Transformers: Season One is full of happy nostalgia and the realization that some things aren't as good as I remember them. Outside of Beast Wars, I've watched and reviewed every Transformer series to hit DVD and every time I lament that it isn't Generation One. Now that I have Generation One episodes in my collection, I appreciate the memories but have rethought some of my criticisms towards the newer series.
The first season introduces the Transformers and their civil war on the planet Cybertron. After depleting the planet of resources, the Autobots leave their home planet in search of new resources. The Decepticons get wind of the plan and ambush the Autbots in space, resulting in both factions crashing on the planet Earth. Four million years later, the Autobots and Decepticons awake from stasis and continue their war in an attempt to claim Earth's energy.
The coolest part of having the first season on DVD is that I finally have a chance to see the series in order. I remember all of the episodes in the collection, but aside from the multi-part episodes, I never knew the exact order. The first season starts with the original pilot movie, "More than Meets the Eye" and continues until the introduction of the Constructions. The season sees the introduction of classic Generation One characters like Optimus Prime, Bumblebee, Megatron and Starscream, but also introduces the Dinobots, Insecticons and Jetfire, characters I assumed came along in the second season, right before the animated movie.
Episodes are mixed. The ones I remember enjoyable as a kid are still good and the ones I zoned out on were still worth zoning out on. Most episodes are one-and-done procedurals where the good guys always manage to win in the end, but there are quite a few multi-part episodes. These are the better episodes in the bunch; you get more of a complete story and battles are longer than a punch or two. One handy feature is the ability to watch these episodes as one connected episode rather than two or three separate episodes. I only wish there was an option to drop the commercial bookends. Seeing Jazz roll up and transform with the familiar, "We now return..." message gave me all sorts of warm fuzzies the first time I saw it, but it got old by the end of the fourth episode.
The 25th Anniversary Edition comes with a few extras over the original series release a few years ago. Episodes are restored to their original broadcast quality and the sound features a new Dolby Digital 2.0 remix. This is easily the best version of the series currently available. Another great bonus is "Triple Changer," a retrospective look at the origins of the Transformers from toy line to television series.
If a season's worth of episodes isn't enough nostalgia for fans, the set also includes a rarely seen Public Service Announcement (Bumblebee was the reason I never ran away from home when I was 8) and a set of commercials for the toys.
It may diminish some of your fonder childhood memories about the Generation One line, but The Transformers: The Complete First Season 25th Anniversary Edition is a great pickup for nostalgic fans.
