Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #14010 in DVD
• Released on: 2007-12-03
• Rating: Suitable for 12 years and over
• Aspect ratio: 1.78:1
• Format: Widescreen
• Original language: English
• Subtitled in: Spanish, French, English
• Number of discs: 2
• Running time: 143 minutes

Amazon.co.uk Review
How do you like your blockbuster movies? If the answer’s loud, fast and full of big robots fighting, then you’re well and truly in luck. For director Michael Bay’s take on Transformers, based on the toys of the same name, delivers just that. And with some style.

The film stars the fast-rising Shia LaBeouf (Disturbia) as Sam, who discovers that his first car has a little more to it when it transforms into an Autobot robot called Bumblebee. Fortunately, the Autobots are the good guys, and following not far behind are a good number more, headed up by Optimus Prime. Against them are the less friendly Decepticons, with Megatron at the helm, and the two sides are set for a frenetic battle right in the middle of Planet Earth.

There’s a plot sitting underneath all of this, but it’s pretty much given with the Transformers movie that it’s just a vehicle to get the film from one set piece to another. And there’s little denying that the action sequences are spectacular. Boasting quite staggering special effects, the on-screen action moves with a pace and ferocity that sometimes makes it hard just to keep up with it all, as mighty robots engage is some quite staggering fights. It’s quite an achievement.

Paving the way for an already-in-production sequel, Transformers has little pretensions about what it’s going to do, and is all the better for it. This is a film about big robots, big fights, big effects and, ultimately, big, dumb grin-inducing fun. What, really, is there not to like? --Jon Foster

Synopsis
Based on the Hasbro toy line that initially captivated kids in the 1980s, director Michael Bay's TRANSFORMERS finds two warring bands of shape-shifting alien robots renewing their intergalactic conflict on Earth. While the Decepticons, followers of the malevolent Megatron (voiced by Hugo Weaving), strive to take over the planet, the Autobots, led by the valiant Optimus Prime (voiced by Peter Cullen), are intent on protecting humanity. When young Sam Witwicky (Shia LaBeouf) discovers that his new car is really the Autobot Bumblebee (voiced by Mark Ryan), it sets the stage for a massive giant-robot showdown. A shining example of the Hollywood summer blockbuster at its best, TRANSFORMERS combines stunning CGI effects and thrilling action sequences with drama, humour, and a touch of romance. Featuring a large cast that includes Josh Duhamel, Tyrese Gibson, Jon Voight, John Turturro, Anthony Anderson, and Rachael Taylor, the film is anchored by LaBeouf, who always displays an engaging Everyman charm, whether he’s running from colossal robots, interacting with his well-meaning parents (hilariously played by Kevin Dunn and Julie White), or pining for his gorgeous classmate (Megan Fox). While some TRANSFORMERS purists may be dismayed by certain aspects of this bold big-screen adaptation (Bumblebee is a Camaro instead of a Volkswagen), the movie balances its spectacle with an admirable amount of substance, giving it an appeal far beyond pre-teen boys and their nostalgic Autobot-loving elders.

Customer Reviews

HD-DVD, Roll Out!
Like the reviewer above I managed to get a copy of this disk from the US where it has been out for a couple of weeks now. Never a great fan of the transformers toys when I was growing up I was skeptical about the film until I saw it in the cinema and was totally blown away.
The HD-DVD version I watched last night was superior to the cinema in every way. Projected onto a 106 inch screen the picture was truly magnificent - vivid hues, good contrast, and pin sharp definition. The amount of detail visible on this transfer is simply stunning; it really shows off the films high production values.
Likewise sound is also very good, with a good dynamic range that allows you to hear the dialogue but doesn't blow your speakers when the explosions start happening.
Many reviews of the film have complained that it is difficult in the action sequences to tell one robot from another - not with this version. The transformers are utterly convincing, each scratch and speck of dust on their metal bodies is visible, and the amount of detail the filmmakers put into the robots is nothing short of unbelievable - when you can see it as you can with this disk.
Some die hard fans of the toys and old cartoons find things in the film that disappoint them (such as Optimus Prime having flames painted on him) but that is inevitable. For most people this is a fantastic action film that as long as you do not take it too seriously (and lets face it the plot does have several holes) will not disappoint - if you want to see giant robots demolishing buildings, chucking tanks around and generally knocking the stuffing out of each other, this film is for you.
There is an extras disk yet, but I've got to watch the film again before I get to that!

Picture so good it hurts your eyes...
Let's be honest - if you have seen this film, you'll know it's light on plot and high on spectacle; if you haven't seen it, I can't imagine anyone expecting a deep, moving and involved film coming from a cartoon based on a toy line.

The plot - such as it is - basically involves two warring factions of giant space robots who arrive on earth searching for the mystical whatchamacallit - one group wants it to do naughty things; the other group want to stop them. These giant space robots can scan our mechanical technology and disguise themselves as (mainly) vehicles to go unnoticed among us. There are a few other plot strands involving different groups of humans which all come together in the end, but it's not rocket science.

The film is genuinely amusing and entertaining - as long as you are not expecting life-changing, high-brow cinema - but isn't this what film is supposed to be about - entertainment? Shia LeBeouef as Sam Whitwicky is a great sympathetic character, and his comedic acting skills show great promise. Megan Fox is just that; a fox; very easy on the eye, and John Tuturro foams at the mouth and chews up the scenery with great relish. However - even though they are not on screen as much as the humans - this film is all about the robots. When they ARE onscreen, this is where the film pays off and shows you where the money went. The tranformations and robot battles are simply stunning - particularly so in HD. Sometimes it can be a little difficult to tell exactly what's happening with the robots in a busy scene, but you pick up more during repeat viewings.

So, how's it look? Breathtaking. The effects are never less than jaw-dropping and completely convincing, and the film is gorgeous in HD. During one of the desert battle scenes (giant alien scorpion robot!), I was even able to make out individual grains of sand in dust clouds from explosions. There are parts of the film where the colours and sharpness of the film actually made me squint because I am used to a normal TV picture! HD also loves Michael Bay's trademark slow sunset-lit pans around characters, and atmospheric 'gun-porn' shots of military hardware.

One thing I find strange about this release though - if HD DVD is Region free; why is this DVD coming out nearly 2 full months later than in the US? I ordered mine from Amazon.com also.

In short; buy Transformers on HD, buy lots of popcorn, sit back and be entertained - but maybe have some sunglasses handy!

hd dvd oh yes
got the american version from amazon .com...the hd dvd quality is unbelivable theyve put their money into this one..glorious sunshine in the desserts and the city scenes..if you ever buy one hd dvd movie in your life this could be the one..never seen the film before at the cinema so didnt know what to expect people said its good which builds your hope up..but i wasnt let down absoulty a cracker of a movie..but hd they have one us proud with this one..no fade no..ohh im not sure hd bits..just pure quality