TRANSFORMERS: MORE THAN MEETS THE EFFIN' EYE!
I would like to preface this review by saying that I abhor Michael Bay movies after Bad Boys and The Rock. Air Con was barely tolerable. His continuous mix of stylized action scenes with implausible plotlines and situations is almost always insulting to anyone's intelligence.
With that said, he may have found his niche: Movies based on toys. In Transformers, Bay has managed to successfully mix his over the top slow-mo action sequences with state-of-the art ILM CGI resulting in the most enjoyable movie-going experience you will have all summer. You will believe a robot will transform into a Camaro!
Again, with all Michael Bay films, we get the signature film elements he is famous, or loathed, for. Or rather, a recycling of his movies if you pay close enough attention (360 camera rotation around a gunfight a-la Badboys 2, anyone?). And I was paying attention. But it all becomes very insignificant once overshadowed by seamless integration of digitally rendered transforming robots into very real urban and desert terrain. Prepare for your jaw to drop, the ultra detailed and towering Autobots doing battle to destroy the evil forces of the Decepticons raises the bar.
And the best part? They all maintain the spirit of your dads old toys! You will understand why someone over their thirties boast about how awesome their old 1984 Generation 1 figures and cartoons are. Trust me, well translated in the film. The proof happens about 40 action-filled minutes into the movie when you get the ultimate payoff, Optumus Prime appears, transforms and speaks for the first time as the whole theater explodes into blissful cheer. Appearance has been upgraded for a new generation but this is still your dads Prime. And it just keeps delivering from there.
In a nutshell, be a kid this 4th of July. Go watch Transformers. Go remember how much fun the movie-going experience can be. And let me know what you think!
