Directed by:
Michael BayCinematography:
Mitchell AmundsenComposer:
Steve JablonskyCast:
Shia LaBeouf, Megan Fox, Josh Duhamel, Tyrese Gibson, Rachael Taylor, Anthony Anderson, Jon Voight, John Turturro, Kevin Dunn, Amaury Nolasco, Zack Ward (more)VOD (5)
Plots(1)
From director Michael Bay and executive producer Steven Spielberg comes a thrilling battle between the heroic Autobots and the evil Decepticons. When their epic struggle comes to Earth, all that stands between the Decepticons and ultimate power is a clue held by young Sam Witwicky (Shia LaBeouf). Unaware that he is mankind's last chance for survival, Sam and Bumblebee, his robot disguised as a car, are in a heart-pounding race against an enemy unlike anything anyone has seen before. (Paramount Pictures)
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Reviews (14)
Michael Bay's own words are that he aims to entertain the audience. In that case, I state that I am not his target group, because I feel more entertained in a dentist's chair. I had the opportunity to watch all three Transformers movies within a few days, and I couldn't finish any of them. This is simply beyond the scope of what I consider digestible cinema. Michael Bay is not so much a representative of a certain genre as he is a diagnosis. Lots of action, bombastic special effects, clumsy dialogues that bring physical suffering, and a script and story on the level of a small child. Unfortunately, I haven't been eight for a long time, and I won't be eighty for a long time, so Bay's offer didn't appeal to me. I considered giving 1 star for the special effects and set design, but I would rather go to a magic show. Overall impression: 10%. My choice for a movie set in the world of children's toys would be any of the Toy Story movies.
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I revisited Transformers after many years, and I have to acknowledge a few things. It remains an exceptional action blockbuster through and through, a film that burst onto the scene 13 years ago (time flies) and essentially redefined the genre in several aspects. Michael Bay delivered such a thrilling spectacle that these towering alien robots truly won me over. Of course, I must objectively admit that the infantilism now strikes me as glaring, but as a kid, I bought into Bay's vision wholeheartedly. The audiovisuals are meticulously crafted; seeing it in movie theaters back then was an extraordinary experience, with the desert scene early in the film (accompanied by the track "Scorponok") standing out as a favorite. The actors are decent, and even in my twenties, I laughed at a few well-timed jokes. Shia LaBeouf's casting was remarkably spot-on, and Anthony Anderson's eccentric computer expert provided a great secondary role. The plot is inherently silly, but that’s something you shouldn’t dwell on while watching. If you can push aside the nonsensical logic, the film pulls you in like few others. And that’s exactly what matters. The sequels didn’t do as much for me; they seemed more focused on profits than on delivering a cohesive film. But the original will always hold a special place in my memory. I give it 84%.
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2007 ushered in an era of visually polished blockbusters with a plethora of action and explosions. The first Transformers set a pretty high bar for action films in the first decade. Screenwriting-wise, of course, this is a film that has to be taken with a grain of salt and you have to ignore some downright tacked-on dialogue and scenes. Alongside the overload of action, the film also has a touch of humour and romance, which I appreciate in terms of genre diversity. Among the cast, Anthony Anderson and Jon Voight should be singled out, Megan Fox was downright ornamental, but did not distract in any way, while Shia LaBeouf was a handful at times. If you’re looking for some deep sci-fi, then Transformers wouldn't stand out, but as popcorn summer entertainment, it's an ideal choice.
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More than meets the eye... Or not? It’s disappointing that after the pleasant although unsuccessful The Island, Bay took a step back into soulless action fun for the masses. It doesn’t thrill me that he has fallen back into his traditional, epileptic fit provoking editing. It outright annoys me that the entire story takes place in the opening crawl... I would have been willing to forgive the creators all of the above if they could grip me. Which Transformers managed to do, but only at isolated moments, definitely not for the entire or at least part of the running time. The first part of the movie, which is carried on the shoulders of the ever more likeable LeBeouf, is outstanding, humorous and very promising. But then the whole picture goes to the dogs in the middle, from the game of hide and seek until the defrosting of Megatron. There is humor elsewhere in this movie, but it doesn’t work in the least; Shia practically disappears from the screen and the robots start playing first fiddle, led by the “philosophizing" Optimus and the wannabe funny roles filled by John Turturro and Jon Voight. Although the last third is one big, continuous action inferno, for my tastes it is just too predictable and primarily it’s over-combined. What unarguably works well is the technical side of the movie. They were evidently working overtime at ILM, Jablonsky composed a punchy and fitting soundtrack, the action is nice and comic-bookish over the top and couple of scenes like the onslaught of the Autobots had me pinned to my seat. What brings Transformers down on the big screen too is its extreme length, the lame pieces of wisdom from Optimus, lots of superfluous robots that have barely two seconds of fame and also that pesky little Decepticon. Transformers certainly don’t disappoint, especially in a well-technically equipped movie theater, but don’t expect wonders. It’s not boring, it’s entertaining, but it doesn’t leave any particular lasting impression. This is the feeblest Bay movie yet. Unfortunately.
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Completely bombastic. Bay showed himself in the very best (orange) light and Shia LeBeouf proved to me personally that I was wrong again. This fits him like a glove. Constant wisecracks make him every inch a nice guy and in places he is the life and soul of the entire movie. Megan Fox is nice and foxy again (that stands to reason) and now for the main attraction. And that’s the huge, transforming robots (probably from Japan). ILM did some excellent work (precise in every detail) and Bay too. He chose the best cars currently on the (not Czech, but American) roads and made them into cool, wisecracking hunks who you can’t help loving. The brave Optimus Prime, heroic Jazz, the mellow-yellow Bumblebee and the musclebound Ironhide (he got to me the most during the movie). It’s hard to choose who to like more. They’re all so idiosyncratic and you just want to gobble them up. In the same way, their enemies are also fairly comely. They’re faster and have bigger tricks up their sleeve. For instance, Blackout and Starscreem are completely great. While Megatron is evil through and through and it’s scary when he starts flicking people like lint on a sweater. And I’d love to take another look at Slint... But what are words compared to this wonderful spectacle. So stop reading and head for the movie theater, this movie won’t wait for a DVD. And you, Mike, say yes to part two. I’m already looking forward to it. Transformers... More than meets the eye...
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Gallery (209)
Photo © DreamWorks Pictures & Paramount Pictures
![Transformers - Concept art](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w663/files/images/film/photos/160/005/160005838_840717.jpg)
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