No need to be a fan of the cartoon to enjoy this movie!!!

Rating: 8/10 (1 July 2007)

When the movie began it felt like a serious modern war movie here, not unlike Black Hawk Down or Jarhead or something of that sort. But then when that the Scorpion robot showed up, there was no mistaking this movie at all.
What can you expect from Michael Bay but the best action sequences. He is really a master of action movies ("The Rock", "Armageddon"). All very close-up with bone-crushing detail. Very impressive robot effects, whether the small Frenzy (who turned into a CD player on Air Force One) or the gigantic Optimus Prime, all are very realistic! Great looking vehicles all around. A great man's movie overall. Add to that the palpable sentiments of loyalty and heroism.
Interesting back story about an explorer in the Arctic Circle at the turn of the 20th century to connect to present hero Sam (Shia LaBeouf) and the very presence of the Transformers here on Earth.
There's also humor in a lot of scenes. Notably the scenes where Bumblebee helps Sam score with Mikaela with some well-timed cheesy 70s and 80s love songs on the radio. Also the scenes when Sam's parents barge into Sam's room while the Autobots are impatiently waiting in the garden.
One of the most entertaining movies overall this season. And you certainly need not be a fan of the old cartoon series to enjoy this.