Two words sum it all up...

Rating: 10/10 (4 July 2007)

Yes, only two words sum it all up: "Freakin' awesome!" Or so that's what a five year-old told me after we saw it last night at the Tuesday release.
Growing up on Transformers and other 80's cartoons (and comics, toys), this was well worth the wait. Micheal Bay delivers like expected: high-octane action that gets you from the beginning and doesn't let you go until the very last scene. (The theatre was packed full of children--and after ten minutes, NO ONE was talking or leaving their seats. Unheard of.) The detail on the Transformers has already been laid on so thick by other reviews--and that's because not enough can be said about it! The robots are almost obsessively detailed, which makes them extremely realistic, and makes you think that this really could happen. Even die-hard fans will find the upgrades on the Transformers themselves believable, understandable, and mind-blowing.
There has been criticism about the camera play and grainy, incoherent battle scenes, but I found them realistic and cohesive--especially when you're a puny human trying to watch two 20-30 foot robots destroy each other. Perspective makes it harder to believe, and to see. Bay makes the camera angles very realistic by showing us what we would see if we were are ground zero.
And also, like said in previous reviews, the storyline was a bit on the weak side. Or at least not what you would be expecting from a movie called "Transformers." Humans played too large a part for a movie about alien robots. I'm sure they'll compensate for this in the rumored sequel--which I'm sure after this weekend won't be a rumor anymore.
My biggest quirk with the storyline and dialogue was the rampant comedy--particularly the rather crude and childish wording and actions. (Bumblebee's lubrication of the Sector Seven guy, or Mom's "private" talk, anyone?) Shia LeBouf, renowned for his comedy, was more than enough to keep the laughs in the theatre without "potty humor." This was not a obscenely-budgeted film, but that did not effect the quality of the actors one iota. From Shia to Jon Voight, Bernie Mac and voice talents of Peter Cullen (who we fondly remember as the original Optimus Prime) and Hugo Weaving, the cast was solid and believable.
The music score was outstanding. Steve Jablonsky, usually a composer for the horror-thriller genre, did a stand-up and recognizable job at keeping the music flowing and up with the action, making sure that there was never a dull moment. (I particularly liked the almost hymnal score piece while the Autobots were coming to Earth to Sam.) Linkin Park, Goo Goo Dolls, Disturbed and several other notables lended their talents to the score and to the soundtrack--I'm gonna put it on my must-have list.
All-in-all, this is the blockbuster family movie that is a must-see for anyone who lived on Transformers as kid. Oh, and bring your kids, too.
9/10