DVD Review - Transformers Animated: The Complete Series

Transformers Animated: The Complete Series
Voice Cast: David Kaye, Corey Burton, Bumper Robinson, Bill Fagerbakke, Jeff Bennett, Tara Strong, Tom Kenny, Susan Blu
Studio: Shout! Factory
Release Date: June 10, 2014
Retail: $37.97
ASIN: B00ITAQ2MS
Running Time: 930 minutes
Rating: TV-Y7
Buy Link: Amazon

Review:

Shout! Factory is taking advantage of the upcoming release of Michael Bay's Transformers: Age of Extinction by re-releasing previous animated series to DVD. Transformers Animated: The Complete Series was released this week, featuring all 42 episodes on a six-disc set.

Right on the heels of the first Michael Bay's Transformers blockbusters, Transformers Animated debuted on the Cartoon Network in late December 2007 and ended in May 2003. Unlike several of the previous animated series, Transformer Animated isn't cannon with the original 80s series, but instead it was reboot with a more kid friendly designs.

The series blasts away with the three-part pilot, Transform and Roll Out!, featuring the Autobots as repair bots lead by Optimus Prime (voiced by David Kaye). His team consists of Ratchet, Bulkhead, Prowl and Bumblebee. Their destinies forever change when they discover the Allspark on an asteroid. Before long, Megatron and his Decepticons (Blitzwing, Lugnut, Blackarachnia and Starscream) arrive to take possession of the Allspark at all costs. A battle wages and the Autobots' ship is damaged and crash lands on Earth.

While the Autobots go into stasis, the remains of Megatron is found by a scientist, Isaac Sumdac. The pilot jumps fifty years into the future, where Sumdac is now a professor in the futuristic version of Detroit. Optimus Prime and the Autobots awake from their stasis and defends the people of Detroit from a monster, resulting in the Autobots becoming heroes. Their biggest fan is young daughter, Sari.

Just as the Autbots start to settle on Earth, Starscream and Decepticons arrive to declare war on them in the attempt to take the possession of the Allspark.

I have to give Shout! Factory kudos for releasing several complete series DVD sets of the franchise this year with more to come. While I did see the 2007 live-action film, I wasn't aware of the 2007 series and I was a bit surprise that the producers didn't set the series as a direct sequel to the film, but going with a reboot was probably their best choice. Yes, at first glance the new animation designs may look a bit awkward, but you get use to it after a few episodes. You'll also noticed that there is a new voice cast, meaning the legendary Peter Cullen doesn't voice Optimus Prime, but is replaced by David Kaye, who sounds nothing like him. Just like the robot deigns, it takes several episodes to get use to the new voice. Though the series received mixed to negative reviews from die hard fans, I enjoyed watching the series (which I binge-watched over the last few nights). Its just as action-oriented as the other series were and features an interesting storyline. I especially like the twist with Sari. Overall, Transformers Animated: The Complete Series is a great entertaining installment in the Transformers' lore and I highly recommend it to fans of all ages.

*Disclaimer - I received a complimentary copy in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.