The Transformers: The Movie 4K Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		3.5
Video		4.5
Audio		4.0
Extras		3.5
Overall		4.0

The Transformers: The Movie 4K Blu-ray Movie Review

Shout Factory has released the beloved cult classic 1986 animated film 'The Transformers: The Movie' to the UHD format. New specifications include 2160p/Dolby Vision video. The UHD is presented in the 1.85:1 widescreen format. The studio has repurposed the existing 5.1 lossless soundtrack; there is no new Atmos or DTS:X audio track. A few new extras are included as are many of the legacy extras from the 2016 Blu-ray. Note that several of that disc's extras have not been ported over. This set also features a remastered Blu-ray presented exclusively in the 4x3 aspect ratio.

The Transformers: The Movie 4K Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The included screenshots are sourced form the 4x3 remastered Blu-ray included in this set; they do not represent the UHD's 1.78:1 aspect ratio.

For as good as The Transformers: The Movie looks on the UHD format, the studio is sure to incur some fan wrath for its decision to present the film in 2160p/Dolby Vision only in the widescreen 1.85:1 aspect ratio. The studio has included a remastered Blu-ray only in the 1.33:1 4x3 ratio. Both are included, in one form or another, and both look terrific, but it's a decision that won't sit well with all audiences.

The big transformation here, so to speak, comes by way of the Dolby Vision colors, apparent comparing the UHD to either the old or the new Blu-ray presentations, but it's particularly obvious when looking at the old one (also affording an opportunity to compare the film in the same aspect ratio). The add to dynamic punch, vividness, contrast, and overall color depth and accuracy are absolutely striking. Look at a broad shot at the 19:36 mark, an overhead as Optimus Prime enters Autobot City. There's orange structures and fires, a gray roadway, blue water, and green grass. The newfound brilliance is jaw-dropping. Explore a Starscream close-up at the 22:49 mark. The adds to red intensity, the yellow cockpit, and the general boost to brightness bring to the shot a brand new level of visual excellence. These are jut two examples in a movie filled with almost unimaginable colors boosts that don't alter the movie's core color grading but rather amplify the depth and brilliance to an extent that redefines "breathing new life" into a transfer. Fans are going to be thrilled to death with the way this one looks.

Clarity and textural gains are in evidence as well, though the yield is nowhere near so dramatic as the Dolby Vision color grading. Viewers will appreciate a more refined and slightly more aggressive grain structure, crisper lines, sharper core elements concerning both moving foreground character models and static background pieces. The picture does retain a fair bit of inherent wear and tear, however, so the image is not perfect, per se. But overall the UHD absolutely redefines the home viewing experience in what is now, easily, the definitive version of the film, albeit one not available in the 4x3 aspect ratio; a choice between the two, all else being equal, would have certainly sweetened the pot.

Note that the included Blu-ray also features a remastered 1080p transfer, obviously sourced from the same 4K master used for the UHD. It offers brighter, bolder colors compared to the old Blu-ray. The grain structure appears more balanced and accurate and textures a tad sharper, too. It is also only presented in 4x3 aspect ratio. There is no Blu-ray only release for this remastered disc; at time of writing it is only included in this set.

The Transformers: The Movie 4K Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

For this UHD (and the remastered Blu-ray), Shout Factory includes the existing DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 lossless soundtrack. For a full review, please click here.

The Transformers: The Movie 4K Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

While there are no extras on the UHD disc beyond the legacy commentary track, the Blu-ray includes many of the supplements from the 2016 release while also adding a few; note that several have been removed, including "Transformers: The Restoration," "Rolling Out the New Cover," "The Cast and Characters," and "Animated Storyboards." Fans wanting the full supplemental suite will have to sit on both discs. New suppleemnts are marked as such, and reviewed. For coverage of the legacy content, please click here.

• Audio Commentary: Available on both the UHD and Blu-ray discs.
• 'Til All Are One: Retrospective Documentary
• NEW! 2016 Stan Bush Acoustic Performance (1080p, 9:46): "The Touch" performed acoustically following Bush breaking down the song and its place in the film.
• The Death of Optimus Prime
• Transformers Q & A
• NEW! Feature-Length Storyboards (1080p, 1:19:45): The story presented in still storyboards, set to sounds from the film.
• NEW! Deleted Scenes (1080p, 11:32 total runtime): Hand-drawn storyboards sandwiched in between the corresponding finished scenes from the film where they would have fit.
• Original Theatrical Trailers
• TV Spots
• NEW! Brand-New Cover Art Gallery by Matt Ferguson (1080p, 2:06): Auto-advancing hand drawn artwork from the movie.

The Transformers: The Movie 4K Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

What a nostalgic trip, and what a spiffy new UHD presentation! Shout has done wonders with the UHD, particularly with the aggressive, yet still very faithful, Dolby Vision color grading. Textural gains and the superior cinematic fit and finish are welcome adds, too. It's a shame that viewers cannot choose both the 1.85:1 and 1.33:1 aspect ratios for the UHD, though. Along with a fine 5.1 lossless soundtrack and a blend of new and existing extras, this is a must-own for any film fan. Very highly recommended. Note that the SteelBook has been released ahead of this standard packaging release.