Directed by:
Michael BayCinematography:
Mitchell AmundsenComposer:
Steve JablonskyCast:
Shia LaBeouf, Megan Fox, Josh Duhamel, Tyrese Gibson, Rachael Taylor, Anthony Anderson, Jon Voight, John Turturro, Kevin Dunn, Amaury Nolasco, Zack Ward (more)Plots(1)
Based on the Hasbro toy line that initially captivated kids in the 1980s, director Michael Bay's Transformers finds two warring bands of shape-shifting alien robots renewing their intergalactic conflict on Earth. While the Decepticons, followers of the malevolent Megatron (voiced by Hugo Weaving), strive to take over the planet, the Autobots, led by the valiant Optimus Prime (voiced by Peter Cullen), are intent on protecting humanity. When young Sam Witwicky (Shia LaBeouf) discovers that his new car is really the Autobot Bumblebee (voiced by Mark Ryan), it sets the stage for a massive giant-robot showdown. (Paramount Home Entertainment)
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Reviews (14)
2007 ushered in an era of visually polished blockbusters with a plethora of action and explosions. The first Transformers set a pretty high bar for action films in the first decade. Screenwriting-wise, of course, this is a film that has to be taken with a grain of salt and you have to ignore some downright tacked-on dialogue and scenes. Alongside the overload of action, the film also has a touch of humour and romance, which I appreciate in terms of genre diversity. Among the cast, Anthony Anderson and Jon Voight should be singled out, Megan Fox was downright ornamental, but did not distract in any way, while Shia LaBeouf was a handful at times. If you’re looking for some deep sci-fi, then Transformers wouldn't stand out, but as popcorn summer entertainment, it's an ideal choice.
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The Girl Next Door meets Armageddon clad in perfect audiovisual and explosively action-packed delicacies. Shia LaBeouf is the perfect non-action guy, one that any of us who have ever been a boy or a girl longing for adventure can identify with. Megan Fox was created to be a worshipped idol (who can also fix your car), Bumblebee is the best friend and the perfect car at the same time, The Autobots are a band of heroes and The Decepticons are the most villainous enemies, ones you would want to fight against right away. And Transformers is a movie that may open the eyes of many young wide-eyed boys in front of the screen, teaching them what it means to love a movie. Michael Bay has proven that even megalomania can be moderate and that escalated action that just won't stop doesn't have to be overwhelming, but simply amazing. Tons of lines, a sea of references, the setting sun, a flood of orange, heroism, honor, love, helicopters, and behind it all, a smiling Bay who has fulfilled his dream. The year 2007 will forever be the year when I wanted Bumblebee in my garage and Megan Fox somewhere nearby, but most of all, to watch Transformers over and over again.
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Michael Bay's own words are that he aims to entertain the audience. In that case, I state that I am not his target group, because I feel more entertained in a dentist's chair. I had the opportunity to watch all three Transformers movies within a few days, and I couldn't finish any of them. This is simply beyond the scope of what I consider digestible cinema. Michael Bay is not so much a representative of a certain genre as he is a diagnosis. Lots of action, bombastic special effects, clumsy dialogues that bring physical suffering, and a script and story on the level of a small child. Unfortunately, I haven't been eight for a long time, and I won't be eighty for a long time, so Bay's offer didn't appeal to me. I considered giving 1 star for the special effects and set design, but I would rather go to a magic show. Overall impression: 10%. My choice for a movie set in the world of children's toys would be any of the Toy Story movies.
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Technically, Transformers is undoubtedly a fantastic ride and it is incredible what they can make nowadays for a lot of money. Unfortunately, the entertainment and overall childishness of the film come at the cost of an absence of logic and at least a bit of the seriousness that was present in all of Michael Bay's purely action films. Some lines are funny, but some are so clichéd that you don’t even react to them. The actors are your typical pretty-faces – Bay's common practice – and the music, thanks to Steve Jablonsky, is solidly dynamic. What surprised me the most is the style Bay uses to shoot the action. There’s an unusual amount of handheld camera and shaky shots, with classic trademarks such as camera tricks, slow-motion, and low-angle shots taking a back seat. The truly beautifully lit quieter sequences and two helicopters against the sunset are not absent, though. After watching it for the second time, I’m giving it another star. This has happened to me several times (and now it will probably be the rule), having a better watching experience at home than in the cinema. Even the action looks much better and clearer on a smaller screen – the big cinema screen only harms it. I stand by the fact that the film is infantile and stupid, but Bay occasionally winks at us, doesn't he? And the annoying British or whatever accent of Rachael Taylor will be ringing in my ears for a long time...
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I must be crazy, but a tonne of metal destroying its shiny body for over two hours is one of the top 40 most popular movies? Everyone's taste is different. I’m not saying it’s all bad, it certainly doesn’t lack insight, humour and Bay's indomitable action zeal, and Megan Fox was also very nice to watch. But throughout the film, I just couldn't shake the preconceived notion that cars turning into giant robots is terrible bollocks, which, oddly enough, was further reinforced by the action, which I felt was awfully jumbled, always on the same note, and Michael Bay completely sunk his huge potential, so well exploited in the legendary The Rock. I’m giving it 3 stars, but in the flood of comic book action movies, Transformers is just a below average affair for me…
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Photo © DreamWorks Pictures & Paramount Pictures
![Transformers - Concept art](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w663/files/images/film/photos/160/005/160005841_7d74bc.jpg)
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