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Those shape-shifting robots are back as the original animated Transformers film gets a DVD release.

Huge robots with the ability to turn into vehicles, planes and other technology are fighting a gigantic battle of good versus evil in which no less than the future of the galaxy hangs in the balance!

Sound familiar? It may well if you're a fan of the Saturday morning cartoons, comics and toy range known collectively as The Transformers. Prior to the release of the live action/GCI-fest that promises to be the new Transformers film in July the original classic animated feature length movie is released as a new extras-packed double-disc DVD in June, following a successful two-week theatrical run at the Apollo West End in London.

Decepticons

The evil Decepticons have taken control of their homeworld - a planet populated entirely by a race of robots with the ability to transform into other mechanisms. Their opponents the Autobots - led by Optimus Prime, are planning a heroic strike to retake their home planet. However, with both sides busy warring against each other in a fight for their very survival, they are totally unaware of an even greater threat approaching: the immense 'killer planet' Unicron – devourer of worlds! On the edge of destruction, Cybertron’s single hope of survival lies with the one Autobot who can rise up and save their existence.

Originally released at the height of Transformers world domination in 1986 Transformers The Movie features a stellar voice cast - including Star Trek's Leonard Nimoy (Mr Spock) as Galvatron, founder member of BBC TVs Monty Python's Flying Circus Eric Idle (The Rutles, National Lampoon's European Vacation, Nuns On The Run) as Wreck-Gar, the voice of Scooby Doo's Shaggy - Casey Kasem - as Cliffjumper and the mighty Orson Welles (The Third Man, Citizen Kane, A Touch of Evil) as Unicron.

The film is directed by Nelson Shin and written by Ron Friedman, who builds an epic storyline of war, loss and heroism - with big robots that change into things and battle each other set to a sometimes unintentionally hilarious 'rock' soundtrack - based on the cartoons and comics that preceded it.

Firepower

Slightly hampered in storyline terms by the dependence on the 'big robots' having to battle each other endlessly nevertheless the plot does pull some character development together amongst all the clashing primary colours, impossible combat sequences and enormous firepower on screen. Having said that some genuine emotion is worked up at the sight of the dying Optimus Prime in the early part of the film - and the subsequent transfer of the 'matrix' from his chest is strangely moving as a new Autobot takes on the mantle of command for the war against the Decepticons. There's also a good deal of humour from the 'Dinobots' - dim-witted and slow moving Transformers on the side of the Autobots who take the form of various dinosaurs.

With an animation style that compares favourably with roughly contemporary classics of 'Saturday morning' cartoon series - Battle of The Planets/Kagaku Ninja Tai Gatchaman (1978), or the Franco-Japanese epic Ulysses 31 (1981) this is a colourful, often funny mini epic that will appeal to anyone who's nostalgic for the toys and shows of their childhood, as well as to younger viewers who may not have entered the world of The Transformers yet - but soon will once the summer blockbuster movie come out!

With its focus on giant monster robots knocking seven bells out of each other (which, to be fair, is the point of The Transformers, so there's no real room to complain about that!) the only thing the film really misses is a little more character interaction with humans. The only 'people' who do appear really only serve to throw the lack of more into sharper relief - and there's no time wasted in putting them into 'robot suits' so they can take part in the mechanised and transforming battles, rather than focus on just how vulnerable they are amongst such clashing titans! It will be interesting to see how the new film - with its storyline seemingly transplanted to contemporary Earth and featuring the human military facing down against the enormous robots.

DVD Extras

The film is rated PG and is available as a single disc 'Vanilla Edition' and an 'Ultimate Edition' double-disc DVD, with the following extras:

Commentary with Transformers expert Chris McFeely

Alternate US/UK version footage

US theatrical trailer

Japanese trailer

US TV spots

Final title check test

Cinex check - colour and exposure check

Character biographies

New Transformers - The Movie trailer

Exclusive interview with Flint Dille (Story Consultant)

The voice of Optimus Prime, Peter Cullen Q&A

Exclusive Japanese Scramble City episode

Deleted and alternate scenes

Paramount's Transformers live action movie trailer

Animated storyboard

DVD Rom Material: Original movie script and 5.1 audio breakdown

Exclusive booklet written by Transformers expert Chris McFeely

Transformers Brand

The Transformers brand has been one of the best-selling boys' action brands in a wide-range of categories, from toys to publishing to apparel, since its launch as a global property in 1984. To tie-in with the release of the new live action film Activision are also planning the release of a game based on The Transformers storyline for DS, PC, PS2, PS3, PSP, Wii and X360 later this summer, so it looks likely that the brand will continue to grow.

For more information check out: www.transformersdvd.com and those interested in learning more about the toy line - old and new - might like: www.transformersclub.com which features a great many collectables from the early cartoon series to the present day.

Transformers - The Movie is out now on DVD, RRP: £22.99. The first few thousand customers can grab themselves a copy in a special limited edition metal box! Transformers - the new feature - is in cinemas everywhere from 27 July.

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More information available in DVD / Home Video