A visually astonishing film that will please fans but lacks consistency

Rating: 8/10 (2 July 2007)

Michael Bay brings Hasbro's popular toy line to the silver screen in 2007's Transformers, a visually astonishing film hindered by unbalanced performances and questionable stylistic choices.
For those of you who weren't a child in the mid to late '80s there needs to be an introduction. Transformers are beings which are not robots despite being mechanical. They are best described as humans made of metal. Each has a personality and an ability to "transform" into a much less interesting everyday device. This allows them to hide, and in the case of the film, gives some believability to their existence on Earth. Their home planet is at war. On one side are the Autobots, the honorable protectors of the galaxy. In this film's case, they appear to be sponsored by GM as each of them masquerades as a vehicle produced by the company. Fighting against the Autobots are the Decepticons. Their purpose is to destroy everything be it Autobot or human. Both sides are looking for a cube called the Allspark which can bring life to electronic devices. Just so happens that this device has landed on Earth and their eternal struggle for it is resurfacing in present day. When a lone Decepticon causes a stir in the desert by hacking the army's intel, the Secretary of Defense (Jon Voight), must coordinate between Sergeant Lennox (Josh Duhamel) and a savvy technician (Rachel Taylor) to find the one human (LaBeouf) who unknowingly processes the key to finding the Allspark.
Let's get to the strengths. Transformers is essentially The Terminator with different robots. This isn't a bad thing, as people are going to see this film just for the robots. LaBeouf's character is basically caught in a chase as he is protected by one powerful source while another pursues him. Most of the acting is strong. LeBeouf is especially strong as the lead. The special effects are not just contenders but a hands downs Academy Award winner if ever there was one. Few films in this decade offer visuals that are truly unique. We have all seen spells, ghosts, and dragons. Here we have a unique franchise that showcases vehicles changing into robots. These robots look absolutely incredible. Adding to their believability is the fact they are designed to be composed out of everyday materials. The artists of Transformers have recreated these materials using computer effects in a manner no other film has accomplished. To my eyes, cars coming to life with spot on real glass and polished doors, look far more real than any contrived squid or suited superhero because we are so familiar with these common items.
Some of the best moments in Transformers are provided to please fans. Hearing the iconic Optimus Prime speak with his original cartoon voice-over supplied by Peter Cullen is a good move in this area. Having him pull double duty with an opening voice-over, subtracts from the impact that could have been when Prime first rolls onto the scene. There is plenty of Autobot on Decepticon action to keep fans happy as well, and the art design of most of the bots expands on the original toy line and cartoon without alienating them.
I felt that some of the actors were playing roles outside of the film. John Turturro's agent Simmons struck me as a pointless agent of comic relief in a mostly serious film. His character's lines are so far from natural that I was confused as to whether or not he himself was a robot in disguise. That's the way comedy is supplied in Transformers. It isn't funny, it is just over the top and out of place. Most characters realize that there are dire stakes on the line while others are focused on being nonsensical. This isn't limited to actors, as one Decepticon (Frenzy), is wretched with sound effects, animations, and a corky voice; making it the most annoying digital character since Jar Jar Binks.
This isn't the worst choice by director Bay in the picture, but it is tied with others for that honor. Rock music enters amidst action sequences which seconds earlier had a nice dramatic score. There are also several elegantly high concept shots, and some that leave something to be desired. These examples showed me a lack of consistency. This was very distracting because the tone of the film left me scratching my head. I wasn't sure if this was a comedy, auctioneer, or part drama. Transformers has an abundance of elements which are loosely tied together, and that is what makes it difficult to categorize and fully accept.
Ultimately, the robot effects are hard to pass up when they are done this well, and no one is going to head to this flick truly expecting anything else. I have to recommend Transformers for fans of the toy line and animated series as well as anyone seeking stellar visuals.