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Season DVD Release Schedule
Transformers Animated: Season Two
(Jan. 06, 2009)
The Transformers Animated series continues to reinvent the venerable robot-action franchise in fresh and often inventive ways, as evidenced by the adventures compiled in its sophomore season. The action picks up directly after the conclusion of Season 1, during which the city of Detroit was leveled in a battle between the Autobots and the Decepticons. The cause of that fight--the AllSpark, source of life for all Transformers--was also destroyed, but all parties soon discover that the cube exists in fragmentary form in various locations around the globe. The recovery of these pieces naturally forms the crux of Season 2, though there is also the issue of The Key--the second greatest power in Transformers lore, and which currently resides in the precocious form of pre-teen Sari Sumdac. The Autobots must also concern themselves with protecting their precious human charge and worry about Starscream (voiced by Tom Kenney of Spongebob Squarepants), who harbors both a fragment of the AllSpark in his body and a long-simmering grudge against both the Autobots and Decepticons. If that sounds like a lot to digest, it's not--each episode neatly advances the central storylines while providing the required level of Transformers action and intrigue. The main strike against the show may be its overly stylized character design, which tends to rend humans in curious ways. That, however, should have only minimum impact on the show's core audience of younger viewers and franchise devotees. All 13 episodes of Transformers Animated's second season are contained in the two-disc set; a pair of commentaries on the final two episodes by the show's production team should prove interesting to those interested in the creative and conceptual aspects of the show. Viewers may find the two shorts on Disc 1, which take a decidedly offbeat approach to the characters, amusing or completely irrelevant. --Paul Gaita
(Jan. 06, 2009)
The Transformers Animated series continues to reinvent the venerable robot-action franchise in fresh and often inventive ways, as evidenced by the adventures compiled in its sophomore season. The action picks up directly after the conclusion of Season 1, during which the city of Detroit was leveled in a battle between the Autobots and the Decepticons. The cause of that fight--the AllSpark, source of life for all Transformers--was also destroyed, but all parties soon discover that the cube exists in fragmentary form in various locations around the globe. The recovery of these pieces naturally forms the crux of Season 2, though there is also the issue of The Key--the second greatest power in Transformers lore, and which currently resides in the precocious form of pre-teen Sari Sumdac. The Autobots must also concern themselves with protecting their precious human charge and worry about Starscream (voiced by Tom Kenney of Spongebob Squarepants), who harbors both a fragment of the AllSpark in his body and a long-simmering grudge against both the Autobots and Decepticons. If that sounds like a lot to digest, it's not--each episode neatly advances the central storylines while providing the required level of Transformers action and intrigue. The main strike against the show may be its overly stylized character design, which tends to rend humans in curious ways. That, however, should have only minimum impact on the show's core audience of younger viewers and franchise devotees. All 13 episodes of Transformers Animated's second season are contained in the two-disc set; a pair of commentaries on the final two episodes by the show's production team should prove interesting to those interested in the creative and conceptual aspects of the show. Viewers may find the two shorts on Disc 1, which take a decidedly offbeat approach to the characters, amusing or completely irrelevant. --Paul Gaita
Transformers Animated: Season One
(Aug. 19, 2008)
An engaging and action-packed mix of the original animated TV series and the blockbuster theatrical movie, Transformers Animated: Season One offers nearly all of the revived heroes' new adventures on a two-disc set. As seen in the previous DVD release, Transformers Animated: Transform and Roll Out, this generation of robots in disguise numbers just four--an inexperienced Optimus Prime and three companions--who have gone into hiding on Earth with the AllSpark, the source of energy for both good and evil Transformers. The Decepticons remain their chief enemies, though conflict comes from human sources as well, like mutated evil scientist Meltdown (well voiced by Peter Stormare). But the Transformers have their own allies as well; namely, an eight-year-old girl whose father happens to be a scientist. The good doctor, however, has what could be a trump card for the Decepticons in his possession: the disembodied head of Villain Supreme Megatron. Told in bold and breezy strokes by its writing and animation team, Transformers Animated does a fine job of incorporating much of the classic Transformers mythology into the new storyline while never losing sight of the show's key appeal: slambang fights between giant robots that can change into vehicles. That respect for the source material should please old school fans without leaving newcomers hopelessly lost in the Transformers' complicated backstory, which makes altogether possible the charming notion that fathers and their offspring can both enjoy this series at the same time. Unfortunately, all audiences wishing to catch up with the first season of Transformers Animated will not find the complete series on this double-disc set; the three-part premiere episode is only available on the aforementioned Transform and Roll Out disc. It's an unfortunate move, as is the lack of any substantial extras save for a gallery of Season 2 images. --Paul Gaita
(Aug. 19, 2008)
An engaging and action-packed mix of the original animated TV series and the blockbuster theatrical movie, Transformers Animated: Season One offers nearly all of the revived heroes' new adventures on a two-disc set. As seen in the previous DVD release, Transformers Animated: Transform and Roll Out, this generation of robots in disguise numbers just four--an inexperienced Optimus Prime and three companions--who have gone into hiding on Earth with the AllSpark, the source of energy for both good and evil Transformers. The Decepticons remain their chief enemies, though conflict comes from human sources as well, like mutated evil scientist Meltdown (well voiced by Peter Stormare). But the Transformers have their own allies as well; namely, an eight-year-old girl whose father happens to be a scientist. The good doctor, however, has what could be a trump card for the Decepticons in his possession: the disembodied head of Villain Supreme Megatron. Told in bold and breezy strokes by its writing and animation team, Transformers Animated does a fine job of incorporating much of the classic Transformers mythology into the new storyline while never losing sight of the show's key appeal: slambang fights between giant robots that can change into vehicles. That respect for the source material should please old school fans without leaving newcomers hopelessly lost in the Transformers' complicated backstory, which makes altogether possible the charming notion that fathers and their offspring can both enjoy this series at the same time. Unfortunately, all audiences wishing to catch up with the first season of Transformers Animated will not find the complete series on this double-disc set; the three-part premiere episode is only available on the aforementioned Transform and Roll Out disc. It's an unfortunate move, as is the lack of any substantial extras save for a gallery of Season 2 images. --Paul Gaita
Transformers Animated: Transform and Roll Out
(Jun. 17, 2008)
A ragtag group of AUTOBOTS led by OPTIMUS PRIME are in a remote sector of CYBERTRON cleaning space bridges when they stumble upon the most import artifact in TRANSFORMERS history; the ALLSPARK! The DECEPTICONS who are only scary myths for many AUTOBOTS are in hot pursuit of the ALLSPARK; now this new band of AUTOBOTS must fight for their lives and the future of CYBERTRON. The AUTOBOTS are able to escape the DECEPTICONS and crash land on an unknown planet called Earth. They land in Lake Erie and remain in stasis for 50 years. Meanwhile, MEGATRON, sabotaged by STARSCREAM lost the ALLSPARK and fell to Earth in scattered pieces. A young scientist named Isaac Sumdac discovers him and uses his technology to create the modern robotics industry in Detroit. The AUTOBOTS awaken from stasis, during an emergency. Deciding to help the new organic life forms, they convert into emergency vehicles and fight off a scary creature. Unable to stay in disguise they change into their robot forms able to save the day! In doing so, they become new celebrities and heroes to the humans. OPTIMUS PRIME and his band of AUTOBOTS make Detroit their adopted home and vow to protect the ALLSPARK and Earth from the DECEPTICONS and anyone else who try and cause chaos. MEGATRON comes online during all of the commotion and discovers his headless body in Isaac’s lab! AUTOBOTS hold the key to his rise and eventual rule of the universe!
(Jun. 17, 2008)
A ragtag group of AUTOBOTS led by OPTIMUS PRIME are in a remote sector of CYBERTRON cleaning space bridges when they stumble upon the most import artifact in TRANSFORMERS history; the ALLSPARK! The DECEPTICONS who are only scary myths for many AUTOBOTS are in hot pursuit of the ALLSPARK; now this new band of AUTOBOTS must fight for their lives and the future of CYBERTRON. The AUTOBOTS are able to escape the DECEPTICONS and crash land on an unknown planet called Earth. They land in Lake Erie and remain in stasis for 50 years. Meanwhile, MEGATRON, sabotaged by STARSCREAM lost the ALLSPARK and fell to Earth in scattered pieces. A young scientist named Isaac Sumdac discovers him and uses his technology to create the modern robotics industry in Detroit. The AUTOBOTS awaken from stasis, during an emergency. Deciding to help the new organic life forms, they convert into emergency vehicles and fight off a scary creature. Unable to stay in disguise they change into their robot forms able to save the day! In doing so, they become new celebrities and heroes to the humans. OPTIMUS PRIME and his band of AUTOBOTS make Detroit their adopted home and vow to protect the ALLSPARK and Earth from the DECEPTICONS and anyone else who try and cause chaos. MEGATRON comes online during all of the commotion and discovers his headless body in Isaac’s lab! AUTOBOTS hold the key to his rise and eventual rule of the universe!
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