If you've NEVER watched the cartoon series, you might like it!

Rating: 4/10 (26 January 2009)

If you're NOT familiar with the Transformers cartoon series, have a look at Episode 1 on You Tube: http://www.youtube.com/ Or even better; Episode 6.
On Episode 6 you'll hear the taunts the robots exclaim to each other and humans. Very fun stuff!
But in my opinion, the movie doesn't deserve less than 4 stars because it has some good points.
THE GOOD 1. Optimus Prime has the same behavior like in the cartoons.
2. Some of the action is nice.
3. Seeing them transform (although kinda blurry) is cool.
The BAD 1. It takes TOO DARN LONG to finally show the transformers transforming for action against each other! (more than 30 minutes!!!!)
2. The Transformers are NOT the main characters but more like supporting characters, because they appear so late in the movie and have too few lines!
3. There's too much hand-held cameras usage during the action sequences.Even when filming a pilot's face from in front, the camera just can't stand still! I know that Michael Bay wants to place the viewer "in the middle of the action" but it shouldn't come to the expense of actually being able to view and concentrate ON the action. There are many action-packed films that show BETTER camera work, like "The Mummy", "Pirates of the Caribean" and The "Terminator" series. Even "Bad Boys" (I haven't seen Bad Boys 2 yet!) has better camera-work! So in the climactic final battle in the city it's Total Chaos! I really hate the camera hand-held work!
4. Too many times Michael Bay uses Emmerichs style (Godzilla) of zooming too much on the robots to show how huge they are. While it's not even necessary because they are not THAT big! So prepare to be unable to see their entire structure when they are on screen!
5. There are NO taunts when they battle against each other or humans! (Excepting the few taunts between Optimus and Megatron) The Decepticons could say stuff like:"Your puny human weapons tickle me!" Then he fires at them. Or; "That's not a gun. THIS is a gun!" then fires his HUGE gun. And other cool taunts...like in the cartoons.
6. I didn't like the "jokes" like the one where an autobot "lubricating" (read "peeing on") John Turturro's character. Or Sam's mother trying to find another word for "masturbation". So NOT funny!
7. Even the music in the end credits is annoying! Smashing Pumpkins' "Doomsday Clock" made me frown, even more at the end of the movie! Good thing Disturbed's "This Moment" sounds much better!