"Transformers" (1984) TV series 1984-1987

User Rating:

8.3/10   

Director:

Peter Wallach

Writer:

Roger Slifer (live-action sequences)

Seasons:

1 | 2 | 3 | 4

Release Date:

17 September 1984 (USA)

Genre:

Animation | Action | Adventure | Family | Fantasy | Sci-Fi | Thriller

Tagline:

More than meets the eye!

Plot:

Two opposing camps of alien transforming robots fight in a war that has the fate of Earth in the balance.

Plot Keywords:

Battle | Alien | Robot | Alien Technology | Space Bridge

Cast

Frank Welker	...	Megatron / ... (44 episodes, 1984-1987)
Peter Cullen	...	Optimus Prime / ... (42 episodes, 1984-1987)
Chris Latta	...	Starscream / ... (42 episodes, 1984-1987)
John Stephenson	...	Thundercracker / ... (38 episodes, 1984-1987)
Corey Burton	...	Spike Witwicky / ... (37 episodes, 1984-1987)
Dan Gilvezan	...	Bumblebee / ... (36 episodes, 1984-1987)
Casey Kasem	...	Cliffjumper / ... (36 episodes, 1984-1986)
Michael Bell	...	Prowl / ... (34 episodes, 1984-1987)
Don Messick	...	Ratchet / ... (34 episodes, 1984-1986)
Scatman Crothers	...	Jazz (27 episodes, 1984-1985)
Ken Sansom	...	Hound / ... (26 episodes, 1984-1985)
Gregg Berger	...	Grimlock / ... (22 episodes, 1984-1986)
Neil Ross	...	Slag / ... (18 episodes, 1984-1986)

Also Known As:

"Super God Robot Force"
"Tatakae! Chô robot seimeitai Transformer" (Japan)
"The Transformers" (USA) (new title)
"Transformer 2010" (Japan) (third season title)
"Transformers: Generation 1" (USA) (informal title)

Runtime:

Argentina:30 min | USA:30 min (98 episodes)

Country:

USA | Japan

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

UK:U (video rating) | Singapore:G | Canada:G (TV rating) | Argentina:Atp | Australia:PG (DVD rating) | USA:TV-Y7 | Australia:G (some episodes)

Company:

Sunbow Productions

Trivia:

In season one Frank Welker voiced 7 of the 13 original Decepticons. He provided the voices of Megatron, Soundwave, Skywarp, Rumble, Frenzy, Laserbeak (screeches), and Ravage (growls). The exceptions were Starcream (Chris Latta), Thundercracker (John Stephenson), Shockwave (Corey Burton), and Reflector (three identical robots with Chris Latta's voice).

Goofs:

Revealing mistakes: Animation errors can be found in each and every episode, and some of these are quite noticeable. Characters are colored differently from shot to shot at times, robots that should be dead appear randomly, and sometimes, you can see the same character twice in the same shot. Another issue is the misplacing of animation cels, which resulted in characters appearing to be small/gigantic, and in some instances, full limbs and other body parts are missing.

Quotes:

Megatron: Can't Thrust carry out a simple mission?
Starscream: I think the answer is obvious.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Undergrads: Traditions (#1.2)" (2001)

"Autobots, transform and roll out!"

Ah, what a gem this was and still is! Sixteen years later, this series still has not lost its sparkle. This is due to the obvious care that was put into this production. Kudos to the animators for successfully animating a slew of WAY cool transforming robots (which, I am sure, is not very easy to do). Kudos to one of the best voice casts ever assembled for a production for bringing the characters wonderfully to life. (The cast list reads like a miniature "Who's Who" among voice artists.) Special thanks must go to Frank Welker, who brought Megatron (among other characters) wonderfully to life. And then, of course, there was the Autobot leader who became so beloved by kids everywhere that he rose to the status of genuine icon for many a child: OPTIMUS PRIME. Now, I liked "Beast Wars" and thought that Gary Chalk was good as Optimus Primal, but the one TRUE voice of the REAL Optimus Prime will ALWAYS belong to Peter Cullen. They could not have gotten (nor will ever get) a person so perfect for the role as him. He brought both gentle warmth and fearless commanding to Prime, and those traits are what made him last, in my opinion. Here's hoping the series will continue to do the same.