Movie Review. Transformer

For spoilers click below. For no spoilers ... well ... don't.

To be honest, I was never a fan of the 1980's version of the Transformers 1980's TV show. To me it was just too over the top and nothing really interesting even happened in the cartoon. So when I heard that Michael Bay was going to direct a movie of this. The first thought that occurred to me was this film going to be another Island or would it be another one of his mindless popcorn film with a stupid love triangle thrown in. (AKA Pearl Harbor). I am glad to report that it was neither and, for once, Michael Bay actually does a good job with this film.

The film is what you would expect from a summer blockbuster. It has great special effects, a hero that you can cheer for and a villain that you want to see die. It has the geeky hero, a hot babe and just some parents that just don't understand. It also has a secret government agency that almost destroys the day by getting into the heroes way.

Now lets discus the 2 main heroes in this film, Sam 'Spike' Witwicky (played by Shia LaBeoulf)and Captain Lennox (Played by John Duhamel. What I liked about their story is that they are both heroes but they showed how they achieved it using very different means. You see the Captain wanting to save his men lives, so they can all return home. You will also see that he wants to go home and hold his little girl for the first time.

Sam's story it the a-typical geek story that we have seen in prior films. He is a geek, who is secretly in love with a hot girl and he does not know what to do. Watch the first 25 minutes of the film and you will see how his transformer car helps him out with the love of his live. I was laughing, because it was funny how the cheesy love songs were used to win the heart of the young lady.

I think that it is safe to say that these 2 actors (LaBeoulf and Duhamel) are taking the next step into becoming great actors and their next films should be interesting to watch.

I really liked how they selected some of the smaller roles in the film, You had Bernie Mac as a used car salesman, you had Anthony Anderson as a computer geek who you knew would be funny. You also had John Turturro as the head of a secret government association and Peter Cullen as the original voice of "Optimus Prime"

What really worked for me were the roles of Sector 7 agent Banachek (Michael O'Neill) and the Secretary of Defense (John Voight)When they appeared on the screen you could actually believe, by the way that they were acting, that they really were who they said that they were.

As of today, they are plaining at least 2 sequels to this film and during the credits they leave that part wide open for the next chapter in this story.

Overall if you want to see a good "popcorn" film, then this one will work for you, please see it in digital if you can. It really helped to improve the sound of the film. I have heard a few people are upset that this film has now destroyed their childhood. If it has, then get over it. After all its just a movie.

Grade: A-

Sam 'Spike' Witwicky: I bought a car. Turn out to be an alien robot... who knew?