Growing up, I’ve always followed the Transformers cartoons through their many reincarnations over the years. Most recently it has been the computer generated Transformers Prime series. This show hit a few notes with me when I first saw it back in 2010 and I followed it right to the end with the release of the Transformers Prime Beast Hunters: Predacons Rising Blu-Ray + DVD Combo Pack that hits stores October 8th.
Following the events of the third Prime season, Transformers Prime Beast Hunters, Predacons Rising is a made for TV movie that tied up a few ends as the Autobots return to a restored Cybertron. While its probably a good idea to have seen Season 3 to avoid spoilers, you don’t really need to have seen it to enjoy this release as they do a pretty good recap of the immediate events leading up to this series conclusion amidst the story.
After returning to Cybertron, the Autobots start to repair the damage to their planet while Optimus leaves to secure the one thing that will sustain the planet’s ability to create new life, the All-Spark. Things start to conspire against them elsewhere as Unicron is resurrected in the shell of a defeated Megatron. Against the internal defiance of Megatron, Unicron wishes to destroy his age old nemesis Primus once and for all dooming Cybertron for good. For those like me that followed this show to its conclusion, you’ll find out what happened to PredaKing after he broke free of Megatron’s rule.
This fire breathing behemoth seeks refuge with the bone-filled battlefield of his fallen brethren until the Autobots find him after Ultra Magnus and Smokescreen are attacked by two unknown Predacons. As the two unknowns return home, it’s clear that the treacherous Shockwave and Starscream are once again attempting to make Predacons again. Paths collide and the stakes go even higher as PredaKing and his new charges, Autobots and Decepticons make an unlikely alliance to stop Unicron from destroying their home with an army of undead Predacons. In a final decision Optimus does the one thing that will save them all and lead the way for future life on Cybertron. Sorry not giving that ending away so you’ll have to buy the Blu-Ray Combo Pack to find out.
Transformers Prime Beast Hunters: Predacons Rising like the rest of the show features a wonderful mix of 2D animation and CGI to produce cool looking worlds, characters and animations. It was hard not to think about Beast Wars, while watching Predacons Rising as they share some similarities though the artists did an amazing job with all the little texture and wound details seen throughout in the 1080p presentation seen on the Blu-Ray. As much as I love Optimus and the gang, PredaKing is my favorite character in this movie both in visual presence and character.
Fans of the show will instantly recognize the awesome voice work of the show including legendary performances by Peter Cullen and Frank Welker presented in 5.1 Surround Sound. Every scrape of metal on metal and energy weapons sounds really good in the 5.1 mix. PredaKing’s draconic roar and fiery breath are easily amongst my favorite effects in the film. The music is as always on point with the energy of the show thanks to composer Brian Tyler (Now You See Me). Each Transformers show has its own memorable theme song and score and Brian has easily made his mark on the franchise with his work featured in Transformers Prime Beast Hunters: Predacons Rising.
Transformers Prime Beast Hunters: Predacons Rising on Blu-Ray comes with very few extras outside of the included DVD copy. There is a Behind the Scenes featurette about the filming of Predacons Rising for those of us who enjoy the peeks behind the curtain. This 66 minute film comes with a $20 price tag which doesn’t seem too bad taking the DVD into consideration, especially for families.
I think the Transformers Prime Beast Hunters: Predacons Rising Blu-Ray + DVD Combo Pack was definitely needed to conclude the Transformers Prime series. It gave this viewer closure with what happened to key characters after the show’s riveting final episode Deadlock. I really enjoyed the beautiful graphics, stellar voice cast, awesome music and of course one last well-written story. If you’re a Transformers fan you should definitely pick up the Transformers Prime Beast Hunters: Predacons Rising Blu-Ray + DVD Combo Pack.
