Movie reviews: The Transformers (2007) – Part 34

Movie: TRANSFORMERS

Release Date: July 2007

Rating: PG-13

Studio: DreamWorks

LOWDOWN

The action figures made popular by Hasbro made their live big-screen debut July 2007 under direction of Michael Bay. The plot’s simple. An alien species of robots come to earth looking for a cube that contains the life of the universe. One group of aliens, the Decepticons want to use the cube for evil while the Autobots want to use it for good; or destroy the cube before evil can use it. The Autobots enlist the help of young Sam Witwicky (Shia LaBeouf) who unknowingly possesses a map to the Cube given to him by his late grandfather. Ultimately the movie leads the Decepticons and the Autobots into a fight for power with humans as the bargaining chip.

DIG

I grew up with the TRANSFORMERS, so I have been anxiously awaiting this movie since I saw its first trailer in July 2006. The movie, taking place in the present, was well directed and loads of fun to sit through. I am not typically a Michael Bay fan but this movie made me one. The art that he put into directing such an epic is astounding. The special effects blew my mind. There was tons of it, it was well done and the fast-paced actions scenes weren’t very choppy either.

I was surprised with the acting. I’m not necessarily a Shia LaBeouf fan but he came across well in this movie. His love interest, played by Megan Fox, an amateur to the big screen, does a good job too.

It was cool to hear the voices for the Transformers in loud stereo. Michael Bay wanted to have the original TRANSFORMERS do their voices. Peter Cullen, the original Optimus Prime was cast into the movie, however the original Megatron, Frank Welker, was replaced by Hugo Weaving because his voice had aged so much since the TRANSFORMERS shows.

There is a moment that stuck out for me in the movie. It’s a scene where Optimus Prime is talking to Sam and says that he is going to have to fight Megatron. If it looks like he is about to lose the fight, Sam must insert the cube (of power) into Optimus Prime’s chest. This act, because of the power, will kill Optimus Prime but it will also destroy the evil that Megatron is hoping to be able to control. Crazy huh. Optimus Prime is willing to lay down his life for the sake of humankind.

SPARK

Would you ever lay down your life for a friend?

What do you think Jesus was thinking as he was being led to the cross knowing that he was going to lay down his life for all of humanity?

FINAL THOUGHTS

To be completely honest I can’t think of anything that was wrong with this movie. Those that grew up on TRANSFORMERS will love it. Those that have not will become addicted to it. It’s fun for the whole fam. What are you waiting for, go out and see it.