The Energon Pub

25 years ago, a little something called Transformers: The Movie was released into theaters. It was slightly different from the past two seasons as the action took place in the far flung future of 2005. It was a much darker Transformers than kids were used to. It introduced a villain the likes of which had never been seen before in the Transformers universe: Unicron.



There were many new favorites introduced.

• Hot Rod
• Ultra Magnus
• Springer
• Arcee
• Kup
• Wheelie
• Blurr
• Wreck-Gar
• Galvatron
• Cyclonus
• Scourge
• Unicron

Some old favorites met their demise.

• Ironhide
• Prowl
• Ratchet
• Brawn
• Windcharger
• Wheeljack
• Starscream
• Optimus Prime

There were many memorable scenes all through out the movie.

The ultimate showdown between Optimus Prime and Megatron.



We learned that a hero could die.



Autobot deaths



Unicron transforms a defeated Megatron into Galvatron.



Hot Rod becomes Rodimus Prime



The death of Unicron



Take a moment and reminisce about the first time you saw Transformers: The Movie. If you have never seen it, then take some time to watch it. Discuss how it made you feel and what you liked/disliked about the movie with your fellow Seibertronians right here.

Well now I feel compelled to watch this

What prompted this news post? Was the movie released in theaters today 25 years ago, or is this just a general story reminiscing about the movie?

I know a 25 year old animated movie may not appeal to some newer and younger fans, but if anyone has not seen this movie, PLEASE, watch it. It was the only time I can remember crying because of a movie (granted I was 5 years old). Epic, simply epic.

I'm serious, the only video I watched out of that whole batch was the Autobot Death scene. It never gets old

Although maybe off-screen, didn't Huffer die too?

It Is Him wrote:What prompted this news post? Was the movie released in theaters today 25 years ago, or is this just a general story reminiscing about the movie?

Yeah, 'twas August 8th, 1986, when it was released, this movie.

I've heard lots of stories from transfans who either left the theater crying, or more commonly remember younger children doing so. The only reactions I remember from other children in the theater I saw it in were cries of "Laserbeak!" when he flew onscreen after the credits; finally, something we recognize! I don't remember anyone actually screaming when everything they knew was destroyed a half hour later.

At the age of 7, I was already cynical enough about my favorite cartoons to understand that few had continuity enough for anything to actually change long-term. When commercials for the movie queried, "Does Prime die?", my response was, "Of course not!" And not because I was so attached to Op; having a perfectly stable dad in my life, I found Soundwave to be the more interesting father figure, as he was the dad I wanted to be when I grew up, not the one I wished I had. And even at that age I'd usually get so excited by movie trailers that the actual movie was inevitably a letdown. So when the bodies started piling up, I was shocked all right, but mostly at the fact that this was the one movie I'd ever seen that wasn't what I was expecting in that it was several times better, and remains so to this day. Sure it was sad to see so many characters go, but this ancient space war that had mostly just been alluded to amidst general puttering about in the grand canyon for 2 years was suddenly back in full swing, and the violence carried with its horrible consequences the promise of hope that things could actually change! He-Man never truly defeated Skeletor, the Joes never wiped out Cobra, and Inspector Gadget never got to see what the heck Dr. Claw looked like, but the Autobots actually got Cybertron back!!! Besides some imported anime, I can't think of any '80s cartoon where something of that magnitude actually happened except the Thundercats reclaiming Thundera, and I wouldn't know about that until the Toonami reruns a decade later. Some fans claim they never adjusted to the changes, but I doubt the franchise would have its eternal staying power without that trauma, controversy, and triumph.

I think my family was the last to leave the theater; I insisted on just sitting there staring at Unicron's head until the music stopped. (the amount of country western and folk music played in my house played a part in that decision as well) I was in a state of euphoria that I never wanted to end. I ended up liking the post-movie cartoon way better as well, and every time I hear Rodimus Prime bashed, it just makes me feel even more loyal to him as the true successor to Optimus. His mediating of galactic peace talks in "The Quintesson Journal" just seems like a more admirable legacy than Optimus lecturing his subordinates while burying other robots alive that he couldn't ethically shoot.

Maybe I shouldn't bring up something that polarizing, but it's just what sprang to mind. And Optimus seemed even greater as a legend to inspire the Autobots who survived, right?

Awesome!

There really should be a 25th Anniversary Edition of the Movie, with remastered graphics. Basically, like Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary but with Transformers.

I had to rewatch this film today, still great after all this time. There was a big facebook group that watched it together and commented as we watched, good times.

Also, I'm on a podcast with a few friends, and this week we discussed TF:TM the entire show. I'll post a link to our blog and podcast when it's up, assuming that kind of thing is allowed on the boards?

I found out the most important thing about this movie from my Uncle before I even saw the movie. He owned a toy shop and I asked why he didn't stock Optimus Prime anymore (even though I already had him). He told me Optimus Prime dies in the movie and he only had the new toys. I ended up taking Galvatron home that day. I don't remember seeing it in the theatre but I have vivid memories watching it on VHS and my parents talking about the vibrant colors during Hot Rod and Daniel's trip up to Lookout Mountain. I love this movie, it is the best of the current 4 Transformers movies.

New Favorites: Hot Rod

LAWL!!!!!!

I didn't see it opening day but I saw it the week after with my Grandfather as he was the one tasked to take me and suffer through the "cartoon silliness." 25 years later my Grandfather is long gone but the memory of that day remains as does my love of Transformers. I hope someday a brand, toy, or property comes along that captures a generations imagination like Transformers has.

First time I saw it I was in California visiing an Aunt & Uncle & cousins. Watched it on a rented VHS which I dubbed so I could take it home. That was 2 years after it was out in theatres. I still have to fight back tears when I see Optimus sacrifice himself in defense of Earth and Autobot City.

I was born the year this was released, so what I remember about first seeing this movie was the video store calling our house time and time again because I wouldn't give it back XD;

Seriously, I must've rented that movie at least two dozen times. I also remember when I heard about the "uncut" version with the swear word, which at the time was illegal in the US. So, I ordered a Canadian version of the VHS and was blown away! Then DVDs came out and made all that obsolete.

This little reminiscence has inspired me to invite a few friends over, crack open a few beers and let the good times commence. Thanks for giving me a reason to socialize, Seibertron!

I was a big fan of the 1st two seasons of the show and the toys. I had a lot of them. I was not lucky enough to have parents who would take me to see the movie, but I did buy the comics so I knew the story. It was hard for me to get into season three because of the drastic changes and my interests moved on to other things. I remember having Ultra Magnus, but not any other movie toys.

Anyway, as big of a fan that I am, I did not see the movie until I was about 30 when I got back into Transformers. It is now my favorite animated movie and my kids love it too.

It is a comfort movie. I can put it on almost anytime.

i rewatched it last nite.

good stuff. U GOT THE TOUCH

For me the first time I saw the movie I was like 15.(back in 97) There was only one video store here in town that had a copy of it(the old Video City)and every chance I got I would beg my mom to rent it. Most of the time I would just go pick it up on the bus, and this one time I even walked all the way downtown from my mom's house just to rent it and was pouring rain that day. Oh the cold I had after that.*lol* Ah fun times fun times. Srsly I think I broke the re-wind button on the vcr back then. Between buying Beast Wars figures and watching this movie, as if it had cancer curing medicine, it made me a TF fan for life.

On one side note. Can any of picture what it'll be like when we are all old men/gals and we're sitting at w/e retirement home we live at getting all hyped up at the 50th ann. of TF:the movie?

Just a little food for thought.


Also I wonder if a mechtech weapon would fit on top of Hotrod in vehicle mode??????

a movie to be celebrated unlike the other 3

I'm not afraid to admit it, but this still is my favorite movie of all time!

For all you new fans from the movies/comics/what have you... this is where it all really began.
A lot of you have already said what I might say.
I think I was 8 or so when I first saw it, me and my cousin would watch it everyday for the month I spent visiting (and then acted out the scenes afterwards like mini-tards )
But really, this is the definitive video representation of the Transformers the way they should have always been. The death of heroes, the insanely killer music and metal score, UNICRON! all wrapped up in the cheesiest sandwich ever
I've probably seen it a 100 times. Hell, thats probably an under-estimate.
My favourite scene is the transformation of Megatron to Galvatron. The dialogue between Unicron and Megatron in that scene is just sick; two forces of evil, one being forced into submission... Galvatron being voiced by Leonard Nimoy?! Add Cyclonus, the BRUTAL death of Starscream after that... I could go on.
This movie is just too amazing, and I would rate it one of the top 5 sci-fi flicks ever, even amongst live action films.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GOhnKIVLzOw

Oh my God I love this movie! I've seen it a hundred times.

I remember seeing the ads in comic books for this before it came it and getting super excited. It was just my mom and myself and she worked alot, usually evenings, so we never really got to go to the theater to see anything, which turned out to not matter so much as no theater in the area where we lived got the movie back then so my first time seeing it was when it came out on video. I remember riding my bike to the video store and getting it. I was blown away by the animation and the music, then devastated by all the Autobots deaths, especially Optimus Prime's. Overall, it just felt epic and inspiring that the Autobots could end up overcoming something as enormous and evil as Unicron (and yes, I actually liked Hot Rod and got chills when you hear Optimus's voice as he become Rodimus, still I'd have rather had Optimus alive and well). I watched it over and over and would end up renting it occasionally until the video store sold their copy, which I bought. Since then I have bought the movie on DVD and then again on DVD with the 20th anniversary edition. At one point as a kid I remember putting a tape recorder near the tv to record some of the songs, then later on I found the soundtrack on cassette at a store and listened to it for years until I found a place that could special order the CD. Now I've got the 20th anniversary edition soundtrack and still listen to it,especially when driving. If I ever drive to a place called Lookout Mountain I am totally cranking "Dare"!

I haven't seen this Movie in awhile
It's awesome

I saw this movie about a month ago. It's a lot better when you watch season 1-2 then the movie then season 3-5 after. I originally watched the movie by itself a few years ago and was completely lost. After seeing all the G1 episodes I realize the big role it played in the entire G1 franchise/story.

i still remmber seeing this and the gi joe movie in the theaters