Transformers S3 Pt2 S4

I was lucky enough to get an Optimus Prime/Rodimus Prime Film Cell in my Box Set along with a Scorponok film cell. I guess it is just the luck of the draw, because the film cells I got in the first season Box Set were a bit disappointing (Megatron & an Energon cube, Starscream & Energon Cube & my friend gave me 2 cells of Ravage and Rumble all 4 are disappointing). Both Film Cells in this Box Set I got were damn cool and well worth the price alone.

Other episodes I loved in this box set. "Ghost In The Machine" with Starscream's ghost trying to bring Unicron back to life. "Call Of The Primitives" which features the Dinobots, Sky Lynx and others while also explaining a little more of the Transformers history, "Grimlock's New Brain" which was both funny and cool and introduces the Technobots, "The Ultimate Weapon" which has a cool fight between Metroplex & Tryptycon, "The Burden Hardest To Bear" with Rodimus Prime doubting his leadership and the Matrix is stolen from him & Hot Rod returns! But 2 of my fav Transformers episodes of all-time is the 2-parter "The Return Of Optimus Prime" there is a hate plague that is spreading through the galaxy infecting both Autobots & Decepticons. Optimus's body is saved and he is brought back to life by a Quintesson. The Matrix is the one thing that can stop the hate plague, but it is in an infected Rodimus Prime. Optimus & Rodimus have a classic battle. These are two of the best post-Movie Transformers episodes and well worth the price of this box set in my opinion. The 3-part "Re-Birth series is also nice, but a bit ruined by too many Tramsformers with little or no character to them. I think this is when a lot of fans started tuning out the Transformers, when quantity was valued more then quality. Still Optimus Prime makes this 3-parter well worth watching and buying.

The animation in this cartoon series (years 1-4) are among the best well-detailed animations of all-time. This is part of why this series is so beloved, besides great character development. The Generation One cartoons are the best and should be in all true Transformers fans collections.

EXTRAS (3/5 STARS)
They really could have included so much more! What about the toy commecial spots? They are hardly to find and in bad shape if you find them. They really used up everything in the first boxset it seems! The interview with one of the writers is superb though!! Stick to the UK boxsets for additional extras.

SPECIAL/UNIQUE ON THIS DVD RELEASE:
- all new transfer from the original 35mm negative
- Dolby Digital 5.1 remix & Dolby Stereo & Original Broadcast Soundtrack
- 2 limited-edition cels of Transformers characters (limited?? just to the availability of this boxset LOL!)

COMMENT:
Although episodes should be in correct airing order, there are some minor differences between this set and most internet site listings. It seems to be unsure what the correct airing order was at that time.
The only additional thing I can write about here is season 3 itself. It is still G1 and for fans a must-have! But there are so many errors in the scripts/voices/animation that most of the episodes are just bad. The second half of season 3 has definetly better episodes like "Dweller in the Depths", "Call of the Primitives" and "The Return of Optimus Prime". The animation quality has improved considerably in this era.
Disc 3 is dedicated to season 4 ("The Rebirth"). Fully remastered and two versions included, this is a worthy addition to your TF Heroes DVD you propably bought earlier. The first version is the one you know already. The second version is the new version without recaps and teasers.

HERE IS THE EPISODE LISTING FOR THIS BOXSET:

D i s c 1
Ghost in the Machine
Dweller in the Depths
Nightmare Planet
The Ultimate Weapon
The Big Broadcast of 2006
The Quintesson Journal
Only Human

D i s c 2
Call of the Primitives
Grimlock's New Brain
Money is Everything
Face of the Nijika
The Burden Hardest to Bear
The Return of Optimus Prime Part One
The Return of Optimus Prime Part Two

D i s c 3
Rebirth Part One
Rebirth Part Two
Rebirth Part Three
Rebirth Triology (edited without recaps and teasers)
EXTRAS