Review of Transformers (2007) by Jose V — 06 Jun 2014

6/7/14.

After 7 years, Transformers still feels like it did when it came out. Oh, it's not too bad, the human characters (Sam, Michaela, Optimus Prime, and a few others) get their fair share of screen time and development, but most of the actual Transformers don't. Sam is pretty relatable if you were that-awkward-guy-nobody-noticed/cared-about, but otherwise, Everyone else gets their quick sum-up. The plot take a while to get started (Megatron doesn't appear properly for almost two hours!) with it building up, but it makes sense, and eventually you're there at the big battle. The robots are cool and all, and the action is explosive, but the camera feels needlessly shaky and there are a lot of quick cuts, but since it's robot-on-robot violence, not robot-on-human or human-on-human, it feels somewhat tame. Steve Jablonsky does an amazing job with the score, and Michael Bay's use of studio album songs isn't so obnoxious like it was in The Amazing Spider-Man 2. It was funny, though some may find the humor in moderately bad taste, especially if you don't like profanity. There's no needless profanity, because I feel if I was in their situation, I'd swear like that. Transformers is a fun time killer, but it won't bring you endless joy, or the most likable characters. If anyone asks, guilty pleasure is why you're watching, if you're embarassed to watch with other people.

8/17/13.

The robots in disguise make their liva-action big screen debut in Michael Bay's "Transformers," based on a cartoon made to sell toys. I enjoyed it thoroughly. While the visuals in some parts were CGI, yet looked like an 80s animatronic, the camera shook in big fights, the battles looked brilliant with the CGI robots. Steve Jablonski's soundtrack really brought some spirit to the movie, and further intensified the robot battles. The characters, human and Transformer, were likable, and they brought the story to life. Sam Witwicky, a stuttering teenager, whose great-great-grandfather discovered Megatron, and went crazy seeing alien symbols. Michaela Banes, a classmate of his who gets caught up in the action, and the Autobots who come to earth protecting the humans. The plot was about the All Spark, but felt like an origin story for Transformers on Earth. It was serious in terms of threats to National Security Decepticons presented, but had its humorous moments. If you were a fan of the 80s cartoon, you may not like it as much, but I still think you should see it, then judge. Now, time to roll out for the sequels!