The thing is Michael Bay has always had, in his head, a vision of what a summer blockbuster should be and whether it's Pearl Harbour, cloning or a toy line as source material he'll make the version that fits his taste (or lack of it).
Bay is suceeding, despite the reviews, because he's giving the public the kind of summer blockbuster THEY perceive the 'genre' to be. Dumb, jingoistic, sexist, **** blowing up etc. Whilst everyone from Raimi and Singer (initially anyway) to Nolan, Pixar, Apatow and now recently Abrams and Favreau have been praised this decade for giving or trying to give the yearly 'experience' between May and August more genuine heart and brains Bay seems to be continually saying 'Why does anyone need to take the stuff we put out during these months seriously on ANY level?'
It's the root of why I feel he has defenders (even Spielberg on some level appreciates that) and a willing public.
the problem with that line of thinking is that there is room for every kind of film and it's somewhat arrogant to "out" a film because it doesn't fall into this emerging boys club "elevating summer films"
there is a huge audience that simply sat ate their popcorn and enjoyed the film, do you look down on them as well?
bay knows this audience exists, is it a crime to give them something they will enjoy?
that's the same line of thinking that suggests that slapstick comedy should be eliminated to make way for "more" "heart & story" based Apatow comedy.
it's literally like taking a fun movie like Evil Dead and saying it's crap compared to films that take the genre seriously ala devils back bone or even 28 days later.
why is so much thought put into the idea that bay has an agenda along the lines of
'Why does anyone need to take the stuff we put out during these months seriously on ANY level?'
first of all Bayformers isn't as brainless as ppl say it is, it's not scary movie or even charlies angels....
at the same time, not "everything needs to be taken seriously on any or every level"
just like not every meal needs to be fully balanced and super healthy
sometimes people just wanna eat ice cream(it's actually really popular), and then you'll have critics and such making essays about why it's a waste of money...
ok lets see what happens when you have your way, no more ice cream... lets all just eat sandwiches.
I still can't believe that people see his films as missed opportunities at higher art
I'll agree that pearl harbor and maybe the island probably shouldn't have gotten the bay treatment
but a buddy cop series and a kids toy line?
Lastly something like Iron man for example, could be seen as kiddie genre tripe with superheros and capes fighting "Evil doers" with EXPLOSIONS to the likes of "real" film scholars that believe..(best part)..
that films should only be the deep engrossing complexities of life questioning small films with wide landscapes ilk the likes of english patient, dr shivago and fitzcaraldo(sp).
to look down on bays stuff and look up to iron man is pretty much the hobo calling the dog dirty
before judging something have a little perspective, there is room in this industry for everyone and everything and to tell people they don't or shouldn't like something takes some gull
I say that because TF just about set a record with viewers and it did so with every critic in the world kicking and screaming.
"the beauty in art is that it's for the people to decide weather it's worth their time or not."
The thing is Michael Bay has always had, in his head, a vision of what a summer blockbuster should be
and apparently so do you.
. I think he meant it was just stupid.
