Mactendo Reviews Something: Transformers (Part 1)

Hi folks! This week, and leading up to Comic-Con on the 27th and 28th, we are going to be in Transformers mania mode! Movie review, game review, toy reviews, and possibly even a comic review if you’re lucky! WE LOVE TRANSFORMERS! And this is to celebrate that love!

First off, the movie review, which I wrote back on Monday the 2nd, when I saw it at 8….

Okay, look, the plot wasn’t great. It’s a toy commercial to these people. To fans, to us, it’s legacy, it’s magic. But to them? It’s a toy commercial, and it shows. But did I hardcore nerdgasm tonight? I sure did. I mean, c’mon, the part when Optimus opens up his chest revealing part of the Matrix of Leadership is PURE GOLD. This is a Transformers movie, 200%.

See, MB’s sense of action is pretty much impeccable here – is it as good as The Rock? No. Is it as good as Bad Boys 1? Better. Right there between Bad Boys and The Rock.

Did it hit the hype? For me, yes – I expected giant robots beating the sh*t out of each other, and an oppertunity to have a f*ckload of fun in the theatre. I got that. I applauded at least once every 10 minutes, along with the rest of the house. Kids around me screaming, “LOOK, IT’S MEGATRON!” That sort of thing makes you feel happy, feel excited. It’s a fun movie, and it’s one of those things that you just smile big and enjoy the ride.

It’s definitely not disappointing – if you don’t go in expecting a story. Go in expecting one Hell of a ride and a smile lasting for hours.

Is it exciting? YES. Is it funny? Cheesy, but yes – some relatively laugh out loud, audience pleaser moments there. Is it something where you can get attached to the characters, and really root for them and hollar for them? Yes. Is it open for a sequel? Wide open. Is it perfect?

Far from it. This thing had problems, yes – as I said, needed more Starscream. Needed less subplots (British technobabble subplot could have been totally erased.) Frenzy sucks – who the Hell came up with this piece of sh*t? If you want a little spy bot that does relatively nothing, bring in Laser Beak, damn it! Laser Beak, Rumble, Ravage, and Soundwave would’ve fit RIGHT in here – maybe not even as a tape player. I can imagine Laser Beak, Rumble, and Ravage being CDs, and Soundwave being a CD player. Consider it, Hasbro. Please.

What else did I like? Megatron’s voice – after hearing Frank Welker in the game, I understand why they didn’t use him – he sounds old. But Hugo Weaving fits the part – he works the character, and sounds like Welker – who doesn’t really sound like his old self in the game. Jazz – what a great character! Just like in the series, and his entry quote is classic. However, they shouldn’t have killed him – though I do think he’ll be rebuilt by Ratchet, as described on the box of the Target exclusive G1 repaint.

I’m overall satisfied, and I’m probably going to see it again because I want a chance to nitpick it a bit more.

Oh, and the Cloverfield trailer – the one with the explosion and the Statue of Liberty’s head. Yeah, that one. OH MY GOD I CAN’T WAIT FOR THIS MOVIE TO COME OUT.

One more thing I didn’t like at all? Sam’s parents. Should’ve been cut out. That entire scene where he’s looking for the glasses? Cut that out. The dad yelling at Tuturro (as well as Tuturro’s character as a whole, but whatever)? Unnecessary. The ending credits interviews? Shut up. I disliked his parents, except for that scene in his bedroom, which I found quite funny.

Another thing I should mention – a group of ILM guys who worked on the movie as animators were in the theatre that night. Pretty neat.

Overall? 4.5/5. Not perfect – but pretty freaking close. Next time, I expect to see more robots, and more of their expressions. I wonder who Starscream’s gonna bring along with him… ?