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Massive explosions, slow-mo and very little discernible plot - that's right folks, it's a new movie from director Michael Bay. ...
Massive explosions, slow-mo and very little discernible plot - that's right folks, it's a new movie from director Michael Bay. But the good news is that he's thrown a whole bunch of giant alien robots into the mix and made the film he was probably born to make. For those who don't know about "Transformers" the premise is simple; they are two warring factions (the Autobots are the goodies, the Decepticons the baddies) of a technological race who can 'transform' into machines in order blend into their surroundings. Well poor Sam Witwicky (Shia LeBeouf) gets caught up in the middle of things when he gets a new car only to see it change into a twenty foot robot before his eyes. You see Sam's ancestor stumbled upon something many years before and it could turn the war in one direction or another and now both sides want it.It is vital that anyone going to see "Transformers" remembers one thing - this is not high art. But what it is is a thoroughly enjoyable, leave-your-brain-at-the-door, popcorn blockbuster that ticks all the right boxes. Things blow up, people run around firing guns and massive metal monsters go toe-to-toe while a deafening sound mix threatens to make your ears bleed; what better way is there to spend a Saturday night?LeBeouf is good in the (human) lead while Megan Fox smoulders beside him as his love interest. The rest of the cast are pretty indistinct although John Turturro is badly miscast as a bumbling spook but what people really want to see at the Transformers themselves and yes, they do look remarkably good. Credit too to Bay for bringing back Peter Cullen, who voiced Optimus Prime in the cartoon series, for the live action version. In short "Transformers" won't change your life, but it will give you a damn fun couple of hours in the cinema.
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Press Association
Director Michael Bay, who attempted to destroy planet Earth in Armageddon and masterminded the ill-fated sweeping war epic Pearl Harbor, ...
Director Michael Bay, who attempted to destroy planet Earth in Armageddon and masterminded the ill-fated sweeping war epic Pearl Harbor, once again indulges his love of outrageous action sequences and deafening sound in this live action blockbuster based on the adventures of the "robots in disguise". His mantra - the bigger the explosion, the bigger the thrills - actually works in the film's favour, elevating Transformers to the pantheon of the ridiculously entertaining blockbuster. In the first hour alone (Bay is not known for his brevity), there are more slam-bang thrills and spills than most of the other big summer releases combined. Screenwriters Roberto Orci and Alex Kurtzman strike just the right tone - slightly tongue-in-cheek, tapping into a rich vein in broad humour - balancing the digital effects with a fairy-tale love story and a touching friendship between a teenager and his robot protector that proves it is possible to have feelings for inanimate objects. Even we get a little misty-eyed when one of the robotic protectors seems destined for termination. Kids are going to love all of the destruction and mayhem. No doubt the newly revamped line of action figures and other me, rchandise, to tie in with the film, will be flying off the shelves right up to Christmas. A stonking new movie franchise is born. Let's hope parents have sufficiently deep pockets. Feuding robot clans, The Autobots and the Decepticons, head for dear ole planet Earth to continue their titanic battle, both sides determined to recover an artefact in the possession of shy and unassuming high school student, Sam Witwicky (Shia LaBeouf), the great grandson of a famous captain and explorer. Unfortunately, Sam doesn't realise the significance or the value of the item in his possession - a pair of spectacles engrained with a map that gives the location of the AllSpark - a giant cube containing the very essence of Transformer life. Indeed, Sam is much more interested in trying to impress Mikaela (Megan Fox), one of the most beautiful girls at school, who has the kind of exposed midriff that sends young girls on crash diets. She is also rather nifty under the bonnet of Sam's newly purchased second-hand motor. "Guys don't like it when you know more about cars than they do," offers Mikaela as she hunkers down over the engine, a vision of motor oil and lip-gloss. When noble Autobot leader Optimus Prime (voiced by Peter Cullen) and his four loyal compatriots - Bumblebee, Ironhide, Jazz and Ratchet - finally make contact with Sam, the youngster begins to understand the pivotal role he must play in the unfolding drama. Meanwhile, the nasty and pernicious Decepticons, led by the power-hungry Megatron (voiced by Hugo Weaving), pursue Sam with their own evil agenda. With the fate of mankind hanging in the balance and Secret Agent Simmons (John Turturro) and his team in hot pursuit, Sam joins forces with elite soldier Captain Lennox (Josh Duhamel) and his crack team to repel the Decepticons and save mankind from annihilation. Transformers is a lot of fun. Bay orchestrates the numerous action sequences with directorial brio, from the opening showdown on an air force base to a breathtaking chase along a highway with Decepticons slamming through traffic, and the climactic showdown, which reduces an entire city to flaming rubble. LaBeouf is an instantly likeable hero, using his comic timing to great effect ("It's a robot, a super advanced robot... it's probably Japanese"), and the romance with Fox's honey unfolds as expected. There are some nice comic interludes, like when Sam's pet Chihuahua Mojo cocks its leg on Ironside. "You have a rodent infestation. He leaked lubricant all over my foot," growls the robot, preparing to terminate the tiny life form. Sam manages to save his pet in the nick of time. "That's gonna rust!" grumbles Ironside as he shakes off the excess. Steve Jablonsky's rousing orchestral score and the thunderous sound effects rattle the teeth in your head as the digital wizards from Industrial Light , &, Magic create dazzling scenes of retina-searing carnage.
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