Transformers (B- or 2.5/4 stars)
The Autobots (good guys) & the Decepticons (bad guys) are 2 robotic clans who find themselves on Earth in 'Transformers', a sci-fi action flick directed by Michael Bay (The Island). They're waging war on Earth; where all mankind is susceptible to their powerful wrath. But the Autobots are quite friendly, really, & Sam Witwicky (Shia LaBeouf), a normal 17 yr. old aims to help them defeat their foes. The CGI-effects are incredible, but the plot made my head spin.
A long time ago, on the planet of Cybertron, the Autobots ( led by Optimus Prime) were battling against the Decepticons (led by Megatron) for control over a mystical cube that would grant unlimited power to its' owner. The Autobots snatched it, headed off to Earth. It was tracked down in 1850, but the whereabouts of the cube was in the Arctic. Before the climate froze Megatron into a paralyzed state, he was able to etch a map (where the cube is) & send transmission signals to their planet to come get it. Where did he etch the map? On Sam's great-great grandfather's spectacles, of course. Capt. Witwicky had been an explorer back in the 1850's. The comatose Megatron was then shipped back to America (where secret agencies/FBI) have kept him frozen in secret.
2007: Because he just scored an 'A' on a school project, Sam's dad takes him to purchase his 1st car. Little does he know, 'Bumblebee' (a congenial Autobot) has transformed himself to be his car so that he can ultimately protect him from any Decepticons who will trace their tracking signal to him (as he now owns his great-great grandfather's glasses). Decepticons have landed on Earth, at a U.S. military base in Qatar. The Pentagon becomes aware, & no one quite knows what to do about this 'alien species', at first. Bumblebee will do the best he can to defend Sam, his girlfriend, Mikaela (a hot Megan Fox), & the rest of the human race.
As you can guess, Megatron awakens from his cryogenically comatose slumber, and he ain't happy. Some amazing showdowns occur btwn. the 'good guy' Autobots, the newly arrived Decepticons, & the little humans in-between them all. From Hoover Dam to Los Angeles, the battles take place on a grand scale. Will the Decepticons find the cube & dominate? Will the Autobots be able to thwart them? What is the FBI hiding about all of this? Can Sam (and his entourage) save the Autobots ... and the world? {eye roll} Wow, I hope y'all get that. And even if you don't, its fine, the special effects are important here, not the plot.
The special effects offer BIG, loud military-based shoot-outs, car chases, Robot chases, animated 'transformation' sequences as the Robots shift shapes ... there's an undeniable rush of hard-hitting, energetic, eye-popping visuals onscreen (not to mention the attractive female characters). And while the CGI-effects are great, there are also some sheer moments of comedy which kept the film afloat (a segment where Sam's parents confront him in his bedroom). And speaking of Sam, Shia LaBeouf has just enough charisma to carry a summer blockbuster like this; I like his potential. But the epic battle near the end goes on too long. The plot made my head hurt. Most characters wind up being caricatures. And entire plot points are introduced, only to go absolutely nowhere by the end. Overall, this is a good guys vs. bad guys special effects show. I was extremely impressed with some things, partly baffled by others. Still, a worthy trip to the theater, for sure.
A long time ago, on the planet of Cybertron, the Autobots ( led by Optimus Prime) were battling against the Decepticons (led by Megatron) for control over a mystical cube that would grant unlimited power to its' owner. The Autobots snatched it, headed off to Earth. It was tracked down in 1850, but the whereabouts of the cube was in the Arctic. Before the climate froze Megatron into a paralyzed state, he was able to etch a map (where the cube is) & send transmission signals to their planet to come get it. Where did he etch the map? On Sam's great-great grandfather's spectacles, of course. Capt. Witwicky had been an explorer back in the 1850's. The comatose Megatron was then shipped back to America (where secret agencies/FBI) have kept him frozen in secret.
2007: Because he just scored an 'A' on a school project, Sam's dad takes him to purchase his 1st car. Little does he know, 'Bumblebee' (a congenial Autobot) has transformed himself to be his car so that he can ultimately protect him from any Decepticons who will trace their tracking signal to him (as he now owns his great-great grandfather's glasses). Decepticons have landed on Earth, at a U.S. military base in Qatar. The Pentagon becomes aware, & no one quite knows what to do about this 'alien species', at first. Bumblebee will do the best he can to defend Sam, his girlfriend, Mikaela (a hot Megan Fox), & the rest of the human race.
As you can guess, Megatron awakens from his cryogenically comatose slumber, and he ain't happy. Some amazing showdowns occur btwn. the 'good guy' Autobots, the newly arrived Decepticons, & the little humans in-between them all. From Hoover Dam to Los Angeles, the battles take place on a grand scale. Will the Decepticons find the cube & dominate? Will the Autobots be able to thwart them? What is the FBI hiding about all of this? Can Sam (and his entourage) save the Autobots ... and the world? {eye roll} Wow, I hope y'all get that. And even if you don't, its fine, the special effects are important here, not the plot.
The special effects offer BIG, loud military-based shoot-outs, car chases, Robot chases, animated 'transformation' sequences as the Robots shift shapes ... there's an undeniable rush of hard-hitting, energetic, eye-popping visuals onscreen (not to mention the attractive female characters). And while the CGI-effects are great, there are also some sheer moments of comedy which kept the film afloat (a segment where Sam's parents confront him in his bedroom). And speaking of Sam, Shia LaBeouf has just enough charisma to carry a summer blockbuster like this; I like his potential. But the epic battle near the end goes on too long. The plot made my head hurt. Most characters wind up being caricatures. And entire plot points are introduced, only to go absolutely nowhere by the end. Overall, this is a good guys vs. bad guys special effects show. I was extremely impressed with some things, partly baffled by others. Still, a worthy trip to the theater, for sure.