TFTM Reconstructed Review

Professor Smooth · Post by **Professor Smooth** » Sun Sep 11, 2005 11:48 pm

If anyone across the pond could hook me up with the exclusive version of the movie, please PM me.

From another TF site:

I had the opportunity to watch the Transformers: The Movie: Reconstructed DVD over the weekend. While this may have been Labor Day Weekend in the US, I assure everyone watching the newest version of TFTM was anything but laborous. Speaking of labor, I won't belabor any of you the plot details of the movie itself because if you haven't seen it by now, you've already spent too much time reading this review. Before we get to the meat of the review, let's talk about the potatoes.

The extra features: I couldn't have asked for more from this release of the film. The original theatrical trailer (in widescreen), the Japanese corporate trailer, and a whole slew of TFTM TV spots are finally available in DVD format. Character Bios are a nice touch, though Arcee is spelled as "Acree." As a TF fan, it's my duty to be outraged by such an oversight, but...it really doesn't matter that much in the grand scheme of things.

And speaking of grand, did I mention that there's a version of TFTM on here that you've never seen? Yeah. It's here. It's here and it's, to borrow from Terri Hatcher, spectacular. The over-saturated colors from the Rhino DVD release are gone. The lighter tone is, by most accounts, a more accurate representation of what was shown in theaters almost 20 years ago. What really makes this version of TFTM stand out from the original FHE video release, the later Avid Video release, the original UK release, the Japanese release, the Canadian/Rhino release, or any of the other versions of the movie released for home viewing over the last 17 years is the aspect ratio. Metrodome's version is not Widescreen. It's also not Fullscreen. It's an all-new method that allows for every inch of the animated picture to be seen. How is this possible? The picture is bordered on all four sides by black bars (think widescreen, but vertical as well as horizontal.) You've never seen as much of the picture as you do with this version of the movie. If you simply can't deal with the black "frame" of the movie, most DVD players will allow you to zoom in a bit and you'll be left with nothing to complain about.

I can't say enough good things about this release. I knew that the movie was not animated in traditional widescreen or fullscreen ratios and had just come to accept that the only glimpses I'd ever get would be on the various video versions and the old TFTM Sticker Book. But Metrodome has not only provided every single unaltered frame of animation in this unprecidented release, but their DVD is Region Zero which allows those of us who live outside of Europe to watch it (provided we have players that can handle PAL, like any PS2 system)!

The "new" audio track with 5.1 Dolby Surround Sound is most impressive. I must admit I was skeptical when I heard that the popular sound of Optimus Prime's gun wasn't the same as we're used to (due in no part to Metrodome), I was turned off. But it's only a few seconds out of a 90 minute movie and the new (or old, depending on how you look at it) effect really isn't terrible. It's not as though the sound effect has been replaced with a "moo" and, let me assure you, Prime most definately still shoots first.

If you're a Transformers fan, and if you're on this website and didn't just show up for Before Carly, you need this DVD. [/i]

Impactor returns 2.0 · Post by **Impactor returns 2.0** » Mon Sep 12, 2005 3:01 am

I would have liked to have know what the extras were and exactly what is it we havent seen before etc..

Ozz · Post by **Ozz** » Mon Sep 12, 2005 6:34 am

http://www.tfw2005.com/boards/thread81635.html

Post by **Kaylee** » Mon Sep 12, 2005 11:44 am

not impressed enough to go out and buy another copy of the movie tbh. One copy of it on DVD is enough.

Metal Vendetta · Post by **Metal Vendetta** » Mon Sep 12, 2005 12:02 pm

I don't have it on DVD, only VHS. This looks like the right time to jump on and get a copy, I suppose. Is it available in shops?

Predabot · Post by **Predabot** » Mon Sep 12, 2005 12:24 pm

Karl Lynch wrote:not impressed enough to go out and buy another copy of the movie tbh. One copy of it on DVD is enough.

Why not just sell your old, inferior copy to some schmuck, for near retail-price, and then use the money to get the new one?

It by all accounts, sounds, and looks, judging from the comparisson pics, like a smashin' version.

Post by **Kaylee** » Mon Sep 12, 2005 7:01 pm

Predabot wrote:
Karl Lynch wrote:not impressed enough to go out and buy another copy of the movie tbh. One copy of it on DVD is enough.
Why not just sell your old, inferior copy to some schmuck, for near retail-price, and then use the money to get the new one?

It by all accounts, sounds, and looks, judging from the comparisson pics, like a smashin' version.

Because imo its exactly the same film. I've seen it so many times, much as I like it, that I really don't care whether there's an extra bit on the edges here and there, whether the colours have been tweaked slightly or how much garbage they throw on the disk which I can already get for free on the net.

Brendocon · Post by **Brendocon** » Mon Sep 12, 2005 8:20 pm

Metal Vendetta wrote:I don't have it on DVD, only VHS. This looks like the right time to jump on and get a copy, I suppose. Is it available in shops?

It was in MVC in Huntingdon on Sunday, so I reckon.

Whoever wrote the review wrote:laborous

Laborous? Laborous?

Ye gads.

Post by **Kaylee** » Thu Sep 15, 2005 11:14 am

er, spam people?

Post by **Best First** » Thu Sep 15, 2005 11:48 am

What he said.

Metal Vendetta · Post by **Metal Vendetta** » Thu Sep 15, 2005 11:53 am

It's a fair cop.

Back on topic, I'm still not sure about the new Prime's gun sound. I heard it on the internet the other day and it sounds like a WW1 gun, not the Autobot leader's laser rifle...

Legion · Post by **Legion** » Thu Sep 15, 2005 11:58 am

what i don't understand is why they haven't just put the original soundeffect back in again?

Post by **Best First** » Thu Sep 15, 2005 12:01 pm

yeah, it seems an odd change to make, i can't see what prompted it.

Legion · Post by **Legion** » Thu Sep 15, 2005 3:42 pm

yeah, next thing they'll be doing is having Samuel L Jackson redub Wheelie...

"You get ship if i get a ************** trip man"

Professor Smooth · Post by **Professor Smooth** » Fri Sep 16, 2005 3:22 am

That is, for some reason, the sound that appears on the original master of the film. This leads me to believe that they have a slightly unfinished version of the movie.

KingMob · Post by **KingMob** » Sat Sep 17, 2005 11:32 am

Legion wrote:yeah, next thing they'll be doing is having Samuel L Jackson redub Wheelie...

"You get ship if i get a ************** trip man"

Bah, there is one character who deserves a Sam L Jackson redub and it ain't Wheelie.

"Me Grimlock, bad motherf*****."

We got 3 of these releases in at work last week, they're all still sitting on the shelf. I can't even get interested enough to get one.

Laserwave · Post by **Laserwave** » Sun Sep 25, 2005 7:22 pm

Well, I bought it today, and I have to say, I`m impressed. The Rhino version always did suck: the colour used to give me headaches, to be quite honest, and the sound wasn`t much to write home about. So to have a version that`s crisp, clean, and great-sounding completes my Metrodome collection nicely.

That is, until Spetember the 26th, when I`ll have to get the Japanese Headmasters on DVD.

Post by **spiderfrommars** » Mon Oct 03, 2005 3:44 pm

Anyone bought the Jap Headmasters cartoon yet?

Legion · Post by **Legion** » Mon Oct 03, 2005 4:20 pm

Oooh, no... must remember to get that!

Hound · Post by **Hound** » Mon Oct 03, 2005 4:51 pm

I have it. half way through now.

The series isn't really any different to g1, same flaws, but there is definately more Japanese influence onboard. It has it's charm.

Ill do a proper review when I have watched them all, and eventually i'll do every episode for the reviews section. Then i'll have to be to be taken away by the men in white coats

Post by **spiderfrommars** » Mon Oct 03, 2005 6:03 pm

Is it worth getting?

Better than the G1 US cartoon?

From what I've seen the animation's lovely.

Hound · Post by **Hound** » Mon Oct 03, 2005 6:18 pm

Actually the animation is pretty ropey. No worse than g1, but I wouldn't say it was any better either.

One of the benefits is that the series is all one big story, like Beast Wars (andmost TF series since), this allows for some character development of sorts, and most of the same characters are used. Wheelie and Daniel are main characters, but they are actually not as annoying as you would think.

There are also lots of discrepancies with the subs, only minor things.

It's hard to reccommend, but at the same time, it's enjoyable. If you know what to expect, you wont be disapointed. I'm just happy that people have the opportunity to have the episodes now, and hopefully Masterforce and Victory will follow, as they have much higher production values.

Laserwave · Post by **Laserwave** » Fri Oct 07, 2005 9:24 pm

Haven`t got it yet, but that`s only because it`s my birthday tomorrow, and I`m hoping to get it from my girlfriend.

The DVD, that is.

KingMob · Post by **KingMob** » Sat Oct 08, 2005 7:31 am

Laserwave wrote:Haven`t got it yet, but that`s only because it`s my birthday tomorrow, and I`m hoping to get it from my girlfriend.

The DVD, that is.

But not the other thing?

Mate.

Happy Birfday for tomor-uh, today!

Oh yeah, those 3 copies of the TF movie reconstructed I mentioned upthread.
They're all still on the shelf. Not sold a single one.

Laserwave · Post by **Laserwave** » Mon Oct 10, 2005 1:24 am

I got the other thing, too.

AND the DVDs. They rock. Gotta love McFeely`s line about the Matrix, about not being able to fill up the repository of Autobot wisdom by plugging it into a power outlet.

Brendocon · Post by **Brendocon** » Mon Oct 10, 2005 3:42 pm

For those interested, Chris McFeely's reviewed the HM boxset here:
http://www.tfarchive.com/community/show ... adid=32442

Post by **spiderfrommars** » Wed Oct 12, 2005 2:04 pm

Hound wrote:
There are also lots of discrepancies with the subs, only minor things.

Did you prefer the subs to the dubs?

I think I'll rent these rather than buy.

Predabot · Post by **Predabot** » Wed Oct 12, 2005 3:33 pm

I don't think I even want to rent Headmasters...

Hound · Post by **Hound** » Wed Oct 12, 2005 4:51 pm

spiderfrommars wrote:
Hound wrote:
There are also lots of discrepancies with the subs, only minor things.

Did you prefer the subs to the dubs?

I think I'll rent these rather than buy.

Yes. The stories actually make sense now.

Sadly, the stories are not that great anyway.

divebomb · Post by **divebomb** » Thu Oct 13, 2005 3:15 pm

I think I will get them because I just enjoy the cheesyness of the cartoons sometimes. I haven't ever seen them so its only £20 quid so why not take the gamble?