Simple minded but exciting entertainment

Rating: 7/10 (19 May 2008)

Transformers is thin on plot and coherence, but it's still a blast.
The action sequences are absolutely breathtaking at times, even though the camera is so close you often can't tell what's happening. It doesn't matter though because the digital effects are so incredible and the action is so intensely done with lots of speed, explosions and great sound effects. Seeing this in the theater with full sound can give you shivers down your spine.
The first part of the movie features the more logical part of the plot, even if it's just a typical and dry high school kid storyline. That's really what keeps it in the realm of logic. The dialogue isn't as bad here and everything makes more sense. It's when the robots show up that everything falls apart.
The auto bots are more or less just there for the kids, which isn't a bad thing on its own. Unfortunately, they have some terrible dialogue and their characters are more clumsy and dimwitted than heroic. It's obvious that they're more just there to be cute and entertaining than actually be real characters. They don't really offer anything compelling, instead they're basically just stand ins there to blow up stuff and provide some slapstick relief. The decepticons aren't much better.
The plot is equally kiddish. It revolves around this ancient artifact that all the robots are after. Fair enough, but it gets so silly you'll be shaking your head at it.
It's still fun though. In all of its simplicity and childishness, you can be entertained. The characters are also likable enough (albeit pretty flat) so that you can care about them, especially Shia Lebouf. He does a great job providing an easily likable main character, and he does a good job with all the comedic bits.
It's a fun movie despite how ridiculous and nonsensical it can get. The action will blow you away and you'll like the transformers, even if they are just marketing tools for the kids. Don't expect anything crafty or complex, just sit back and enjoy the fun.