Tranformers

Optimus Prime

©Dreamworks/ Paramount

• themovielord's Grade: A
• Reviewed Format: Theatrical Release
• Rated: PG-13 for intense sequences of sci-fi action violence, brief sexual humor, and language
• Cast: Shia LeBeouf, Megan Fox, Josh Duhamel, Tyrese Gibson, Rachel Taylor, Anthony Anderson, Jon Voighy, Joihn Turturro, Kevin Dunn, Julie White, Bernie Mac, (voices) Peter Cullen, Hugo Weaving, Bryan Cox, Mark Ryan
• Writers: Robert Orzi & Alex Kurtzman, John Rogers
• Director: Michael Bay
• Distributor: Warner Bros.

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Coming to Earth in search of the of a life giving cube, the living machines known as Autobots, befriend a human (Shia LaBeouf) who has the key to restore life to their planet. Unfortunately the Autobots nemesis the Decepticons are already on Earth.

There are things in your life that you have a connection to and it becomes difficult to put yourself outside of that thing when someone makes a movie about it. As silly as it sounds I have a connection to the ‘Transformers’. They were as much a part of my life, as a kid, as gym class was or even riding the bus. When I moved to a new school and had no friends, Optimus Prime, Jazz, Bumblebee, and Spike were all still there. So can I sit and watch a real life version of the ‘Transformers’ and not feel nostalgic? Can I put myself outside of what I know and love about the cartoon and review a film about characters that I love as much as my childhood friends?

The film is much like all Michael Bay films. It’s big and grand, both in characters and scope. We spend a lot of getting to you know time on our characters. All the players are introduced and we see that some have things to fight for more than because it is their job. Shia LaBeouf, as Sam is the very heart of this film. We see Sam as the boy who wants the hot car, the girl, and for life to be just a tad easier than it is. Megan Fox, the incredibly hot love interest, is Sam’s ideal girl in looks but we learn that Sam doesn’t know much about her and their journey through out this movie will shape not only their characters but also make them into better people.

Bumblebee (our first Transformer) is the center of this film and his relationship with Sam is the key to this film. It is impressive how much is conveyed between him and Sam, considering Bumblebee in reality is a computer generated effect. Their relationship was essential in the cartoon and Bay did not miss the importance of that in his movie.

I was surprised how much humor and character our Autobots and Decepticons had. They are more than talking robots; they are living characters up there on the screen. You have to pay attention because many times they are subtle things that show real characters.

It was awe inspiring to see Optimus Prime (Peter Cullen) transform in the real world and escape the confines of the cartoon. Bay and company pay homage to numerous phrases and moments from the ‘Transformers’ cartoon that do pull on the heart strings. Though there were many times I wanted to see more of the Autobots and nothing else. I was at times reminded of Ang Lee’s ‘Hulk’ (2003), because I grew tired of seeing everything else but the star(s). There are a few characters and extra plot points (though necessary to the story) that I could have done with out, in ‘Transformers’. But the problem with the ‘Hulk’ all those extra moments and characters really didn’t matter to the story. Here in ‘Transformers’ they do and they all work. I had to remind myself to enjoy the tale being told and not be disappointed by the fact that every three minutes there weren’t 20 Autobots rolling out to kick Decepticon butt.

There is more to Bay’s movie than transforming robots and numerous explosions. There is a family movie intermixed with the action and lessons about the value of having compassion and doing the right thing. This might be the best Michael Bay film to date. He finally gets all the ingredients right and makes a great summer film. The film is a great first step in something that hopefully will become a franchise. We got the origin story and now it is time for the story to continue.