horray explosions

Rating: Null/10 (26 December 2007)

There is a mystery to cinema because it is an illusive art. It is an artistic collaboration and for that reason it resembles a labyrinth with no center. In viewing a film it's nearly impossible to pin down where a given creative touch is coming from and the result is that the aesthetic heat of a film is generated as from a house fire instead of a single match. This analogy holds true that a good script is doused in gasoline and a talented director is like a propane tank in the basement, such that a burning house can take on the impulse of dynamite. And in the absence of explosive potential a movie can simply burn up resources and create a mild spectacle.
With this comparison in hand, a Michael Bay movie is like taking 150 million dollars worth resources, assembling them in a huge special effects pile and lighting it ablaze, then stand back and watch it for a couple hours. Yes it is mildly entertaining, and lots of people who happen past will also stand and watch the massive fire, you could even charge admission. But is it art? Well I guess that depends on what you call art.
I enjoy watching building demolition. To see a large formidable structure give way by the force of a controlled explosion and crumble into dust and rubble entertains me. I know that these demolitions require a high degree of technical prowess. The buildings structure is taken into account, charges are set with explosives which is not a simple task, and controls are enforced to insure things go smoothly. The result is something that I find entertaining to watch. Do I consider it art? Well sure, why the hell not? It involves degrees of ingenuity and creativity, but it's safe to say that there is no Matisse of building demolition. This is because building demolition is limited by its practical application, which is to take down a building rather than express a higher degree of cultural relevance within the practice of demolition. In the same way a Michael Bay movie is limited by the practical application to make as much money as possible. Can't really hold that against him, but at the same time there is no need to give him more credit than what's due. So to say that Transformers is anything more than an explosive semi nostalgic money grab is similar to saying cotton candy tastes great and won't rot you teeth. That kind of talk gives you cavities.