A learned film critic once pointed out that the ‘Transformers: Dark Side of the Moon’ might have been a better title. However, it would have led people to compare it (unfavourably) with the Pink Floyd album. The critic went on to complain about the lack of characterisation, ideas and interest. As true Transformers fans, many of us recognise these flaws in almost all the work of Michael Bay (The Rock aside).

However, we should pause for a moment. The film has been nominated for three Academy Awards, albeit in technical categories. It could win an Oscar for Best Sound Editing, Best Sound Mixing and Best Visual Effects. Nobody can plausibly say such a result is undeserved. When it comes to the box office, us critics have to shut up. Box Office Mojo has confirmed that the movie was responsible for the largest part of Paramount’s $1.96 billion takings last year.

It is easy to be snobby about a somewhat unimaginative action movie. It is simple to underline some of the things which the long film lacked. Nevertheless, we couldn’t make a film which would take more than $1.1 billion at the box office. They don’t make many statues for critics, or fans, sadly.

Pricing is variable, but the prices excluding accommodation superficially appear reasonable. A one day ticket can be purchased for just $12. While a ticket for four days costs $68, this is a special offer that involves a different set of stuff. There was a conference in Shanghai two years ago, but for fans based in or visiting the region the event appears to be an interesting opportunity.

The event will be graced by a very, very tall statue of Optimus Prime, but many fans will also be pleased by some of the guests. Hideaki Yoke of Takara Tomy is going to be in attendance and, for those appreciative of the toys, the presence of the designer will be just brilliant. For some of them it will be much more exciting than a meeting with Michael Bay (well, we at TheTransformers.Net have already met Michael Bay).

Singapore is a great place for British people to visit. If they book flights, accommodation and tickets quickly they might be able to attend the conference. However, we do have our own conventions in the UK too, including Auto Assembly in Birmingham this summer.

Collectors of all kinds of things enthuse about first editions. In their view, there is something special about owning the first edition of a book, a comic or whatever it may be. However, they generally pay a hefty price for a product which might not be all that different from subsequent editions. As Transformers fans, some of us find the idea of a first edition toy exciting – which is why we look for first editions when we can.

Some in the Transformers fan base have responded to the news that there may be no further Transformer Prime First Edition products in a disappointed fashion. However, such a reaction may be premature. The official reply to a query from the Allspark did suggest that the decision could be reversed if it was apparent that consumer demand was there, which we believe it is

If the first edition toys were available on a significant scale at a price which was not prohibitive, it may be worth getting a bit excited. However, some collectors would prefer a more limited release because it would make the goods more valuable in the years to come. It may be the case that non-fans would buy some of the products with an eye to simply selling them on at a profit in due time.

While Transformers fans have mixed opinions in relation to the films, many of us don’t think potential admiration for them should be an obstacle to public office. Redford recently suggested that appreciating Transformers films rather than independent movies was indicative of stupidity. He then grudgingly allowed Romney to choose what he wanted to watch.

Transformers fans come from around the world and from all sides of the political spectrum. We don’t all enjoy the films because of their limited characterisation, among other shortcomings. Nonetheless, we do know that it is possible to enjoy a cultural mix. It is possible to enjoy an action movie in the afternoon and a classical concert at night. In other words, we are not snobbish by nature. Redford’s comments might suggest he is in danger of becoming a boring snob.

It’s commonplace among fans to flame each other on the Internet for liking the movies (particularly from the biggest detractors to the ‘Bayformers’) but to bring up a liking of Transformers in a political discussion? Come on Redford, they’re only movies. You sound more aggrieved than we do!

TRANSFORMERS PRIME:
THE COMPLETE FIRST SEASON
Featuring Over 10 Hours of Non-Stop Action, Special Bonus Content and More!

THE COLLECTIBLE 4-DVD SET & LIMITED EDITION 4-DISC BLU-RAY™ COLLECTION – PACKED WITH A 96-PAGE GRAPHIC NOVEL

OWN IT ON MARCH 6, 2012 FROM SHOUT! FACTORY

Prepare to experience the world of TRANSFORMERS PRIME like never before with perfect picture visuals and the purest digital sound available when the entire first season of the award-winning CGI animated series TRANSFORMERS PRIME arrives in stores everywhere in North America on March 6, 2012 in a deluxe 4-DVD set and a Limited Edition 4-Disc Blu-ray™ collection from Shout! Factory, in collaboration with Hasbro Studios.

Both the DVD and Blu-ray collections of TRANSFORMERS PRIME: THE COMPLETE FIRST SEASON boast all 26 action-packed episodes (including the 5-part miniseries Darkness Rising) and special bonus content. For a limited time only, TRANSFORMERS PRIME: THE COMPLETE FIRST SEASON Limited Edition 4-Disc Blu-ray contains a 96-page IDW graphic novel based on this hit series.

Delivering a new level of heavy metal action and family entertainment for all ages, the limited edition Blu-ray collection is priced to own at $64.99 SRP. The deluxe 4-DVD set is sold separately and has a suggested retail price of $ 29.93 SRP.

The TRANSFORMERS saga starts a new chapter as old foes return, legendary heroes rise, and new ones are found in unlikely places. The new EMMY Award winning series TRANSFORMERS PRIME, A Hasbro Studios production, currently airs on The HUB television network in the U.S. and Teletoons in Canada, deepens the epic mythology of both the AUTOBOTS and DECEPTICONS, while starting a new chapter for a new generation of fans.

In early 2011, loyal TRANSFORMERS fans, as well as families and kids, were introduced to this visually stunning five-part miniseries on The HUB. Optimus Prime, Bumblebee, Arcee, AUTOBOT Ratchet, Bulkhead, and many others are back to “roll out” against Megatron’s latest attempt to conquer Earth. And Megatron proves to be more powerful than ever, having acquired a rare element that allows him mastery over life itself. OPTIMUS PRIME and the AUTBOTS may be few against the Decepticon hordes, but they find increased strength through bonds forged with three human teenagers.

Season One of TRANSFORMERS PRIME boasts an all-star voice cast, including Peter Cullen, Frank Welker, Steve Blum, Jeffrey Combs, Adam Baldwin, Markie Post, Ernie Hudson, among other notables. TRANSFORMERS PRIME is produced by Hasbro Studios, with Alex Kurtzman, Roberto Orci and Jeff Kline serving as executive producers. Kurtzman and Orci served as writers for the feature films TRANSFORMERS and TRANSFORMERS: Revenge of the Fallen. 

TRANSFORMERS PRIME recently garnered two Emmy^® Awards for Outstanding Individual Achievement in Animation and six Emmy nominations.

TRANSFORMERS PRIME: THE COMPLETE FIRST SEASON

Bonus Content

• Original Making of Special
• 15 Audio Commentaries with the Creative Team and Voice Cast
• Toy Featurette
• Season Two Teaser Debuted at New York Comic-Con 2011

Technical Information

TRANSFORMERS PRIME: THE COMPLETE FIRST SEASON Blu-ray Collection
Limited Edition 4-Disc Blu-ray is packed with transformers prime graphic novel and bonus content
Street Date: March 6, 2012
Running Time: +/- 10 hours
Aspect Ratio: Anamorphic widescreen
Audio: English, Audio 5.1 Surround

TRANSFORMERS PRIME: THE COMPLETE FIRST SEASON DVD Set
4-DVD Set and bonus content
Street Date: March 6, 2012
Running Time: +/- 10 hours
Aspect Ratio: Anamorphic widescreen
Audio: English, Audio 5.1 Surround

The Cinema Audio Society has failed to acknowledge ‘Transformers: Dark of the Moon’ in the sound mixing category. The preceding movies in the franchise were recognised for their superb sound mixing. We do not believe there is much wrong with our ears and we were somewhat surprised to hear about the Cinema Audio Society’s choices. A critic went even further than us and maintained that they had been shocked by the omission of ‘Transformers: Dark of the Moon’ from the nomination list.

If ‘Transformers: Dark of the Moon’ was excluded from a list of nominations for psychological insight or plot, we would not be surprised. Had it been snubbed for character development, then fair enough. However, for it to be overlooked for its sound mixing is downright odd. Perhaps the Cinema Audio Society has been tempted by the notion of getting their choices talked about. Many judges in different fields have felt that making unusual selections for prizes attracts a higher degree of publicity for their big nights than they would otherwise receive.

It would be foolish to criticise expert opinion in too sweeping terms. Nonetheless, the makers of Transformers films deserve recognition for the things they do get right, just as they deserve the criticism for the many things they get wrong.

To be fair, the package does have to contain a lot of stuff. Admirers of the movies who make the purchase will not just get seven discs of the films and additional material, they will also obtain a plaque with Michael Bay’s signature on it. Now who doesn’t want that? OK, so it’s likely that ONLY Michael Bay would actually want to own this, but then he has been making the films for himself anyway, rather than for the fans.

The packaging may look a little on the absurd side, but some critics have made similar comments about the films themselves.

The Transformers films have always inspired a degree of controversy. Hence it is no real surprise to see a boxed set of them causing similar fuss. The big question is perhaps whether or not all publicity is good publicity.

As with any Transformers convention, early registration is a must if you are to participate properly in the event. For example, there is a music show on the Friday night, which those who have not registered prior to May 1st will be excluded from. Attendance on the Friday night is probably the best way of getting to know other people before the con starts in earnest.

A diverse range of activities should make the Transformers convention one to remember for fans. Autograph sessions will permit fans to meet stars, get quotes and find out the insider stories on the many series. Charity events will permit fundraising for a good cause too, as is the case with most Transformers conventions. The art competitions sound fun, for those with a penchant for art (and a hankering to become comic artists themselves). There may be some fans who find the whole thing a bit expensive, but it seems that most of those lucky enough to go for the three days are in for a good time.

For UK fans, don’t forget we have our own convention here in Blighty in Birmingham. Find out more about Auto Assembly here.

If you own a smartphone, the new opportunities may be just what you want. However, until more details of the games emerge it is hard to estimate how popular they will prove. Of course, the amount of advertising will have an impact on uptake. Nonetheless, it will ultimately be playability that decides what happens. If the games are good, their positive qualities will be mentioned via word-of-mouth and on relevant forums – and if they’re not so good, word will also spread.

It is possible to pre-register at this early date. However, it is best to think about whether or not the games and cartoons are likely to appeal to you first. When it comes to the games, combat with cards seems to be the general concept. The designers of the game believe that the high grade images will mean that we older fans are kept happy.

It is not clear how exciting the new games will prove. Nor is it obvious how loyal to the original characters the games will be. The games might do well even if old fans are somewhat disgruntled. However, it is good to know that Takara has been thinking about how to keep loyal fans as well as trying to reach out to new audiences.