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Every now and then a movie comes along that reminds you of just why you go to the theaters in the first place. It can do this by reaching you on a personal level, stimulating your intellect, or simply by being so energetic and good-natured that you have fun in spite of yourself. Transformers is an example of that last method.
Based on the popular toy line and accompanying TV show...oh, forget it. Here's what you need to know: it's about giant alien robots that can transform into anything they want. The good guys, known as "Autobots," are led by the stoic Optimus Prime. The bad guys, known as "Decepticons," are led by the ominous Megatron.
What makes the good guys good and the bad guys bad is their diverging opinions on the "Allspark," a device with the power to create entire worlds and transform ordinary machines into sentient fighting robots. The Decepticons want to use it to take over the planet and destroy humanity, and the Autobots want to stop them, I suppose. It's not really important. Optimus Prime and Megatron engage in some light philosophical sparring as to whether or not humanity deserves to exist, but they do it while they're slamming into skyscrapers, so they might as well be singing show tunes.
Technically, the film is stunning. The robots look about as real as giant alien robots can be expected to look. They blend seamlessly into the live action, and their considerable weight is felt with every step. And with the exception of Darius McCrary's hip-hop take on Autobot "Jazz," the voice work invokes all the right responses. Optimus Prime's voice is as much Treebeard as it is technology, and commands your attention.
A film like this doesn't need a cast so much as cardboard cutouts. But even in this environment, Shia LaBeouf stands out. Playing Sam Witwicky, LaBeouf isn't given much to work with, but exudes enough nervous personality to bring his mere sketch of a character to life. Everyone else plays bit parts; Megan Fox is the eye candy, Anthony Anderson provides some comic relief, and Jon Voight does his best to look serious.
One of the more surprising aspects of Transformers is its comedy. It never goes long without a joke. Most work, and some don't, but they keep the film from accidently veering off into actual drama, and many of them seem catered to LaBeouf's modern-day Woody Allen style of rambling.
This is a fun film. So fun, in fact, that you might enjoy it against your will. It is completely unashamed of what it is, and its enthusiasm is infectuous.
Despite being rife with shout-outs to its fan base, Transformers is still completely accessible to anyone who might stroll in off the street. It is the embodiment of the summer popcorn flick, and one of the most enjoyable blockbusters of the year.
Based on the popular toy line and accompanying TV show...oh, forget it. Here's what you need to know: it's about giant alien robots that can transform into anything they want. The good guys, known as "Autobots," are led by the stoic Optimus Prime. The bad guys, known as "Decepticons," are led by the ominous Megatron.
What makes the good guys good and the bad guys bad is their diverging opinions on the "Allspark," a device with the power to create entire worlds and transform ordinary machines into sentient fighting robots. The Decepticons want to use it to take over the planet and destroy humanity, and the Autobots want to stop them, I suppose. It's not really important. Optimus Prime and Megatron engage in some light philosophical sparring as to whether or not humanity deserves to exist, but they do it while they're slamming into skyscrapers, so they might as well be singing show tunes.
Technically, the film is stunning. The robots look about as real as giant alien robots can be expected to look. They blend seamlessly into the live action, and their considerable weight is felt with every step. And with the exception of Darius McCrary's hip-hop take on Autobot "Jazz," the voice work invokes all the right responses. Optimus Prime's voice is as much Treebeard as it is technology, and commands your attention.
A film like this doesn't need a cast so much as cardboard cutouts. But even in this environment, Shia LaBeouf stands out. Playing Sam Witwicky, LaBeouf isn't given much to work with, but exudes enough nervous personality to bring his mere sketch of a character to life. Everyone else plays bit parts; Megan Fox is the eye candy, Anthony Anderson provides some comic relief, and Jon Voight does his best to look serious.
One of the more surprising aspects of Transformers is its comedy. It never goes long without a joke. Most work, and some don't, but they keep the film from accidently veering off into actual drama, and many of them seem catered to LaBeouf's modern-day Woody Allen style of rambling.
This is a fun film. So fun, in fact, that you might enjoy it against your will. It is completely unashamed of what it is, and its enthusiasm is infectuous.
Despite being rife with shout-outs to its fan base, Transformers is still completely accessible to anyone who might stroll in off the street. It is the embodiment of the summer popcorn flick, and one of the most enjoyable blockbusters of the year.