Transformers: Perhaps more than meets the eye?

Rating: 9/10 (7 July 2007)

I grew up a huge fan of the Transformer TV series, the original one in the 80's. I have some of the episodes on cassette and I want to buy the entire series on DVD. That is how much I like the show and it was the best cartoon series of all time in my opinion. The movie Transformers, in my opinion, would make the cartoon proud. It is an absolutely stunning and brilliantly-made film.
The special effects of this film are great. The designs and interpretations of the Transformers are incredible, far beyond what I was expecting. The fight scenes are even better! Just imagine two 100-foot tall transformers going at one another! And the Transformer vs. Transformer battles are not just great, but the Transformer vs. Human battles are good too! The effects are so real as well! Not for a second did I think the effects were overdone or ridiculously fake. The special effects of this film are beyond belief and what they do to the Transformer characters. Although most of the Transformers lost their original exoskeleton designs for the movies, I was not displeased with their new exoskeleton designs.
Acting is pretty solid in this film. Shia Lebeouf, Jon Voight, Josh Duhamel, Tyrese Gibson, and even Bernie Mac deliver good performances. The thing I like about the movie is that it takes a serious approach to the Transformers. But it still keeps a lot of humor in the movie. And it is not even stupid humor, it is good, solid, funny humor. A lot of it will either come from Shia Lebeouf, Bernie Mac, or the Transformers which I really like.
I absolutely loved the music in the film. I felt like I was watching Batman Begins and that was fantastic. The music was terrific, I might even buy the soundtrack. The sound was great as well, just hearing the Transformers transform was terrific. The story is fantastic as well. Some of the most crucial Transformers and Decepticons are put into the movie. The story builds up more and more as it goes. I kept getting more on edge as the movie went on and I like that in a film. I disliked how they handled the story with Sam and his "girlfriend" Mikaela. It seemed stupid and unnecessary. Other than that, the story is easy to follow and easy to get drawn into.
Finally, the Transformers themselves. I will admit, I was worried about there not being enough original and recognizable Transformers in the film but I was wrong. I do wish they had more with the Transformers in the movie though. The movie seemed to focused on the humans and not enough on the title characters. Other than that, the characters are great. They bring in 5 of the biggest characters as the core group of the Autobots which was wonderful to see. Peter Cullen voices Optimus Prime and all I can say is I think we need to give the guy an award. Lets get him an Oscar nomination, Please. Because whenever I hear him talk, my heart just starts racing. Megatron is voiced wonderfully by Hugo Weaving. You can barely tell it is Weaving because his voice is covered by a metallic voice-over which sounds terrific. I admit, I had a hard time deciphering Bumblebee. Although there is a reason for it, I had a hard time hearing him. I disliked Starscream in the movie. He looked really awkward (like a gorilla) and I was disappointed with his character. I do not want to be a spoiler, so I won't tell you any more Transformers although I would absolutely love to discuss them. One small thing, I wish Cullen would have done the voice of another Transformer in the movie. That is all I am saying!!!!!!!
Transformers is more than meets the eye. I was expecting a mediocre movie and I got a terrific movie. One of the best films I have seen this year. And if you think Peter Cullen should get an Oscar nod for his performance as Optimus Prime, make a comment on my "comment". Maybe than we can convince the Academy Awards!