Possibly the best “Transformers†animated series yet! “Transformers: Prime” features awesome CG animation, an exciting, action-packed storyline, great voice acting and a wonderful series for the next generation of “Transformers” fans. But most importantly, this is a series that can be enjoyed by both young and old. Recommended!
BLU-RAY TITLE: Transformers Prime: Beast Hunters – Dawn of the Beast
TV RELEASE DATE: 2013
DURATION: 88 Minutes
BLU-RAY INFORMATION: 1080p Anamorphic 1:78:1, English 5.1/2.0,
COMPANY: Shout! Factory
RATED: TY Y7
DVD RELEASE DATE: October 8, 2013
Directed by David Hartman, Todd Waterman, Vinton Heuck, Shaunt Nigoghossian, Scooter Tidwell
Written by Steven Melchin, Marsha F. Griffin,Duane Capizzi and Mairghread Scott
Producer: Mandy Safavi, Rafael Ruthchild, Steven Puri
Executive Producer: Stephen Davis, Jeff Kline, Alex Kurtzman, Roberto Orci, Stephen Davis
Co-Executive Producer: Duane Capizzi
Music by Brian Tyler, Matthew Margeson
Edited by Michael William Miles
Casting by Lorena Gallego
Art Direction by David Hartman
Featuring the Voices of:
Sumalee Montano as Arcee
Kevin Michael Richardson as Bulkhead
Peter Cullen as Optimus Prime
Frank Welker as Megatron
Jeffrey Combs as Ratchet
Tania Gunadi as Miko Nakadai
Josh Keaton as Jack Darby
Andy Pessoa as Rafael “Raf†Esquivel
Steve Blum as Starscream
Ernie Hudson as Agent William Fowler
Markie Post as June Darby
James Horan as Wheeljack
David Sobolov as Shockwave
A resurrected UNICRON has taken over the now-lifeless body of MEGATRON to seek vengeance on the AUTOBOTS and ultimately, the destruction of Cybertron. This formidable enemy forces an unlikely alliance between the AUTOBOTS, DECEPTICONS, PREDAKING and two new PREDACONS, who come together in an epic battle to help protect their newly restored planet.
Optimus Prime has been the leader of the Autobots and he has led them well in trying to protect humanity from the Decepticons. But now, after their base is destroyed, Optimus Prime is badly damaged and near death, meanwhile Shockwave has made his return from Cybertron and introduces a new threat to the Autobots, Predaking, a reptilian creature created to hunt down the Autobots.
With no leader, the high-ranking Autobot general known as Ultra Magnus has arrived on Earth in hopes to revive the scattered members of Team Prime!
Find out if the Autobots can survive against the Decepticons in “Transformers Prime: Beast Hunters – Dawn of the Beast”!
What is “Transformers: Prime“?
“Transformersâ€, the popular entertainment franchise that many generations have grown up with, may it be playing with the toys or watching the animated series back in 1984, playing the video games or reading the comic books.
Needless to say, since the early ’80s, millions have experienced “Transformersâ€, especially in recent years with the release of film trilogy or the animated series which continues to air on television and of course, the many toys that continue to be popular with collectors and also children.
But within the last three years, fans have watched the animated series known as “Transformers Animated†becoming the latest “Transformers†animated series to be showcased on television beginning in 2007 and would last for three seasons through 2009.
Fans knew that there will be a newer version of the series coming out, but the question is what kind of series?
In 2010, the video game “Transformers: War of Cybertron†was released and was a well-received by gamers but also video game critics and it was revealed that the upcoming animated series would be set in the same universe as the video game.
And then by November 2010, Hasbro unveiled “Transformers: Primeâ€, a CG animated television series which would air on The Hub and would first begin with a five-episode mini-series. And with one season having now been completed in 2011, a second season is set to air in 2012.
And it’s this latest series that has been creating a lot of buzz among fans and viewers. With the CG animation and slightly darker storyline, the series would go on to win a Daytime Emmy Award for “Outstanding Individual Achievement in Animation†for background design and color design.
With two seasons having aired on television, in 2013, the third season known as “Beast Hunters” began airing on television.
Featuring the first four episodes of season three (episodes 53-56), the Autobots and the humans have gone into hiding after their base is destroyed. As the Decepticons plan to hunt down the Autobots, Smokescreen manages to find Optimus Prime who is near death.
As the Autobots regroup and know they will need new leadership if Optimus Prime has died, they receive help from the Autobot general Ultra Magnus, while for the Decepticons welcome Shockwave who has come back to join the Decepticons and introduce his latest creation, Predaking.
As the Autobots led by Ultra Magnus try to find the scattered members of Team Prime, will the Autobots survive the Decepticon hunt for the Autobots?
VIDEO
“Transformers Prime: Beast Hunters – Dawn of the Beast” is presented in 1:78:1. The CG animation for this film is absolutely wonderful as we can see details on the metal of various robots. While obviously, the Blu-ray edition shows much more detail and better colors, the CG for mountainous terrain, buildings, sunlight, overall surroundings are just incredible for a television animated series. For one, Polygon in Japan really did a fantastic job with the CG animation but most importantly, as the series progresses, not only does the series get better but there is also an improvement with the overall CG.
From Optimus Prime’s glass windows on his chest showcasing reflections to Megatron’s steel body and also the damage on the overall body of Cliffjumper (and even Optimus Prime during the virus episode), I was quite pleased with how this series looks on DVD.
“Transformers Prime: Beast Hunters – Dawn of the Beast” is presented in Dolby Digital 5.1. For a series with this much action, I admit that I, personally was hoping to hear a more immersive soundtrack. But while there are some ambience that can be heard through the surround channels, and some booms that can be heard at times, it’s not as powerful or as immersive as I was hoping for it to be. The voice acting is terrific and the fact that voice talent Peter Cullen (Optimus Prime) and Frank Welker (Megatron) of the original “Transformers†animated series are back for this series…Fantastic!
SPECIAL FEATURES:
“Transformers: Prime – Beast Hunters – Dawn of the Beast” comes with the following special features:
- DARKMOUNT, NEVADA Audio Commentary – Audio commentary by producer Jeff Kline and writing staff Duane Capizzi, Jeff Kline and Mairghread Scott.
- SCATTERED Audio Commentary – Audio commentary by producer Jeff Kline and writing staff Duane Capizzi, Jeff Kline and Mairghread Scott.
- PREY Audio Commentary – Audio commentary by producer Jeff Kline and writing staff Duane Capizzi, Jeff Kline and Mairghread Scott.
- REBELLION Audio Commentary – Audio commentary by producer Jeff Kline and writing staff Duane Capizzi, Jeff Kline and Mairghread Scott.
EXTRAS:
“Transformers: Prime – Beast Hunters – Dawn of the Beast” comes with a slipcover.
For any longtime “Transformers” fan, whenever there is a storyline of a possible demise of Optimus Prime, it’s a hard pill to swallow.
For those of us who experienced his loss through the animated film but to see his comeback in the TV series, Hasbro teeters with Optimus Prime and death once again in “Transformers Prime: Beast Hunters”. Similar to the animated film, Ultra Magnus makes an appearance and for the Decepticons, Shockwave makes his entrance bringing back a new creation known as the Predaking which was created to hunt down Autobots.
While there is no Rodimus Prime, I found it interesting to see Wheeljack put in a position to be the Autobot to help Optimus Prime in his time of need. Always known to be a speedster, to tell you the truth, I’ve never seen the character of Wheeljack play such an important role until “Transformers Prime: Beast Hunters”.
While the storylines of “Transformers†tends to change from series to series, the storyline of a battle between Autobots and the Decepticons still remains. Especially between Optimus Prime vs. Megatron. And as a father who has a child who is just as passionate as I was growing up with the series, I have to say that for me, “Transformers: Prime” is wonderful series.
By saying that, of course, G1 will always be true to my heart because I loved the amount of characters (especially the amount of toys produced) and several years ago, I gushed about how much I loved “Transformers: Cybertron” because of how many characters were integrated.
But with “Transformers Prime”, part of its efficacy is due to its slightly darker storyline.  Nothing comes easy in war between the Autobots and Decepticons and both have endured major losses.
And with the beginning of season three, these four episodes comprise an ongoing storyline between good vs. evil and if the Autobots and their human friends can protect themselves and beat the Decepticons, knowing that they are the hunted.
There is strong sense of quality with the writing for this series and by listening to the audio commentary for each episode, I was amazed. For one, a lot of the people involved in the making of this series, grew up with “Transformers” and they appreciate and respect the series. They also mention how fans have had some impact as well, so that is great that they do listen to their fans.
As for parents who are wondering, “how old should my child be to watch this series?”. Personally, I would say that as long as they older children, 7 or older at least. Especially for the fact that your child may be freaked out if they see Optimus Prime in such bad shape and to see him literally dying. So parents, should be aware of that.
As for the DVD, the CG animation for this series is great! Typically, there are a lot of shortcuts taken on TV series but the creators of the series definitely made sure there was a lot of detail on both the Autobots and Decepticons but also various objects and environments. So, animation for “Transformers: Prime†was much more than I expected for an animated series but I admit, it is the most ambitious “Transformers” animated series yet but the crew managed to pull it off with great efficacy.
And as for the voice acting, the voice acting is wonderful! I was surprised was how many big names they brought in to do voices for the characters. Legendary Optimus Prime voice actor Peter Cullen and legendary Megatron voice actor Frank Welker (“G.I. Joeâ€, “Spider-Man and his Amazing Friendsâ€) are back. They are joined by Dwayne “The Rock†Johnson (of WWE fame and “Fast Fiveâ€) as Cliffjumper, Steve Blum (Logan/Wolverine for “X-Menâ€) as Starscream and Ernie Hudson (“Ozâ€, “Ghostbustersâ€) as Agent Fowler. But for any longtime “Transformers†fan, the fact that Cullen and Welker are back to do the voices for Optimus and Megatron is fantastic!
Also, a major plus is that all four episodes come with audio commentary.
Overall, as a longtime “Transformers” fan, and as a fan who has appreciated every series, “Transformers Prime: Beast Hunters – Dawn of the Beast” is an enjoyable, beautiful and well-acted series. While I know there are fans who have their preference of which season is their best “Transformers” series, as a fan and a father, I felt that the creators of this series did a fantastic job in creating a series that will appeal to the new generation of “Transformers” fans but also many of us who older but are still young at heart.
“Transformers Prime: Beast Hunters – Dawn of the Beast” is recommended!
