappointment in the sound department in particular, despite some odd raves.  Our previous coverage of the film in its previous incarnations can be found at this link with info on the film and its extras:

 

http://www.fulvuedrive-in.com/review/6106/Transformers+(HD-DVD+++DVD-Video

 

 

The HD-DVD is now out of print and that is good, because it was too much squeezed onto two of its disc’s format, with less room.  While the 1080p 2.35 X 1 digital High Definition image is about the same on both HD formats, the Blu has a slight edge, but not enough of one to make a major difference.  However, the shrill and problematic Dolby Digital Plus 5.1 has been replaced by an equally lame Dolby Digital mix and a Dolby TrueHD 5.1 mix that finally captures how good this can really sound with vibrant sound effects, better dialogue and the almost total absence of unnecessary distortion that plagued the HD and DVD sets.

 

That makes it the only version fans should own and with the same extras, it is one of the best current film releases on Blu-ray for sound and picture yet, despite some image limits.

 

 

-   Nicholas Sheffo