DVD Spy: Giant F’ing Robots! October 16! In HD!

Posted by Neil Miller (neil@filmschoolrejects.com) on September 6, 2007

Back in July, a little known franchise known as Transformers, directed by a semi-well known action director and Executive Produced by a guy who made a Dinosaur movie once, hit theaters and became one of the Summer’s biggest blockbusters, earning over $650 million worldwide. I remember, upon the conclusion of my third theatrical viewing, wondering when they would release it on DVD, HD-DVD, Laserdisc or any other medium that would allow me to somehow rip it down to my iPod so that I could watch it over and over again. Well, according to a press release I received a few days back, we aren’t getting a Laserdisc version of Transformers. We are however, getting a huge DVD release. And it will be here sooner than we originally thought!

The cover art above is what many of us have been waiting for since even before Transformers rocked our world in theaters. It was impressive on the big screen and it will undoubtedly be very impressive on the thousands of dollars of debt-creating home entertainment equipment that adorn our living rooms. Chief among the cool features within this DVD release announcement were some of the special features that will make it onto the HD-DVD version.

One particularly kick-ass feature is what the Studio is calling the Transformers H.U.D:

In addition to superior picture and sound and all of the above bonus material presented in high definition, the HD DVD presentation provides consumers with a host of web-enabled features, which are accessible through all connected HD DVD players. The web-enabled features take advantage of technology that allows the studio to present the content in a new way. These cutting-edge, online features can be updated, providing consumers with an evolving entertainment experience months, or even years, after the disc is physically produced. Initial features include a TRANSFORMERS Intelligence Mode in which an on-screen dashboard over the film provides information about the robots and weapons, their strength levels, character updates and more. Plus, a GPS Locator that can access a map and GPS coordinates. Paramount’s TRANSFORMERS HD DVD connectivity capabilities will reveal additional HD DVD exclusive features at street date and at various time periods in the future.

The HD DVD also includes a TRANSFORMERS H.U.D. (Heads Up Display) that lets viewers access running text commentary while watching the film and even view relevant behind-the-scenes footage in a picture-in-picture window. Additionally, viewers can explore the main robots’ individual details in high definition with the TRANSFORMERS Tech Inspector.

The HD-DVD will also include this little feature:

TRANSFORMERS Tech Inspector - Gives viewers an unprecedented look at the TRANSFORMERS robots through the exquisitely detailed models created by ILM artists. Users can zoom in on each detail for a closer examination and pause and change the rotation of the models.

If that doesn’t make you want to run out and spend $500 on a DVD player, I don’t know what will. Now you may be asking, “But what about the standard version of the DVD for those of us not cool enough to own an HD television?” Well my friends, there is all kinds of fun for you as well in the Two-Disc Special Edition:

Disc 1:

Feature film
Commentary by Michael Bay

Disc 2:
Our World

The Story Sparks - Steven Spielberg discusses his love for the franchise and early concept art for the film. Explores how the writers adapted the cartoon into a live-action movie and why Michael Bay is the perfect director for the film.
Human Allies - A look at how the actors were selected and their experiences on the set.
I Fight Giant Robots - An exploration of the military training that
Josh Duhamel and Tyrese Gibson underwent for their roles and the various stunts that the actors were asked to perform.
Battleground - A piece on the senior officials from the Department of Defense and Air Force who consulted on the film to give it authenticity and the key locations that the U.S. government provided access to.

Their War
Rise of the Robots - Explores the interaction between Hasbro designers and Michael Bay to bring the toy line roaring to life.
AUTOBOTS Roll Out - Michael Bay discusses working with Chevy and its designers and the modifications that were made to the cars seen in the film.
DECEPTICONS Strike - The film’s military advisors discuss the “toys” they allowed the production to borrow: F-22 Raptors, Ospreys and A-10 Warthogs.
Inside the AllSpark - ILM’s digital artists discuss the challenges of bringing the TRANSFORMERS to life.

More Than Meets The Eye
From Script to Sand: The SKORPONOK Desert Attack - An in-depth look at the making of this particularly epic and challenging scene from initial storyboarding through production and visual effects.
Concepts - Early sketch concepts of the robots.
Trailers

All in all, it should make for one hell of a DVD release party when “Giant Fucking Robots” invade the shelves of your favorite retailers on October 16!

For more from the DVD Spy, click here.

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