History WesternAnimation / TheTransformersTheMovie

* OffModel: Much like the series it spawned from, the movie has a fair amount of errors present. Some minor (coloring errors are ''very'' common) to those that affect the plot rather seriously. (The robots[[note]]Skywarp, Thundercracker and the Insecticons[[/note]] who were turned into Galvatron's soldiers appear throughout later parts of the film.)
** Drawing errors are somewhat prevalent at several points, with Unicron and Devastator alternating between two different designs during scenes. (The former's beard and latter's chest plate being the obvious differences.)
** As mentioned above, Starscream's design [[ArtShift changes]] during his coronation scene to a '''''much''''' more detailed and somewhat exaggerated version[[note]]as do the models of Ramjet and Astrotrain, but to a much lesser extent[[/note]]. Considering this happens for the whole scene, with everyone else drawn normally, this was likely an intentional decision by the animators.
** As is per the series norm, size issues are just as prevalent as always. See YourSizeMayVary below for more information.

** Unicron eats Lithone on-screen that contains millions of robotic lifeforms.

** ''ComicBook/TheTransformersMarvel'' adapted the film to a three-issue miniseries that was based on a non-final draft[[note]]The major differences are that Grimlock is with Kup and Hot Rod on Quintessa, rather than with the other Dinobots, Ultra Magnus is not shot to pieces, but drawn and quartered (this is still partly in the film, as in the shot of the Sweeps approaching, they shoot long, constant "beams" at Magnus to "lasso" him with, but when the camera switches to him, they are now short "bolts" that only blast him apart), and the Junkions don't board a ship to fly to Unicron, the planet of Junk ''is'' their ship, popping out massive engines to get them going (again, a part of this is still in there - Eric Idle's dialogue as Wreck-Gar states "New improved Junkion planet" rather than "ship"). Perceptor's SesquipedalianLoquaciousness is also more of a RunningGag[[/note]], though the films' events were only canon to the UK version of the comic book.

** A later draft had Junkeon turn out to be one with the Autobots flying it to Cybertron rather than finding a ship. This made it into Marvel's EarlyDraftTieIn ComicBookAdaptation.

* LodgedBladeRemoval: During their climatic duel, Megatron hurls a sharp piece of debris at Optimus Prime, impaling him in the left side of his abdomen. Optimus avoids a couple of follow up shots from Megatron's fusion cannon before punching him into a wall, and then takes the time to remove the debris. Unfortunately, Megatron is wily enough [[AttackTheInjury to strike at the wound]], first with a laser sword and later with several shots from a laser pistol, the combined damage eventually turning out to be fatal. In Optimus' defense, the debris was large enough to clearly be a hindrance in the fight, so leaving it in wasn't an option.

** Hot Rod wields one while sparing with an Auto-Combatant.

* LampshadedDoubleEntendre: Done when the Autobots at Autobot City start to retreat the Decepticon attack.

* HotBlooded: Hot Rod, [[MeaningfulName true to his name]], gets in a lot of trouble due to his impulsiveness, including being indirectly responsible for Optimus' death (though as the ForWantOfANail entry shows, it wouldn't have made any difference if he ''had'' stayed away).

* ExpositoryThemeTune: Even more so than the cartoon's theme. The extended version of the movie theme over the ending credits pretty much sums up the whole of the movie.

* BoisterousWeakling: "I'll crush you with my bare hands!" *uses a gun*

** Hot Rod jumps Megatron, but is [[CurbStompBattle easily overpowered]] and a tragedy ([[spoiler:Optimus' death]]) ensues due to his failure. At the end of the film, both characters, now upgraded to Rodimus Prime and Galvatron, fight again, and this time it is Galvatron who is easily and utterly defeated, and Rodimus ''succeeds'' in prevents a tragedy - [[spoiler:destroying Unicron and saving the entire planet]].

* FinalBattle: While not one between the Autobots and Decepticons, overall, it technically is for Optimus Prime and Megatron. [[spoiler: Prime is mortally wounded and dies in the first act of the movie while Megatron is reborn as Galvatron by Unicron. Prime does return near the end the main series, however.]]

* ForWantOfANail: Averted. In the Marvel Comics adaptation, Hot Rod doesn't interfere in Optimus and Megatron's battle, and it ends the same way it does in the movie.

* InsertSong: In true mecha anime fashion, a pair of insert songs by Stan Bush play, of which the more famous has to be [[https://youtube.com/watch?v=A52--FKUQgU The Touch]], which has been cemented as the "something badass is going to happen" insert song for the entire franchise despite only playing twice in the movie.

* KickTheSonOfABitch: The door landing on the prosecutor as part of the Quintessons' HumiliationConga.
-->'''Slag:''' (''after crushing the prosecutor'') Excuse me.

* Flanderization: The Dinobots begin their change from brutish super-powerful warriors who the Autobots usually had to beg to help them and put the fear of Primus into the Deceptions when they arrived on the battlefield into completely dim-witted oafs played for comedy here. They still have moments of awesome in the movie, but in season three the change is complete.

* TheCameo: Huffer, Sunstreaker, Bluestreak, Hound, Gears, and Grapple appear in quick crowd shots. Wheeljack and Windcharger's dead bodies are seen on the ground. Reflector appears in three crowd shots but, due to an animation error, has Ironhide's colour scheme in one of them. The Dinobot Snarl briefly appears in only two group shots, but is otherwise absent from the movie.

* SoundtrackDissonance: [[Music/WeirdAlYankovic "Dare To Be Stupid".]]

* {{Expy}}: Fitting the film's ''Star Wars''-inspired nature, several characters have corresponding roles; Hot Rod is Luke Skywalker, Arcee is Leia, Springer is Han Solo, Optimus is Obi-Wan Kenobi, Galvatron is Darth Vader, and Unicron is both The Emperor and the Death Star.

** Unicron eats a planet on-screen that contains millions of robotic lifeforms.

* OpeningScroll: The European release of the movie has a Star Wars-esque opening scroll after the intro sequence of Unicron devouring a planet.

* JustInTime: After being swallowed by Unicron, Spike, Bumblebee, Jazz, and Cliffjumper, were about to be dumped in a vat of acid, which would dissolve them within seconds. Fortunately, Daniel arrived in time to save his father and the three Autobots.

* TheSmurfettePrinciple: Arcee, the only female Autobot to appear in the film.