As a kid, many an hour were spent watching Transformers cartoons, decoding and memorizing their stats on the back with the help of the transparent red plastic strip that came with each toy and dreaming over whether or not I’d get the latest releases for my birthday that year. I evened lined up my various figures like an army and would time myself to see how quickly I could get them all from vehicle to robot and back again with the same intensity as a private learning how to assemble and disassemble his gun.
It was tough not to watch the live-action Transformers and not compare it to the cartoon that was so important to me as an eight-year-old in the 80s. Nostalgia can be a very powerful thing. Harder still is to see the cartoon I loved re-emerge as a new cartoon. Although there are many familiar elements, the overall look and feel of Transformers Animated is very different from the original show. It’s not all a bad thing just as long as I remember that I’m no longer the target audience.
Set in 2060, Transformers Animated once again pits the good-guy Autobots and their leader Optimus Prime against the Decepticons, who, for the most part, are without their leader Megatron. A little girl named Sari holds the key to life for the Transformers – literally. Replacing the character of Spike in the original Generation One cartoon, Sari is a hyperactive incarnation that embodies the lighter, funnier feel of this new show.
Although the original show originated in Japan and had a distinctly anime feel, Transformers Animated follows a similar style to other anime imports such as Pokemon and Dragonball Z. The lines are somewhat simple and everything has a fast and exaggerated look. Optimus Prime has the waistline of a Barbie doll, for goodness sake. I find it strange and juvenile when I compare it to the old show, but then again I’m much older than the crowd this show is intended for. That might also explain why I don’t find some of the jokes to be funny.
The line-up of robots has been revamped somewhat, although there are familiar names such as Bumblebee, Starscream and the Dinobots. Many have been updated to be more with the times. Plus seeing as how you can’t have a kid play with robotic guns anymore, don’t expect to see a pistol-shaped Megatron. However, there’s also plenty of nods and nudges that old-time Transformers fans will pick up on and appreciate.
Like the original show, the first season Transformers Animated mixes strikingly simple storylines with ongoing threads with several layers. Thankfully, the Decepticons are after more than simply Energon Cubes, which makes the conflict much more refreshing on an episode-to-episode basis.
Transformers Animated is likely a blast for today’s action figure-playing crowd. For those parents seeking a nostalgic kick, there’s some nice moments. It’s not the same show, so if you’re going in expecting things just like they used to be you’re going to be disappointed. There’s other DVD releases for those.
Transformers Animated: Season One DVD Review
Unfortunately the Season One DVD release of Transformers Animated does not include the three-part premiere “Transform and Roll Out.” That was apparently released a few months ago as a standalone release. This two-disc set does include the remaining 13 episodes in full screen format with an English stereo soundtrack. It would have been nicer if the audio was a little better but it’s adequate for the morning cartoon crowd. There’s also an optional Spanish language track. The only bonus feature is a gallery of character shots for a second season preview.
