“One Shall Stand…” err.. um, I’m sorry…
“Transformers: The Movie – 40th anniversary (Transformers: The Movie: The Apology Tour)”…
Yes, that’s the actual title of the movie / release campaign…
As the promotional “gag” footage of this campaign reveals deep rooted psychological depression from tragic and life changing unseeable traumatic events caused by the original release of Transformers: The Movie… I have to stop and laugh, “tongue in cheek” or not, for some people this was actually a real thing for people of a certain era.
The events that lead to what happened and happens to the fate of Optimus Prime literally drove some children to tears, some parents towards organizing, and brought a visual, audio, and experiential masterpiece to its knees. It’s funny to think of now, as you watch this film today, but our world, especially being experienced in the United States of that time period, had become so “safe” and protected harmonizing with its children and everyday living life, that the breadth of many cul-de-sac dwelling suburbanites and country bumpkin rustic-livers were shook to their very core, in a traumatizing, terrorizing attack against the very values and false sense of security that society had consciously cultivated of clueless oblivion.
Today… well, we have South Park, Family Guy, and Rick and Morty… Things have changed a little bit.
9.5 out of 10.
So, IF this was being written in 1986, this would hands down, unequivocally be a SOLID 10 out of 10… but, it is a reissue of a reissue of a reissue…
Now, as always, I try not to reveal any spoilers, but there is an end of credits “film” that separates this release vs. a typical re-release, or “remastered” “theatrical release”.
Its HERE that actually needs a second of reprieve from the ramblings you have just sat through so far. My nephew summed it up best when he turned to me and said “oh, you mean Into the Optiverse”. That one statement was not only the perfect way to insightfully compress all meaning and attempted disclosure of an upcoming direction into the Transformers “uni”verse, but it kind of encapsulates everything that pop-culture does… If your “experimentation” into yet another retcon fails short of the numbers you want, (think Transformers One), why not try something else that somebody has already done and put your own skins over it… project done.
That is the reason for the 0.5 missing out of the 10.
As aforementioned, Transformers: The Movie was a visual, audio, and story telling master class in what a literal GENERAL audience “children’s” film could and should be. If you could turn back the hands of time and relive that time period, just for the experience and viewing of this film… its BEYOND, “before its time”. The depth in imagery, professionalism in voice casting, on point sound effects, and contemporary relevant sound track are just the surface of what makes this film “more that meets the eye”. Delving a little deeper runs a surprisingly engaging, literary competent, and emotionally compelling tale woven from something stirred in taverns and firesides of old.
“Dare to be Stupid”
If you have never thought to even try to watch a “children’s toy cartoon”, you may actually want to give this a shot. Challenge yourself to try and watch the first 20 minutes of this film and not only will you not regret the time spent, but I think you will realize why “till all are one” is so prolific of a phrase for some… going one step forward, how a “children’s toy cartoon” entered the zeitgeist and became a pop-culture phenom, beyond just a “children’s toy” or “children’s cartoon”.
Beyond all that rabble…
Its just a fun ride and “if your gonna ride Danno, ride in style!”
Sit back, empty your head, and take it easy.
Stay Strong!
- Old Man Ydoc