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!
Comments
Good funny movie...was surprise that it didn't suck. Actually the humans in the movie were all pretty good...especially Megan Fox, rowwwwwr! The special effects blended very well with the movie and didn't look too out of place (unlike Spiderman). It would've been perfect if they played the original theme song...or had a cameo by Marky Mark singing the movie song just like in "Boogie Nights"...but it's still the best movie so far this summer!
Posted by: Ar | July 4, 2007 04:46 PM
Awesome translation into film. Although they weren't the same "vehicles" the spirit of the characters were definitely there. just not a shia lebeouf fan, and they shoulda named him spike or daniel. go see it peeps.
Posted by: allan | July 6, 2007 09:08 AM
This was one of the worst movies I have ever seen. No, I am not kidding. Put aside the hype, the movie has terrible acting, crappy camera work, ugly robot designs (no, not the G1 complaint), too little screen time with the Transformers, no emotional pull, poorly choreographed action scenes, comon. If you want to watch big transforming robots fighting and really looking good, watch some anime. Michael Bay kept saying he wanted to make this movie realistic, well, the human element was truly cliche and unrealistic and barely tolerable, the Transformers had NO character development (you can't consider introductions as character), especially when tragedy strikes, why should you care who lives or dies? Sector Seven was crap, and the Autobots were a bunch of panzies. Did anyone feel the battle between Prime and Megatron was epic? They kept cutting away!
"Here comes Megatron!" and the autobots just freakin' run! Fight damnit! And then one of the Autobots gets ripped in half, if you blinked, you missed it, because the action is not epic, it's chaotic in a very very bad way. I guess I will never see a good live action Transformers movie since Bay is interested in the sequels.
The good points? This movie showcased Shia LaBeouf. He's very entertaining to watch. Megan Fox, need I say more? ILM did a great job in their CG as usual, but it was ruined by clunky, complicated robot designs and Bay's quick-edit shakey camera work.
I tried to like it, honestly, but it would be like me saying Ang Lee's Hulk was a great movie... TJ, I am shocked you liked this disasterpiece. Every coworker who had talked to me about this movie complain about all these things and more, but somehow say they loved it. It doesn't add up. The cons outweigh the pros. I could literally write an essay on how not to make a movie with this movie.
And if anyone attacks back and me with a F U fanboy comment, you're a commie. This is America and I am entitled to an opinion. Not everyone is in love with this movie. With this summer's disappointing movies, this joins the list. Movie goers deserve better.
Oh, and Harry Potter just knocked this piece of Cybertronian garbage out of 1st place! Way to go Harry!
Posted by: randomus prime | July 15, 2007 11:23 PM