Transformers (2007)

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Written by Robert Orci & Alex Kurtzman
Directed by Michael Bay

I'm tired of explaning plots, and this 2 1/2 hour movie is full of it, despite what you might have heard. So, a rough outline is in order, so you can understand the events as they happen.

In the late 1800's, an explorer named Captain Witwicky discovers something in the Arctic Circle, which he calls "The Ice Man". In 2007, his great great grandson Sam Witwicky gives a report on his great great grandfather and his travels, and tries to sell the antiques that his grandfather had on his trip. At the same time, a military base in Qatar is attacked by an unknown helicopter which quickly transforms into a giant robot. A few soldiers are able to make it out alive, and go on a mission to deliver a picture of the robot to the pentagon.

After school Sam gets a good grade on his report, which means he can go pick out his first car, which he does, an old yellow corvette. Quickly Sam realizes his car isn't what it seems, especially when he sees it come to life and take the form of a giant robot. Once the Pentagon figures out the world is under attack by way of giant robots, they are able to connect the dots and figure out that Sam knows the group of good robots, the AutoBots, who are at war with the Decepticons.

What makes this movie amazing is the special effects. This is an old fashioned blockbuster, like Jaws, Star Wars, and Jurassic Park before it, this movie just feels epic in every sense; Not just because of the scale of the giant robots, but because it has every element of a big, good movie: A compelling story, vast location shoots, likeable characters, interspersed humor, and action like you can't believe. The entire film gave me a new appreciation for Michael Bay. I mean, I always respected the guy's ability to make entertaining action movies, but the complexity and intricacy of this shoot in particular shows me he is a talented guy. I've decided that the reason I didn't like the bulk of his movies before this was his stylistic choices, mostly in his quick-cut editing that often distorts what's actually happening on-screen. That issue is still a prevelant one, but for the most part, you can actually tell what's happening here, and because of the scale of the action itself, I think that's quite an impressive feat.

What makes this movie special, and like the previously mentioned blockbusters before it, is the fact that all the elements that make a good, big budget movie are here. The special effects stand out as part of this show, mainly because nothing like them has been accomplished before. Just like Jaws, Star Wars, and Jurassic Park before it. The effects are a new pinnacle in the field of CGI, and they represent an age in which CGI is used not as a way to mask sloppy filmmaking, but a way to enhance the picture, and to transport the viewer to a world that wouldn't be possible without it. Truly a marvel, and I believe a lot of this is thanks to producer Steven Speilberg and his standard of excellence. I mean, if he weren't the busiest man in showbiz, I'm sure he would have directed this himself. Kudos, Mr. Speilberg, I can't wait to see the new Indy film, because while I'm not a huge Shia Lebouf fan, I recognize his ability to be well directed, and I think in the hands of a master like Speilberg he'll churn out an interesting film, I'm already convinced Harrison Ford won't be a problem.

9.3/10