Voice Cast: Frank Welker, Josh Keaton, Jeffery Combs, Kevin Michael Richardson, Will Friedle, Sumalee Montano, Ernie Hudson, Markie Post and Steve Blum.
Studio: Shout! Factory
Release Date: February 25, 2014
Retail: $9.99
ASIN: B00GJ7CU1A
Running Time: 88 minutes
Rating: TV-Y7
Review:
The idea of giant robots transforming into vehicles may have seen a little silly in the early '80s to some, but Hasbro's Transformers toy line has become unstoppable thanks to several popular animated series and blockbuster Michael Bay films (with a fourth out this summer). The Emmy Award-winning Transformers Prime (later renamed Transformers Prime: Beast Hunters) may have came to a startling end last year, but Hasbro Studios and Shout! Factory is releasing a 4-episode single-disc DVD titled Transformers Prime: Ultimate Bumblebee on February 25, 2014 in Walmart stores everywhere.
Transformers Prime may be targeted for children, but the series has won over many adults, especially the ones who were fans of the original cartoon from the '80s. The series is executive produced by Duane Capizzi, Jeff Kline, Alex Kurtzman and Robert Orci. It aired for three seasons, one mini-series and one movie on The HUB TV Network in U.S. and on Teletoon in Canada.
The episodes featured on this release are:
- Masters and Students - First episode of season one (I'm not counting the five-part mini-series) has Starscream claiming leadership over the Decepticons after the supposed death of Megatron. The Decepticons don't care much for their new leader, but Starscream is determined to show them he is a great leader by awaking an old Decepticon, Skyquake.
- Operation Bumblebee, Part 1 - While tracking down an ancient Cybertronain relic, Bumblebee is ambushed by M.E.C.H. and his T-cog (the device that gives them the ability to scan objects and transform into them) is stolen.
- Operation Bumblebee, Part 2 - Optiums, Bulkhead and Arcee trace the last part of the relic, while Bumblebee makes plans to retrieve his T-cog.
- Deadlock - In the final episode of the third season, the Decepticons plan on unleashing the Omega Lock to cyberform Earth. Optiums and the rest of the Autobots must race against to time to stop them once in for all. In the end result, they must say goodbye to their human allies and rebuild their civilization away from Earth.
All of the episodes from the series are already available in season sets, so I'm a little surprised by this release, but then again, a new animated series is set to air later in 2014, so it was probably a wise idea to release a single-disc DVD to keep the fans' interests and help tie-in with the upcoming Transformers: Age of Extinction film. As the title suggests, everybody's favorite Autobot, Bumblebee, is the main focus on four random episodes. Besides from watching the series-finale movie, Transformers Prime: Beast Hunters: Predacons Rising, I basically knew nothing about the Transformers Prime series, so these four episodes were new to me. There are several cheesy CGI cartoons on the air, but Transformers Prime is well made, with a great voice-cast including the original Optium Prime's Peter Cullen. Overall, Transformers Prime: Ultimate Bumblebee contains four exciting adventures that both kids and adults will enjoy watching over and over again.
*Disclaimer - I received a complimentary copy in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.
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