This is going to be a short review, primarily because there is virtually no difference between the HD DVD release of Transformers, which I reviewed back in October 2007, and this Blu-ray release. All of the special features are the same. Both come with two discs in which the feature itself and the special features are offered in HD. Both offer online connectivity (however the BD-Live feature doesn’t seem to be activated yet so I wasn’t able to connect) and in such they offer the same downloadable features. I even played both the HD DVD and Blu-ray versions at the same time and visually I saw no difference except to say maybe the HD DVD version was a little darker. The only noticeable difference was the audio on the Blu-ray version is much better as it offers Dolby TrueHD, which was much clearer than the Dolby Digital Plus available on the HD DVD, but as far as differences go that is it.
Back in October 2007 was just beyond the time Paramount had declared itself an HD DVD only studio, pissing off fans and Michael Bay alike. The move was expected to help bolster HD DVD’s profile, but the fact that PlayStation 3 owners seemed to be driving the high-definition market and a growing realization that Blu-ray would soon win out in the format war, the decision to release Transformers on HD DVD only had very little effect on the market and now those that complained they couldn’t get the battle between Autobots and Decepticons in high-definition before don’t have to wait any longer. However, those that did purchase the HD DVD version must now ask themselves if it is worth buying the new version.
One thing Paramount is doing is offering folks that have bought standard DVD versions who wish to upgrade to Blu-ray titles a $10 credit, but I am not sure if that will also work for those that purchased HD DVD titles. From what I can tell those that bought HD DVD versions will get no credit, but don’t quote me on that. So, if you have the DVD version and want to go Blu there will be a coupon with information on how to redeem the $10 mail-in credit inside your Blu-ray version of titles such as Transformers and the forthcoming Sweeney Todd and Godfather collections.
For those that own the 2-Disc DVD edition you can look forward to a few additional features that come with the BD-Live online capabilities as well as a simple little “Transformers: Tech Inspector” feature on the second disc that is hardly worth my time to type it out. However, I do recommend you check out the “Intelligence Mode” feature as soon as you get your Blu-ray and before you even watch it for the first time in high-definition. This is a feature that runs while the movie is playing and operates very much like a videogame with power bars for all 13 of the robots in the film. It will change as the characters transform and as they do battle the power bars will decrease based on damage taken. It is far cooler than I ever would have expected and is definitely something fans of the flick should enjoy.
Personally I tried watching this movie again and I just couldn’t get through it all. While reviewing the DVD and HD DVD last year I watched it about seven times or so and as it stands now I think I need about a two year break from this film or I at least need to wait until June 2009 and watch it again as a refresher before seeing Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen. The film is a bit too long and a little too corny for me to really get all that excited about. If I was around 10-14 years old I think I would be watching it every day, but as it stands I don’t think I ever would have even bought the DVD.
Featured below is a preview of the Blu-ray features including the online BD-Live connectivity features.
