Official Transformer Movie Review Thread!!! - Spoiler Free until July 4th!

[The ill Jedi]

Dave, so it wasn't what you wanted. What, we can't like it? You trash it like we're ******* for watching and having fun with it. Stay locked up in your basement if you like, we'll have fun going to the movies. Your rants make it seem like your high and mighty and we're brainless moron zombies for enjoying something that you didn't. Let those that enjoy it do so.

I see your sig pic and it really suits you perfectly.

 

[tomandshell]

How's this for a minority report:

I think that Megan Fox is a little trashy looking for my taste, and she couldn't act her way out of a greasy paper bag.

 

[DouglasMcc]

Well I just got back from seeing it after my friend pleaded with me to go. I already watched the first half at home, was unimpressed, but I tried to be Optimistic and go in with an open mind. I'm terribly disappointed. I really wanted to like this film but I can't believe you people actually like this tripe. Michael Bay is the worst director EVER. It's excruciatingly long. We have to wade through all of the lame jokes and dumb comedy before the robots show up. I totally agree with Vern's review point-by-point. If I was a die-hard Transformer fan I'd be pissed as all hell right now. First of all I don't understand why you all are not pissed off and outraged as I am by all of the design changes, especially to Prime. He's red and blue not purple and orange with gay-ass flames. Yeah, he kicks ass and Peter Cullen's voice is the only thing that makes him cool. Most of the time you can't even tell one robot from another because it's just a big fast blur filled with explosions and debris. Jazz dies and it's like "Oh well, we lost Jazz but we gained some new friends." When Prime died in the 86' movie people were crying their eyes out. There was more emotion in that cheesy old 80's cartoon then there was in this film. Megatron shows up for the last 10 minutes but he doesn't resemble anything of the memorable Megatron character. Why didn't they get Frank Welker? If Peter Cullen is the voice of Prime then Welker is the voice of Megatron. They should have got all of the original voice cast from the cartoon. Hans Zimmer's cheesy overdramatic score should be forever barred from underscoring ANY Michael Bay film or ANY motion picture for that matter. It's the same old ******* keyboard music recycled from one Bay film to the next. I swear to God I felt like I was watching Armageddon part 2. If this is the kind of low-rent indulgent crap you people are buying for entertainment these days then Vern was right when he said:
"Holy s#!t, society really is on the brink of collapse."

I won't argue taste. If you didn't like it, then we will respect that. But, lets be honest. You went into the movie already hating it - whether it was due to watching the first half on bootleg, or your dislike of this kind of film. Add to that the fact that you admit you don't like Bay movies, and well, what made you even think there was a chance you would like Transformers?

The one area that confuses me is the "If I was a die-hard Transformers fan", then 90% of your complaints are due to changes made from the cartoon. If you like the cartoon as a child, just admit it ... you won't loose any "indie" cred. Most of the whining (and I mean on AICN since you brought it up) has come from people who wanted a live-action replica of the cartoon - much like the Battlestar Galactica people moaned and gripped after that remake. I have asked a few other people, but I welcome your explanation - How does the color of a robot destroy your enjoyment of the film? Were you also upset that they didn't come to Earth in a giant spaceship (The Ark) like the cartoon? How about Starscream being a more modern style plane?

What about the fact that .... well, why bother. Point being, all the whining about minor details is silly. If people want the original, rent the movie. This movie was a re-imagining and I feel like they did a good job. I realize that Bay is a polarizing director, but I enjoy his work. He's never going to win an Oscar. But his films are enjoyable "popcorn" flicks. They aren't suppose to be over analyzed. They aren't suppose to answer profound questions. They are designed to entertain. Since you mentioned a review in your original post, let me do the same. A reviewer for Bad Boys 2 wrote, "loud and bombastic, the reviewer in me kept telling me that I shouldn't be enjoying this flick. However, say what you will about Bay, he's a master at blowing sh#t up ... and sometimes that what I want from a film ... good mindless fun." That same quote sums up Transformers for me. Not going to replace Godfather 2 or Schindler's List at the top of my "serious" movie top ten. Not going to replace Aliens and Die Hard at the top of my action top ten. But it was still a great flick and I will be there to buy the DVD day one.

 

[The ill Jedi]

I won't argue taste. If you didn't like it, then we will respect that. But, lets be honest. You went into the movie already hating it - whether it was due to watching the first half on bootleg, or your dislike of this kind of film. Add to that the fact that you admit you don't like Bay movies, and well, what made you even think there was a chance you would like Transformers?

The one area that confuses me is the "If I was a die-hard Transformers fan", then 90% of your complaints are due to changes made from the cartoon. If you like the cartoon as a child, just admit it ... you won't loose any "indie" cred. Most of the whining (and I mean on AICN since you brought it up) has come from people who wanted a live-action replica of the cartoon - much like the Battlestar Galactica people moaned and gripped after that remake. I have asked a few other people, but I welcome your explanation - How does the color of a robot destroy your enjoyment of the film? Were you also upset that they didn't come to Earth in a giant spaceship (The Ark) like the cartoon? How about Starscream being a more modern style plane?

What about the fact that .... well, why bother. Point being, all the whining about minor details is silly. If people want the original, rent the movie. This movie was a re-imagining and I feel like they did a good job. I realize that Bay is a polarizing director, but I enjoy his work. He's never going to win an Oscar. But his films are enjoyable "popcorn" flicks. They aren't suppose to be over analyzed. They aren't suppose to answer profound questions. They are designed to entertain. Since you mentioned a review in your original post, let me do the same. A reviewer for Bad Boys 2 wrote, "loud and bombastic, the reviewer in me kept telling me that I shouldn't be enjoying this flick. However, say what you will about Bay, he's a master at blowing sh#t up ... and sometimes that what I want from a film ... good mindless fun." That same quote sums up Transformers for me. Not going to replace Godfather 2 or Schindler's List at the top of my "serious" movie top ten. Not going to replace Aliens and Die Hard at the top of my action top ten. But it was still a great flick and I will be there to buy the DVD day one.

Well said Douglas!!

 

[MaulFan]

For Tom: (hehe, just messing, cuz I'm sure it won't bother you)

Her eyes are so seductive, probably my favorite part of her looks.

 

[DouglasMcc]

For Tom: (hehe, just messing, cuz I'm sure it won't bother you)

Her eyes are so seductive, probably my favorite part of her looks.

Is Megan Fox related in any way to Jennifer Connelly? Because she looks so much like Connelly in the face. Don't get me wrong, she is truly beautiful. However, I wish she had Connelly's pre-reduction bust size, instead of post-op.

 

[MaulFan]

Is Megan Fox related in any way to Jennifer Connelly? Because she looks so much like Connelly in the face. Don't get me wrong, she is truly beautiful. However, I wish she had Connelly's pre-reduction bust size, instead of post-op.

I don't know, I'm perfectly fine with both of their busts as they are. Fox looks like she hit the tattoo parlor right after filming though, she's covered now.

 

[Bannister]

I don't know, I'm perfectly fine with both of their busts as they are. Fox looks like she hit the tattoo parlor right after filming though, she's covered now.

They were probably covered up in the movie.

 

[dekadentdave]

I never said you people shouldn't like it. I'm just baffled that most of you do. Seems to me you are just settling for whatever is served on your plate regardless of how good it tastes.

And that is what really troubles me about cinema today. Studio execs are mining the franchises and raping our childhoods. They know what we love but the people making it have no idea WHY we hold it dear to our hearts. When you take on a franchise you are taking on a legacy beloved by the masses and to deviate from that which people uphold as iconic is to alienate the fans. I'm outraged that Prime was changed from his classic iconic form. The moving lips I found destracting and offensive. That's not the Prime I remembered from my youth. I remember when I was a kid thinking how cool it would be if somebody made a live action movie with all of the toys made life-sized but what I saw onscreen wasn't it. Oh, it tries to be, wants to be, but isn't.

Slap together a franchise with the brand name and it's guranteed to be a hit whether it's good or not. Pirates is the greatest example of this and I can't stand those films. When I heard Bay was directing, I knew it was doomed. I knew it would be the biggest blockbuster hit of 2007 regardless. What surprised me was the reactions from people who actually enjoyed it. Between my best friend and the rest of you freaks is what convinced me to give the film a chance. I did. I tried. I really really tried and I really really want to like it as much as the rest of you but I just can't. I think I'll watch the 86' movie again tonight, cheeseball and all. I felt more empathy for those classic animated characters than I did for those imitatations I saw on the big screen.

 

[darthviper107]

I do agree on the score thing. It wasn't very imaginative and it should have been done a lot better. There were a lot of places where it could have been really awesome, but really it was just the same all throughout the movie without any themes or anything. That is kind of shocking that Zimmer did the score, he's done really great on the POTC movies and Gladiator was awesome, so I wonder why he did so bad on this one.

Jazz's death shocked me, I really didn't expect them to take out any of them and it was rather lame.

But one thing I must say, the effects were absolutely flawless, they could not have been done better.

 

[The Josh]

Her eyes are so seductive, probably my favorite part of her looks.

Yeah, she's pretty ****ing hot. Her eyes really are very attractive but that's something I look for on women in general. She's got a pretty good body too by the way.

The sad thing is that she's getting hitched to Brian Austin Green. That guy is so 10 years ago it's not even funny.

 

[Bannister]

Yeah, she's pretty ****ing hot. Her eyes really are very attractive but that's something I look for on women in general. She's got a pretty good body too by the way.

The sad thing is that she's getting hitched to Brian Austin Green. That guy is so 10 years ago it's not even funny.

Isn't he like 40 now.

 

[The Josh]

Isn't he like 40 now.

Something like that.

 

[IrishJedi]

I dug this flick!

The robots were fantastic. Shia and Megan were both great! However, I have to say that pretty much all of the rest of the human actors/characters were suck and ended up distracting and taking away from the film (especially John Tutturo... shudder). Same with Frenzy, which is the only robot I found truly lame and annoying.

Prime OWNED, though. And Bumblebee was actually BETTER than his G1 incarnation. I especially loved all of the Autobots.

 

[Bannister]

Something like that.

Good for him, she is like 21.

 

[dekadentdave]

Yes, Frenzy. That was the annoying robot. Reminded me of those stupid Lucasian Battle Droids. I was waiting for him to say "Roger Roger."

 

[Bannister]

Yes, Frenzy. That was the annoying robot. Reminded me of those stupid Lucasian Battle Droids. I was waiting for him to say "Roger Roger."

That I really can't argue with.

 

[The Josh]

Good for him, she is like 21.

I know. He's one lucky *******.

 

[dekadentdave]

I'm watching the original cartoon pilot mini-series right now and having a lot more fun!

 

[DouglasMcc]

I never said you people shouldn't like it. I'm just baffled that most of you do. Seems to me you are just settling for whatever is served on your plate regardless of how good it tastes.

And that is what really troubles me about cinema today. Studio execs are mining the franchises and raping our childhoods. They know what we love but the people making it have no idea WHY we hold it dear to our hearts. When you take on a franchise you are taking on a legacy beloved by the masses and to deviate from that which people uphold as iconic is to alienate the fans. I'm outraged that Prime was changed from his classic iconic form. The moving lips I found destracting and offensive. That's not the Prime I remembered from my youth. I remember when I was a kid thinking how cool it would be if somebody made a live action movie with all of the toys made life-sized but what I saw onscreen wasn't it. Oh, it tries to be, wants to be, but isn't.

Slap together a franchise with the brand name and it's guranteed to be a hit whether it's good or not. Pirates is the greatest example of this and I can't stand those films. When I heard Bay was directing, I knew it was doomed. I knew it would be the biggest blockbuster hit of 2007 regardless. What surprised me was the reactions from people who actually enjoyed it. Between my best friend and the rest of you freaks is what convinced me to give the film a chance. I did. I tried. I really really tried and I really really want to like it as much as the rest of you but I just can't. I think I'll watch the 86' movie again tonight, cheeseball and all. I felt more empathy for those classic animated characters than I did for those imitatations I saw on the big screen.

I've highlighted the key sentences above. Now, I am not challenging your right to like or dislike something. Personal taste is suppose to be ... well personal. However, I do have a problem with a few parts of your rant:

1.) I never said you people shouldn't like it. I'm just baffled that most of you do. Seems to me you are just settling for whatever is served on your plate regardless of how good it tastes.

Oh really ... so, basically, you never said we shouldn't like it ... but we are stupid and tasteless for enjoying the movie? I would love to turn this around - when you are in a vocal minority - hell, even the majority of critics enjoyed it - that only wants to rant about changing the "iconic" forms such as Prime even though the movie was a reimaging, well, maybe there isn't anything wrong with the majority. Maybe, you've become too cynical, too close-minded, too focused on the past to enjoy the present. Did you realize that "snub-nose" trucks are very uncommon these days? Due to their design - i.e. the engine is under the cab and the cab is actually designed to swing up and over to provide access - they were proven to be a safety risk. And, Megatron was NEVER going to be a Luger ... but that's not Bay or Hollywoods fault. It's the over-reaching U.S. government and their myriad of toy regulation laws. Oh, and how convincing would it have been if Shai's character begged for a Volkswagen to pick up chicks in this day and age? Girls don't dig Herbie anymore, they dig muscle cars. So, say what you will, but most of the changes make sense to me. They may have been "iconic", but much like in the Battlestar Galactica example I used before, they would look ridiculous to a modern audience. And, don't kid yourselves. This movie was not made for you and me. It was aimed at a new age of toy buying children and teens. I figured the giant Hasbro logo at the beginning would have given that away. However, did that keep it from being enjoyable to myself and the majority of the other freaks? No. However, that doesn't give you the right to put use down for enjoying it.

2.) I'm outraged that Prime was changed from his classic iconic form. The moving lips I found destracting and offensive. B]When I heard Bay was directing, I knew it was doomed.

Lets be honest here Dave ... you decided you hated this movie 2 years ago when it was announced that Bay was directing. And those first Prime pics that popped up on AICN a year ago ... they just cemented your hate. I hate to put words into your mouth, but nothing you have said gives me the impression you went into this film objectively. And, that's your right. If you don't like Bay's work, then fine. But please don't come here and lecture us on our "tastes" just because they differ from yours. Many freaks went into this film expecting the worst. However, unlike you, they did so with an open-mind. That's why they can see the merits of the film and you cannot. I hate that that sounds like I am attacking you, esp. after our little Apple debate, because it's not my intention. However, you are a carbon copy of one of my friends. He decided months ago he hated the movie and just went into the theater looking for reason to validate his opinion. And, I don't care how good a movie is ... if you go in wanting to hate it, you will. End of story.

P.S. I have to ask ... how are moving lips on a robot "offensive"? I could see you not liking the design, but how could you possible be offended by something that minor? You do realize that the original Transformers had none moving faces for the simple fact that they wanted to save money with animation and regional translation, correct? And, doesn't it make sense that a robot species which wanted to mimic human and vehicular forms would try to mimic our basic face structure?