This is a wet dream for anyone of my generation

Rating: 7/10 (7 July 2007)

Transformers is about a group of robots with the ability to transform into automobiles and various other mechanical things, who come to earth to find the Allspark, the source of power and creation on their world, which was long since decimated by war. This is a wet dream for anyone of my generation, as the cartoon and toys were what I grew up with. But for me (as I was pretty much strictly a Looney Tunes viewer) Transformers was always on the fringe of what I knew. That does not mean that this movie is any less fun. When they make a movie like this, it seems like there are really only two directions to go: ham it up, or take the "Batman" route and make it as serious as possible. This one did choose to ham it up and I don't think it was the wrong decision. It is still a very action packed sci-fi fan's movie. Transformers is great propaganda for joining the army, much like the TV show "24" makes being a counter terrorist agent seem cool. I enjoyed it anyway. It is super violent, but most of that violence is robot-on-robot in a hyper blown cartoon-ish sort of way. I was definitely struck by how it made being in the military look so cool, with all of its weapons and toys and definitely a lot of respect shown to all of its men and women. One complaint: it is a little hard to see what's going on in some of the action sequences. It is very fast and all CGI. The sound is booming and very effective, but the actual visuals don't always cut it. The plot (as if anyone cares) does the job of bringing the Transformers into this century, with our present world conflicts, and for the most part it works. Any general cheesiness in the dialogue or situations, for me, was easily forgiven by the fact that, well, it's from an '80s cartoon and toy. Good movie!