The Transformers

2007

I have a theory that I'm trying out: there are certain films that need to be seen on the big screen, and some that need to be seen at home. Basically, blockbuster adventure movies with giant machines and even bigger explosions: big screen. Anything else: like your animated movies or tearjerkers: home.

This one: big screen.

I knew that going in, from the previews. My only hope was that the previews would not have showed ALL the action that there was going to be in the movie (which sometimes happens); instead - pleasant surprise! Action throughout.

Two things: if you go in looking for plot or true characterization or anything resembling "reality" - then don't. If you want to see giant metal aliens destroying a city with their mega-fights and action so fast that your eyes get blurry, then this is definitely a winner.

Second thing: my eldest boy didn't like it based on the fact that he has a strong background in Transformers lore and after the movie launched into a detailed list about the "faults" in the movie, i.e. characters' names changed, minor characters subsituted for major characters, series surprises revealed too early, etc. However, I had not steeped myself too deeply in the Transformers canon before this movie, so I was not burdened by such a "purist" mentality. Don't get me wrong, I respect the "purists" because I am one about my specific things (for example, the current CG re-rendering of the original Star Trek series sends me into such fits that I can't even look at Star Trek sites anymore because I'll inadvertently read something about it!) I'm simply observing that sometimes the enjoyment of a version of a story may be enhanced if you see it without any preconceived notions about it.

Note to self: expound theory that film enjoyed as art is as much as what we bring to it as the film itself. Actually this is applied to all art, and has been explored in literature and in painting/photography. Perhaps needs to be further explored in film.)

Or, instead of thinking so much, you can just go see Transformers and watch a bunch of robots beat the crap out of each other, which is EXTREMELY COOL!!

VG