Transformers: The Pre-Watch Part I

Optimism higher than a full scale Optimus

BY COLIN ENQUIST

I write this just a mere moment after I finished watching Transformers. Stacks, upon stacks of DVDs are sitting beside my TV to watch. Some are brand new and still in the packaging. A few have been unwrapped but never played. Even some old films, favourite films and a couple that were recommended to me that are looking to be watched when I get a chance. Yet I find myself putting in a film I never thought was that great. Not to say it was bad. It just never was that fantastic of a movie. Action, comedy, mystery and a little suspense, not to mention a great cast should have made Transformers a 5 star movie. Tough to follow action and lack of character development for the giant robots hurt it just a bit. None the less, this is a very fun movie. So why am I watching it again?

Because in 2 hours I will be sitting in my local IMAX to catch the midnight screening of Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen. I tend to put on the first film (or second depending on the movie) of whatever sequel I am about to go see because it helps you get back to knowing those characters. If a filmmaker stitches the two movies together so eloquently that you can’t notice a difference in the character(s), story or dialogue, then he (or she) has done their job perfectly. Finishing Transformers I realized I can do without watching this movie for a year (possibly more) or so before I even put it on once more. Again, let me reiterate that it is NOT a bad movie, just a fun film you can put on when you are down or want some mindless fun. Summing the movie up as mindless fun (a “Bay” film) seems right, fun but not much substance.

Although my expectations have risen for the sequel I don’t know what to expect. Not only because the first film was so much fun and this sequel could go in many directions (for better or worse), but because Michael Bay has promised more robots with more lines (hoping this means some character development for some Autobots or Decepticons). If Bay is giving me one of the two items I disliked (and it is really more nitpicking then total dislike) in the first film. It must be better. It has to be.

(Check out Part II of the Pre-Watch and how I felt it helped me like or dislike the new film tomorrow)