The 1996 American update of the 1985 Japanese Transformers series is based on a computer game and a line of toys from Hasbro. Like Voltron: The Third Dimension (1998), which it resembles, Beast Wars reveals just how quickly computer graphics evolved. The weightless characters move in simple, repeated cycles and never come in contact with the ground when they walk or run.

The pseudo-Valley Dude dialogue ("Cool your circuits!") and the way the filmmakers trot out every toy in every episode (to remind potential buyers of their existence) recall the bad old days of He-Man and the Masters of the Universe. Fans of video games and/or toys will enjoy the screaming battles between familiar characters in their organic and robotic forms; others will quickly weary of the repetitive story and over-the-top vocal performances.

Indeed, if you would like to win one of these new DVDs and you think you know all there is to know about the show, just answer this easy question: "Beast Wars" follows the adventures of two robotic factions, but what are their names?!

Send us your answers and if you're correct you'll be in the running to win one of these wonderful new DVDs! Just send us an e:mail here before September 1st with your answer and the subject title CONTEST: BEAST WARS DVDs to: exclusivemagazine@flash.net