While the original Transformers animated movie is not a great film, it is a lot of fun for those who grew up with the show, young kids just getting into Transformers, and older kids like me who appreciate old things for what they are. The story is really the bridge between the second and third seasons of the show, so it's hard to explain in one sitting. I'll post a link to my YouTube account below, and I'll try to post a video soon explaining the plot. Due to the fact that this is meant as a bridge between two seasons of an established series, not many people who are unframiliar with the show will get it. Best to do some digging online for the first three episodes, or like I said, wait for my little video. Anyway, due to the fact that during the time period, the original 1984&1985 toy lines were being discontinued, and the 86-87 toy lines were being released, the studio needed an excuse for not having those characters on the shelves, thus, the filmmakers were ordered to kill off many of the principal characters in favor of new ones. These new characters are easily the weakest part of the movie. Transformers has always been known for great characters. Optimus Prime, Megatron, Soundwave, Ironhide, Prowl, and of course, everyone's favorite back-stabbing traitoris coward, Starscream. These characters defined the series, and the new characters just don't hold up as well. When you ask any person on the street, who was the leader of the Autobots, almost everyone will say Optimus Prime. only a few would mention that Rodimus took over when he died. That being said, the first half is very entertaining, but after Starscream's death, it really becomes boring. True, the Deceptocns are still fun to watch, as are scenes with the Dinobots and Junkions, but overall, the first half is the highlight. Especially the battle between Optimus Prime and Megatron. The animation is very good, and so is the voice acting. In fact the voice acting is easily the strongest part of this movie, not only with the original series voice cast reprising thier roles, but new guest stars such as Eric Idle, Lionel Strander, Judd Nelson, Robert Stack, and most famously, Orson Welles, in his final film preformance as,... a planet-sized, world-destroying robot named Unicron. Sounds like an honor when said like it is. Overall, the film is enjoyable, but not great. The violence is heavy, but not really too graphic, the swearing will suprise those unprepared, but it seems natural after the first couple viewings. As for the "obvious" commercialism, the toy line this is promoting is discontinued, and over 20 years old, so I wouldn't worry too much. For my final Rating, I give "The Transformers: The Movie": Three and a half Godzillas.