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

[Bannister]

I
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?

Because everyone knows robots don't have lips.

 

[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?

P.S.S. Not sure why the first paragraph keeps getting bolded. It wasn't intentional. Don't want people to think I was internet "yelling"

 

[DouglasMcc]

Woah ... also not sure why my post was double-posted after I edited it to add the P.S.S. ... sigh, technology today ...

 

[Bannister]

Woah ... also not sure why my post was double-posted after I edited it to add the P.S.S. ... sigh, technology today ...

It's cause you aren't using a mac.

 

[dekadentdave]

Gee, I'm watching the cartoon now and ALL of the robots have moving lips EXCEPT for Prime.

 

[The ill Jedi]

Because everyone knows robots don't have lips.

This one does.

 

[MaulFan]

It's cause you aren't using a mac.

Dude, you have some of the best wit on these boards, glad you're a part of em bro.

 

[Bannister]

Dude, you have some of the best wit on these boards, glad you're a part of em bro.

 

[Eli26]

It's cause you aren't using a mac.

Macs rule! Nuff' said!

 

[DouglasMcc]

It's cause you aren't using a mac.

Come on Bannister ... I set up that softball for Dave ... I lobbed it right up there for the easy homerun .... and you bat-blocked him ... foul, I call foul ...

 

[Bannister]

Come on Bannister ... I set up that softball for Dave ... I lobbed it right up there for the easy homerun .... and you bat-blocked him ... foul, I call foul ...

 

[Bannister]

Gee, I'm watching the cartoon now and ALL of the robots have moving lips EXCEPT for Prime.

You did see that he did have the faceplate when he was doing battle.

 

[DouglasMcc]

Gee, I'm watching the cartoon now and ALL of the robots have moving lips EXCEPT for Prime.

Okay, I could be wrong on that one. I only made it through about 7 episodes of the DVD of season one before I had to stop watching and sell the DVD's immediately. The crap animation and horrible story-telling were killing my childhood nostalgic memories of my beloved Transformers. I don't remember anyone other than Megatron having moving lips. But, I will accept that I made a mistake on that one.

However, if all of them other than Prime had moving lips, how is that change so major (besides, the plate came up in battle mode)? How is it so "offensive" if all the other Transformers were designed that way? Seems to me they were just making Prime fit in more with his robotic brothers.

 

[dekadentdave]

Because Prime always had the faceplate on. He never took it off. It was part of his iconic character design but something you wouldn't obviously understand because you only watched 7 episodes because the animation of too horrible. I'm having a blast watching these again. I find that it's reinvigorating my childhood nostagia.

 

[DouglasMcc]

Because Prime always had the faceplate on. He never took it off. It was part of his iconic character design but something you wouldn't obviously understand because you only watched 7 episodes because the animation of too horrible. I'm having a blast watching these again. I find that it's reinvigorating my childhood nostagia.

So, if nothing else, can you see now how your focus on this "nostalgia" biases you towards the new film? I mean, come on, if all it took for you to dislike the new Prime was flames and moving lips, how could you ever be subjective when discussing the subject.

As for the cartoon, I prefer to live off my memories ... as cloudy as they may be . I promise you, I saw every single episode ... and the movie, as a child. Heck, I saw them multiple times. And my memories are nothing but awe and excitement. But, it just doesn't hold up in our modern age. Sadly, most of the cartoons I loved as a child don't hold up now a days - Transformers, GI Joe, etc. - I just can't help but see the fault in their design when viewing them from an adult perspective. I know this is both normal and to be expected ... but it still saddens me. Sigh ... the only cartoon that has held up for me is Thundercats.

P.S. Let's start a petition ... Megan Fox for the role of Cheetara in the live action film :chew

 

[nash]

sorry but Aliens and Terminator are hardly groundbreaking movies imo. They are pretty damn cheesey as well. But still good enough for a decent ride. comparing this new TF movie to those two, TF would own them any day.

 

[DouglasMcc]

sorry but Aliens and Terminator are hardly groundbreaking movies imo. They are pretty damn cheesey as well. But still good enough for a decent ride. comparing this new TF movie to those two, TF would own them any day.

Okay, I loved the Transformers movie too ... but talking that way about Aliens? Prepare to have all your Geek cred stripped and access to Alba pics "terminated" if such actions continue ....

 

[dekadentdave]

Terminator is a f'n classic. Jim Cameron could have directed Transformers and actually made us give a s#!t about the cardboard characters.

I also have to agree with Harry Knowles on this one, I rarely see eye-to-eye with his opinions:

https://www.aintitcool.com/node/33226

 

[pjam]

sorry but Aliens and Terminator are hardly groundbreaking movies imo. They are pretty damn cheesey as well. But still good enough for a decent ride. comparing this new TF movie to those two, TF would own them any day.

ALIENS 1986 - AWARDS


Academy Awards, USA
Year Result Award Category/Recipient(s)
1987 Won Oscar Best Effects, Sound Effects Editing
Don Sharpe


Best Effects, Visual Effects
Robert Skotak
Stan Winston
John Richardson
Suzanne M. Benson


Nominated Oscar Best Actress in a Leading Role
Sigourney Weaver


Best Art Direction-Set Decoration
Peter Lamont
Crispian Sallis


Best Film Editing
Ray Lovejoy


Best Music, Original Score
James Horner


Best Sound
Graham V. Hartstone
Nicolas Le Messurier
Michael A. Carter
Roy Charman



Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror Films, USA
Year Result Award Category/Recipient(s)
2004 Nominated Saturn Award Best DVD Collection
Also for Alien (1979), Alien³ (1992) and Alien: Resurrection (1997).
For the "Alien Quadrilogy".


1987 Won Saturn Award Best Actress
Sigourney Weaver


Best Director
James Cameron


Best Performance by a Younger Actor
Carrie Henn


Best Science Fiction Film


Best Special Effects
Stan Winston
Robert Skotak
Dennis Skotak


Best Supporting Actor
Bill Paxton


Best Supporting Actress
Jenette Goldstein


Best Writing
James Cameron


Nominated Saturn Award Best Actor
Michael Biehn


Best Costumes
Emma Porteus


Best Make-Up
Peter Robb-King



Awards of the Japanese Academy
Year Result Award Category/Recipient(s)
1987 Nominated Award of the Japanese Academy Best Foreign Language Film



BAFTA Awards
Year Result Award Category/Recipient(s)
1987 Won BAFTA Film Award Best Special Visual Effects
Robert Skotak
Brian Johnson
John Richardson
Stan Winston


Nominated BAFTA Film Award Best Make Up Artist
Peter Robb-King


Best Production Design
Peter Lamont


Best Sound
Don Sharpe
Roy Charman
Graham V. Hartstone



Casting Society of America, USA
Year Result Award Category/Recipient(s)
1987 Nominated Artios Best Casting for Feature Film, Drama
Mike Fenton
Jane Feinberg
Judy Taylor



DVD Exclusive Awards
Year Result Award Category/Recipient(s)
2003 Won DVDX Award Best Overall DVD, Classic Movie (Including All Extra Features)
Charles de Lauzirika
Also for Alien (1979), Alien³ (1992) and Alien: Resurrection (1997)
(Alien Quadrilogy).

Nominated DVDX Award Best Audio Commentary (New for DVD)
James Cameron
Michael Biehn
Jenette Goldstein
Carrie Henn
Christopher Henn
Lance Henriksen
Gale Anne Hurd
Pat McClung
Bill Paxton
Dennis Skotak
Robert Skotak
Stan Winston
(Alien Quadrilogy).

Best Menu Design
Matt Kennedy
Also for Alien (1979), Alien³ (1992) and Alien: Resurrection (1997)
For "The Alien Quadrilogy".


2003 Nominated DVDX Award Best Behind-the-Scenes Program (New for DVD)
Charles de Lauzirika
For The Beast Within: The Making of 'Alien' (2003) (V) (Alien Quadrilogy).
Also for Alien (1979), Alien³ (1992) and Alien: Resurrection (1997)


Golden Globes, USA
Year Result Award Category/Recipient(s)
1987 Nominated Golden Globe Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture - Drama
Sigourney Weaver



Hugo Awards
Year Result Award Category/Recipient(s)
1987 Won Hugo Best Dramatic Presentation



Kinema Junpo Awards
Year Result Award Category/Recipient(s)
1987 Won Readers' Choice Award Best Foreign Language Film
James Cameron



Las Vegas Film Critics Society Awards
Year Result Award Category/Recipient(s)
2004 Won Sierra Award Best DVD
Also for Alien (1979), Alien³ (1992) and Alien: Resurrection (1997)
For "The Alien Quadrilogy".


Motion Picture Sound Editors, USA
Year Result Award Category/Recipient(s)
1987 Won Golden Reel Award Best Sound Editing - Foreign Feature
unknown



Satellite Awards
Year Result Award Category/Recipient(s)
2004 Nominated Golden Satellite Award Best DVD Extras
Also for Alien (1979), Alien³ (1992) and Alien: Resurrection (1997)
For "The Alien Quadrilogy".

Best Overall DVD
Also for Alien (1979), Alien³ (1992) and Alien: Resurrection (1997)
For "The Alien Quadrilogy".


Young Artist Awards
Year Result Award Category/Recipient(s)
1987 Nominated Young Artist Award Exceptional Performance by a Young Actress, Supporting Role in a Feature Film - Comedy, Fantasy or Drama
Carrie Henn

 

[dekadentdave]

Yup, that says it all, P!

Michael Bay can only dream of having all of those accolades on one of his films.