Movies Reviews
Movie Review: Transformers
By Scott Rosenberg Jul 4, 2007, 14:12 GMT
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Older Talkback
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The 'bad' dialogue was from the original cartoon movie you soulless idiot. That being said, I agree with you on just about every other statement.
Your spelling makes me shutter.
Don't forget people this is made from a cartoon. Too many people come into these movies expecting too much. Looking back at the storyline and the catoon that spawned this movie, I feel that they did it justice. Great! movie and I movie I will buy when it comes out on DVD.
And I hate biased reporting, Sound like someone hates bush and the military and the Iraq war. So lets put it in a movie review where those opinions belong.
Whatever!!!!
I thought this movie was great. I caught the tail-end of the cartoon when I was a very young child, and that alone made me excited to see the movie. It was more than I expected -- and I think that the reviewer writing the above article is a moron. Between misspellings... and... you know, if it's not your type of movie -- then don't go see it -- because you won't be happy with it no matter how good it is.
Whatever the case, I recommend it!
PS - and one more thing -- I didn't really feel there were negative remarks about the Japanese. I felt like fun was poked at them, because they've been such innovators in technology. But definitely not a negative vibe about it.
yes, please learn how to spell correctly. You used 'then', when you meant to use 'than'.
yeah bro. for real you is like not good at the spellings.
tranzformars iz gonna rock you in your sleep.
Please learn to spell correctly before publishing articles. That's just unacceptable and embarassing.
Did you watch the movie or did you have a 5 year old explain it to you? Almost everything you've written here is inaccurate.
The movie's running time is 2 hours and 14 minutes. Not 2 hours and 40 minutes. Your theater must really be pushing the trailer maximum it runs or you can't tell time well.
Are you kidding me with these spelling critiques? You truly have to get a life. Stay out of the movie theater and try reality. At least the reporter is doing something of note. What's your excuse you English teacher wanna-bes?
To 'Are you a professional writer?' it's 'shudder', not shutter you dolt.
I hope you don't get paid for your writing as it stinks. I think anyone that listens to film critics are mental morons. They should form their own opinions and not rely on what supposed 'movie experts' think. Get a life and get on track.
Wow as a reviewer you really stink. it is 'Megatron.' but i guess what really bothers me is how canned your response is. it is a animated comic book genre. can you review for that or would it have been better for you to simply say it's not my cup of tea
I like how you can have stereotypical latinos in movies nowadays but you can't stereotype blacks or whites or any race anymore, unlesss it's a supposed to be a comedy. If you have stereotypical black characters then all the black people will start bitching and they give Al Sharpton a call, but us hispanics and latinos have to take it cause, after all, who the hell are we? We don't have some big fancy lawyer or lawyers to stand up for us. This movie was WAY hyped, anyway, so I can in some ways I can understand.
Clearly, you had no understanding of this movie's whole point. Transformers isn't just a toy line that got turned into a movie, it is a phenomenon that has existed for over 20 years in the minds of many, many, many people. I grew up with it, as did MANY people who are in their 20s and early 30s. To us, this movie was absolutely golden. It was what we've been looking forward to for the last 20 years -- our favorite giant walking death robots seen on the big screen, in live action.
I'm sorry that clearly you missed out on the reason for this movie's hype and popularity. It seems that either you're too old to have gotten any enjoyment out of Transformers in its prime, or you were just too sheltered as a child and missed out completely.
Sadly, whenever a GI Joe live-action movie is made, I'm sure you'll come back to review it just as poorly, because I'm sure you won't understand its appeal either.
Last, but not least... spell check is your friend. Especially if you are going to post a 'critique' of a movie on a website that ends up being shown on Google News for all to see!
good god man, you're english and spelling is so shocking i gave up half way through. go back to school.
Typcasting is an essential need in movies to make then work. Just because there is a guy who speanks spanish and has a Latino accent does not mean the movie makers were trying to get people hyped up about race issues.
Obviously from the scene with the 'President' calling for food while sitting on his ass shows that the movie was poking a little fun as president Bush. It was hilarious, and I am neither pro Bush or anti Bush. One hard thing in movies is to create a new charater to portray the president, as they cannot have Bush himself onscreen as a main member of the movie. The Secretary of Defense would be the next person to deal with the military aspect, and the charater they created played by Jon Voight fit right in with the plot logically.
The movie proved its effect to me when I felt myself caring about the 'bots' like they were humans. The action sequences were executed with perfect technique and kept you on the edge of your seat. Tears came to my eyes when Bumblebee was captured by the humans on the freeway, and then again when Bumblebee asked to remain with the boy on earth. Character development in talking machines is something hard to accomplish, and they did it here perfectly.
If asked what country has the most advanced technology7 on earth, I would respond with Japan. I bet you would too. That is not a steryotype, just something people have come accustomed to in the US. The japanese technology jokes were funny.
Word.
PS
To mrpr99: I am pretty sure the person who spelt 'shudder' as 'shutter' was being subtle and witty in trying to make fun of the author of this review's spelling issue, you dolt.
[I know there are many spelling mistakes in my response. I would appriciate if no one wastes their time making a post about my innacurate spelling as well. People make mistakes. Get over it]
My biggest problem with reviews like this, is that it clearly demonstrates that each reviewer really wants an 'art house' film with Oscar potential. This reviewer is obviously incapable of placing themselves in the perspective of the target audience. Males age 8-40 that enjoy the action genre.
To those individuals, this is a great film, a landmark film. The special effects are pure ILM genius, quite likely the best effects ever seen.
It is not about Oscar potential, character development, plot depth or the like. It's stringing together a story that is sufficiently engaging to bridge the gap between action sequences, without distracting from the sequences.
In that regard, this was a phenomenal movie.
But, if you can never see the beauty of that, then you are relegated to forever review movies from the perspective of their 'artistic merits' in hopes that you get recognized by others who care about the same artistic merit and give you a more important job. Good luck with that.
In the meantime, Transformers was, to its target audience, absolutely brilliant. A gem of perfection in Summer Cinema explosive, collateral damage grandeur.
gtza,
It's funny when one writes to slam another on their use of English and they get it wrong. It's your, not you're.
Melanie,
I disagree, that person really is a dolt and thought shutter was correct. If they were that smart, they would have come up with something much more witty.
The movie was great. I see at least one film per week and I can't remember a recent movie I have enjoyed as much. By the way, I'm 44. My son and nephew 16 and 14 loved it too.
^ ^ ^
Wrong, dolt. The author of the original review wrote 'I shutter [sic] to think' near the center of his piece. Hence, the hilarious second reply, and the even more amusing follow up comments 'correcting' the responder's spelling. Thanks to mrpr99 as well for the laughs.
It helps to read an article before crapping out your opinions on it, chumps. I shutter to think of what the internet has come to.
When the lead character sees his car transform into a giant robot he says '...it's really advanced...probably Japanese.' Now that's not abn exact quoye of course...but what the heck is negative about it?
That review makes me wonder if you saw the movie or slept through it.
When the lead character sees his car transform into a giant robot he says '...it's really advanced...probably Japanese.' Now that's not an exact quote of course...but what the heck is negative about it?
That review makes me wonder if you saw the movie or slept through it.
I saw this movie 2 days in a row. It brought back what entertainment really means. The Explosions of the imaginations. It took daydreaming to an old school realm. A realm that bought forth todays gadgets and gimmicks. It was obvious in various parts of the show where parts of the show had been edited out which makes me hungrier for a dvd release and possibly the 2nd time that I would ever watch extra footages on a dvd. The 1st was Transformers the Movie. This was a great movie. I look forward to a second movie. Maybe Ratchet fixes Jazz (please!!!)and Starscream leader of the Decepticons? Better Yet the merge between Transformers and GI JOE!!
Anyway I hope it blows Harry Potter and all other movies released this year!!!!
Anyhow there seems to be a whole bunch of so called pro reviewers giving such negative feedback. To them I say go back and watch the movie and let the child within out for a while. Go buy a toy.
If I were George Clooney or Danny DeVito I would explain all the spelling errors away as too much Limoncello. But alas, I be me – not them.
Sorry folks, spelling errors I can only explain away as writing a fast review late at night after a long day at work and at the movies.
Regarding what I wrote about the movie – everyone has their own opinion.
Appreciate all your comments and thanks for reading.
Great review, keep up the good work. I had an opportunity to see this movie in Washington DC last week but chose not to waste my time. My two sons who are in their twenties saw it and loved it.
At least you had the guts to tell it like it is.
What is wrong with you? Did you want to be in the movie or something? This is a great movie and I am going to see it again.
sometimes critics forget a sci-fi movie is just a movie.. did you expect to find a philosophical truth in this movie? a shakesperian dialoge or something?.. i think this movie kick-ass... everybody applauded and was pumped up at the end, many even waited until the end of the credits to see if they had a trailer for part 2 or something... it was that good... it's really cool and the girl is HOT.. damn she's fine... :-) and the autobots are awsome.. i suggest you watch the cartoons before you go see it.. i watched a few episodes online since i didn't remember much about it.. and it helped me understand the movie when i saw it..
warning: it's a guys movie.. :-)
Listen,
we all have opinions you are right. But seriously and kidding aside, i know you must have been exhausted when typing (my spelling stinks too, and i rarely use my spell checker in HTML which i am sure you will note.) but did you go into the movie expecting 'Citizen Cane'? what was your criteria?
can a movie with a specific demographic and target achieve it's goal and thereby be considered exceptional when it does not meet the comparitive drama (let's say.)
So we might have greater respect the work you perform for M&C will you give us 1 or 2 examples of a comparitive genre that you think made the grade? i sincerely would like to know, and i think i can speak for others that would too.
I thought the review was accurate. This movie was like a porno flick, everything looked great and there was plenty of action but, a child could have written better dialog and you'll want to fast forward to the action scenes.
Tim,
Let me first say, I am M&C's movie editor. My expertise is on the movie business as a whole, having written for trade “rags” The Hollywood Reporter and Variety for many years.
I am not a film critic. I wrote a review of a movie because unfortunately, none of M&C's half dozen or so movie reviewers was able to critique Transformers. I happened to go to the movies yesterday, saw the picture and thought I would put something up for readers to consider.
Notice I wrote “consider”. Movie reviews are personal opinions written to entice an audience. I would never recommend that a viewer see or not see a movie based on a review.
In my case I deserved to be trashed as there were several typos and spelling errors which I, as editor, should have been more diligent.
On 'comparative movies that made the grade,' sorry but I'm not going to get into a long discussion here. This is not the place on M&C to deal with a topic like that – “Forums” would be the place.
As a matter of fact, if you wish to see a list of my all time favorite movies –go to M&C’s Forums, in Movies - go to Favorite Movies, scroll down to Movie Boss/Editor – that is my list, pretty eclectic.
Thanks for your input.
Best
S
By the way, I also head up a new international film festival that will take place overseas in October this year – mostly indie films – so my film orientation is quite broad.
I'd like to take a moment to step in here to defend our editor 'Scott rosenberg.'
Scott and I do not often see eye to eye. We locked horns in the past enough times over films that I liked and he hated or that he liked and I hated; 'The Host' being one of its' best examples.
However I fail to see how his review is such a rod for attracting hatred.
'The Transformers' is not a sacred object. It is a movie and just like every movie it is there to be watched, enjoyed,hated or critiqued. It is not some sort of holy script about which if you express an opinion, you become open to punishment.
All Scott has done here is critique a film. If you don't agree, finem that is your God-given Democracy-protected right. But don't flame the damn board with make-shift comments to vent your hatred.
I haven't seen this title yet. It's not out in the U.K. for another good two weeks.
I have very little expectations from it. I hate Micheal Bay and thorougly detest 95 5 of the movies he has directed or produced. But I am still going to go and watch it to judge the film on its' own merits.
I find it unacceptable that a group of 'fans' could be so unerring and uneaccepting any form of opinion and criticism over a film , however close said film might be to their heart.
And if you really hate Scott's reviews, just don't read them. That's the beauty of choice.
All the best
Evrim
I don't hate scott's reviews. further I am sure he is educated and respected. i would personally not ignore a review because i didn't like it. i enjopy others takes on things.
you mentioned in someway that you couldn't see why folks where so upset? i am not sure what to say except if 85% + of this forum is against the review that should at least raise an eyebrow shouldn't it? that's not emotion that's just numbers. one reason folks might be so un-nerved is because (i don't like Mike Bay either, to pop not so much depth) this film actually works really well with that type of directing unlike more reality driven works that may turn ones stomach. it was a cartoon that appealed primarily 8-16 year olds in the 80's for me. it was supposed to be cheesy to a certain extent, the point being sometimes the cheese fits the history and in this case the delivery.
certainly you used to watch cartoons as a kid. i will bet if you watched them now you might just say wow i can't believe i really liked that? a good movie that addresses that gap is like a forgoten smell or feeling or sound or taste that kind of resonates and amplifies your adult perspective. it is probably cheesy on a certain level but to the demographic and open minded it is sweet, in my opinion.
Tim
I totally disagree. This movie was outstanding. I feel that it started from the top with action non-stop until the movie ended. Going to see the movie, you should have known before hand what it was going to be. It was a cartoon...Hello! This movie was the best I have seen this year, falling right along with SpiderMan in my book. I will buy it when it comes out as well. Don't be so one-sided on things!
I'm sorry but this is a movie review, not a blog. Movie reviews serve a pretty well recognized function, to help viewers parse the good from the bad so that they can make better informed judgments about how to spend their money. Of course, we keep a watchful eye out for industry shills who just want to sell product. This type of hackery is to be expected. Many of us also keep an eye out for partisan, political attacks. Its a bit ridiculous given that studios generally try to leave the 'meaning' of a film open to interpretation to maximize returns, but also sometimes nice to read informed criticism of the cultural labor performed by a movie, album etc...
But this article does neither. To the first, thanks for not shilling. As for the second, the author conjectures that because American soldiers are depicted in the movie, its a propaganda vehicle for the Bush administration. That's eally weak. Also, why does the film need to explain how an attractive woman works with technology? That's ridiculously sexist. And the already debunked comment about Japan bashing... No need to say more on that account. This article presents us with a thrid threat. Poor craftsmanship. As others have pointed out, Rosenberg needs to do his homework. He also needs to think things trough. Nothing is more damning to the left that people making poor arguments in order to represent the left ( both in terms of militarism and the status of women.)
Does no reviewer consider source material anymore? Good God--reading movie reviews these days is like reading sophomore year book reports.
Look, you don't need to impress us with your movie prowess; we get it. We know that you know a lot about movies. We know that you spend a lot of time sitting in soda stained stadium seats. We know that you are constantly thinking about your reviews as you watch your movies. You are the experts and we are the drones, gnawing on the morsels of information you so generously feed us. After a while, though, what you have to offer is stale.
And why is it stale? Just like bad food, your ('your' being rhetorical, since you are al the same these days) reviews are processed and reprocessed versions of the same thing. Over and over again. And that's not because of a series of good or bad movies. It’s your expectations.
Take your criticism of the dialogue. What the hell are you expecting? Shakespearean wit? Austen-ish drama? Puzo-like depth and coolness? News flash, smart guy, Transformers doesn’t come from any epic novel, play, or poem. It comes from a cartoon created to sell toys. You even reference this in your review!
Keeping in mind context and source material would do you a lot of good while you write your reviews. If you would write something based on what the movie actually is, and not what you think would make you look more intelligent, perhaps your review would mean something. Otherwise, you become worse than stale, worse than canned, worse than a poor executor of criticism: you become irrelevant.
Scott,
You are a 'movie editor'. Take note of the word 'editor'. An editor is a person responsible for the editorial aspects of the publication. The person who determines the final content of a text. Typographical and semantic errors are SIMPLY UNACCEPTABLE. If you are flamed for it, YOU deserve it.
Here is a piece of advise, before considering writing anything for public viewing, DO your HOMEWORK. Always take into consideration the context of the piece you are reviewing..including its history. If people are flaming you for not considering that aspect, YOU deserve it.
For the love of optimus prime, if you want a read a review of someone who really hates this film read Verns review on AICN, he gets a real bashing for it on the talk back over there. 3.5/5 is not a bad rating for a film and to be honest I agree with his review. The film was pure popcorn entertainment in my opinion, but thats just my opinion I guess. Reviews are always going to be opinionated thats why I tend read quite a few reviews of a film before I watch it.
clearly after just reading the part after where you said ' And while most of the dialogue was really bad (Optimus Prime: “One shall stand and one shall fall”)' i knew this review was going to be terrible. You obviously didn't see the cartoon and then you wrote the review looking for into certain things not knowing what was the history behind the show to begin with. Its always good to here peoples perspective, but before you review things in the future at least know the history your dealing with.
Looks like our homeboy Evrim needs some grammer lessons too! (finem that is your God-given Democracy-protected right) Did you guy's even pass through high school?
Thanks for that intelligent comment anonymous!
It's 'You guys suck!' not 'You guy's suck!'
It's 'Grammar' not 'Grammer'
'It is impossible to defeat an ignorant man in argument. '
Thank you
Evrim
Here is a challenge to everyone.
If you think you can write a better review than Anne (Harry Potter, Evrom (Live Free or die Hard) or myself (Transformers), then please do and we will publish it.
No pay here (however,we probably have a few DVD sets around for the top writers) but you will get your 15 minutes of fame with your friends and relatives when they see your material on line.
But beware, as you too may feel the wrath of readers as it seems everyone is a critic of the critics.
Now is the chance to prove yourself.
Good Luck
Where are OUR DVD sets, dammit? We never got such lavis attention :)
I have read several reviews saying that 'Transformers fans will love it!' I disagree. I thought the film was 'alright' but felt it could have been better.
Unlike the animated series, this film was more about the humans. The lack of robot character development (particularly of the Decepticons) was really disappointing. I'm sure many hoped for some banter between Megatron (who didn't look appealing at all) and Starscream - but that never came. When one of the Autobots was destroyed, I didn't care much because we never get to know him anyway. Finally, the voice casting. I couldn't tell Ironhide from Barricade. A new actor was cast to speak Megatron's four or five short lines. Why did they bother?
Although it is a worthwhile film in its own right, I feel those who enjoyed the spirit of the Transformers in the 1980s might be disappointed. I was.
this is the greatest freakin movie ever made
this movie had everything anybody could want in a film comedy,action,car chases, military action, robots, cool cars, a cool motorcycle sequence and most of all and certainly not least CHEESECAKE ! That girl was THE hottest babe I have ever seen ! When they were using camera shots to check out her hot smokin' bod was awesome !! I loved this film. Even if it had a jewish hero and too many other color people. The girl made up for everything.
How do I find Evrim's personal email? This guy is too brilliant for words.
A friend of Fred's
E.
p.s. Have that genius contact me at poodymuriel@hotmail.com
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