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We take a look at the live-action Transformers feature film as it comes to DVD – turning one the most famous two dimensional cartoon and comics franchises ever into three-dimensions.

Back in 2003, the European Space Agency's Beagle Mars Rover was launched. We were told that it crashed. It's final transmission was classified top secret. It was the only warning we were given. Now the dueling alien races of the Autobots and the Decepticons have brought their battle to Earth and the future of humankind is hanging in the balance. It's their war, but it's our world....

As fans of the original Transformers animated and comics adventures will be aware, whereas the Earth is home to a variety of organic-based life-forms, the planet of Cybertron is the homeworld of a race of sentient robots with have the ability to transform into other mechanisms.

Robot Wars!

Each of these 'Transformers' having its own unique disguise. These huge robots are fighting a gigantic battle of good versus evil. Divided into two separate camps The Transformers - the good and just Autobots, led by Optimus Prime, whose disguise is a red 18-wheel semi truck - and the evil Decepticons, who are led by Megatron, who transforms for battle by size-shifting into an immense gun.

With the robots' fuel supplies - which they call 'Energon Cubes' - on Cybertron running low, both forces travel through space looking for a new source. The quest for power leads both factions to Earth, which from their perspective is rich in the minerals and chemicals they need.

The stage is set for a showdown on the Earth’s surface – with the Transformers disguising themselves as cars, airplanes and boats to engage in a secret war for control of Earth's natural resources. The question is not just who will win this battle, but just how many humans will get caught in the crossfire as the giant robots make our planet their battleground.

The Transformers brand has been one of the best-selling boys' action brands in a wide-range of categories, from toys to publishing to clothing and bedding, since its launch as a global property in 1984. To tie-in with the release of the new live action film Activision are releasing a game based on The Transformers' movie continuity across all platforms. The new films' release comes hot on the heels of the re-issue of the original Transformers animated motion picture from 1986 as a limited theatrical release in London's West End and as a collectors' edition DVD.

Voicing the Autobots and Decepticons for the feature are: Peter Cullen as the voice of Optimus Prime, Keith David as the voice of Barricade and Hugo Weaving (The Matrix trilogy, V For Vendetta) as the voice of Megatron. On the human side of the cast the new film finds Shia LaBeouf - playing Sam 'Spike' Witwicky, Megan Fox appearing as Mikaela, Josh Duhamel - playing Captain Lennox, Rachael Taylor as Maggie, Tyrese Gibson as USAF Master Sgt. Epps, Jon Voight (Midnight Cowboy, Deliverence) as Keller and John Turturro (Millers' Crossing, Barton Fink) as FBI Agent Simmons.

Steven Spielberg

The live-action Transformers movie from DreamWorks Pictures, Hasbro and Paramount Pictures, is directed by Michael Bay (The Rock, Armageddon) from a screenplay by Alex Kurtzman and Roberto Orci – the men behind the action-fest. Mission Impossible: 3. Tom DeSanto (X-Men, X2: X-Men United), Don Murphy (The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen) and Lorenzo di Bonaventura (Four Brothers) have produced the film, with Steven Spielberg (ET: The Extra Terrestrial, Jaws, War of the Worlds, Close Encounters of the Third Kind, Saving Private Ryan etc...) and Hasbro's Brian Goldner acting as Executive Producers.

Here's what some of the critics have been saying about Transformers since it opened in the cinemas in Summer:

"Though he has a way with CGI toys and action set pieces, director Bay does not have a noticeable gift for making human beings come to life. Transformers' multiple earthling story lines are tedious and oddly lifeless." - Kenneth Turan (Los Angeles Times).

'Haisan', commenting after a press screening on www.aintitcool.com writes: "I enjoyed the movie a lot for what it was - a summer action movie directed by Michael Bay, based on a line of toys and a silly animated cartoon...the best stupid movie I have seen this summer."

"...it's the transformation of robots that will blow your mind...Add that to the eye-popping robot smackdowns and good old fashioned car chases, and you have a movie that is going to get your blood pumping and your heartbeat racing." - Willie Waffle (WaffleMovies.com).

Alec Worley, reviewing the film for The Judge Dredd Megazine (#261, August 2007) calls it: "...the most exiting toy commercial ever made. He continues: "A curious mix of Independence Day and a really violent Herbie movie...Transformers is trash moviemaking at its most brazenly extravagant."

"It's long and loud and everything about it is big: from the massive stunts, the pounding orchestral score and the transformers themselves, which tower above everything and everyone in this mega-budget sci-fi adventure." - Urban Cinefile Critics (Urban Cinefile).

"The effects are jaw-droppingly good and if all you want is giant robots blowing stuff up, then Transformers delivers." - Matthew Turner (ViewLondon).

For more information on the new Transformers film - as well as the original toys, cartoon series and comics that formed the first (mid '80s) Transformers craze - the following links may be useful:

More information available in DVD / Home Video