Revenge of the Fallen All the hatred towards Transformers...

[LightningFlash]

But -- even diehard fans of the film must admit that the first time you saw some of the action sequences, they were confusing in parts. You shouldn't have to watch a movie multiple times just to figure out what's going on during key action scenes.

Hrm...

I watched the midnight viewing of the movie and understood the battles the first time I watched it.

Declaring which robot was whom is not difficult, people complain about it just to complain.

You could easily tell that the helicopter-looking black 'bot was Blackout, the green tank was Devastator, the spikey thing was Megatron, the bird-like 'bot was Starscream...

it's wasn't very confusing.

 

[thewhyteman]

Hrm...

I watched the midnight viewing of the movie and understood the battles the first time I watched it.

Declaring which robot was whom is not difficult, people complain about it just to complain.

You could easily tell that the helicopter-looking black 'bot was Blackout, the green tank was Devastator, the spikey thing was Megatron, the bird-like 'bot was Starscream...

it's wasn't very confusing.

Well arnt you special.
The Lizard is correct. The first movie had too many close up shots during the fight scene. Regardless if you could tell which nut and bolt belonged to which robot, you still couldnt tell what was happening outside of the camera view.

 

[LightningFlash]

Hah, I guess I am special than most people

 

[raynorWilm]

close up fights seem to be the way to go these days. I expect more of the same from ROTF, but Im ok with that..

 

[ironwez20]

some movies that are made get alot of publicity than it should,transformers was a good movie its giant freakin robots fighting each other thats what people want,i love spiderman and all but people dont care about his relationship with mary jane they wanna see him fight bad guys. so when i look at transformers i se nonstop action with a little bit of story to it.

 

[Jake Cassidy]

But the CG robot designs in the TF movie also "cheat" in certain ways with regards to the transformation sequences.

Like I said, we're talking about alien robot technology, so this "cheating" is understandable within the context. Separate robot metal shell parts join together to form the car bodies with no seams and such. Understandable.

But -- even diehard fans of the film must admit that the first time you saw some of the action sequences, they were confusing in parts. You shouldn't have to watch a movie multiple times just to figure out what's going on during key action scenes.

I don't "hate" the 2007 TF movie at all. It was entertaining overall, and about 30-40% of it was great. But let's face facts -- it had multiple weakness that can't just be brushed off by merely saying "it was based on a cartoon!"

I had no problem identifying the bots the first time I saw the movie. So don't tell me I 'must admit' to anything.

But, because you couldn't no-one else could, right?

 

[Chris B]

You have to understand what you are going to get with TF, especially with Bay doing it. Viewer needs to be aware of what they are getting themselves into. Im aware that TF doesnt have much of a story, but I dont go to see it because of that. Not all movies have to have the same elements working in them. Some films are story and character based, this one is not. Try to enjoy it for what it is...and if not, then dont..

I agree with this. While I do think that the story for TF1 could've been better, the fact is, with Bay at the helm there is never going to be an intelligent story.

None the less, I think the story was decent overall. And it really could've been a lot worse.

 

[Chris B]

To chime in my two cents on the designs very quick, I like the aesthetic Bay created for the movie TF's. I know that a blocky look is tradition as far the franchise is concerned, but I'll give this one to Bay that that is just something that wouldn't translate well into a live-action movie.

My main issue with the designs is just the lack of recognition. One needs to look no further than Optimus, Jazz, and now Long Haul as proof that it was possible for the characters to look like G1 selves while remaining within the movie aesthetic.

I still like the designs despite that, but still, I think that was one case of Bay wanting change for the sake of change.

 

[Jake Cassidy]

Hah, I guess I am special than most people

You and me both.

It's not our fault we're better than everyone else, is it?

 

[Ladiesman217]

delete... ops double post

 

[Ladiesman217]

where is the misconception of Bay not being able to direct intelligent films come from. The man just prefers to direct mindless popcorn flicks because of the money they bring. For that Bay is very successful despite the criticisms. He knows the industry well. Looks at the first half of The Island. It's almost as if Ridley Scott directed it then Bay 's signiture came when Ian and Scarlet escaped. I wouldn't call The Rock mindless. Bay is comfortable with the money his films bring and doesn't care what other people think.

 

[The Lizard]

You and me both.

It's not our fault we're better than everyone else, is it?

Or both just BS-ing, one of the two.

See? I can cop a snotty attitude too.

 

[LightningFlash]

No ******** from me.

Maybe you just need some glasses?

 

[Jake Cassidy]

Or both just BS-ing, one of the two.

See? I can cop a snotty attitude too.

Not everyone who disagrees with you is BS-ing. I could, honestly, tell the difference between all the bots the first time. I don't really care, anymore, if you don't believe me

 

[The Lizard]

Some people apparently need to go back and read my original posts a little more closely. I didn't say anything about recognizing which bot was which during action sequences, I said that the action itself was confusing and jumbled in parts and needed clarifying.
This is due to A.) the frantic, closeup way some of the battles were framed, and B.) the complex body structures of the robots blurring together in close quarters.
If you disagree for whatever reason, fine, but enough professional movie critics have echoed this same view for me to not have to waste time defending it.


It's funny how some of the diehard defenders of this movie keep saying that those who criticize it need to "stop taking it so seriously", yet they themselves aggressively jump on any criticism just for the purpose of contradiction as if it was some kind of serious personal insult. It's just a movie, you know.

Whether you love the movie, just like it or hate it (and I don't hate it), there's plenty of evidence that TF 2007 could have been better than it was in several areas, and we can just have fun debating what those areas are like we normally do around here.

 

[shigsy2003]

Some people apparently need to go back and read my original posts a little more closely. I didn't say anything about recognizing which bot was which during action sequences, I said that the action itself was confusing and jumbled in parts and needed clarifying.
This is due to A.) the frantic, closeup way some of the battles were framed, and B.) the complex body structures of the robots blurring together in close quarters.
If you disagree for whatever reason, fine, but enough professional movie critics have echoed this same view for me to not have to waste time defending it.


It's funny how some of the diehard defenders of this movie keep saying that those who criticize it need to "stop taking it so seriously", yet they themselves aggressively jump on any criticism just for the purpose of contradiction as if it was some kind of serious personal insult. It's just a movie, you know.

Whether you love the movie, just like it or hate it (and I don't hate it), there's plenty of evidence that TF 2007 could have been better than it was in several areas, and we can just have fun debating what those areas are like we normally do around here.

I loved the first film and while I had no problems understanding the fights a few more wide shots would have been nice. Obviously money limitations were the reason why close ups and shaky cams were used so much, so hopefully number 2 will be a lot clearer and more entertaining and less strenuous to watch.

You are also correct in saying things could have been done better in TF 2007: less humans, Prime actually putting up a fight against Megatron etc.

 

[DemonicFoil]

To chime in my two cents on the designs very quick, I like the aesthetic Bay created for the movie TF's. I know that a blocky look is tradition as far the franchise is concerned, but I'll give this one to Bay that that is just something that wouldn't translate well into a live-action movie.

My main issue with the designs is just the lack of recognition. One needs to look no further than Optimus, Jazz, and now Long Haul as proof that it was possible for the characters to look like G1 selves while remaining within the movie aesthetic.

I still like the designs despite that, but still, I think that was one case of Bay wanting change for the sake of change.

I agree, i complained like crazy when i first saw the non recognizable designs, i often wonder why they couldn't make them more recognizable like optimus prime. Im not to crazy about Bay version of Jetfire in the new one, they could at least gave him another flying vehicle mode with traditional colors.

 

[phillyboy]

I loved the cartoon as a kid, really did, but after watching a couple episodes the other night it makes Bay's movie look like Shakespeare. Just my opinion.

 

[LightningFlash]

And that is saying A LOT.

 

[DemonicFoil]

Well the toys did started it all.

 

[protocida]

The fight scenes we're easy to understand. The ones I got some problems we're a part of Optimus Prime VS. Bonecrusher and Ratchet and Ironhide VS. Starscream.

 

[Marvin]

every fight has parts that are hard to understand, it's a device used to immerse the viewer

even the bar fight in the new star trek has moments of non perfect clarity, or Aragon in LOTR as he gets lost in a crowd of war

or even in something as simple as a boxing ring, see Raging Bull

some people in today's audience insist on directors shooting all their action in medium shots so as to clearly frame every punch or they feel they're not getting their money's worth...
at a certain point, action filmmakers stopped framing their fights like ninja turtles and started doing bourne

TF gets these complaints the most, personally i figure it's because ppl are really interested in looking at the "annoying" designs...or perhaps the designs are too unreadable so extra time is is needed


i really don't blame bay for treating TF like a modern action film, I actually think that's why the whole world is going to show up opening day..
if it was a ron howard film, with it's lack of deep story, it would have failed.

it's a crap shoot

 

[Trickyg]

TF gets these complaints the most, personally i figure it's because ppl are really interested in looking at the "annoying" designs...

This, I wonder about myself . . .

 

[Trickyg]

I can understand what people say though, when it comes to shaky and up close. Only with the BB vs Bcade fight, I could tell which robot was which but as far as what they were doing . . .

 

[protocida]

I tough the fights we're pretty clear. Batman Begins, by example, had harder fights to understand. The only scene I can't quite understand is Ratched and Ironhide Vs. Starscream (Re-watched the movie yesterday and understood the Optimus Prime VS. Bonecrusher. t