Energon Ultimate Collection

Rating NR Formats DVD Genre animated Directed by n/a Publisher Paramount Home Video

Transformers Energon takes places after the final events of Transformers; The Movie, except for a few key differences.  For starters, Optimus Prime is alive, Autobots and Decepticons are now working together to mine for Energon and a being known as Alpha Q has now emerged from the shell of Unicron.  What follows after the first few episodes is a cunning series of twists and turns that is as ingenious as it is mind numbing.  At first, the Terracons from Unicron are stealing Energon from Earth, the Moon, Mars, and everywhere else.  However, Megatron is deep inside Unicron and begins to absorb Energon.  Megatron revives, Unicron splits, Rodimus comes back, and then it’s everyone switching sides like it were a rousing game of musical chairs.

I wish I could explain it better, but the above paragraph is the only thing that can truly sum everything up.  Based on names and designations, it’s clear that Transformers Energon is its own separate universe.  It is also living proof that 2D and 3D animation don’t always blend well, especially with the CGI is more of a cel-shaded format and the hand-drawn animation is heavily influenced by Japanese anime.  Seriously though, your eyes get used to it after the first few episodes.

When it comes to dialogue and storylines, a large amount of it is decently written.  The dead giveaway that something may be amiss, though, comes in with the lip-synching.  Chances are, Japan got everything that we’re missing and we’re getting a dubbed version of the original mess.  Although many of the main players may look the same, a few questionable names arise.  First off, Ironhide is a rookie, Rodimus is not the same as Hot Rod and some of the Decepticons get complete makeovers after awhile.  Oh, and finally, Optimus Prime becomes Voltron Prime.

Those who watched the original series will find themselves quickly picking apart the differences in stories and immediately recognize the return of familiar characters such as the Minicons, RC, Starscream and Galvatron.  Ultimately, Transformers Energon functions better as background noise or MST3K fodder, mainly because of its disconnection with Transformers cannon.  It’s not a horrible series by any means.  Just make sure that the price tag is worth the purchase.