Amazing............................that this movie is rated as highly as it is!

Rating: 2/10 (20 November 2007)

OK, I'm probably an idiot for expecting more from a movie about robots from outer space that can re-form themselves into (coincidently) earthmen-designed cars and trucks of this period. (It's true, they leave a flimsy "out" for this unlikeliness). As a lad, I confess I thought the whole transformer thing peculiar, albeit creative.
Outstanding CGI to be sure -- one requirement fulfilled. The positives end there. I found the movie ham-handed and reliant on volume and hyper-kinetic camera work. Bay has a way of pummeling his audience. Much has been touted about how much great action is in this movie. But I came away feeling less like I had seen this all before, and more like this time I was forced to lie on my back while giant robots emptied trashcans full of everything I've seen before on my writhing body. Maybe that's what people like about the movie? On the human side, Transformers is chock full of predictable caricatures acted with...well, zero nuance. I can just see Michael Bay directing his cast "Try it again -- this time even more goofy!" (More cowbell!) Some people found Shia LaBeouf's performance great. To each his own. A barely interesting point:counterpoint is his over-the-top mugging contrasted with his leading-lady's glazed vapidness. Not sure what John Voight was thinking by taking this role. Maybe he had a good time. His call.
Finally, Michael Bay seems to think upping the contrast and saturation in post production is some sort of clever art form. Looks more like Photoshop 101.
I was totally open to enjoying a movie about Transformers. But besides the fun CGI, I didn't. Hey, what do I know? Bay keeps making millions...and millions. And that worries me.