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PLEASE NOTE: Michael D's is currently in READ ONLY MODE. Anything submitted will simply not be written to the database.
Lots of stuff is still broken, but at least reviews can now be looked up and read.
Transformers: Prime-Season 1 (2011)

Transformers: Prime-Season 1 (2011)

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Released 5-Dec-2012

Cover Art

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Details At A Glance

General Extras
Category Animation Main Menu Audio
Gallery-Pre-visualisation drawings - 2 episodes
Featurette-Making Of-2
Rating Rated PG
Year Of Production 2011
Running Time 572
RSDL / Flipper Dual Layered
Multi Disc Set (5)
Cast & Crew
Start Up Menu
Region Coding 4 Directed By David Hartman
Todd Waterman
Shaunt Nigoghossian
Vinton Heuck
Studio
Distributor
Hasbro Studios
Madman Entertainment
Starring None Given
Case Standard Blu-ray
RPI ? Music Brian Tyler
Matthew Margeson
Michael William Miles


Video Audio
Pan & Scan/Full Frame None English Dolby Digital 5.1
English Dolby Digital 2.0
Widescreen Aspect Ratio 1.78:1
16x9 Enhancement
16x9 Enhanced
Video Format 576i (PAL)
Original Aspect Ratio 1.78:1 Miscellaneous
Jacket Pictures No
Subtitles None Smoking No
Annoying Product Placement No
Action In or After Credits No

NOTE: The Profanity Filter is ON. Turn it off here.

Plot Synopsis

     Back in late 2012, Madman released Season 1 of this new Transformers series on Blu-ray. I reviewed that title here. Subsequently they released the same episodes on 5 separate DVDs which have now been collected into a box set, which is the subject of this review.

     The Transformers brand has been phenomenally successful over the last 25 or so years, starting as an animated TV series and a set of toys, developed by Tomy in Japan and Hasbro in the US. Over the years there have been many animated television shows and recently extremely successful live action movies, which have created a whole new generation of Transformers fans. To capitalise on this success Hasbro decided to develop a new animated series, with a bigger budget and higher quality animation than the most recent previous series, Transformers Animated. This new show is a big step up from there with higher quality animation than many animated features, exciting storylines and some great sound design.

     The concept of this series is that a small group of Autobots are on Earth protecting it from the Decepticons whilst also trying to avoid being noticed by humans. In the first episode we are introduced to the main set of Autobots, Optimus Prime, Ratchet, Arcee, Bulkhead & Bumblebee who form the nucleus of the team here. The Decepticons have a revolving cast of players but Megatron & Starscream are as usual front and centre. One thing which makes this series a little different is that the Autobots are discovered by and subsequently team up with three teenagers, Jack, an older boy, Miko, a Japanese exchange student and Raf, a younger, geeky boy. The opening multi-episode story follows the discovery of Dark Energon by the Decepticons which allows them to bring dead Decepticons back to life. This sets up the action for most of the 26 episodes of this opening season. Each episode is approximately 22 minutes and are spread over 5 DVDs each packaged in its own plastic case, which are stored in a hard cardboard box. The only difference in formatting between this DVD set and the Blu-ray is that the opening 5 part story is combined into one feature here but was formatted as separate episodes on the Blu-ray.

     This is a really high quality animated children's series, with interesting stories, great voice acting (Dwayne Johnson even makes a guest appearance), humour and all the kids’ favourite characters. The animation is a cut above most television animation with surprising detail and clarity which really helps to indicate the obvious quality on display.

     Transformers fans will love this new entry into the canon.

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Transfer Quality

Video

     The video quality is very good, not as good as the Blu-ray but certainly high quality for DVD.

     The series is presented in a 1.78:1 aspect ratio which is the original aspect ratio. It is 16x9 enhanced.

     The picture was nicely clear and sharp throughout, without quite being as good as the best modern feature animation transfers. Shadow detail was excellent throughout.

    The colour is excellent with no issues to report.

     There was a little motion blur at times.

     There are no subtitles.

Video Ratings Summary
Sharpness
Shadow Detail
Colour
Grain/Pixelization
Film-To-Video Artefacts
Film Artefacts
Overall

Audio

     The audio quality is excellent for a TV show.

The discs contain an English soundtrack in Dolby Digital 5.1 and an alternate Dolby Digital 2.0 track.

     Dialogue was clear and easy to understand throughout.

     The score by Brian Tyler & Matthew Margeson is exciting and memorable, really driving the series.

     The surround speakers were very well used with good surround effects and lots of atmosphere especially in action sequences.

     The subwoofer was also used noticeably supporting the music and action sequences.

Audio Ratings Summary
Dialogue
Audio Sync
Clicks/Pops/Dropouts
Surround Channel Use
Subwoofer
Overall

Extras

     A small selection of extras are included, with one which wasn't on the Blu-ray set. A lot are missing which were included on the Blu-ray though.

Menu

     The menu featured music and allowed for episode selection.

Animatic for Episode 1 - On BD

     Rough drawn version of the first episode.

A Look at Character Design - On BD

     Pre-visualisation drawings set to music

A Look at Set Design - On BD

     Pre-visualisation drawings set to music.

Animatic for Episode 25 - Exclusive to DVD set

     Rough drawn version of the second last episode.

Trailers

R4 vs R1

NOTE: To view non-R4 releases, your equipment needs to be multi-zone compatible and usually also NTSC compatible.

    The US Region 1 release is on four discs and includes very similar extras to our local blu-ray release including all the commentaries. Region 1 wins here.

Summary

    An excellent new animated series from the Transformers franchise.

    The video quality is very good.

    The audio quality is excellent for a TV show.

    The extras are decent but there is more on the Blu-ray set.

Ratings (out of 5)

Video
Audio
Extras
Plot
Overall

© Daniel Bruce (Do you need a bio break?)
Saturday, September 07, 2013
Review Equipment
DVDSONY BDP-S760 Blu-ray, using HDMI output
DisplaySharp LC52LE820X Quattron 52" Full HD LED-LCD TV . Calibrated with Ultimate DVD Platinum. This display device is 16x9 capable. This display device has a maximum native resolution of 1080p.
Audio DecoderBuilt into amplifier. Calibrated with Ultimate DVD Platinum.
AmplificationMarantz SR5005
SpeakersMonitor Audio Bronze 2 (Front), Bronze Centre & Bronze FX (Rears) + Sony SAW2500M Subwoofer

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