The Transformers Movie

What’s cool about the advancement of technology is that there are certain pieces that were simply made for advanced pieces of technology, but were created too soon. A prime example would be “Dark Side of the Moon” by Pink Floyd. The sonic landscapes and incredible details of the album were simply born to be enjoyed on the crisp, clean sound that a CD player could only provide. Even though “Dark Side” was released in 1974, its full appreciation couldn’t be discovered until the advent of the CD some 15 years later. Now, “Dark Side of the Moon” is the first CD you purchase when you grow out of your little crappy radio to a full-fledged adult, amazing kick-ass stereo system.

Which brings us to film; special effects have always been an integral part of creating worlds that moviegoers could believe in. From the colorization of Oz to Moses parting to Red Sea to being chased by the Death Star, special effects are just as important as the lead actor in some films. And while we’ve always been amazed at what was created for its time, it would be interesting to see what could be done then with the technology of today.

If there is one movie that’s destined for today’s technological and special effects advances, it comes out in July of 2007: the Transformers. For years, fans and enthusiasts would imagine what a real life Transformer would look like. How would the classic cartoon incarnation of Optimus Prime, Megatron and the other Autobots and Decepticons translate to a live action, big screen adventure? Well, this year, that question will be answered.

Forget about story or character or plot development for a second, and simply focus on big giant robots beating each other up. And then, in an instant, those big giant robots will transform into a truck or a plane and rip through the city at an incredible pace. In the early days of film, the concept would probably be impossible to place on the screen and do it justice. In the golden age of film, it would look interesting, but laughable. In the special effects era of movies, it would look passable, but not believable. But now, in 2007, with all the possibilities and abilities which special effects wizards have at their disposal, the Transformers, should, at the very least, look realistic.

A common source of debate for the upcoming Transformers movie is how the characters should look. The classic cartoon appearance, while iconic and nostalgic, supposedly does not translate that well onto a live action, big screen experience. Therefore, a whole new redesign of all the characters was necessary in order to make this movie appear realistic. And that is one of the main objectives behind this movie: it has to look absolutely real. In today’s age of special effects magic, there shouldn’t be too many movies that have cheap looking production values. But, in terms of scope and size, the visual challenges of the Transformers represent some of the biggest in moviemaking history.

Of course, because this is a big-budget adaptation of a classic 80’s cartoon and comic, the whole idea is to make this a trilogy. But, nobody is going to be interested in Transformers 2 & 3 if the first one looks amateurish. This is one of those movies that could never have been made at any other time before this one, and it’s just as imperative that all the effects are done to perfection. There are some cracks at movies that you only get one shot at, with no remake really possible. This is one of those movies!

Can’t wait to see it!

 

Transformers ROTF: Megatron and Starscream Reunited (Stop-Motion)

 

A Video Review of Transformers Revenge of the Fallen movie toy; Leader Class Megatron

 

Movie reviews: The Transformers (2007) – Part 44

BIG ROBOTS; LITTLE CHANGE!

TRANSFORMERS

(12A, general release)

*

I know I’m not going to be very popular for saying this (even if it does mean that I’ll have to pay 8.50 euro the next time I go to the cinemathanks Mags!) but I was distinctly unimpressed & un-entertained by yet this modern day reincarnation of the rubix-cube like robotic cars & their adventures. Now before you get on my case let me say this: I had got caught up in the whole hype surrounding the Transformers and I was very much looking forward to what I hoped would be one of the films of the summer. As a result I’d made a real effort to get into the film & gave it every chance to entertain but it just didn’t work.

Sam Witwicky (Shia Lebouf) is the central character in this testosterone-fuelled Michael Bay film. He’s a typically awkward; geeky 11th grader who really wants the car and the girl. He succeeds in part one of this mission when his father takes him along to a garage to buy him a car for his graduation. The car he chooses or should I say that “chooses him” is a strange; beat up yellow camero which lot owner Bobby Bolivia (Bernie Mack) hasn’t seen before. Initially however, phase 2 of that mission doesn’t really go to plan when in Sam’s attempt to impress cool girl Mikaela (Megan Fox), the car starts randomly playing appropriate songs such as “Sexual Healing” & “Baby Come Back”. Yikes, talk about awkward moments. To cap it all off, the car drives away one night & Sam tracks it down to a place where the car has transformed into a giant robot communicating with a UFO via a light beam!

Meanwhile, over in Qatar, U.S. Soldiers have just been attacked by a helicopter that manages to morph itself into one vicious robot, annihilating everything in its sight while yet another one downloads top-secret files from the countries computers. And so in steps (does it remind you of Donald Rumsfield), Secretary of Defense John Keller (Jon Voigt) to call an emergency conference of experts to analyze the hidden data. However while all this is happening, one of the smaller robots manages to hack into the computer of Air-Force One.

The malevolent robots called the Decepticons are on a mission of their own and that is to reclaim the all-powerful cube: The Allspark. In doing so they (along with the good robots: the Autobots) discover that the evil Megatron (voiced by Hugo Weaving) crashed

 

Patrick Cowley – Megatron Man (Marty Bleckman Remix) 1983

 

Transformers: Optimus Prime vs. Megatron (stop-motion)

 

More than meets the eye: Anticipating the release of the Transformers movie – Part 5

For some odd reason the Transformers has never been made into a live action movie. I would have at least expected a lame 80’s version made with Technicolor and bad acting. We were not blessed then – but we are now.

The previews for the new Transformer movie have seemingly revealed the entire plot: alien robot beings come to Earth – some to protect us – most to kill us. There will be a battle and so on.

Most of us are not really all that interested in the story anyway, because we already know it and instead cannot wait to see the awesome graphical effects when Optimus Prime changes from truck to giant robot and slaps some Decepticons around!

The previews at least give us this high energy, butt-kicking impression. The robots are huge, several feet above humans (I can’t even guess how many), and are depicted as quite powerful. They shatter windows, throw tanks, and run along busy highways. They look stupendous and scary. How can this movie go wrong?

I hope it does not. The images on the official website are promising (www.transformersmovie.com). Luckily, the movie comes out July 4th!

I will always remember Transformers from my childhood and I hope that this movie will give me a renewal of interest for these heroes. It should be cool.

 

Movie reviews: The Transformers (2007) – Part 32

I would say that the Transformers movie is a great leap in demonstrating how the movie-makers “wow” its audiences by bringing life into robots and reality, rather than relying on animations. This also proves with the recent advancement in technologies nowadays, any scientific / fiction can be filmed in reality scenarios, rather than just plain drawings on papers that has been animated.

I liked the way that this movie brings out the characteristics of each autobots in a clear and distinctively manner, and with certain charisma and charm that captivate my attention as well as many audiences in the movie theater. Bumblebee is definitely the star to gain empathy and liking from the audiences.

However, the movie seemed out of balance as the emphasis is just on the heroes (autobots) of the movies. The movie lacks in portraying and showing really how despicable, down and dirty the Evil decepticons can be like in the comics or in the cartoons.

The main reason for me to favor the Autobots for many years over the Decepticons seemed to be missing. After the movie and upon self-reflection, I just cannot related myself to or to support the idea to really hate and believe that the Decepticons need to be destroyed. The story plot seemed like any old and stale story plot whereby the “bad guys” just co-exists with the “good guys” so that they destroyed by the end of the movie.

On the whole, I will still recommend this movie to all my friends for the special effects, the props, and “bumblebee” in Transformer.

 

Masterpiece Megatron pt1

 

More than meets the eye: Anticipating the release of the Transformers movie – Part 6

“Autobots Transform And Roll Out!” “Decepticons Destroy!”

Who hasn’t neen waiting for this movie? If you haven’t seen the trailer previews, pics or otherwise, then you must not be online for more than five minutes or so.(or perhaps just hasn’t caught your eye yet) Transformers are everywhere! What do I think? I can’t wait! Since I was a little kid I remember wanting to see a “real” Transformers movie. The clips and pics look awesome. The movie even has a cool cast in it, like Peter Cullen(voice of Optimus), Tyrese Gibson, John Voight, Anthony Anderson, and even Brnie Mac. The new game looks very promising too. Best of all(for the game) Peter Cullen and Frank Welker-the original voices of Optimus Prime and megatron from the first animated series- are supposed to be doing the voices. Woo Hoo! Awesome! For more info on the movie visit http://www.transformersmovie.c om for more info on the game visit: http://www.transformersgame.co m

 

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