Transformers - The Movie, The (1985)

Stars: (voices): Judd Nelson, Leonard Nimoy, Susan Blu, Scatman Crothers, Eric Idle, Orson Welles, Robert Stack, Lionel Stander

Director: Nelson Shin

A re-release (ahead of the live-action movie, due soon) of this crudely animated blast of cartoon violence, featuring 'autobots' that can change themselves from human-shaped figures into such things as trucks, cars and helicopters.

The 'bots barely escape total annihilation by Megatron (Frank Welker), before he himself is subjugated by the planet-like Unicron (sadly, Welles' last movie job) and turned into Galvatron (Nimoy) with a mission to secure the all-powerful Matrix from the remaining autobots, led by Ultra Magnus (the suitably grave tones of Stack).

Briefly enlivened by a visit to the planet Junk, inhabited by 'wheelers' led by Eric Idle and terrifying underwater 'bots, the rest of the film is one prolonged cyberblast after another, constant action for violence-minded seven to 10-year-olds, but too heavy for younger children. All the 'humanoid' characters look pretty much alike.

David Quinlan

USA/Japan 1985. UK Distributor: Metrodome. Colour.
85 minutes. Widescreen. UK certificate: PG.

Guidance ratings (out of 3): Sex/nudity 0, Violence/Horror 1, Drugs 0, Swearing 1.

Review date: 01 May 2007