Rating summary

Movie		3.5
Video		4.5
Audio		4.5
Extras		1.5
Overall		4.0

Transformers Prime Beast Hunters: Predacons Rising Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Jeffrey Kauffman September 28, 2013

Any parent who has dealt with a kid transfixed by a certain multimedia franchise will know that it’s hard to keep a good Transformer down. While older kids and adults have been flocking to such live action fare as Transformers, Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen and Transformers: Dark of the Moon, younger kids (and, frankly, those same older kids and adults) have been able to get another dose of the Transformers universe through the Transformers: Prime animated series, which as of the writing of this review has had the following releases on Blu-ray: Transformers Prime: Season One and Transformers Prime: Season Two, with Transformers Prime: Season Three slated for a December 2013 release. In the meantime, this new Blu-ray, being touted as a feature film, but really clocking in at around the length of two or three episodes, can sustain fans’ interest in the world of Megatron, Optimus Prime, and all those other Transformers who can morph at a moment’s notice into various shapes and sizes.

This entry bears the rather cumbersome title Transformers Prime Beast Hunters Predacons Rising, but for those who have followed the three seasons of Transformers Prime, this supposed wrap up (with just the hint of an opening for a new series, as if that comes as any huge surprise) should prove generally satisfying. While the gigantic battles that filled Prime may be more or less over, there are still lingering conflicts, and Megatron becomes an unwilling pawn in a power struggle. Meanwhile, attempts to revitalize Cybertron rest upon a valiant quest on the part of Optimus Prime. One interesting aspect to this outing is the unlikely alliances that form, in a kind of Transformers version of “the enemy of my enemy is my friend”. Fans of the series may not be completely assuaged by this supposed “last” offering in the Transformers Prime universe, but for those lamenting the demise of the television series, it should come as at least a bit of a consolation prize until the next Transformers entry springs up to take its place.

Transformers Prime Beast Hunters: Predacons Rising Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Transformers Prime Beast Hunters Predacons Rising is presented on Blu-ray courtesy of Shout! Factory with an AVC encoded 1080p transfer in 1.78:1. This outing continues the series' generally very strong video presentation, with CGI elements looking spectacularly sleek and well defined. Colors are bold and beautifully varied, and the landscapes of Cybertron are very well rendered, creating a nicely immersive visual experience.

Transformers Prime Beast Hunters: Predacons Rising Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

Transformers Prime Beast Hunters Predacons Rising's lossless DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 mix is bombastic and boisterous, providing loads of LFE and discrete channelization, with a wealth of nice sound effects being placed smartly around the surrounds. Dialogue is clearly and cleanly presented, and this track boasts both excellent fidelity and extremely wide dynamic range.

Transformers Prime Beast Hunters: Predacons Rising Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• A Look at Polygon Pictures (1080p; 10:24) is a rather interesting little piece that looks at the unusually collaborative enterprise entered into between the United States based production team and the Japanese house hired to actually animate the film.

Transformers Prime Beast Hunters: Predacons Rising Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

There's no question that this is a fan-centric release which will cater almost exclusively to Transformers Prime fans, especially those who are crestfallen that the series has come to an end. While this isn't the slam bang finale that some might be hoping for, it sustains interest and has some nice developments that should entice aficionados of this franchise. The Blu-ray offers great looking video and equally great sounding audio, and the supplement, while relatively brief, is actually unusually interesting. For Transformers Prime fans if for no one else, this release comes Recommended.