Customer Reviews

The Transformers: The Movie - Original Motion Picture Soundtrack

5 star:		(105)
4 star:		(20)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Transformers: The Movie Soundtrack(1986). Music taken from the Transformers motion picture movie.

If you were a kid of the 80s like me, you'd have to be living under a rock in a far distant land not to at least know what the Transformers phenomenon was. And that's exactly what it was, A PHENOMENON. Transformers were to the mid-80s what Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles were to the early 90s and Pokemon to the late 90s: a kid's dream come true. There was the great cartoon that started the whole craze, but kids remembered Transformers the most by the impressive line of toys. I had quite a few of them, and so did most every kid I knew. The franchise slowed down a bit towards the mid 90s, but as far as I know, they are still making Transformers cartoons today.

Of course, at the height of Transformers' popularity came a full-length big-screen movie, which was excellent for its time, though it also caused the series to take a slight downturn due to the scene where Optimus Prime dies (ALL fans can agree that this greatly changed the series). But one aspect that made the movie so memorable was its outstanding music soundtrack. Armed with a score that was created by Vince DiCola (also worked on Rocky IV) and a slew of pop rock and pop metal songs by various people, the Transformers movie soundtrack ended up being an outstanding movie soundtrack that often goes overlooked in the context of soundtracks from the period. Here's an analysis of the tracks:

Tracks 1 & 4 are both Stan Bush songs. 'The Touch' is a good opener, while 'Dare' is more of an uplifting power pop song with an infectious chorus (but then again, has Stan Bush ever made a song that isn't catchy?). Both are pretty good pop songs. 'Instruments Of Destruction' is a sinister pop metal song performed by N.R.G. Never heard of these guys, but they sounded pretty good for the time, and it's too bad that they never took off. My favorite tracks are the two by a band called "Spectre General" (the actual name of this canadian band is Kick Axe, though for some reason their name was changed on here even though the band never agreed to it! Strange.) 'Nothin's Gonna Stand In Our Way' is a pounding rocker, and 'Hunger' is probably one of Kick Axe's best anthemic headbanger songs, despite the fact that it was never released on any of their albums. Then there's 3 cool Vince DiCola instrumentals taken from different scenes of the movie. 'Autobot/Decepticon Battle' and 'Escape' are both very fast-paced and energetic, while 'Death Of Optimus Prime' is melancholic and sad (just like it's supposed to be). After that is the awesome version of the Transformer's title theme performed by a band called Lion (I'm not sure if they're supposed to be an early incarnation of the band White Lion or not, it's hard to tell). However, the most bizzaire surprise on the soundtrack is the very last song called 'Dare To Be Stupid' performed by none other than Weird Al Yankovich! It's a hilarious and awesome parody of Devo's 'Dare To Be Different'. It's not something you'd expect to hear, but somehow it fits.

In the end, the Transformers Movie soundtrack is well put together, and serves as an excellent platter of good pop rock and pop metal songs to anyone who remembers them. My only complaint, besides the Kick Axe moniker "Spectre General", and the reason why I only gave it 4 stars is because there were several instrumental pieces in the movie that aren't present, especially the 'Unicron Theme'. Still, you can't go wrong with this soundtrack, and it's highly recommended to all fans of the movie.

Other similar soundtracks:
-Robotech Perfect Soundtrack Album
-Rocky IV Movie Soundtrack
-Top Gun movie Soundtrack
-Project A-Ko Original Soundtrack

Also, if you liked the two "Spectre General" songs, you'll also like:
-'Vices' by Kick Axe
-'Welcome To The Club' by Kick Axe

I have always loved this soundtrack, back when i first had it on tape, and of course, Kid Rhino re-released the movie last year, to my ultimate amazement. I used to collect the toys back in the '80's, I've seen almost all the episodes of the TV series, and now I am searching the Net in order to locate the Limited Edition double album "Till All Are One", at first only available at BotCon '97, the annual fan convention. Wish me luck, people! Anyway, the music included on this CD are incredibly terrific, the two Stan Bush songs are really fantastic, the three Vince Dicola score tunes are very moving and soothing at times. The '80's rock ballads from now-unknown bands are all right as well, my favorite being Lion's Theme song from the beginning and the end. However, Weird Al's "Dare To Be Stupid" is a little, well, I should say, silly for this soundtrack. Anyway, I would recommended this album heavily, it's just what the TransFans ordered!

The Transformers was the coolest animated sci-fi series ever! The movie had a different feel to it, as did the episodes which followed the movie. Optimus Prime was gone, Rodimus Prime was supposed to be better, but no one can beat Peter Cullen's voicees. I love this CD, but something missing: the TV show themes.

The Transformers the Movie Soundtrack is something i purchased back in 1992. I now have it on CD because i played my tape so many times that it began to warp. Stan Bush, Spectre General ( now Kick Axe ), NRG, and Lion, as well as the instrumentals by Vince DiCola are outstanding! Back in the hey-day of Twisted Sister, Quiet Riot, and Ratt, the record companies wanted to continue the success of metal bands by signing anyone who had a guitar and long hair. Most of those bands had no talent, but the record companies did not care as long as they generated money.
Well, some unrealized " INCREDIBLE " artists with something to say, are Stan Bush, Kick Axe, NRG, and Lion! Artists who blow away the competition!!! These artists have been overlooked for much too long!!! For years i searched for more music from those mentioned artists, but with no find. After now using the internet, i've found several albums of Stan Bush and Kick Axe. They are highly talented who are underestimated. I will go so far to say in my opinion, that the Transformers the Movie Soundtrack is perfect! " The Touch ", " Dare ", " Nothin's Gonna Stand in our Way ", and " Hunger " are truly awesome songs that greatly inspire! I urge you to pick this soundtrack up, and i assure you that you will NEVER regret it! And if you think this album is that great, you should pick up all albums from Stan Bush, and Kick Axe! I promise you- you will not be let down!!! I also recomend " Heaven " by Stan Bush and Barrage, and " Welcome to the Club ", " Vices ", and " Rock the World " by Kick Axe. But please dont buy tapes, buy Cds. Because trust me- You will play them over and over and over and over and over and over and...

The original Transformers series was a phenomenon (I'm not feeling the Beast Wars series at all...) and the music for the series/movie (like Robotech) was incredible...and I fell in love with the music (especially Unicron's Theme) as soon as I heard it. Getting this soundtrack may be dissapointing if you loved the instrumentals by Vince DiCola (like I do) which just about accompany the whole movie. But, the three instrumentals that are featured on this album are probably the best musical compositions that Vince DiCola did for the movie, especially the "Death Of Optimus Prime".

I personally think the soundtrack's hottest songs are "Dare" (I think of Hot Rod), "The Touch" (Can you believe Mark Wahlberg sang this in Boogie Nights?) and the Transformers Main Theme. As an album however, the TF:TM Soundtrack is a little on the short end. If you're just getting into the music of the Transformers, I would recommend starting here, and then searching for the complete score 'Till All Are One' if you find yourself unsatisfied. I got it, and now feel complete. (smile)

Oh, and be warned...these are only the movie tracks - I have yet to locate the music from the TV series which was almost as good. (Can anyone help me?) Just know that this album is a good place to start, and is definitely required ownership for any self respecting Transformers fanatic - closet case or not. Trust me.

I just wish there was a soundtrack for the original Voltron series...

The soundtrack of the 1986 animated blockbuster--TRANSFORMERS:THE MOVIE, the movie I watched more often than any other--was THE BEST soundtrack in my cassette collection! It is also a welcome addition to my wonderful collection of TRANSFORMERS memorabilia (comic books, Action Cards, newsletters, etc.)!

I'm 29 years old--and a longtime TRANSFORMERS fanatic (of 15 full years)! I really enjoyed the various artists' songs on this album--and recommend this album to any other longtime Transformers fan!

I love Transformers. I love heavy metal. It wasn't always that way though. When I was 9, I loved Transformers. I then heard this soundtrack and began my love affair with metal. Yes Live After Death by Iron Maiden "officially" got me into the genre, but this was definitely a precursor to that. Its an excellent (if dated), album, featuring mainly unknown bands (except for Kick Axe under the pseudonym Spectre General and Weird Al). Stan Bush makes two classic futurist sounding Aor/hard rock songs in "The Touch" and "Dare". The underground band NRG makes a thrashier Priest type Power Metal song "Instruments of Destruction" (which is very memorable in the movie as the scene in which the Decepticons killed off 4 autobots for the first time). There is also the aforementioned Kick Axe tracks, "Hunger" and "Nothings Gonna Stand In Our Way" (of which the latter is the better of the two). There is "Dare to be Stupid" by Weird Al Yankovich which is a funny Devo type parody. There is also some awesome orchestral/techno/prog/metal type music-all composed by the incomparable Vince Dicola. Last but certainly not least is the Transformers theme redone and rewritten by the band Lion, which featured future guitar shredder (and guitarist on Dio's Killing the Dragon) Doug Aldritch. All in all, this is one of the best soundtracks, EVER. I defy anyone that says that there is a weak song in the bunch. It fits all the scenes of the film perfectly, and though some might find it dated, I find it timeless.

As a young kid, Transformers was my favourite movie... The soundtrack is so energetic and fun and it charged the movie with emotional intensity. If you were a child of the 80s who grew up with Optimus Prime and Rodimus then do yourself a favour and buy this CD! It'll bring back a lot of great memories. It did for me, anyway.

Okay, where to begin? The start is good place. Stan Bush's inspiration "The Touch" is a joy to behold. Upon hearing it, I can't help but grab my script and relieve classic moments from the movie, indeed, I could say that for the whole film. "Dare" is inspirational to the extreme, and always cheers me up when I feel depressed NRG's "Instruments of Destruction" fits perfectly with the film, keeping the pace throughout. Vince DiCola's three instrumental pieces are simply fantastic. "Death of Optimus Prime" brings a tear to my eye everytime I hear it, knowing that the end will herald the loss of onE of TV's greatest heroes. This is, by far, my favourite piece of music of all time. Spectre General's "Hunger" is utterly fantastic, it is the only song I play repeat ad nauseum! And finally, Weird Al Yankovich's "Dare to be Stupid" is hilarious, taking a side-ways look at 80s stereotypes, perhaps perfect for the film characters it represents.

In short, a wonderful CD accompaniment to a wonderful film. If you count yourself as even a remote Transformers fan, you NEED this CD, your life is not complete without it!

This may very well be the best CD/Sountrack you'll ever buy. The music on it is the best I've heard and the movie better. This coming from a 16-year-old kid who doesn't listen to heavy metal and rock 'n' roll. If you buy one, you might as well buy the other.