Transformers, It Is What It Is: Mindless Action, But a Lot of Fun

Rating: 5/10 (30 July 2007)

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July 4th weekend just wouldn't be the same without some over-hyped movie blockbuster with a whole lotta action and very little plot. And this year proved no different with the release of Michael Bay's Transformers. I have to admit, when I first saw the teaser trailer for this film over a year ago, I thought to myself, "You have to be kidding?" First, I didn't even know the Transformers were still that popular. Sure, I owned the toys when I was a kid. I watched the cartoon. But I wasn't sure if the young whipper-snappers of today's generation had a clue about Transformers. Second, I just didn't think that a film adaptation of the Hasbro action figures would be worth my while. And so I went in a skeptic, only to reemerge some two and a half hours later with a different opinion.
Oh, don't kid yourself, the plot is VERY thin. This won't be an Oscar contender, but if you're looking for a lot of action with incredible special effects and a lot of destruction, then this is your film. Let's begin the review with the high notes: 1. SPECIAL EFFECTS - I have one word here: UNBELIEVABLE. With today's digital technology, a film's special effects will always come under close scrutiny, and it's difficult to claim that a film's special effects are revolutionary, like, say, Star Wars. But I have to say, the robots in this film look incredibly real. The detail of each Autobot and Decepticon is remarkable. Very well done indeed.
2. SOUND DESIGN - These sound designers deserve a lot of credit. I know it's tough to shell out money at the theatre these days, but if you can dig deep enough into your couch cushions, I would highly recommend that you do so. Scrape up enough cash so you can catch this one in the theatres where you can really appreciate the sound.
3. HOT GIRLS - Megan Fox. Wow. She plays opposite Shia LaBeouf as the sexy love interest. Let me just pause right here to stand up and applaud the casting director. Tip of the cap to you, sir.
4. ACTION - If you want to see a lot of property destruction, explosions, giant robot fight sequences, and car chases, then pull up a seat and enjoy yourself. This one is action from the get-go. It's as if the studio exec's took a look at the first draft of this screenplay and said to the writers, "Okay guys, all this exposition here? Pages 1-21? Just cut all of that out." And now for the criticism: 1. LAME DIALOGUE - The Decepticons (AKA, the Bad Guys) never speak English. They speak to each other in their own alien language, which is translated for us via subtitles. This made them seem more ominous and gave the film a darker tone, which I enjoyed. Then the Autobots (AKA, the Good Guys) started speaking. Big mistake. They speak English throughout the film and their dialogue is extremely lame and stifled.
2. COMIC RELIEF - In one particular scene, the Autobots are trying to sneak around the exterior of a house without being detected, but their antics resemble something out of Three Stooges short. They knock things over, they break things, they stumble around. They utter things like, "My bad." The whole scene came off childish and annoying. Many of the gags were forced and predictable, and there was no shortage of over-acting.
3. CONFUSING FIGHT SCENES - Although the fight scenes between the robots were incredible, characters were often too close to the camera. The bodies got so jumbled together, it was hard to distinguish the good guys from the bad.
I left the theatre with a good impression of the film. Yes, it definitely had its weak points, but your reaction to the film will definitely hinge on what type of movie you're expecting before you walk into the theatre. If you're expecting a well thought out story with wonderful dialogue and deep characterization, then you'll be in for a big disappointment. If you're looking for mindless action with great special effects, then you will probably enjoy it. Just remember, there's more to this film than meets the eye.