Flashy Entertainment wins Summer 07

Rating: 9/10 (18 July 2007)

After seeing the most anticipated movie of Summer 07, which was the corny Spiderman 3, and seeing Shrek 3 crumble, and Pirates getting lost in its subplots, the summer of 07 looked bleak when 4 months ago it had an all-star lineup. Then came the hilarious Knocked Up, a dismal and even cornier Fantastic Four 2, and a cliché Oceans 13. Then, it was time for the Independence Day Openers where Ratatouille cooked up a raving reviews. Finally, Transformers was released which exceeded my weary expectations and millions of others.
The movie has the most simple, easy and cliché plot set up where two robotic races fight on earth in search of a higher power that a human unknowingly possesses. The plot is stupid, but it worked. Summer blockbusters since the mid 90's have had gaping plot holes, lapses and corny dialogue that critics sensationalize and zoom in on in their reviews. One could argue, that in almost every summer blockbuster the people's grade always is higher than the critics. However, I am fan of most of those blockbuster movies, I even enjoyed Armageddon. The story again is childish, but thats its purpose and the movie has a keen awareness of that, which gives respect to the eclectic viewer. Some critics call this set up garbage, which it is but most viewers ironically find the beauty in that garbage.
The entire movie is pure, flashy, loud, intense entertainment. In fact, what critics seem dumbfounded on is, that is the contemporary definition of entertainment, loud, flashy, intense. (Think theme parks). Transformers is a roller coaster thrill ride that has immensely long lines of eager viewers waiting to experience it. Critics are baffled by the worlds taste of entertainment and disappointed in this, making them somewhat pompous but paradoxically sincere. The movie ultimately has no dull moments unlike in Pirates 3 where many were abundant. The movie's pacing is what keeps the viewer distracted from its corniness. The editing is top-notch where the viewer is given not many chances to see the action from a stationary pov. Though, I and many others like that flashy and quick editing, which takes away any dullness and sharpens the entertainment. This is in no way tailored for people who don't like frenetic shots, or quick in yo face visuals. This movie is tailored for thrill-seekers and it is one of the best.
Shia Labeouf, a fast and rising genuine actor, like many people have said is the glue of the film. His performance makes everything seem real, his performance pays respect to the audience which gives his character dignity. His relationship with his car, is the aspect of the movie that drew me in. A guys relationship with his car has its special overtones that are found in this movie. At the end of the movie I shockingly found myself caring for Bumblebee and Sam. This relationship in the movie subtlety brought partially profound human emotion to the table, something usually absent from blockbusters shallow and "convenient" emotion.
The Visual/Special/Sound/Bay effects polished and polished this movie, until it became a beacon for pure eye candy. The photo-realistic robots battling out amongst humans is breathtaking. The transformations are so cool. The Transformers themselves I found a little on the dumb side, but what i think many missed is that the Transformers are almost mirroring society. Though stereotypical it is what it is, most people are hypocrites when they so adamantly state stereotypes are bad, when they are typing every day. The Transformers, basically picked up and were influenced by the media and entertainment side of society according to the script. Very clever aspect of the screenplay.
Despite its shortcomings in plot, weak supporting human characters, the movie transforms these weaknesses into pure entertainment. This is the next Pirates. Hopefully its sequel wont parallel the Pirates sequels.
8.5/10 cause IMDb needs to get a better grading system.