“No disguising a summer blockbuster”
_ Transformers _ Title: Transformers
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Transformers. Definitely more than meets the eye. At first glance this seems like the most over budget, special effects laden, poster child for unbelievable films ever. And true it is all of those things. Yet there are many elements in here that elevate it to that and more. Director Michael Bay (The Island, Armageddon) takes a clever script and transforms it into a fun ride and must see film of the cinematic summer. New and old fans of the transformers, which I was neither, will love cheering on their favorites on the big screen. New comers to the world of transfiguration, which I am, will have no problem grabbing the story and running with it full force.
The film revolves around Sam Witwicky (Shia LaBeouf) who must help the newly arrived Autobots find and protect a lost article while keeping it from the hands of those nasty Decepticons. The autobots are led by Optimus Prime (voiced by Peter Cullen) and want only to restore their planet and save their people. Megatron (voiced by Hugo Weaving) on the other hand just wants to wreak havoc on all who stand in his way. Add to that a panicked government and high school kids ready to step up and do what the educated adult can never seem to accomplish and you pretty much have the plot. But again this is a very fun ride; the main reason being that it does not take itself seriously. There are comic elements that make it tongue and cheek and unlike normal space invasions you find these ET’s quite human at times. Including a sense of humor.
These movies live and die by the special effects and it is safe to say that this puppy is in prime physical condition. The Transformers do so in a huge way. The interaction between autobots and human bodies is smooth and detailed. When the film needs to be larger than life it is. What works too is that the writers did not just leave it up to the graphics gang. They fill in the plot with quirky human characters that are funny, strange and are going to hit the 16-25 demo head on. The look and feel of this film is obviously geared toward that age group. The only sad part is that the younger kids, 12 and under, who are now into transformers may be subjected to language and discussions that are in no way necessary for the plot and will make parents think twice about taking them. This could have been a film for all ages but instead cheats the younger movie goers.
Transformers is rated PG-13 for intense sequences of sci-fi action violence, brief sexual humor, and language. Again it is the sexual humor and the language that parents should be aware of. If you do not want your 10 year old asking you what masturbation means or what exactly a ho is, then you might want to think twice about taking them. Granted these scenes are rare within the 144 minutes and may be lost among the action and everything else that is going on. But it is there none the less. So just know ahead of time and be the parent. That said, everyone else will find this film a fun, action packed, laugh and cheer out loud ride. It has to be seen on the big screen to be appreciated and you have to go in with an open mind. It is about aliens after all. I give it a strong 4 out of 5 disguises. Just know before you go. I’m Matt Mungle.
(matt@mungleshow.com)(07/02/07)
“Matt is a member of the North Texas Film Critics Association (NTFCA) and hosts the weekly syndicated Indie Rock Radio Show Spin 180. Plus with his wife Cindy they do a weekly radio feature, The Mungles on Movies. For additional reviews and interview clips visit the website www.mungleshow.com”
16 users commented in " Transformers – Review "
Follow-up comment rss or Leave a Trackbacki like the reveiw ive wanted to see the movie since i heard news of its production about two years ago so i thought hearing a critics point of veiw would help me see if i wanted to see it from what your saying im more happy im going to see it today
thanks for the input
What movie were you watching? The one I saw had sub-par acting, action sequences that flashed by so fast that you couldn’t tell what was going on, Transformers that looked like an engineer’s nightmare, and a plot that looked like swiss cheese.
Michael Bay said in an interview with Yahoo! Movies that he went away from the classic look of the transformers in order to make them seem more realistic and more alien. As an engineer, I cringe at the number of moving parts that the Transformers have, for as Antoine de Saint-Exupery said, “Perfection is achieved, not when there is nothing more to add, but when there is nothing left to take away.” On these Transformers, there was SO much to take away. Also, you pointed out that the ETs seemed quite human at times. If he was trying to make them more alien, why did he give them such human actions? At one point, I saw Optimus blink. What need does a robot have to blink!?
I have friends who had caught the sneak preview. They told me to go into the movie ignoring the title and just look at it as a robots from space action flick. I went into the theatre honestly attempting that, but even taking it out of the Transformer element couldn’t save the movie. I think it would have been better if they’d just thrown out the script completely. I remember at one point there was a line that was so bad that the entire theatre moaned.
My girlfriend and I very nearly walked out of the movie, something which I’d never even considered before. The only thing that kept us there was the fact that the Autobots finally showed up and we wanted to see if that could redeem the movie, and it did make it slightly better. The reason being that there was finally someone on screen who actually knew how to deliver a line. Sadly, Peter Cullen, and Hugo Weaving were the only actors worth their salt, and neither one was actually on screen.
So to those of you who are on the fence about Transformers, don’t waste your money. If you absolutely have to watch it, rent it when it comes out on DVD, which shouldn’t take too long since it won’t make any money after opening weekend. And I say rent because after watching it, you won’t want to own it.
Its a summer movie. What the hell did you expect?
Go see it with your kids, escpecially if they enjoy seeing crap getting blown up.
THANK YOU, for being one of the only people I know that has commented on the useless dialogue about ho’s, and masturbation, riding girls, etc. That is worthless dross that had no place in the movie, I am sad I will never take my family to see it.
MAN!!! Can anyone enjoy a movie? Why criticize every little detail in the movie. Detail is good. These animators did a good job if you ask me. It takes a great deal of imagination to come up with what they did. I’m just amazed what technology can do as far as animation. Who cares if the robot blinks?! Those people that say the take movies wayyy too seriously. I’m a transformers fan since I was a little kid. I’d watch there cartoons ever chance I had. I didn’t think they took anything away in the movie. Simply enjoy the movie for what it is.
just returned from the theater and….wow. totally loved it. I thought the script was great for a movie based on toys, much better than the crap in comic book movies like spiderman (I thought spiderman 3 was a huge disappointment), much funnier at times and Michael Bay knows that too much talking isn’t what people go to see a movie like this want. The CGI was some of the most incredible work I’ve ever seen and the action sequences top knotch. An incredibly fun thrill ride for sure. go see it on the big screen, you won’t regret it!!
To Jaime:
I’m taking it seriously because they made a piece of cinema. Cinema at its core is supposed to be art. More than that, they made a movie out of a kid’s cartoon and the cartoon turned out to be better written. After getting home from the Michael Bay version, I watched the real TF movie in order to show my girlfriend how Transformers should be presented. Now admittedly, it’s not a masterpiece, although the animation is quite good. The plot, however, was well written and thought out, especially compared to the new film.
I want you to know that I do agree with you. Detail is good. I quite like detail. When you put detail in though, make sure that said detail doesn’t contain a plot hole that Optimus could fit through. For instance, if the allspark made them to be a benevolent race, why did every creature created by the allspark turn into an instant killing machine with weaponry that it couldn’t have possibly ever have seen? Another one: the only survivors from the base that Blackout attacked happened to be all from the same squad that we conveniently got to meet as they were flying into the base. Then Scorponok chases them (presumably) for a photo that they took of Blackout that wouldn’t have mattered if it fell into government hands anyway.
All in all, I’m disappointed because they took something that could have been great and instead gave us a Michael Bay film. Instead of a great piece of cinema, they provided a bunch of explosions with an Autobot symbol slapped on to draw out the fanboys. Unfortunately, looking at the internet reviews, it’s beginning to look like it worked.
That movie was awesome! If your going in there to see a documentary of How the transforming robots landed on our planet then you will be dissapointed like the engineer above us. Going in and saying “The movie sux because the robots could never transform like that in real life” is so pathetic. Its a fantasy movie and you should approach it as such.
The movie had everything. It was funny, there was a HOT girl who will keep you saying “God shes so hot” throughout the entire film. There are super hot cars and the action is intense. I cant believe there are people saying it has no action. They are obviously the ones who have prostate problems and cant keep fluid between their legs long enough to enjoy a film and have to keep leaving. Pissing off the people behind them.
Its deff worth the price of admission and 20 minutes into the movie me and my friends were already saying how this is our favorite movie. There were scenes where the audience clapped and when the movie was over Everyone stood up and clapped for a good minute. The entire theatre was please. There are a few bad apples with no imaginations who might hate this film but hey, you cant win them all.
Watch it. love it. Rolllll OUT!!!
to apalled in Akron: Cinema is more than just art, it’s supposed to be entertaining. This movie hits people from mid teenagers to 40 year olds, and jokes everyone can get. Plus all the eye candy you could ask for in a summer blockbuster, hot chicks, sweet muscle cars, explosions and alien robots. Just in sheer entertainment value this is well worth the $10 admission fee, heck it’s almsot worth a $20 admission fee. Granted it’s not well suited for kids probably 12 years or under.
I enjoy a film that makes you think just as much as the next guy/gal, but a film that’s just fun to watch and not think about can be just as fulfulling. I’m not saying it’s better than the original TF, and i’m not saying it’s worse. If you’re looking for a movie you can go to and honestly walk out of the theatre happy and just thinking “man that was so sweet” then this movie is for you. This isn’t a movie you’re meant to think about, it’s like a roller coaster ride. Enjoy it, and if you enjoyed it alot get another ticket and go again; like I have. Seen it three times now with different groups of friends and it has been a blast every time 🙂
“AUTOBOTS ROLL OUT!”
Kind of sucks that the transformers weren’t so much presented as characters, like in the old cartoons.
went to the cinema to see some transformers, cause thats what it says on the f’ing title.. TRANSFORMERS!!! And in the teasers and trailers and many many posters they promise you TRANSFORMERS. And when you go to collect you get some humans with their fears and there emotions and whatever. WTF!! If i wanted that i would go see Casablanca 2 or something.
How is it possible that anyone can manage to make a boring movie about transformers? But that is what has happened. I almost slipped into a deep coma the first hour. After the first hour Optimus Prime FINALLY (there must be a god after all)appeared. After 90 MINUTES we saw Megatron appearing fully on screen for the first time.
Check the title Bay!! It says TRANSFORMERS and TRANSFORMERS is about a battle between autobots and decepticons. That being the case, you CANNOT introduce Megatron and gang after 90 f’ing minutes in a movie that is called transformers. Is that so hard to understand?? Did you NOT finish kinder garten????
This movie should have been called “the greatness of humans” or “our great military” or “about a heroic boy”. Or maybe “crystine 2” the story about a boy and his car continues… But for heavens sake not transformers, cause the movie is not about transformers.
I watched the movie twice just to be sure. And there’s no doubt about it… It really sucks as a transformers movie. The plot should have been simple.. Transformers crashland on earth. Megatron sees potential in this planet and tries to enslave everybody. Human armies are crushed, cities are destroyed. The autobots are earths final hope. Theres a big clash between autobots and decepticons. The autobots are initially defeated. Then Starscream backstabs Megatron and the decepticons are weakened and Prime comes and saves the day. And the only humans in the movie are the ones who are stepped upon or the ones who get blown away. Simple but affective. There was no reason for Bay to try to re-invent the wheel. The moron doesn’t have the brains to do so anyways.
And so we have a movie in our hands that is called transformers, but tells the story of a boy and soldiers. Its just sad… Just so sad.
Just wake up and smell the crap… It is of the darkest kind!
Transformers was about the greatest movie experience I’ve ever had! Star Wars 3 and War of the Worlds don’t hold a candle to it. Bring on the sequel!
Shame on those of you who go to a movie based on an 80’s epic empire of cartoons & toys expecting a profound plot the likes of “The Godfather” or “Forrest Gump”. In short, “Transformers” is clearly all about ACTION. Those of you who still loathe the movie despite ALL its breath-taking special effects, cutting-edge-of-your-seat explosions, ingenious side-splitting humor, All-Star cast & crew, and inescapable stellar fan fare, TOTALLY missed the point. The sole purpose of this film was to shock & awe you, and to awe-inspire you to reflect retrospectively upon a purely greater era than our own, filled with countless dreams and enchanting fantasies, in our own time: the 1980’s.
In fact, I feel sorry for those of you who absolutely despised this movie: does it really take THAT much more to satisfy you at the theaters? Can not one bad ass apocalyptic explosion after another, coupled with hot chicks & sleek smooth rides, Bernie Mac slapstick, and gloriously triumphant American patriotism woo you into submission like the poignant picture of the fireworks on the Fourth of July? The bombs bursting in air? The rockets red glare? Megatron’s icy dark lair? Gave PROOF through the night, that our tastes were not BARE! Spoke TRUTH to the sky, that there’s MORE than meets the eye!
Now, I’d like to talk more about the movie, but the sheer cynicism of the pessimistic critics causes me to indulge myself in a battle for acceptance & recognition of the Inevitable. If anything, this movie is a testament to the old adage: “No matter what, you can’t please all the people all the time.” There will always be haters, no matter HOW brilliant the artistic endeavor nor HOW deep the breadth of exhilaration inspires the Simple Man to do, as he surely does: to simply ENJOY the experience, neglecting to critique every minute detail of the kick-ass ‘flick’. Rarely in my own life has any film EVER thrilled me with such an unfathomable sense of stimulation in the heart of the cinematic spectacle. To compare, I’ll only name a few: “Jurassic Park”, “Independence Day”, “Armageddon”, & “Titanic”. Yes, there I said it…I liked the movie “Titanic”. And I’m not ashamed to say it. I thought it was a mind-blowing movie-going experience, and apparently I’m not the only one. Yet still the haters will crawl out of the woodwork and defile me for my honesty, my sincerity, my outward expression of that inner emotion which we ALL feel to one degree or another, and thereby will attempt to crush my credibility solely at the mention of James Cameron’s epic masterpiece.
Anyways, on with the show. What do these five movies ALL have in common? Action, Intrigue, Emotion, Inspiration. Allow me to reiterate that last one: Inspiration! THAT is the inner emotion which we ALL feel, some more than others, and others at the beat of a different tune, when we see a movie that strikes our fancy and deeply satisfies our ravenous tastes. When a dynamic movie of epic proportions appeals to the insatiable hunger which dwells within us, we get goose-bumps at the climactic rapture, feel GOOD, warm, and fuzzy inside at the triumphant conclusion, and slowly but unsurely get up from our seats like docile little lambs and numbly walk out of the theater, our mouths agape in utter astonishment at the epochal accomplishment our artists have created before our very eyes.
In my mind, “Transformers” IS “The Godfather” of action movies this summer. It IS the “Forrest Gump” of blockbusters this season, interminably running away with the limelight like there’s no end tomorrow. “Transformers” blew “Spiderman 3” clear out the water! “Live Free or Die Hard”? I’d rather watch the “Transformers” move and live free AND die hard! If all else fails at the box office this summer, and you’re anything like me, this movie alone will literally and metaphorically ‘transform’ you too. It is an aesthetic orgasm at the zenith of its climax. In simpler words than none: this movie is right on the money.
And to think, I almost didn’t even go see this movie because the “expert” critics proclaimed “it left more to be desired.” HAH! Only a literal missile through my incredibly awe-struck head from Starscream’s F-16 could have put their disgruntled dissatisfaction to rest. Well, seeing as how this Decepticon gets away in the end anyway, I’ll leave that next remarkable visual feat to Michael Bay. Bring on the sequel(s).
If you only scrolled down to read the end of my rant, in short, F**K the critics. For me, after seeing this powerfully prevailing movie, their credibility is shot. If you even had the slightest desire to go see this movie before, if the kid inside of you compelled even the humblest of inclinations to witness this wonderful maelstrom of a movie, if the brazen child of the 80’s which resides in EACH of us even remotely all-sparked you (pun intended) to gaze upon this in God’s greatest glory, go see it. And the Inevitable Truth is that this movie inspires generations of men, and children of men, to live like we were dying in an era of enchantment and wonder. For those simpletons of us who merely go to a theater to enjoy the action-packed cinematic experience, Optimus Prime & Co. will not let you down. As the clichés say, your ticket will grant you the whole seat for the show, but you’ll only need the edge of it. A fan may even vie to cry, for with “Transformers” the movie, there certainly is more than meets the eye.
I thought the movie was really cool. The animation was great. I even decided to make transformer avatars blog after I saw the movie.
Hope you will check it out. I am starting to add every day to it. http://transformers-avatars.blogspot.com
I have never been so excited to see a movie for a real long time. I went into Transformers expecting the best ….what with Spielburg it has got to be good. Right? WRONG!!! The first scence was awsome i turned to my friend and said this is going to be the coolest movie….and then the actors/characters were introduced and the lame script….and…. it.. BOMBED!!!!!
What from robots pissing on people, the ridiculosly long and boring house scene, blury and never ending fight scenes. Oh and did I mention the horrible actors, and the the script it took 5 minutes to create.
I realize it was origonially a COMIC but you have to remember that this was a weekday program in the 80’s… but Spielburg and Bay made this so called “Blockbuster” and they geared it toward 10-16 year olds. How about those of us that grew up on the comic? In the 80’s!!!
To me it was generic, juvenile and embarassing… I expected a whole lot more………..A BLOCKBUSTER!
I agree with John, this movie could have been so much better. I’m not a scriptwriter but I think I can come up with something much better version then this.
Picture some million decepticons invading earth for it’s natural resources, human are alone. Put some mass warfare action in the air and on the sea. Humans lose. Then some autobots reach earth. they find the CUBE, explain how it works to this dude witwicky. they go to some wrecked military sanctuary and make all the planes and tanks “ALIVE”. This was actually the coolest thing in the whole movie, that cube making robots out of every machine. Then strikeback, voila.
What bothers me the most is that they make one cool independence-day-like scene (where the chopper turn out to be a descepticon and nukes the whole military base) and they put that in the trailer to make it look like this whole movie is gonna be cool. Well it sucked!
This movie just made it impossible for any sequel to be taken seriously. Please turn back time and do something cool with the concept.
I’m sorry I even saw this movie.
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