[Review] Transformers

I heard about Transformers with very low expectations a couple of years ago.  I never thought anyone could pull off a live-action version of one of my favorite toys and cartoons from childhood.  Then I heard that Michael Bay was attached to it, and I lost all hope.  The bombastic assembler of Pearl Harbor and other so-called epics hadn't directed a good movie since The Rock.  Websites were selling pictures of Optimus Prime's head, with the paraphrased Optimus line: "Megatron Michael Bay Must be Stopped." 

Then I started hearing good things about it.  And then I saw it. 

And I'm going to see it again. 

The human element was a welcome distraction from the robots whipping each other across the screen.   There was excellent humor throughout, and enough toy and cartoon references to keep vets like me on their toes.  I think it's safe to say that I've never geeked out as hard watching any movie as I did watching this one.  I felt like a Star Wars fan at The Phantom Menace (except Transformers was a better, less-pretentious film than that was). 

The movie would not have been nearly as effective were it not for the selection of voice actor Peter Cullen, who performed as the original Optimus Prime, to reprise the role in this live-action film.  His presence is unmistakable, and remains as familiar as any voice from my childhood.  At one point, Cullen delivered the line "Freedom is the right of all sentient beings."  Every Transformers toy had a quote to go along with their character description on the back of the box.  This was Prime's quote.  I pumped my fist when I heard it.  Yes, I am a nerd.  Near the beginning of the movie, The Camaro That Would Turn Out To Be Bumblebee was placed next to a yellow Volkswagen Beetle, the shape of the original Bumblebee toy.  It was almost as if the movie's creators were saying, "Look how stupid this would have been if we'd stuck to the original toy and cartoon script."  I wholeheartedly agree: Bumblebee as an original (or even New) Beetle would have been uber-lame.

Hugo Weaving took over voice duties for Megatron, and did so effectively.  Sadly, Scatman Crothers (Jazz) and some other actors who played key characters in the cartoon have passed away over the past 20 years.  Their replacements were of varying quality.  Unlike most movies, the military played a key role in the plot and outcome instead of serving as cannon fodder.  In fact, it's safe to say that without the military things would have gone far worse for the protagonists.  A laundry list of military consultants from the U.S. Armed Forces appeared in the credits.

This movie simply blew me away.  Despite a slightly sluggish beginning, I was riveted from start to finish.  Sure, it was a big GM commercial.  Sure, it was silly.  Sure, the characters were a bit underdeveloped.  But in terms of pure, non-R-rated action movies, it just doesn't get any better than this.  Four Obsidian Reels for Transformers, and I hope it stands the test of the second theater viewing.

[EDIT: Check out The Rob's review. ]

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