A Popcorn flick if there ever was one, but a great one!!!!

Rating: 8/10 (12 July 2007)

I had I hopes for this film when I saw the trailers. I was always a fan of transformers, although never a devoted one. I had a couple toys, watched some shows, know a little of the Mythos, but definitely not an expert and time has faded my memories. Basically, I came in with no preconceived notions of what the film should be, which is good cause I could see how people could take the film in the wrong light.
First and foremost, it's based on a cartoon so expect the story to be wacky, which it is in spades. Crazy loony toon cops, government officials (Sector 7, need I say more) and parental units. Why every American family has to be kooky and crazy in Hollywood films nowadays is beyond me. Fortunately, most of the time the wackiness leans itself well to the overall motif of the film or sets up a good one-liner( transformers is a surprisingly funny film.)
Secondly, the actors are mostly throwaways, Megan fox couldn't me more stale. Even veterans of the industry disappointed, jon voight anyone? There is some miscasting, everyone playing a sector 7 official was too upsurd for my tastes, especially the head honcho. Fortunately, shia labouf is a saving grace bringing humor and good twitchy, overly anxious teenager to the screen.
Now here comes the Transformers, who except for Jazz (why oh why was he so stereotypically black, do African-Americans enjoy stereotypes of themselves on screen in robot form?) are all done exceptionally well. Optimus prime and bumble bee have the most personality and are done amazingly well. I would have like to have seen more deception interaction, but it makes sense with the storyline. Just seeing them lumber around is a special effects treat and wait til you see guns ablazing, the action is an intense roller-coaster ride if there ever was one.
Finally, michael bay as the director. As being a fan of Bay's work, (the island was amazing)I was pleased with his interaction with the film. Some miscasting and overly goofiness aside, he brought a great film to the screen and should be commended.