TV Show Info:
Writers: Various
Directors: Various
Cast: David Kaye, Jeff Bennett, Bumper Robinson, Bill Fagerbakke, Tara Strong, Corey Burton, Tom Kenny
Rating: Not Rated
Studio: Hasbro

Release Info:
Original Air Dates: 2007-?
Season Air Dates: December 26, 2007-April 5, 2008
DVD Box Set Release Date: August 19, 2008
Online Availability: Amazon for $17.49
Episodes: Episodes #4-16 of Season One (January 2008-April 2008)

After watching the first three episodes of Transformers Animated in the first DVD release, Transformers Animated: Transform and Roll Out, I just had to review the 13 remaining episodes that are presented on the Transformers Animated: Season One DVD. That’s right folks. In order to own the entire first season of the show, you have to buy this 2-Disc set and the previous DVD release. It’s kind of shoddy of Hasbro to do it that way, but what can any of us do (save for give the DVD a negative review in this department and complaining real loud) to change this?

So, I’ve already mentioned a flaw with this DVD. Don’t be alarmed because there are plenty of good things about this series. Since I’ve already mentioned one of the bad parts I should also mention I’m not in love with the show’s portrayal of Optimus Prime. Originally, Optimus is a skilled leader and fearless protector of both Autobots and humans. In this incarnation, Prime has been changed to allow for a somewhat differing storyline from the original show. The only leading he has done has been when working construction and his inexperience shows in his actions. While this is a slightly interesting twist, it’s the only thing I truly disliked about this series.

That being said, the animation is excellent. I really like the updates and visual care taken with the newly designed Transformers. The storylines are tight and well written. The characters have more depth and more time is spent on each individual as opposed to talking about the Transformers as a collective whole. I also like the idea that the setting is Detroit (I’m from Michigan - so I have a soft spot for series set here). That’s a purely selfish thing on my part.

(more…)

If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!

TV Show Info:
Writers: Various
Directors: Various
Cast: Gary Chalk, Sarah Edmondson, Sam Vincent, Richard Newman, Kirby Morrow, Brian Dobson, Lisa Ann Beley, Michael Daingerfield, Scott McNeil, Brian Drummond, Paul Dobson, Richard Ian Cox
Rating: Not Rated
Studio: Hasbro

Release Info:
Original Air Dates: September 19, 2005-October 2, 2006
DVD Box Set Release Date: July 22, 2008
Online Availability: Amazon for $39.99
Episodes: 52 in total

On occasion, I’ll check out what other reviewers have said about the television shows that I’m reviewing, as well. Wanting to find out more about Transformers Cybertron, I googled the series name and came across an array of websites with information and reviews about the show. I was surprised to find that one reviewer had no idea the Transformers were popular. They’ve only have had countless series, a line of products including a successful toy line and more. Of course, they’re really not well known, unless you’ve been living under a rock for the past 20 years!

I have to admit I was somewhat apprehensive about watching Transformers Cybertron - The Ultimate Collection. This box set is filled with 52 episodes from the series. I’m not overly fond of the shows Cartoon Network comes up with and since Transformers Cybertron was on the network I wasn’t sure how fond of this series I would be. In the grand scheme of Transformers television series, Transformers Cybertron is ok. Neither exceptionally well done nor horribly terrible, this series falls somewhere in between; slightly better than those series of mediocrity yet less than the most dazzling of series, the original, of which I grew up watching.

Transformers Cybertron is the third in a series of Transformers series that originally aired in Japan. The other two series are Transformers Armada and Transformers Energon. I’ve been told (though I don’t speak Japanese and don’t know about the original show) that this is a fairly decent dub of the original Japanese show. It remains faithful to the storyline and the action of the original series. Either way, this is one show I enjoyed watching with my son. I knew he’d like the action and most kids who are into these kinds of shows should enjoy Transformers Cybertron, as well.

(more…)

If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!

Writers: John Esposito, Richard Elliott, Amy Wolfram, Simon Racioppa, Melody Fox, Rob Hoegee, George Perez, Bob Kane
Directors: Michael Chang, Ben Jones, Matt Youngberg
Cast: Hynden Walch, Scott Menville, Greg Cipes, Khary Payton, Tara Strong, Glenn Shadix, Ashley Johnson, Ron Perlman, Kevin Michael Richardson, Wil Wheaton
Rating: Not Rated
Studio: Warner Home Video
Release Date: July 8, 2008

Cartoon Network is nearly as bad as the primetime networks. Any time a show seems to be interesting it is canceled. Instead, other, less desirable cartoons are played over and over on the channel. My son won’t even watch the network anymore. I can’t say I necessarily blame him. I really liked Teen Titans. While it definitely had its corny moments, I’m not ashamed to say I could watch it with the kids or on my own. This show was funny, action-packed, and overall entertaining. By default, that meant Cartoon Network just had to cancel it.

I don’t know who is more disappointed at the somewhat abrupt ending with the unresolved Season Five episode, “Things Change”, the kids or me. I wanted to know what happened to Beast Boy, if Terra was back and what the heck that villain was made of that they couldn’t seem to defeat. I wanted to see the Teen Titans go out on a high note. By jove, I wanted to know what was in Robin’s suitcase! The finale didn’t give me any of that. I feel robbed and so do many other fans who didn’t want the series to end.

Release Information:
Made in part by Cartoon Network and Warner Bros. Animation, Teen Titans premiered on Cartoon Network on July 19, 2003. The show ran for five seasons before being canceled unexpectedly following the fifth season. The fifth season ran for 13 episodes from September 24, 2005 to January 16, 2006. The last show featured a rather open-ended sequence that left many fans disheartened by its lack of finality. The series also aired many of its episodes on Kids WB, which is when my son (and I) first started watching the show.

(more…)

If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!

Writers: Various
Directors: Various
Cast: David Kaye, Jeff Bennett, Bumper Robinson, Bill Fagerbakke, Tara Strong, Corey Burton, Tom Kenny
Rating: Not Rated
Studio: Hasbro
Release Date: June 17, 2008

I grew up watching the original Transformers television series. It was one of the shows I never missed. With the success of the live action Transformers movie it was only a matter of time before another Transformers cartoon was produced. This came in the form of the 2008 Cartoon Network television show, Transformers Animated. While the Transformers have been given a new, updated look they still retain enough for fans of the original series to feel nostalgic about it.

I have a 13 year old son, who is a fan of this series. This was one show that I could enjoy watching with him. While I think it is slightly shoddy of Hasbro and the distributors to release just the first three episodes of the series on this Transformers Animated: Transform and Roll Out DVD, I think it is even shoddier if the rumors are true and the August release of Season One includes all the episodes from the season but these three, so fans of the series have to buy Transformers Animated: Transform and Roll Out as well as the Season One DVD release. Still, this show is enjoyable enough that fans of the show will want to purchase both this and the Season One DVD if they must.

Release Information:
Transformers Animated airs on the Cartoon Network. The three episode pilot for the series premiered on December 26, 2007. It seems as though the three episodes were made so they could also be combined together into one movie-style episode, which is how it is available on the Transformers Animated: Transform and Roll Out DVD. The first season aired for 16 episodes, which ended in April of 2008. The show is now in its second season and this season debuted a week after the first season ended.

The Transformers Animated: Transform and Roll Out DVD was released on June 17, 2008 by Hasbro through Paramount Home Entertainment. The rest of the first season is set to be released in August of 2008. The Transformers Animated: Transform and Roll Out DVD can be purchased at Amazon for $14.49.

(more…)

If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!

Writers: Dean Stefan, Michael Reaves, Brooks Wachtel, Larry DiTillio, William Cluverius, Mark and Michael Edens, Len Uhley, Erik & Lara Runnels
Directors: Jong-Sik Nam, Gary Hartle
Cast: Cam Clarke, Gary Chalk, Brian Dobson, Scott McNeil, Kathleen Barr, Lisa Ann Beley, Michael Donovan, Nicole Oliver, Gabe Khouth, Paul Dobson, John Payne
Rating: Not Rated
Studio: Navarre Corporation
Release Date: February 19, 2008

Growing up, I loved He-Man and the Masters of the Universe. My brother and I played with Castle Grayskull. I remember having figures for Prince Adam who turned into He-Man, Cringer who turned into Battle Cat and Skeletor. We probably had other figures, but those are the ones I for sure remember. We lived happily in the land of make believe as we played He-Man for hours at a time. Fast forward nearly twenty years and a new generation is exposed to a new He-Man and a new series aptly named, He-Man and the Masters of the Universe.

The animation for this version of He-Man was updated for a 21st century audience. Now, like other 80s cartoons that are being reinvented, I had to decide whether recreating one of my very favorite childhood cartoons was a good thing or not. I had avoided watching the show on television unintentionally. My son was watching it and I didn’t even realize it. So, when I was told I had the chance to review He-Man and the Masters of the Universe - Volume One I mustered up my strength and courage, hoping for something at least somewhat entertaining. I haven’t seen any type of He-Man cartoon since what…1987? I was expecting the worst. What I ended up with was a happy surprise.

(more…)

If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!

Writers: Various
Directors: Various
Cast: Sam Vincent, Chiara Zanni, Matt Hill, Scott McNeil, Colin Murdock
Rating: Not Rated
Studio: Sony Pictures
Release Date: January 15, 2008

If you like Storm Hawks, the original, Cartoon Network show about a group of teenage defenders of the sky and the mountain top communities that are located within their realm, then you will want to purchase a copy of Storm Hawks: Tales from the Atmos. These are actual episodes from the first season of the series. While this isn’t my favorite cartoon, I was impressed by this series. I can see myself turning it on if nothing else seems to strike my fancy, but I won’t say that I’m going to go out of my way to watch the show. It’s good, but not addictive.

Release Information:
Storm Hawks: Tales from the Atmos is going to be released by Sony Pictures on January 15, 2008. This set of Storm Hawks cartoons features five episodes from Season One of the popular television show, which airs on Cartoon Network. Storm Hawks: Tales from the Atmos has episodes that aired from June 25, 2007 to July 23, 2007.

(more…)

If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!

Writers: Various
Directors: Various
Cast: Casey Kasem, Frank Welker, Mindy Cohn, Grey DeLisle
Rating: Not Rated
Studio: Turner Home Entertainment/ Warner Bros.
Release Date: January 8, 2008

You know the drill. You’ve seen it before. It’s Scooby Doo. What more is there to it? When Scooby Doo was first created, it was done so with a formula. That formula has, for the most part, been followed to a T, throughout most of the various series. What’s New, Scooby Doo? is just one of the many and sadly, if you’ve seen one episode of Scooby, you’ve seen them all. So, why do these series keep getting made? Part of it is money and the other part is the characters. Scooby and Shaggy are just so loveable. Who can resist hearing Scooby’s famed “giggle” and watch the two bring on trouble on their quest to find their latest ‘Scooby Snacks’?

Release Information:
What’s New, Scooby Doo? was one of many different variations of the Scooby Doo television show. This one aired for three seasons and brought in the voices of many past Scooby Doo alumni including Frank Welker, Casey Kasem, and Mindy Cohn. What’s New, Scooby Doo aired from September 21, 2002 to January of 2006. Reruns of the three seasons of the series currently air on Cartoon Network.