Transformers Cybertron: The Ultimate Collection Review

Rating:

Transformers Cybertron isn’t related to previous incarnations of the popular toy franchise and that may not be  a bad thing. I love the original “”Robots in Disguise” series as much as anyone, but years and years of trying to shoehorn further adventures into the same storyline led to a confusing chronology and forced stories. I think that’s one reason I’m enjoying the new Transformers: Animated Series so much. It’s a fresh take on the concept that adheres enough to the classic.

The series picks up and mentions names/places/plot points from previous incarnations of the Transformers, but is not beholden to any previous version.

In this series, the Transformers’ home planet of Cybertron is threatened with destruction when a black hole (created when Unicron was destroyed) threatens to engulf the planet. The inhabitants are evacuated to Earth and Optimus Prime leads the search for the legendary Cyber Planet Keys, which can save Cybertron and the Universe.

With the help of three human children (Lori, Bud and Coby), the Autobots construct a brand new mountainside base. Now established on Earth, Optimus and the rest of the Autobots must outwit Megatron and retrieve the Cyber Planet Keys first.

That sets up the entire series as the Autobots and Decepticons each attempt to capture the keys. About halfway through the series, the focus shifts slightly and through the end of the series it deals with the Black Hole, the true nature of Cybertron, and how various other elements of Transformers canon (mini-cons, keys, Planet X).

This DVD set is the perfect way to watch this series. At 52 episodes and over 1100 minutes, it’s a marathon undertaking when you consider that each episode leads into the next. Perhaps this was what turned me off my initial view in 2005 when it was on Cartoon Network. Without starting at the beginning, you miss a lot of information.

The animation may be jarring for some. It’s not the traditional style that we’re used to. The Transformers are computer animated models with cel-shading applied to give them a softer look. Everything else is traditional animation. I think it’s a perfect fit for the series. It makes the Transformers stand out and the computer animated transformations seem more realistic.

Sadly, there are no extras on the set, but with 7 DVDs and 1144 minutes of cartoon goodness, I’m not sure you need any.

Overall, it’s a great set of a show that I didn’t know that much about. After watching the first few episodes, I was hooked and the animation—though different—is great for the series. It’s refreshing to see a somewhat new take on an old favorite.