Okay so this is something I've noticed happening recently and I just want to know if it's some weird feature or a symptom to something bigger

Anytime my battery is low on voltage (usually has enough to start the car up though) while cranking, all the doors so this lock and unlock cycle until the car turns on, it's just a weak cycle you can hear the doors locking but the actually little plastic pins (don't know what they're called) will only go in a little bit and come back out.

Is this some power generating gimmick or what's going on? Something loose?

 

Low battery can cause some pretty weird symptoms. Have you replaced your battery? Auto parts stores will often test your battery for free.