Hello and welcome back to the podcast! In this episode, prepare to be transformed as I continue my mini-series entitled “TV Goes To The Movies” and now explore the music for THE TRANSFORMERS franchise. As before, my focus is musically what was or was not carried over from the television episodes of a particular series to its respective theatrical feature, such as the main TV theme or scoring style.
During its near 40 year history, from the original 1984 syndicated cartoon series, to the animated and live action movies, the Japanese-only series and more, music for the THE TRANSFORMERS has been remarkably varied. The vocal and score tracks have often reflected current or trendy musical approaches, leading to elements of lush symphonic strains, synth pop, hard rock and jazzy funk all being heard in various incarnations. Now, hold on to your crankshafts and let's transform and roll out!
Title playtime index:
Intro - 00:00:00
THE TRANSFORMERS (US, 1984 cartoon series, theme by Anne Bryant & Ford Kinder, score by Johnny Douglas and Robert J. Walsh) - 00:06:17
TRANSFORMERS: THE MOVIE (US, 1986 animated theatrical film, songs by Stan Bush, Lion & Spectre General, score by Vince DiCola) - 00:16:45
THE TRANSFORMERS: HEADMASTERS (1987), TRANSFORMERS: SUPER-GOD MASTERFORCE (1988) and TRANSFORMERS: VICTORY (1989) (Japan, songs & score by Ishida Katsunori, Toshiya Igarashi, Michiaki Watanabe) - 00:31:45
TRANSFORMERS (2007), TRANSFORMERS: DARK OF THE MOON (2011), BUMBLEBEE (2018) and TRANSFORMERS: RISE OF THE BEASTS (2023) (US, live action theatrical films, song "What I've Done" by Linkin Park, scores by Steve Jablonsky, Dario Marianelli and Jongnic Bontemps) - 00:38:18*
*This segment also contains an excerpt from BATMAN BEGINS (2005), composed by Hans Zimmer and James Newtown Howard
Additional tracks heard but not referenced -
"Calling You", Theme from TRANSFORMERS: SUPERLINK (Japan, 2004), by Takayoshi Tanimoto
"Time Limit", from TRANSFORMERS: LEGEND OF THE MICRONS (Japan, 2002), composed by Hayato Matsuo
Stay safe out there, take care of yourself and each other!
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