Transformers

I never saw the ’80s TV show and wasn’t even that excited to see this big movie of the summer during its original run. The Big Guy popped up with a suggestion to see Transformers in IMAX, though, and that seemed like just the right idea, even if it was only playing up in the City.

The storyline is nothing exciting or surprising and, to be honest, there were a few bits I’d have left out to make it better. The truth is that Transformers is incredibly well-suited to the huge screen and massive sound system because of its scale, color and movement. Michael Bay knows how to make this kind of movie, though not all his efforts are as good: Bad Boys (I & II), The Rock, Armageddon, Pearl Harbor. Surely having a screenplay by the team of Robert Orci and Alex Kurtzman (Mission Impossible: III, The Legend of Zorro, Alias and the upcoming Star Trek film) is responsible for a bit of the quality as well.

Among the cast I liked Shia LeBeouf, Josh Duhamel, Megan Fox, Anthony Anderson, Jon Voight and Rachel Taylor. The actors voicing Optimus Prime, Bumblebee and Megatron (Peter Cullen, Mark Ryan and the omnipresent Hugo Weaving!) were really entertaining too.

The big deal, of course, are the special effects. The way the transformations occur is stunning and fun. Fast too, thank goodness for the really cool computers and software we have these days, eh?

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