Date: March 14th, 2004
Source: IESB
Posted by: Austin Welch
It's Over, Prime - A Review Of Transformers Season 3 Pt. 2/Season 4
How ironic is this? The last time I reviewed a Transformers DVD set, I had the flu, and here I am to review the final set of the original G1 show, and I'm sick again. What gives? Anyhoo, as I labor to come up with some new comments on this set, I find myself wanting to repeat many things I'd said in my last review. So I'll invite you to check out that review by clicking here (or to refresh your memory if you've read it before), and I will build on that with the following new comments.
So this is the end. The last hurrah. What a way to go! The goofy episodes ('The Face Of The Nijika', 'The Dweller In The Depths', 'Nightmare Planet') are actually in the minority here, and most qualify as a boon to the overall mythos. In this set, Rodimus Prime really struggles with the mantle of leadership in the wake of adopting Optimus Prime's former gig. The character development is above reproach. Likewise, significant things happen to Grimlock, as he is made a temporary genius in 'Grimlock's New Brain', and leads a contingent of both 'Bot and 'Con beast-mode Transformers against Primacron in 'Call Of The Primitives'. Quite possibly one of the best Transformers episodes ever, this mere 22-minute epic features some of the best animation to ever grace the show, as well as a goose-bump-inducing storyline that links with the origin of the Chaos-Bringer himself: Unicron! The history and intentions of the Quintessons are also further explored in several episodes, lending the mythos even more depth. And just as Rodimus seems to finally accept his role as saviour of the Autobots, events are set in motion that bring about the return of his predecessor, as Optimus Prime is revived in the two-part closer 'The Return Of Optimus Prime' - the result of a massive letter-writing campaign by the show's fans, and the failing show's attempt to boost ratings. Many people credit the end of the series with the controversy raised by the episode, as Christian groups targeted the show for heresy because of the Jesus-like resurrection of Prime. While this actually happened, it was because of the show's dwindling ratings and lackluster sales of the toys that Hasbro pulled the plug.
They ponied up just enough dough to fund one last micro-season, the three-part episode 'The Rebirth'. Originally meant to be a five-parter, the budget was lowered after production began. This can help to eplain the rather haphazard nature of the production, as dozens of new toys - Hasbro's 1987 Transformers line - was introduced at a dizzying pace throughout the 60 or so minutes. Still, it's an interesting story, with a captivating theme: the Transformers team up with the humanoid Nebulans, a green-skinned race from the planet Nebulos, to evolve tot he next level of symbiosis (get out yer dictionaries!). As such, the Headmasters and Targetmasters are created, which is a concept that Hasbro came up when faced with the possibility that human kids had a hard time relating to robots. And with that, the Transformers takes its final bow.
The bonus features on this set are cool, if quite limited. 'The Rebirth' is presented in an edited, mini-movie form, without the repeated opening and ending credits and commercial bumpers. It has been previously released on video in this form, so it involved almost no effort on the production company's part. Secondly, there's a twenty-or-so minute interview with writer David Wise. I have to admit that he's probaby my favorite Transformers TV show scribe, as he seems to have written most of the better episodes ('War Dawn', anyone?). He speaks primarily on 'The Rebirth', and why it went from five to three episodes, and his frustrations with the situation, but he also comments on some of his older scripts, as well as writing for Optimus Prime - the archtypical hero character. The three-disc box is presented the same way as all previous sets, complete with two cel reproductions, and retails for about $40. As Prime once said, "...transform, and roll out...perhaps for the last time."Hungry for more Transformers info?
Check out the latest rumors regarding the live action film in production.
Click here for info on BotCon, the Transformers convention this June in Pasadena, CA.
Click here for info on the Official Transformers Collector's Convention this July in Chicago.
Lastly, Transformers: Beast Wars: Season 2 is due to be released March 23rd.
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