"Transformers" (1984) TV series 1984-1987

User Rating:

8.3/10   

Director:

Peter Wallach

Writer:

Roger Slifer (live-action sequences)

Seasons:

1 | 2 | 3 | 4

Release Date:

17 September 1984 (USA)

Genre:

Animation | Action | Adventure | Family | Fantasy | Sci-Fi | Thriller

Tagline:

More than meets the eye!

Plot:

Two opposing camps of alien transforming robots fight in a war that has the fate of Earth in the balance.

Plot Keywords:

Battle | Alien | Robot | Alien Technology | Space Bridge

Cast

Frank Welker	...	Megatron / ... (44 episodes, 1984-1987)
Peter Cullen	...	Optimus Prime / ... (42 episodes, 1984-1987)
Chris Latta	...	Starscream / ... (42 episodes, 1984-1987)
Corey Burton	...	Spike Witwicky / ... (37 episodes, 1984-1987)
John Stephenson	...	Thundercracker / ... (37 episodes, 1984-1987)
Dan Gilvezan	...	Bumblebee / ... (36 episodes, 1984-1987)
Casey Kasem	...	Cliffjumper / ... (36 episodes, 1984-1986)
Michael Bell	...	Prowl / ... (34 episodes, 1984-1987)
Don Messick	...	Ratchet / ... (34 episodes, 1984-1986)
Scatman Crothers	...	Jazz (27 episodes, 1984-1985)
Ken Sansom	...	Hound / ... (26 episodes, 1984-1985)
Gregg Berger	...	Grimlock / ... (22 episodes, 1984-1986)
Neil Ross	...	Slag / ... (18 episodes, 1984-1986)

Also Known As:

"Super God Robot Force"
"Tatakae! Chô robot seimeitai Transformer" (Japan)
"The Transformers" (USA) (new title)
"Transformer 2010" (Japan) (third season title)
"Transformers: Generation 1" (USA) (informal title)

Runtime:

Argentina:30 min | USA:30 min (98 episodes)

Country:

USA | Japan

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

UK:U (video rating) | Singapore:G | Canada:G (TV rating) | Argentina:Atp | Australia:PG (DVD rating) | USA:TV-Y7 | Australia:G (some episodes)

Company:

Sunbow Productions

Trivia:

DEBUT: Roller (episode 0.02 "More Than Meets the Eye Part 2")

Goofs:

Continuity: The cartoon is notorious for its lack of continuity and the number of its plot-holes - at least compared to later Transformers shows. For example, robots that could fly in one episode suddenly lose this ability, the Decepticon group called the Constructicons have three contradicting origins, and it is also common for newcomer characters to simply appear in an episode with no explanation given as to why they haven't been seen before. As such, it is not surprising that most of the cast ended up being ignored and forgotten when new characters had to be added.

Quotes:

Blaster: We're outgunned, man! We don't have a chance!
Kup: Boy, that's what makes life interesting!
Rodimus Prime: Or OVER!

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Saturday Night Live: The Best of Saturday TV Funhouse (#31.17)" (2006)

A blast from the past.

This review that I'm going to write about is on the DVD collections of Transformers. Here they are:

Season 1 Boxset:The Beginning of Generation 1 I bought this box-set during summer of 2002. I really like all the episodes that were in order. My favorite feature on the special features disc was Botcon 2001. It was my first convention which I liked. I had some fun at that convention and got an autograph form Ernie Burns of N.R.G. that performed the song,"Instruments of Destruction", from Transformers the Movie. I think this is the perfect series to add to your collection. In closing, after season 1, see season 2.

Season 2 ,Part 1 Boxset:The first part of season 2 This Season picks up after the first Season. This season has some great episodes including The Autobot Run, Dinobot Island Part's 1 & 2, The Master Builder, and more. My favorite feature in this Collecton was the Interview with Michael McConnohie, the voice actor who played Tracks and Cosmos. Also I liked the scenes from Botcon 2002. In closing, after this part, see part 2.

Season 2, Part 2 Boxset:The 2nd Half of Season 2 This part picks up after the first. My favorite characters are Tracks and Smokescreen because they were in most of the episodes. I saw these episodes before on Transformers Generation 2. My favorite episodes in this collection are Autobop,and The Gambler. This box-set is a must get for your collection. In closing, after this season, see the movie

Season 3, Part 1 Boxset:The Beginning of Season 3 What I like about this box-set, it picks up after the movie. In this season the new leader of the Autobots is Rodimus Prime. Ever since the movie, some of the best Autobots have died,they are "Prowl, Ratchet, Wheeljack, Windcharger, Ironhide, Huffer, Brawn, and Optimus Prime. This box-set also has scenes from Botcon 2003. It also had the History of the Autobots,and the Decepticons, also had info on the Preadicons. I also like the Public Service Announcements because the Autobots teaches kids on some good tips to keep safe. And they use the same phrase from GI-Joe :"Now you know, and knowing is the half the battle". Also Frank Welker takes the role of Galvatron that Leonard Nimoy did in the Movie. In closing, if you have seen the Movie. Then get this collection. You will see what I mean.

Season 3, Part 2, Season 4 Boxset: The end of Generation 1 In this final Half of the Transformers, the war rages on. In the Episode:"Ghost in the Machine", the ghost of Starscream visits Unicron and asked to get his old body back. He had to steal the eyes of Metroplex, but he has broken one of his eyes. He stole the other eye from Trypticon. In "Grimlock's new brain", Grimlock became smart and created the Technobots. What I also like about this final collection is the 2 part saga:"The Return Of Optimus Prime" when we last saw him in the Episode"Dark Awakening", he destroyed himself by ramming into a Quintesson warship. But somehow he managed to survive. But it was great for the Autobots to have their old leader back. In Season 4, it was the beginning of the end in the 3-part"The Rebirth", it was the first time I got to see the Headmasters, and Fortress Maximus and how Spike saved Cybertron from Destruction. So in closing, we hoped you enjoyed seeing the entire series of Transformers Generation 1. If you don't have this one yet, get it. You'll see what I mean

In closing to this review on the seasons of Transformers, add them to your collection. You will see what I mean!