Rock 'em Sock 'em Robots

Rating: 7/10 (6 July 2007)

Transformers (2007) ***
Perhaps its the kid in me. Perhaps its the kid I was; back when I adored the Transformers cartoons and toys. Whatever it is, its not because Michael Bay knows how to craft beautiful art. It might be though because Michael Bay finally kicked the paint can with enough force and accuracy that when it hit the canvas it made some pretty neat patterns.
Yes, Transformers has faults and plot holes that an Autobot could fall through. Yes its over stuffed and overblown. Yes its far too long and filled with more product placements than you see during the super bowl. Yes 90% of the dialogue is cheesy and no Michael Bay still cannot direct humans to save his own life. But I'll admit, when I was enjoying Transformers, I enjoyed the hell out of it.
Michael Bay, who has arguably directed some of the most awful movies in the world (Armageddon, Pearl Harbor) and my choice for the worst (Bad Boys II), has finally done something right. Its too bad that he realized it at some point and kept running a few miles past the finish line with it. The movie starts out with some traditionally cheesy moments and gung ho join the army because we're awesome junk. No big surprise, Bay stuffs in the greatness of the US Army wherever he can. However he does poke some fun at Bush and the US Government's lies. Too bad its regarding Aliens and nothing actually significant. But even the staunch member of the opposition that I am, I was able to ignore it most of the time. When there is humans on screen, when they work its because of one reason only, Shia LaBeouf (Well John Turturro has his moments). He is showing himself to be a great actor, even in the middle of otherwise mediocrity.
The movie works because of the Transformers and LaBeouf, and the completely over the top and silly action sequences of which there are many. The CGI is great, but Bay who seemingly realized this flaunts it to the point of exhaustion and tedium. And because of that, Transformers just about overstays its welcome. So much time is put into the final fight, that it feels like they were unsure where to go from there and how to actually end the fight itself, which seems to come quickly considering how long the fight lasts.
But for all its faults, Transformers is far and away Bay's best movie. Though if there is a sequel i would much rather see someone else direct. If you go into this with low expectations and in the mood to see popcorn movies at there most buttery, then I think you'll feel you didn't waste your money... well that kid inside you will feel that way.
3/4