Transformers The Reviews Thread

[blind_fury]

i see that as usual some posters have left their critical thinking skills at home before booting up the internet.

Well there's always an element of child-like enthusiasm in alien meets boy movies because the aliens are new to the planet. ET raided the fridge and became drunk, remember.

Bad comparison. Maybe you shouldn't insult others when your own critical thinking skills are lacking.

Optimus Prime is not ET. He's not Gizmo. He's not ALF. Watching him do slapstick is just lame. It's worse than watching Qui-Gon grab Jar Jar's tongue.

Bumblebee is the only Transformer (in this movie) who's innocent and naive enough to be reduced to childish shenanigans or be the butt of jokes. Outside of that it will detract from the characters and what they represent. You let the ewoks and droids do the slapstick, not Obi Wan or Mace Windu.

Comic relief is fine if executed sparsely and used with the appropriate characters. From the review it sounds as if Bay goes far beyond that making all the Autobots comic relief far more than required. These are those extended, awkward Phantom Menace-moments when the adults and teens in the audience roll their eyes because it doesn't belong in a sci-fi action epic, it belongs in ET or ALF.

 

[Kap]

Bad comparison. Maybe you shouldn't insult others when your own critical thinking skills are lacking.

Optimus Prime is not ET. He's not Gizmo. He's not ALF. Watching him do slapstick is just lame. It's worse than watching Qui-Gon grab Jar Jar's tongue.

Bumblebee is the only Transformer (in this movie) who's innocent and naive enough to be reduced to childish shenanigans or be the butt of jokes. Outside of that it will detract from the characters and what they represent. You let the ewoks and droids do the slapstick, not Obi Wan or Mace Windu.

Comic relief is fine if executed sparsely and with the appropriate characters. From the review it sounds as if Bay goes far beyond that making the all the Autobots comic relief more than necessary. These are those extended, awkward Phantom Menace-moments when the adults and teens in the audience roll their eyes because it doesn't belong in a sci-fi action epic, it belongs in ET or ALF.

True, however this movie is meant to apeal to more than the hardcore transformer fans, and as such some compromises are always unavoidable. If throwing Prime one or two funny moments makes him more relateable to the audience so be it. It doesn't take away the fact that that is Prime standing there, absolutely gorgeus looking made real by many many talented hard working people (Bay included!). And I just respect that way too much to feel cheated in any way. It may be a different Transformers experience than what some of us originaly expected, but it's still Transformers.

And between the kickass action and G1 homages i'm sure there will be enough story to make TF a complete and epic experience. That is if you are not extremely bothered by funny moments and chaotic action.

 

[KappeiJin]

The movie will be out here in Italy this thursday, yesterday there was first screening in Sicily Festival and got awesome reactions, first italian reviews are really exciting. We'll be blowned away from this movie. I'm going to see it thursday night then i'll write something here.

 

[Nivek]

Bad comparison. Maybe you shouldn't insult others when your own critical thinking skills are lacking.

Or hey, how about when you already have a pre-established bias? Your not very critical yourself, hense popping up in a thread after a couple mixed reviews to tune them toward the negative? And to talk of insulting others man... wow.

 

[Naite22]

The matrix sequels were aweosme wtf are you talking about. To put them in the same league as B&R is just pure insulting. Wtf. Obviously your not a fan or payed the slightest attention to them. You just insulted me and everyone who enjoyed the matrix. I feel like I want to throw up. Seriously. Batman and Robin?! This crap is coming from someone who obbsesses over Transformers dont tell me the matrix sucked!!!! The action scenes in the matrix reloaded and revolutions made perfect sense and if you payed attention to the script its highly deep and in depth. If you pay the slightest attention to this site youll realise that the matrix should not ever be compared to B&R!

http://www.matrix-explained.com

Never, ever, talk down the matrix reloaded again, its one of the best movies ever made in the 21st century and its special effects are the best for its time.

The matrix had class, and thats something transformers probably wont have, im sorry to say. The matrix had fantastic writing, writing from a philosical standpoint of which you must watch the film more then twice to understand whats really going on. The matrix trilogy was more then a summer epic, it was a film series that will forever be known to people who understand science fiction and life. I am deeply insulted by your statement!!!! Dammit, obviously you havent seen past the action in the matrix reloaded and saw what truley lies beneath its flesh. Transformers is a summer blockbuster. The matrix was more then that.

I advise you go back and watch the matrix sequels with more insight, and finally realise that the general public was wrong.

MATRIX 1 was and is absolutely badass!!! As for the sequels, they ****ing suck!!!!!!

 

[Cth]

Megatron's been on Earth hundreds (or thousands) of years, yet came here to turn Earth's technology into weapons? Um. Okay. We didn't have machines that long ago.

Just to clarify, this is false.

They state they found him about 100 years ago, and that the All Spark sends out a signal every 100 years.

He didn't come to Earth to convert the technology into weapons. They say as much in the film no less.

I'm guessing the sounds made it difficult to understand that part, since it was pretty clearly spelled out.

 

[DorkyFresh]

Another negative review:
(This is Moviehole's 2nd review, this was the first more positive review)

source

i would have taken that person's review seriously had he not stated that the special effects weren't a big achievement (inorganic materials aren't an easy task to get right either, especially if you have to give it life) and if he didn't say Prime's disappearing trailer from the cartoon made more sense than these transformations. those kind of remarks are typical of "haters".

the rest of his review was pretty fair but those 2 remarks made his whole review obsolete in my mind.

 

[ShadowBoxing]

(as far as the reviews go)I think the downside for me, is aside from a kick-ass live action effects treatment and designs that to me so far play out well on screen, this film too much embraces the cartoony roots of the franchise rather than attempting to do something intelligent (like Beast Wars, Beast Machines or Simon Furman).

 

[blind_fury]

i would have taken that person's review seriously had he not stated that the special effects weren't a big achievement (inorganic materials aren't an easy task to get right either, especially if you have to give it life) and if he didn't say Prime's disappearing trailer from the cartoon made more sense than these transformations. those kind of remarks are typical of "haters".

the rest of his review was pretty fair but those 2 remarks made his whole review obsolete in my mind.

So if someone references the source material when being critical they're automatically labeled a hater?

Maybe he honestly thought the transformations didn't make sense?

 

[nosebleed.]

i would have taken that person's review seriously had he not stated that the special effects weren't a big achievement (inorganic materials aren't an easy task to get right either, especially if you have to give it life) and if he didn't say Prime's disappearing trailer from the cartoon made more sense than these transformations. those kind of remarks are typical of "haters".

the rest of his review was pretty fair but those 2 remarks made his whole review obsolete in my mind.

I think that's taking it too far. Mechanical CGI has ALWAYS been more realistic in high budget movies than anything organic. The ladder truck scene in T3 blows away Spidey CGI anyday in realism. Not to say that ILM didn't accomplish anything with Transformers with the complexity of the robots...but had they been more organic looking akin to BW...then it would be that more harder.

And I can understand the jab at the transformations as well. From what we've seen, I don't think that you can make a realistic scaled down version of a Transformer from this movie and transform it the exact same way as in the movie (save for the internal whirring parts). I'll have to see more transformations...but as of now I think they pretty much, for the lack of a better word, cheat on the transformations. More impressive looking, maybe, but its nothing we haven't seen on any given number of car commercials, other sci fi movies etc.

 

[nosebleed.]

(as far as the reviews go)I think the downside for me, is aside from a kick-ass live action effects treatment and designs that to me so far play out well on screen, this film too much embraces the cartoony roots of the franchise rather than attempting to do something intelligent (like Beast Wars, Beast Machines or Simon Furman).

That's exactly what I've been trying to say. Why not enhance a story so many people find to be a very simple concept into something more? There are basic concepts in Transformers that could be built upon to achieve a more complete and appealing piece. But from the start it seemed like they were trying to make the designs more complicated and the story and characterization more simple...why?

 

[blind_fury]

Or hey, how about when you already have a pre-established bias? Your not very critical yourself, hense popping up in a thread after a couple mixed reviews to tune them toward the negative? And to talk of insulting others man... wow.

What are you talking about?

I simply pointed out the part of the review that worried me. I'm not here just to be a Bay cheerleader. I'm a skeptic who demands more from a TF movie than explosions and flashy effects. Of course I'm going to analyze what the movie is lacking and how it can be improved upon.

If I insult others it's in self defense in most cases.

 

[DorkyFresh]

So if someone references the source material when being critical they're automatically labeled a hater?

i didn't say any reference to G1 or the source material automatically equals hate-speech...i said him trying to downplay the effects and saying that the transformations make less sense than a trailer that appears and disappears from thin-air sounds like something a hater would say. it's like saying Superman's new costume looks more home made than George Reeves's costume just because that person didn't like the way the new suit looked (yes....someone really DID say that).

Maybe he honestly thought the transformations didn't make sense?

if he would've stated just that, then i could've excepted it as legit opinion...but he had to throw in that Prime w/a disappearing trailer made MORE sense. those KINDS of comments (no matter what the subject matter) are typical of haters.

 

[Figs]

True, however this movie is meant to apeal to more than the hardcore transformer fans, and as such some compromises are always unavoidable. If throwing Prime one or two funny moments makes him more relateable to the audience so be it. It doesn't take away the fact that that is Prime standing there, absolutely gorgeus looking made real by many many talented hard working people (Bay included!). And I just respect that way too much to feel cheated in any way. It may be a different Transformers experience than what some of us originaly expected, but it's still Transformers.

And between the kickass action and G1 homages i'm sure there will be enough story to make TF a complete and epic experience. That is if you are not extremely bothered by funny moments and chaotic action.

The problem is, is that if every transformer has a bit of comedic relief it does take away certain aspects of their character. Normally a movie like this should only have one maybe two people/beings for comedy relief. You already have John Turturro(sp?) who mainly does comedy relief in a lot of movies, this will be the same from what it sounds like. So why have all transformers act silly, one maybe two is ok but if its true that all of them have silly moments thats a little too much.

Optimus should be a strong leader who is serious 95-99% of the time. Leave the cute jokes to Bumblebee. I think the audience should be able to relate to Prime somewhat without needing comedy from him. The general audience will get that he is a leader of this side in a war, they'll know what he wants and stands for. Aside from Bumblebee, don't forget Jazz(if I can remember correctly). According to that list that was released recently he is being voiced by the guy who played Eddie Winslow from Family Matters. In a Bay film, you know the way Jazz is going to be talking. Like a stereotypical black guy, slang and all.

 

[ShadowBoxing]

That's exactly what I've been trying to say. Why not enhance a story so many people find to be a very simple concept into something more? There are basic concepts in Transformers that could be built upon to achieve a more complete and appealing piece. But from the start it seemed like they were trying to make the designs more complicated and the story and characterization more simple...why?

I mean "giant alien robots" is a great concept, especially when you throw the Civil Wars of Cybertron into the mix. I think this movie certainly picks and chooses elements as much as Beast Wars and Armada has in the past, hell it's basically got it's plot from Armada it seems. But I was kind of hoping for something along the lines of Beast Machines/Beast Wars and not so much UT or RiD.

I wonder if the film would've been handled differently if they had allowed Transtech to come out.

Just to be clear though, Simon Furman's stories by and large are unadaptable for multiple reasons. Great stuff, but wouldn't make for introductory films.

 

[blind_fury]

I think that's taking it too far. Mechanical CGI has ALWAYS been more realistic in high budget movies than anything organic. The ladder truck scene in T3 blows away Spidey CGI anyday in realism. Not to say that ILM didn't accomplish anything with Transformers with the complexity of the robots...but had they been more organic looking akin to BW...then it would be that more harder.

I really don't think it's fair to marginalize what ILM accomplished. These robots look pretty real and there's alot of details they had to render because Bay's Transformers have millions of moving parts shifting everywhere.

If they did a sloppy job then he has a valid reason to criticize but they did just about the best job anyone could hope for.

 

[Figs]

I really don't think it's fair to marginalize what ILM accomplished. These robots look pretty real and there's alot of details they had to render because Bay's Transformers have millions of moving parts shifting everywhere.

If they did a sloppy job then he has a valid reason to criticize but they did just about the best job anyone could hope for.

I obviously haven't seen the movie yet, but from what I have seen in all the trailers and t.v. spots the CGI looks outstanding. That is the main part of the review I didn't agree with. He is either jaded when it comes to seeing CGI in movies or just downplaying the effects because of the weak story.

 

[nosebleed.]

I mean "giant alien robots" is a great concept, especially when you throw the Civil Wars of Cybertron into the mix. I think this movie certainly picks and chooses elements as much as Beast Wars and Armada has in the past, hell it's basically got it's plot from Armada it seems. But I was kind of hoping for something along the lines of Beast Machines/Beast Wars and not so much UT or RiD.

I wonder if the film would've been handled differently if they had allowed Transtech to come out.

Just to be clear though, Simon Furman's stories by and large are unadaptable for multiple reasons. Great stuff, but wouldn't make for introductory films.

I don't know...Transtech's designs were the most streamlined out of ALL the Transformers so far. I even say going into Evangelion territory. And as much an anime fan Michael Bay is, the Transformers in the movie look anything but Japanese influenced. Then again, a few of the Decepticon faces do look pretty similar...ugh, I'm conflicted.

If you're speaking of Transtech storywise...then I'm lost as I haven't read too much on it.

 

[DorkyFresh]

I think that's taking it too far. Mechanical CGI has ALWAYS been more realistic in high budget movies than anything organic. The ladder truck scene in T3 blows away Spidey CGI anyday in realism. Not to say that ILM didn't accomplish anything with Transformers with the complexity of the robots...but had they been more organic looking akin to BW...then it would be that more harder.

blind_fury pretty much summed up how i feel about that, but i'll expand.

i understand that organic things are harder to pull off in 3d, but that doesn't mean the effects in this movie aren't a big accomplishment. it's true that we might've seen CGI robots and vehicles in other movies (Star Wars, Matrix, etc.) but not to this level of detail or realism. i'll most likely end up agreeing that the script isn't that great and there's too much comedy and etc. but anytime someone tries to downplay the fx achievements in this film it just shows their lack of understanding in the special effects department.

 

[blind_fury]

no...but thanks for assuming. i didn't say any reference to G1 or the source material automatically equals hate-speech...i said him trying to downplay the effects and saying that the transformations make less sense than a trailer that appears and disappears from thin-air sounds like something a hater would say. it's like saying Superman's new costume looks more home made than George Reeves's costume just because that person didn't like the way the new suit looked (yes....someone really DID say that).


if he would've stated just that, then i could've excepted it as legit opinion...but he had to throw in that Prime w/a disappearing trailer made MORE sense. those KINDS of comments (no matter what the subject matter) are typical of haters.

I think he was using an extreme analogy to make his point. Critics do it all the time for comic effect. He probably honestly felt the transformations didn't make sense and wanted to emphasize it using irony. This hardly discredits his entire review.

 

[nosebleed.]

I really don't think it's fair to marginalize what ILM accomplished. These robots look pretty real and there's alot of details they had to render because Bay's Transformers have millions of moving parts shifting everywhere.

If they did a sloppy job then he has a valid reason to criticize but they did just about the best job anyone could hope for.

I obviously haven't seen the movie yet, but from what I have seen in all the trailers and t.v. spots the CGI looks outstanding. That is the main part of the review I didn't agree with. He is either jaded when it comes to seeing CGI in movies or just downplaying the effects because of the weak story.

My mistake if my post seemed to downplay the effort ILM put into this movie. I truly believe they are going to be the saving grace. But I just feel that mechanical CGI looks more realistic in the first place than organic CGI. That was my point.

 

[blind_fury]

i understand that organic things are harder to pull off in 3d, but that doesn't mean the effects in this movie aren't a big accomplishment. it's true that we might've seen CGI robots and vehicles in other movies (Star Wars, Matrix, etc.) but not to this level of detail or realism. i'll most likely end up agreeing that the script isn't that great and there's too much comedy and etc. but anytime someone tries to downplay the achievements in this film, as far as special effects are concerned, it just shows their lack of understanding in the special effects department.

From what I've seen the ILM CGI is far better than the CGI from Matrix Revolutions which looked cartoony and fake.

 

[ShadowBoxing]

I don't know...Transtech's designs were the most streamlined out of ALL the Transformers so far. I even say going into Evangelion territory. And as much an anime fan Michael Bay is, the Transformers in the movie look anything but Japanese influenced. Then again, a few of the Decepticon faces do look pretty similar...ugh, I'm conflicted.

If you're speaking of Transtech storywise...then I'm lost as I haven't read too much on it.

Well Beast Machines really was the last truly serious cartoon adaptation to date. Transtech, it's successor, would've followed from BM where a group of techno Transformers attempted to return the planet to it's inorganic state thus causing Primal to have to take an inorganic form in order to stop them. Basically back into Civil War with the Transformers. But my overarching point was it was going to be serious. Instead we got the cartoony and slapstick (although BW was known for slapstick) RiD, followed by the much more kid friendly UT. I just wonder if Transtech's mature storyline and mature take on the Transformers would've influenced a future film. Would we actually see a fully dark themed and fully serious Transformers, or is this more cartoony (supposedly) take on Transformers partly to blame because the television media moved away from that type of show years ago.

 

[DorkyFresh]

I think he was using an extreme analogy to make his point. Critics do it all the time for comic effect. He probably honestly felt the transformations didn't make sense and wanted to emphasize it using irony. This hardly discredits his entire review.

well, true it doesn't discredit the ENTIRE review (i take that back)...but it shows a lil' bit about his character. whether it was for comic effect or not...it's still borderline hate-speech. the rest of his review was informative, but him downplaying the effects and making the statement for comic effect didn't do anything for me.

 

[nosebleed.]

Well Beast Machines really was the last truly serious cartoon adaptation to date. Transtech, it's successor, would've followed from BM where a group of techno Transformers attempted to return the planet to it's inorganic state thus causing Primal to have to take an inorganic form in order to stop them. Basically back into Civil War with the Transformers. But my overarching point was it was going to be serious. Instead we got the cartoony and slapstick (although BW was known for slapstick) RiD, followed by the much more kid friendly UT. I just wonder if Transtech's mature storyline and mature take on the Transformers would've influenced a future film. Would we actually see a fully dark themed and fully serious Transformers, or is this more cartoony (supposedly) take on Transformers partly to blame because the television media moved away from that type of show years ago.

Ok...I remember reading about that. But seeing as how they are going to an even cartoonier version of Transformers with the new animated series...my guess is that we won't be seeing anything serious from Transformers besides the comics in the near future.