Transformers review

Roll out!
Review by Vives Anunciacion
Inquirer Libre June 29,2007

Transformers
Directed by Michael Bay
Starring Shia LaBeouf, Megan Fox, Peter Cullen (voice)
Based on the toys and cartoon of the same name
GP/ 143 minutes
DreamWorks, Paramount, Hasbro
*** ½ (3 ½ stars)


It only happens to a few films: at the end of the press screening, the audience exploded into cheer. Transformers is entertainment to a perfect T and filmmaking of impressive proportions. Make way for the first bona fide summer blockbuster of the year.

Based on the extremely popular 1980s cartoons and action figures from US toymaker Hasbro, Transformers is Michael Bay’s most action-packed popcorn movie since the smart sci-fi, The Island and the Will Smith action-comedy Bad Boys II.

In Transformers, Earth becomes the battleground between Autobots and Decepticons locked in an ancient battle for the possession of the all-powerful cube and planet Cybertron’s source of life and energy, the Allspark, which landed on Earth thousands of years ago.

Beginning (and ending) with a narration by Autobot leader Optimus Prime that explains the reasons why the alien robots are on earth, the Autobots find a human ally in the teenager Sam Witwicky (Shia LaBeouf), whose great grandfather happened to discover the Allspark during an Arctic expedition.

When the opposing sides learn of the location of the Allspark, Sam becomes entangled in an interstellar tug-of-war that would also involve the firepower of the US military. As the Decepticons, led by the ruthless Megatron, leave a trail of destruction, the Autobots, fewer in number, in turn protect the humans from their evil counterparts. In the end, only one side would stand while the other falls.

Mixing a proper blend of introductory storytelling and fan-pleasing robot smackdowns, Transformers is filled to the brim with scene-after-scene of high-octane action (or should I say energon-induced?). Shia LaBeouf is perfectly cast as an ordinary teenager enjoying his first car, a yellow Camaro, which turns out to be the Autobot, Bumblebee. A movie tie-in with General Motors explains why the Autobots are specifically GM cars, so fans of Bumblebee shouldn’t complain much why the Bee isn’t a Volkswagen Beetle.

Newcomer Megan Fox is Sam’s beauty love interest, Mikaela, while John Turturro and Jon Voight provide appropriate characters as Agent Simmons and defense secretary Keller, respectively. Good casting too in retaining the original Optimus Prime voice actor, Peter Cullen and Hugo Weaving who vocally adds menace to the already menacing Megatron. Lots of thrilling action, but also very loud sound and intrusive musical scoring especially in scenes involving too much explosions.

While some plotlines aren’t clear why the good guys are good and the bad guys are repeatedly mistaken for cold-war communists (Russia? China? North Korea?), and why some things are different from the cartoons – those are left for the eventual sequels to resolve. For the most part, the story isn’t its strength. Transformers’ stars are obviously the robots and the very impressive CGI by Industrial Light and Magic. The transformations are such a sight to behold it is probably impossible to be awed if seen on a small screen; at some point, the audience unanimously sighed. This is an action movie, through and through.

Now troop to the cineplex and hear the words repeated by legion. All hail Optimus Prime.