It only took one week…if fact, it took less than one week, and two movies to restore my faith in Hollywood’s ability to create memorable summer blockbusters. The first movie–Die Hard 4.0–the second, Transformers. I vaguely remember seeing Tranformers as a child but had no nostalgic connection to the series, so I went into this movie hoping for fun with big robots, an entertaining story, and hoping that Transformers would really be more than meets the eye.
For the second straight movie review the most apropos word to describe the experience is of the three letter variety: FUN! My question going into this film was “how do you make a feature length movie about cartoon transforming robots that, from my recollection, had very little storyline to begin with?” The answer: make a film about a common male right of passage–a boy getting his first car–and the resulting bond between (young) man and machine; and throw in a robot storyline for good measure.
Director Michael Bay and writers Roberto Orci and Alex Kurtzman succeed in their summer blockbuster duties by concentrating the bulk of the plot on the development of a central human character, Sam Witwicky (Shia LeBeouf), and on two relationships that are very important to Sam: his first car, and his first love. That is why Transformers succeeds. Because the one thing your non-robot-loving friends could complain about is that a film about shape-changing robots coming to earth to fight a war is all just a bit silly. And if that was all the movie was about, they might have been right. Instead we are allowed to connect with an everyman character whose subsequent introduction to extraterrestrial robotic life forms seems like nothing more than a wild, wacked-out adventure.
In addition to restoring some of my faith in movies, the last two films have done something else. They have featured two young male leads who prove that this next generation of actors have some great things in store for us. I have seen Shia LeBeof in other films, but in Transformers he really comes into his own. He shows excellent comedic timing, he demonstrates great on-screen presence, and he proves that he has what it takes to be one of the next great everyman action hero leads.
Like the film, Megan Fox (who plays Sam’s love interest, Mikaela Banes) is also more than meets the eye. Please forgive the very sexist remark that what meets the eye would have been enough. 😉 I mean, anyone who can make being a dirty mess look this attractive does not need to contribute much more to the story:
Ooookay then, back to the review:
Megan Fox was a nice choice for the female lead. She has done a few acting jobs but was still relatively unknown. The chemistry between her and Shia LeBeouf was quite good and I thought she handled the action scenes in a very believable manner. She played a strong female character who was able to maintain her strength and be a likeable, admirable character at the same time. Hollywood doesn’t always get this combination right.
The rest of Transformers is filled with a talented array of cast members who both help the plot move forward and, in many cases, add the kind of humor to this action film that I just praised Live Free and Die Hard for. I really enjoyed Jon Voight as the Secretary of Defense (a role that seems tailor made for him). Bernie Mac, John Turturro, and Anthony Anderson all play small humor-laden roles that keep the movie from being a one-note action film. Perhaps my favorite performances, outside Shia LeBeouf and Megan Fox, were that of Kevin Dunn and Julie White as Sam Witwicky’s parents. Some of the funniest moments of the film involved them and they were great.
The other important character in the film was, of course, the car:
I am not spoiling anything by repeating what you would have seen in the trailer, that Sam’s car is in fact a Transformer. It starts out as a 1974 Camero which later updates to the very latest showroom model. I am probably showing my age when I say that although I liked the new car, I much preferred the ’74, even in its less-than-pristine condition.
Some of you may be wondering how I have managed to get this far into a movie review about robots without really talking about the robots! Again, that is a testament to what this film is, there is more going on than just the robot storyline.
That being said, I was thrilled with both the look and the storyline of the Transformers. I won’t reveal any of the story details, but suffice it to say that the story involving the Transformers themselves is about what you would expect from a summer blockbuster film. That isn’t to say it is bad, it is just not wholly original. In this case, however, it doesnt’ really matter. The Transformers look amazing, and by the time they feature prominently in the film you are so attached to the human characters that the Tranformer characters feel like icing on the cake.
Industrial Light and Magic did an amazing job with the special effects. Every time a vehicle changed into a robot was an ‘Oh, Wow!’ moment for me. I was worried that a movie that had transforming robots battling would involve a mess of shots in which it was impossible to decipher what was going on. And that is in fact true during some moments of the film, but very seldom. Again, that is why I love the way this movie was written. Instead of non-stop robot battles we get a coming of age story, we get a love story, we get car chases like only Michael Bay can deliver, and we still manage to get enough robot on robot action to satisfy even the most die-hard robot fanatics.
Transformers is not high-cinema. But Transformers is what a summer popcorn movie ought to be. It is wildly entertaining from start to finish and manages to tell a complete tale in one film without feeling like you the viewer are just being set up for film number two. If Transformers never makes it to the big screen again, I feel like I have seen a finished story, and that leaves me immensely satisfied.
I did not just see a movie today, I had a movie experience. I saw a film that had me reminiscing about my first car, about first dates, about the thrill of those first tastes of autonomy that turning 16 and getting a car can give you. In addition to that I saw a film about really cool robots. And I love robots. That is the movie that I saw. What about you? Have you seen Transformers yet? If so, what movie did you see?
For those who have yet to see it, or are sitting on the fence about it, if a highly entertaining, funny, action-packed movie is what you are craving, then take my advice: get yourself to a theatre and see both Die Hard 4.0 and Transformers as soon as you can. They are both films whose special effects and film work needs to be seen on the big screen to be fully appreciated.
What a great way to begin the Independence Day festivities.
Please indulge my innate maleness and allow me to post one more picture (to fulfill a request of Jeff, of course):
Go see Transformers, it is the kind of fun summer movie that I hope Hollywood continues to make.
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As an additional note, allow me to give a HUGE SHOUT OUT of THANKS to James and Julie for hosting a bang-up fireworks celebration this year. The food, fellowship, and fireworks were all top-notch. Robots, cool cars, great food, wonderful friends, and blowin’ stuff up…I am going to bed a very satisfied boy tonight! 🙂
i saw the ad for the first time last night on tv. i was fairly excited up until then – like you wasn’t seriously into the cartoon, i watched it on and off, but never followed it religiously. i also had one or two of the toys…
but last night, the moment is saw those dudes turn into robots i wanted to see it!!! i’m such a guy, but it just looked so cool!! haha! 🙂
i had that “oh wow” moment in a big way.
the right-of-passage approach is a very clever one and is a brilliant way of making the story human, accessable and engaging.
it shows you someone in hollywood still has brains… 🙂
from your review it sounds like they’ve really got this right! fun and enjoyable with a good story.
i can’t wait to see it!
I’ve wanted to go see this since the first time I saw the trailer, maybe even before, and I’m really not sure why as I never watched the cartoon, that I recall. But still, it looks like perfect mindless entertainment.
Shia didn’t hit my radar until he was cast in the Indiana Jones 4 movie. Your comments give me hope that he won’t jack-up my film. The only thing I know about Megan Fox is that she has some seriously ugly tattoos but it looks like they covered them for this film.
I used to drive that car, and it was only a couple years old at the time.
This movie was amazing! My was agape for the full two hours and for someone with ADD that is pretty amazing. It might of had something to do with that Megan Fox too, holy cow, she may be the most beautiful girl, like, ever.
My “mouth” was agape.
I got excited typing.
I saw those tattoos when I was looking for pics of her. They would be quirky if they were temporary tattoos, but as permanent statements they are really poorly conceived.
I was cracking up, Loo. I think you should have just left it blank and we could have all filled in words of our own! 😉 Glad you enjoyed the film.
I had such a blast watching this movie yesterday! I may have to write up a review for tomorrow. Just for more raving.
Please do, Angela, I would love to read it.
And Suzanne, I think Shia will do great with Indy IV, if this movie is any indication of his skills.
Oh, and I’m jealous that you once had a car like that, only newer! 😉
Ah, but it wasn’t my car. Three of my friends had cars like that and I had occasion to drive all three. They were wicked fun to drive but definitely built for speed rather than comfort.
Who needs comfort when you have a cool, fast car? 🙂
I’m so glad you liked it…phew! I was counting on you Carl 😉 I’m counting down the days til I get to see it. I saw a “battle scene” clip of the transformers fighting on the freeway and it looked amazing…can’t wait!
I can’t wait to get out and see this movie!
Carl, I had to break down and offer money to Lydia to help clean up the back yard. It was covered in cardboard!
We had a great time too!
I thoroughly enjoyed this film. It was great to have a movie that was fun for my husband and I as well as our kids.
Although, there were a few words daughter wanted definitions on. I took the cowards way out, “We’ll talk about that later.” – if you remember to ask me again.
All in all, yesterday was a great day!
Oh no, James…she’s sticking it to you already!!! I’m sure there was cardboard everywhere, we blew up alot of stuff. Thanks again, it was great!
My film buddy is off to a float trip in Colorado, so I’ll have to wait until he gets back to see Transformers.. Did get to see F4 yesterday and loved it. I’m not sure these kinds of movies are a guy thing as I love them too. I get such a high from watching them. The world is such a confusing and scarey place sometimes; it’s great when the good guys and good and the bad guys and bad and the good guys always win.
I wonder if he’ll pay me. . . I’ve put in several hours of clean up today. . . I even had to hose off the back deck. It was completely covered in cardboard and powder! James is going to have a lot of fun cleaning out the gutters!
We had a great time! I’m glad you all were able to come and enjoy James’ passion for explosions!
I’m sure James will make it to this flick. I probably won’t, but that’s ok.
James, Julie, Carl, and Mary thanks again for having our family over to both of your homes for great food and fireworks. We all had an incredible time.
As for Transformers it was GREAT! I can’t stress it enough but this a fun summer movie that demands to be seen on the big screen. James if Julie won’t go with you drag Tom to this one. You guys will love it. I also think Shia will do great in Indy 4 now. He has that right mix of everyman charm and action hero toughness. I will also echo my wife sentiments on being able to enjoy the film with the whole family. It was great to share it with the kids. I think I will see Transformers requests on future birthday toy lists.
I saw the movie tonight, after getting rave reviews from four other friends. What a frakking awesome film. 🙂
A particular speech given by the mom just about cracked me up for a couple minutes. I’m sure you remember which one. Still laughing whenever I think about it.
Saw the movie on July 4th,
my birthday. WHAT A RIDE!!!!!!! I absolutely loved it. Tons of fun to see.
PS-I’m a 61 yr old woman who designs flower gardens.
What Jeff, no thank you for the Megan Fox pictures? I’m hurt. 😉
That was a very fun speech, RG.
SusieQ, happy belated birthday. Very cool that you remain young at heart regardless of your age.
Keri, great to see your comments. I was shocked! 🙂
I really miss not being able to catch ALL of the summer “ya” movies! But I am stuck at the house, and if I want to go it’s an EXTRA 20.00 in taxi (rd. trip) to see the movie… soooooooooooooo.. I’m saving that expense for Harry Potter! lol… next year I may be in a real pickle since most likely another HP will come out and so will Indiana Jones and Inkheart! I better start saving now!
You need to get yourself a movie buddy with a car, Deslily, and that way you’d be set for all these great films!!! 🙂
Ha! Ha! The first time my wife ever posts on your blog and you drag my name into the Megan Fox pictures mud. Thanks, buddy! 🙂
What are you doing Jeff, posting under your wife’s name to protect your identity? If my memory serves I think you dove into the Megan Fox mud, you weren’t dragged in. 😉
We do, of course, love our wives dearly and for some reason they manage to put up with us. Proof that miracles to happen today!
True.
Thanks, Carl. I was on the fence about this one, thought the previews were a bit silly, although I did love the crashes and things…I’ll check it out!
Thanks for inviting me to see it last night. What a wonderful ride, and not just the camaro. I must say GM paid for alot of the budget of that film! Great f/x! I don’t know about Megan Fox, she’s okay I guess, but when you’re married to your own Fox there’s no comparison!
I guess I’ll have to tell my fox to read your blog now.
Sucking up to your wife on the blog, that is just sad, Tom…really sad!
It was fun seeing the movie again last night, it was every bit as good the second time around.
Love Die Hard my favourite action movie of all time. 2 and 3 were ok I am SO looking forward to seeing the latest, it has just been released in the UK.
Every time I nip over and have a look at your blog I am stunned with just how, well, stunning it is
Thanks Elaine, I’m sure you’ll enjoy this one when you get a chance to see it.
*cue squealing fangirl mode*
OMG OMG OMG I LOVED Transformers. Bumblebee was THE coolest ever.. Every time I hear that song.. “Baby come back!” I am going to crack up for the rest of my LIFE. It was one of those, “oh no, I’m laughing louder than anyone else in the theater” moments.. I just couldn’t help myself, it caught me off guard! Such an amazing movie, and WAY better than I expected.. I just get all goose-bumply and excited even remembering how much fun I had watching it. w00t!!!
*fangirl mode off*
((I LOVE BUMBLEBEE!!))
It was really fun, wasn’t it Asara? I loved the musical jokes as well, they were so great and elicited tons of laughter in the audience both times I saw it.
Carl,
I finally managed to see this last night.
OMG! What a fantastic film. Absolutely blew me away. Enjoyed every second of it.
For what it’s worth, I just posted my review over on my Myspace blog.
i love u megan fox u are so hott!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!