The Energon Pub

[Raymond T.]

transformersdvd.com has given an update on their 20th anniversary UK release of Transformers: The Movie (1986) tagged The Ultimate Edition due to hit stores in June 2007. They did so by use of their newsletter. The following has been take directly from this newsletter.

The comment made that Scramble City was the bridge between the first and second series of G1 is essentially correct. Although the die-hard fans know it takes place between what the US version calls season 2 and season 3, In Japan season 1 and 2 were known as Fight! Super Robot Life and season 3 was known as a second series called 2010.

THE TRANSFORMERS: THE MOVIE (ULTIMATE EDITION)

Hi all!

As you are no doubt aware, murmurings of Metrodome's re-release of Transformers have been circulating within the Transformers fan base over the past year and fan sites have been rife with speculation. We announced just before Christmas, that Transformers the Movie - The Ultimate Edition will be released in June 2007 and we wanted to take this opportunity to update the fans and answer a few questions that we have seen crop up over the past few months.

First and foremost the Ultimate Edition will boast a widescreen picture that has been fully remastered with a progressive PAL to PAL conversion from the original negative and put through a rigorous colour correction process to ensure that the movie is the best it has ever looked. To see comparisons of the Ultimate Edition screenshots against older versions of the movie please log on to http://www.transformersdvd.com and view them in the Download Section.

In addition to a stunning picture, we have created a brand new 5.1 soundtrack for the movie. After the release of Reconstructed a few issues were raised by fans objecting to the extraneous sound effects that were introduced into the soundtrack and we have taken this into full consideration for the new audio. Chris McFeely, Transformers expert has painstakingly gone through Reconstructed and picked apart the soundtrack, highlighting the offending sounds and his report has helped us to create a 5.1 mix far more in tune with the original audio of the movie.

At this point in time the Ultimate Edition's extra feature plans are still ongoing, but we can reveal that we are currently in talks with Nelson Shin (Director) Flint Dille, (Story Consultant) and Peter Cullen (the voice of Optimus Prime). A single disc and double disc edition will be released containing commentaries, interviews, alternate/deleted footage, DVD Rom material and much, much more.

Finally, we can reveal that Scramble City, the "lost" Japanese Takara episode will be featured on the Ultimate Edition. Scramble City was only broadcast in Japan to bridge the gap between the first and second series of Generation One and we are pleased to be able to present it for the first time on DVD in its original form.

With everything falling into place for this Ultimate Edition, we'll be sure to keep you updated on news and extras in future newsletters. In the meantime, remember to preorder Transformers the Movie - The Ultimate Edition.

[Brutimus]

What about Zone?????

[Kayevcee]

Ah, Metrodome. Couldn't find their own ass with both hands and a biology textbook.

-Nick

[Raymond T.]

Ah, Metrodome. Couldn't find their own ass with both hands and a biology textbook.

-Nick

Why in the Universe would you say that? They have done nothing but try their best to cater to the fans. Even at times against TV Loonlands better judgement!

[BigBot]

At this point in time the Ultimate Edition's extra feature plans are still ongoing, but we can reveal that we are currently in talks with Nelson Shin (Director) Flint Dille, (Story Consultant) and Peter Cullen (the voice of Optimus Prime). A single disc and double disc edition will be released containing commentaries, interviews, alternate/deleted footage, DVD Rom material and much, much more.

Sounds good. Especially with Scramble City having the original audio and a new commentry.

[Darth Bombshell]

They have done nothing but try their best to cater to the fans.

Then how come they're releasing this in the UK with a piss load of extra features not present in the American release or their previous Reconstructed? And how come they appear to be going so far out of their way to do it that they might as well be in another time zone?

All this really amounts to is yet another attempt by these sort of people to milk money out of fans, knowing that we're dumb enough to go to the well every time the water bucket's brought up.

Problem is, though, we don't exactly go out of their way to invalidate that theory?

[Raymond T.]

They have done nothing but try their best to cater to the fans.

Then how come they're releasing this in the UK with a piss load of extra features not present in the American release or their previous Reconstructed? And how come they appear to be going so far out of their way to do it that they might as well be in another time zone?

All this really amounts to is yet another attempt by these sort of people to milk money out of fans, knowing that we're dumb enough to go to the well every time the water bucket's brought up.

Problem is, though, we don't exactly go out of their way to invalidate that theory?

First of all, they are not allowed to release their products in the US, because other people hold the rights for the american territories. And those people don't release their products outside of the states. So if we left it only to those people, people in the UK or the rest of Europe wouldn't get these titles at all.

Secondly, one of the reasons for Metrodome doing another movie title was because the sound studio screwed up the soundtrack on Reconstructed (which of course has this awesome DVD booket ). They remastered the sound, but told the people of Metrodome that they left the sound to its original quality, while in reality they did a poor quick-fix and added/changed sounds that that were not supposed to be in there. When fans complained about this, it was obviously too late. This time, fans have double-checked the soundtrack. Also they colour-corrected and remastered the material. And unlike the US version which was taken from a 20 year-old existing master, this version is taken from the original negatives. So the details are extra clear and this time Hot Rod is not as pink as last time.

And also, not everyone was thrilled that reconstructed showed the whole whole frame of the existing negatives. The animators didn't always really finish up the edges of the frames, since they were supposed to be cut off at the end of the process. Although reconstructed is a must-have item for any true fan for that reason alone, for some it is hard to watch when legs bleed away into nothing-ness. So this time the video material will be cut as it was originally intended to be.

As for scramble city, at the time of reconstructed, Metrodome were not able to secure the rights yet, which they now do have. They have always tried their best to give what the fans want, and have given far more or better then the US market has give to date. Including the releases of Headmasters, MasterForce and Victory.

That all said, no one is twisting your arm to buy everything out there. So complaining about it is really pointless.

[Psychout]

What he said.

Its cool being british.
Wonder if the American release of the movie has to have an Orange Cap?

[Denyer]

[Then how come they're releasing this in the UK with a piss load of extra features not present in the American release

AFAIK they're a UK company and only have the UK license.

I'd settle for original UK theatrical audio and video, a good quality copy of the Japanese promo footage and the regular trailer. Nevermind this whole remastering malarkey...

reconstructed is a must-have item for any true fan

Rapidly approaching a quarter century of fake fandom and loving it...

[Anubiz]

Wonder if the American release of the movie has to have an Orange Cap?

Ha, that's good.

There is still not even a mention of the special edition being released in Australia, but i do hope we get this version.

[Psychout]

Wonder if the American release of the movie has to have an Orange Cap?

Ha, that's good.

There is still not even a mention of the special edition being released in Australia, but i do hope we get this version.

IIRC the Aussies use the same region as we do (2), so at the very least you'll be able to import it pretty hassle free.

[Skullgrin140]

What about Zone?????

Yeah, I need to know if Zone and SC will be with this version, and the commentries by Chris Mcfeely

[Chris McFeely]

Well, I'mma put it this way - I'm recording commentaries for the movie, Scramble City and Zone this Thursday.

[Skullgrin140]

Well, I'mma put it this way - I'm recording commentaries for the movie, Scramble City and Zone this Thursday.

Fantastic! Because I have heard all I need to know about HM to Victory, I want to hear from your side of the thoughts, SC, Zone & the movie

[Elita One]

Wonder if the American release of the movie has to have an Orange Cap?

Ha, that's good.

There is still not even a mention of the special edition being released in Australia, but i do hope we get this version.

Madman might. That's only a rumour though. Im so lucky that Ive got that pre-paid credit card coming.Im proberly getting the US one as it cheaper for me exchange rate wise. Although that supposed exclusive interview with Peter Cullen may change my mind.
Psychout: Australia's dvd region is 4 not 2. Only thing we share that we are both under the PAL system.