REVIEW: NEW TRANSFORMERS MOVIE

by Chad E. Smith

     If you're like me, the news of a live action Transformers movie filled you with excitement, anticipation...and dread. HOW could a live action film possibly live up to my favorite childhood cartoon? Is it even conceivable that the battles my friends and I waged between the Autobots and Decipticons could be brought to life? Add in the fact that Mr. Michael Bay, the mastermind behind such stinkbombs as Pearl Harbor and The Island was at the helm and the potential for my childhood being ruined was firmly in place. BUT I am pleased to report that as soon as I witnessed the first giant robot transformation (accompanied by that familiar sound) and over-the-top battle scene, all my worries flew out the window. If you don't want to know, look away- there be spoilers ahead!

Shia LeBeouf plays Sam Witwicky in the Transfomers Movie

     The premise of the movie follows the toy/cartoon line fairly accurately. The heroic Autobots and evil Decepticons coexist on the world of Cybertron until their escalating war decimates their world and the search for the powerful 'AllSpark' sends them relocating to Earth. Shia LeBeouf plays Sam Witwicky, a teenage Peter Parker type thrust into the center of the robot conflict thanks to his family history and his 'new' car Bumblebee. Many, many explosions and giant robot battles ensue. LeBeouf does a great job throughout the film, actually transforming himself from a shy nerd in the beginning to a confident hero at the conclusion. It is easy to see why LeBeouf is touted as Hollywood's next big star- the kid has talent and charisma. The female lead- Megan Fox, also comes through with an admirable performance, infusing substance and personality into a character that could easily have been cardboard. AND she's very easy on the eyes! Jon Voight has a decent turn as the Secretary of Defense, but sadly most of the rest of the cast seems interchangeable and forgettable. Several of them literally disappear without explanation during the movie and are never mentioned again. The real crime committed here was the minimal screen time allotted to Anthony Anderson as Glenn. He easily has the funniest lines of the movie.

While there are no killer kangeroos in this movie, Anthony Anderson does get to react to killer robots!

     On to the REAL stars of the film- the robots. Industrial Light & Magic has truly created something special here. Transformations and movements are fluid and spectacular. It's undoubtedly a good thing that it took so long for the movie to be made, so that technology could catch up and properly show these robots in all their glory. The robots have personality! Starscream and Megatron bicker just like in the cartoon! Bumblebee is sympathetic when he's captured! And Megatron really REALLY thinks humans are
disgusting (in the scene that got the biggest reaction of the night in our theater)! There are complaints, however. Many of the robots look very similar (facially) and it was difficult at times to keep up with who was who when the fighting began. I could hear, "Now WHICH one was that again?" coming out of the theater.
     In summary, Transformers is a must-see. Hardcore fans will find many references and homage to the original series and new fans will be thoroughly entertained and introduced to a new world. The ending definitely sets up sequels, and as long as they are up to this high standard, I am fine with that! Now bring on He-Man!