Well I am back from watching the sequel to Transformers. You can read what I thought about the film over there ---> (review).
Did I waste my time watching the first film before the second? I don’t think so. Mostly the two films synch up fairly well. The time jump of two years after the first film works and doesn’t really tend to ask much questions about what happened in those two years. Some of that information can be sought after by using your imagination on a few lines in the new movie that could create exactly what may or may not have happened. The mythology (strictly the first movie, not the toys or TV series) even comes full circle, mainly helping tie some small loose ends of the first film together.
Michael Bay did little things right like using the same shirt for Sam (Shia LaBeouf) as he used in the first film. That may not seem like something big but many times you notice little items like this that slip through the cracks during the filmmaker’s busy schedule. The characterization seemed off during a few scenes. When Mikaela (Megan Fox) is sitting, patiently waiting for Sam to have their first web chat date, all I could think of was the first film and how she would not have wanted to be a part of that. Her character was completely butchered and lost the tough attitude and hard headedness she was given in the first film.
One thing I did observe which was different would be the teeth on the Decepticons. Megatron most notably seemed to have a much more animal looking teeth. At times they even looked bone. The first time couple times I noticed the wheels on Optimus when he was in robot form seemed smaller. This could just be my eyes playing tricks on me but it may not have been the case.
The movie stands on its own fairly well and serves the first Transformers as a good sequel but it could have built on so much more, as it left much potential on the table.
The cast and crew return for the sequel to the 2007 summer blockbuster. Shia LaBeouf, Megan Fox, Josh Duhamel, Tyrese Gibson and John Turturro star along side the giant robots voiced by Hugo Weaving, Peter Cullen, Anthony Anderson, Frank Welker, Tony Todd, Tom Kenny and Charles Adler. Michael Bay returns with the same writing crew of Roberto Orci and Alex Kurtzman.
Orci and Kurtzman do a decent job if they were attempting to make a film full of one liners as dialogue. Although I really enjoyed the line from Tyrese Gibson’s character “If god made us in his image, I don’t want to meet the guy that made him” (referring to Optimus Prime). I take pleasure in the way that the writing duo subtly used Egyptian lore to tie into the Transformers and their own mythology. Aside from that though, I really don’t know how these guys managed to write Star Trek and this.
Character development is used entirely on introducing new characters such as the college roommate Leo (Ramon Rodriguez) and Jetfire (the walks with a cane because he is so old robot!). At times I was engaged with everyone line of Jetfire’s dialogue, until Bay (or the writers) went for joke after joke at his expense. This point in the movie should have brought us answers (and more questions along with it) but all we got was questions and gags. Aside from Jetfire though, not a single new iota of information is learned about the main characters (robots and humans!). Duhamel is now just a set piece to get the Autobots into action, Fox is just eye candy, LaBeouf is a means to bring the action to a relatable character and Turturro (Rodriguez and arguably half the rest of the cast) are there to make you laugh. That leaves us with lots room for Autobots/Decepticons to bicker, bond and break into character, yet it never happens. The exception being a few scenes with Optimus Prime but they don’t really yield much in the development department.
Plot holes, nope, no holes, just massive fucking chasms! Giant robots are hiding all over the world (as giant vehicles of some kind), yet apparently they can disguise themselves as humans which is never explained. Another time three people not wearing seatbelts manage to survive a straight on crash with a pole, getting picked up and hurled around while the car is hung from a helicopter only to be detached and tumble (at least) 5 stories end over end onto hard cement, without any damage other then a minor scratch.
Some what the fuck moments happened almost every 20 minutes on screen. Some horrible stereotyping by the twin robots who prove that even robots can be very, very stupid. Somehow at the end of Transformers when Bumblebee’s vocal cords start working again but they just stop so he can only talk through the radio (and Tom Hanks) in this film with no justification on why or how. Plus a few more items that I won’t talk about as they are possible spoilers.
Not all is bad though, as action is where Michael Bay is at his best. It shows, especially in the fight scene in the woods. The only time the director really pulls the camera back and lets the viewer see all the action. Not throwing us into the fray with the robots made it so much easier to follow and understand exactly what was happening. My main knock on the first film was the very tight action sequences that were tough to follow (particularly the Decepticons who are basically the same colour and design) and they persist to be a problem in this film as well. As with any other Bay film realism isn’t too high on the chart, pretty women are everywhere. I want to hang out wherever Bay does, especially if every woman looks that damn good and wears that little clothing!
My expectations were raised going into this film because even with the first movies faults it was enjoyable and had a lot of blocks in place to build on. Hope was ringing throughout the entire film as the music blared along with the battles. The hope was not for the characters but that the film will get much better as it runs its course. Sadly it does not. I am not sure if I can recommend this. Yes seeing the IMAX cut is probably worth the viewing. If you can manage to shut down your brain to the minimum functions then you will enjoy this. If not, it could be a long two and half hours.
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)
During the 30th Annual ShoWest director Michael Bay was given the Vanguard Award for Excellence in Filmaking, and during his acceptance speech, Bay gave his audience a special treat by sharing some brand new footage from his newest sure to be blockbuster, Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen. Now to please his fans everywhere, Bay has released the clip online at his official site MichaelBay.com.
Roberto Orci and Alex Kurtzman, who penned the first Transformers, are now have Ehren Kruger joining them on writing duties. The film returns most of the original cast including, Shia LaBeouf, Megan Fox, Josh Duhamel, Tyrese Gibson, John Turturro and Jon Voight with Peter Cullen and Hugo Weaving reprising their voice rolls. Steven Spielberg also returns as the executive producer.
Comingsoon.net has revealed a list of robots that will be featured in Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen. The Michael Bay sequel also has a few photos to go along with the list.
Opening in theatres and in IMAX on June 24, the sequel stars Shia LaBeouf, Megan Fox, Josh Duhamel, Tyrese Gibson, Kevin Dunn, Julie White, John Benjamin Hickey, Ramon Rodriguez, Isabel Luca and John Turturro.
While a few of these movies won’t be big box office hits. These are the movies I am most looking forward to watching coming up this New Year. It looks like May will be the busiest month with a movie every week. Guess I should go get my popcorn ready! I would also like to thank Trailer Addicts for making the movie trailers easy to place for your viewing pleasure. Check back shortly after the movies come out as there more than likely will be a review for it.
The Unborn – Jan 2 – David S. Goyer hasn’t succeeded as a director as he has a screenwriter, but the trailer looks good enough that I will check it out.
The Plot: Haunted by strange dreams and recurring ghostly visions, Casey Beldon (Odette Yustman) turns to a spiritual advisor (Gary Oldman) for help. Together, they learn that Casey had a twin brother who never made it to term, and that her intended sibling is tied to a curse that requires Casey's death in order to manifest itself in our world.
Notorious - Jan 16 – A bio pic of the West Coast rapper looks good from the strong cast and with newcomer Jamal Woolard playing a young Notorious B.I.G. looking to make a name for himself. Derek Luke plays Sean “Puffy” Combs who I was surprised didn’t play the role himself.
The Plot: A chronicle of Christopher Wallace's (Woolard) rise from the streets of Brooklyn to become Notorious B.I.G., one of biggest and best rappers of the 1990s, under the tutelage of mentor/producer Sean Combs (Luke)
Watchmen – Mar 6 – Another comic book based film that looks like it could be really good given the director loves the material and didn’t want to do a disservice to it. But with a lawsuit between WB and Fox on who owns the rights the movie has a possibility of the release being pushed back.
The Plot: Set in an alternate vision of the year 1985, the murder of an ex-superhero causes a vigilante named Rorshach (Haley) to look into the matter, an investigation that reunites him with his surviving old colleagues -- all of them former superheroes themselves -- and gradually unveils a conspiracy with links to their shared past and catastrophic consequences for the future.
X-Men Origins: Wolverine – May 1 – With Hugh Jackman returning as the character who made him a household name and his arch nemesis Sabertooth (Liev Schreiber) returning in this prequel we could be looking at another great X-related film. Although the first trailer didn’t make it look fantastic, it definitely looked better than X3.
The Plot: An origins story that follows the early life of James Howlett (Jackman), also known as Logan, and best known as Wolverine. The chronicle of his younger years as a mutant connects to his relationship and eventual falling out with Victor Creed/Sabretooth (Schreiber), and his fateful entry into the Weapons X project, the governmental program that turns willing and unwilling beings into living weapons.
Star Trek – May 8 – I have never been a huge Star Trek fan but after hearing JJ Abrams was going to be taking the helm I was intrigued. And after seeing the first trailer I will be going to see this one in the theatres.
The Plot: The origin story of Captain James T. Kirk, Spock and the crew of the USS Enterprise before they had boldly gone where no man had gone before.
Angels and Demons – May 15 – May will be a busy month already without the sequel to The Da Vinci Code being released. I enjoyed Angels and Demons the book over The Da Vinci Code so I have high hopes for this movie.
The Plot: Harvard symbologist Robert Langdon (Tom Hanks) finds himself in Rome, where he has to race against time to prevent the Illuminati, a secret society, from putting in motion a terrorist act that could destroy the Vatican. He's aided in his quest by the beautiful Italian scientist Vittoria Vetri (Ayelet Zurer).
Terminator Salvation – May 22 – Christian Bale looks like he is more than ready to step into John Conner’s shoes, with McG at the helm and a solid supporting cast of Sam Worthington, Anton Yelchin and others. Another movie franchise I was never fond of looks like it could draw me in for a look see.
The Plot: John Connor (Bale) is joined in his attempt to defeat Skynet and its army of Terminators by Marcus Wright (Worthington), a man who apparently has been rescued from the past, though Connor wonders if instead he's been sent from the future as a foil to his plan. As Connor and Wright push deep into the heart of Skynet, they get closer and closer to learning the secret behind the organization's mission to wipe humankind off the planet.
Up – May 29 – Another Pixar movie taking to the skies, this one literally. Until Pixar makes a bad film I don’t think you can go wrong walking into the theatre to see this movie.
The Plot: By tying thousands of balloon to his home, 78-year-old Carl Fredricksen sets out to fulfill his lifelong dream to see the wilds of South America. Right after lifting off, however, he learns he isn't alone on his journey, since Russell, a wilderness explorer 70 years his junior, has inadvertently become a stowaway on the trip.
Public Enemies – Jul 1 – Johnny Depp and Christian Bale star in this Micheal Mann film base of the real life gangsters of the 1930s. Also has a fantastic supporting cast.
The Plot: The incredible and true story of legendary Depression-era bank robber John Dillinger (Depp)the charismatic bank robber whose lightning raids made him the number one target of J. Edgar Hoovers fledgling FBI and its top agent, Melvin Purvis (Bale), and a folk hero to much of the downtrodden public. No one could stop Dillinger. No jail could hold him.
Transformers Revenge of the Fallen – Jul 3 – Not much is known about the plot yet and no trailer or poster has even been released at this point. But with everyone from the original reprising there roles I don’t think you can not go see this unless the trailer looks god awful.
The Plot: Decepticon forces return to Earth on a mission to take Sam Witwicky prisoner, after the young hero learns the truth about the ancient origins of the Transformers. Joining the mission to protect humankind is Optimus Prime, who forms an alliance with international armies for a second epic battle.
Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince – Jul 17 – I have liked each movie more and more in this franchise so my hopes are rather high for this movie. After being pushed back from a summer 08 release it will finally see the light of day.
The Plot: In his sixth year at Hogwarts, Harry Potter discovers even more about the evil Lord Voldemort's past, thanks to his mentor Dumbledore and mysterious textbook marked "This book is the property of the Half-Blood Prince." By the end of the year, nothing will ever be the same.
Did I waste my time watching the first film before the second? I don’t think so. Mostly the two films synch up fairly well. The time jump of two years after the first film works and doesn’t really tend to ask much questions about what happened in those two years. Some of that information can be sought after by using your imagination on a few lines in the new movie that could create exactly what may or may not have happened. The mythology (strictly the first movie, not the toys or TV series) even comes full circle, mainly helping tie some small loose ends of the first film together.
