As we all know, seems every store has a different exclusive promotion, be it free keychains, metal tin boxes, transforming cases, etc. Wal-Mart had a DVD two pack...the movie plus a second disc with the animated "Beginnings" story based on the prequel comic miniseries from IDW. Since we all pretty much saw the movie, this review is for the extra bonus DVD.
Well, right off the bat...I'm disappointed, and feel like I was fleeced or something. I bought the DVD set at Wally World early this morning since I fell asleep last night. I was a tad worried there might be a run on it, but I was wrong. I made it safe...*whew*. Well, I ran home like a jovial schoolboy and fired up the DVD player for the bonus "Beginnings" disc.
Turns out it is the same as the comic, same art, same story (a bit abbreviated). They more or less took the images from the comic book and did some digital "fancy stuff" to make it look animated. They added voices and a mild soundtrack and a few lackluster video effects. Peter Cullen does narrate, as advertised, but for like...a paragraph worth of dialogue. Bumblebee actually does most of the talking, believe it or not. If you read or have the IDW comic, you aren't missing anything new or special. The DVD is in similar style to the GI Joe Ninja Battles DVD, if you saw that.
The voice acting is mediocre at best. I hate to even say it, but I could've done a better job! At least we got a little Peter Cullen magic, and Frenk Welker does do the voice of Megatron...now that's a plus! Personally, he could've done the actual movie. True, Hugo Weaving was great and all, but Frank Welker IS Megatron as far as most Transformers fans are concerned, and this proves it.
No fancy intros or anything either. Basically, as the old adage goes: the book was better. Save five bucks and go for the regular edition or get one of the other store exclusives. They put it on it's own DVD with its own case and put it in a fancy two pack advertising a narration by Optimus himself. Makes it SEEM all special and what not, but noooo. I was expecting and actual cartoon where the robots move, not a glorified slideshow with sound effects. Yep, I'm disappointed in this Wal-mart exclusive "Beginnings" DVD. At least I can still enjoy the feature presentation I love so much!
| Reviewer | ZacharySessock |
| Date | October 16th 2007 |
| Score |  (4 out of 10) |
| Reads | 8110 |
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