Transformers is a lot like a trip to Wal Mart. There is way too much for your senses to take in; some of it is incredibly appealing, some of it is horribly tacky and the whole experience leaves you feeling a little tainted.
The visual effects are the draw with this film. The computer generated Autobots and Decepticons are seamless and utterly believable. At several times the screen is just a mess of techno garble but for the most part the people at Industrial Light and Magic have realistically depicted a world where 30 foot robots come crashing to earth and change freely into cars, trucks and sport utility vehicles then back again into robots. Think about that for a second. That is not an easy feat.
The trouble with this movie is there is a whole lot more than Transformers in Transformers. The movie tries to be everything to everyone. It is clear that director Michael Bay has set out to entertain both children and the parents who bring them to (and pay for) the movie. However, there is also an attempt to appease the hordes of fanboys (and perhaps three fangirls) who have remained dedicated to the Transformers universe ever since they were in Snork pajamas. It seems that nothing has been left on the cutting room floor. There is a romance in there, as well as a family comedy, a military sub plot, cute robo-shenanigans and a techno caper to boot. It is a film that manages to pay homage to (or rip off, depending how cynical the viewer) Herbie the Love Bug, Short Circuit, Men in Black, Short Circuit II, Men in Black II, E.T., Starship Troopers, Independence Day, and Hackers, in no particular order.
The result, for me, is a wildly uneven movie that rambles on satisfying all of its viewers some of the time but less of us all of the time. However, I am but one man. In a Middlebrow Film Society first, below you will find an instant retort to my review. Written by Lena, my 13 year old cousin, I think you will find it well composed, thoughtful and far less jaded than my ramblings. Her first line should be on Transformers posters across America:
The movie Transformers is (in my opinion) a great movie for anyone who likes action, humor, and robots. One thing i found funny in the movie was the personalities of the Autobots (good guys) They all have a different ability that they contribute to the group. Bumblebee was my favorite Autobot because he seemed like the youngest, but also one of the strongest.
I liked the action so much that my friend and I went into another theater to watch the last half of the movie again.
To Lena: You are the youngest contributor to this site but also one of the strongest. Thank you.
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