While waiting at AMC Theaters 14 Saratoga with friends to see the Transformers (Advanced Screening) I was full of anticipation as the summer movies have been very weak (for the exception of 1408) with no one movie leaving me totally blown away. When was the last time we had a Star Wars, T2, Jurassic Park or Matrix type of movie? Been a while hasn't it? These movies not only entertained us but these movies represented a quantum jump in Special Effects blurring the line between effect and reality. The early buzz is that Michael Bay has managed to bring a level of realism not seen in any film to date. As a fan of Generation 1 Transformers, I cannot wait!

The movie finally begins (with no trailers) and the audience (including myself) goes NUTS! The time has finally arrived after waiting 2 ½ hours. The movie opens will a little dialog from Prime (in voice only) who gives us the history on the creation of the Transformers and the ongoing battle between the Autobots and Decepticons. Then the movie jumps straight to QTAR (US Military installation) for quick character introductions of the Military team (Josh Duhamel from Vegas and Tyrese Gibson) which also happens to be a funny scene as they joke around teasing one of their teammates for speaking Spanish all the time instead of English. This early in the movie you realize that the humor is REALLY, REALLY GOOD. A short time later, Blackout (Decepticon) arrives at the base and lays waste to everything in sight while downloading critical data from the computers. This scene is just simply AWESOME to watch as Blackout transforms slowly (at first) as to throw everyone off for a few seconds and then rapidly completes the transformation before destroying everything with a variety of weapons. This was our first look at the Transformers in action and my first thought was Blackout moves in short powerful steps like a Mech from Mech Warrior which is extremely impressive and just cool.

Following the Chaotic opening scene the movie jumps to Sam (played by Shia Labeouf) following him around school as he tries to impress the girl of his dreams (Mikaela – Played by Megan Fox) as he plans to get his first car after school that day. Upon arriving at a used car dealer (run by Bernie Mack) he ends up (force by Bumblebee via an entertaining scene) with the beat-up yellow Camaro that is Bumblebee. Sam is the geek that could not make the football team and it works to perfection. His witty easy-going demeanor and humorous personality is what makes a good part of the script work so well. Who else can call a dog that needs pain meds (because of a broken leg) a “crack-head” and have you laughing your ass off?

One of the funnier scenes occurs when Sam and a buddy show up at a lake party. Sam is trying his hardest to get next to Mikaela and the opportunity comes when she walks away from her jock boyfriend. He asks his buddy to get out of the car so we can offer her a ride. His buddy argues with him and says, “bros before hoes” then exits the vehicle so Sam can do his thing. Sam picks up Mikaela and Bumblebee tries to set the mood via several songs such as “Drive by the Cars” and “Sexual Healing by Marvin Gaye” as Bumblebee takes over (freaking Sam out) and drives Sam and Mikaela to a lovers spot. When she thinks the car will not start, she starts to walk and Bumblebee throws on “Baby Come Back”. The scene is cute, funny and brings back memories for any dude who wanted to make out with a chick at a secret love spot. Michael Bay has a sense of humor that has never been witnessed before. His ability to inject humor into every situation is astonishing and other directors may want to take notes. I know that “Knocked Up” is one funny movie but the humor in Transformers could easily give “Knocked Up” a run for its money.

Sam then realizes something is not right when Bumblebee takes off one night to send a message to the rest of the Autobots (as he follows Bumblebee). Through another sequence aboard Air Force One (I will not ruin for you) the Decepticons learn that Sam is the key to what they are looking for and target him. Sam’s first encounter with the Decepticons is when Barricade attacks him, pinning him against a car. The scene is visually stunning, intense and downright funny. Bay strikes the right balance between thrilling us with awesome effects and humoring us with funny lines (this time from the Barricade).

At one point we all wonder why does Bumblebee take the form of an old Camaro? After Mikaela insults him with that very question he demonstrates the Transformers ability to sample objects and then Transformer into the object. Bumblebee samples a new Camaro and BAM, we have the new Bumblebee. Ok, everyone is like Bumblebee is an old Bug and Megatron is a gun. Yes, we all know this but Michael Bay and company needed something more to drive the story so they tinkered with their abilities and in my opinion did the right thing. Their ability to be anything at anytime only adds to the credibility of the situation and helps to deepen the storyline.

Then finally the rest of the Autobots arrive at Earth. They crash in various places causing chaos but they quickly sample and Transformer into various vehicles with Optimus Prime taking the shape of a Peterbilt Cab with flames on the side. The presentation is slick, moving and invokes euphoria as you feel like the little kid who just saw the coolest thing in the whole wide world. Prime, Ratchett, Ironhide and Jazz all have personalities of their own. When asked how they learned to speak English, Prime replies, “The World Wide Web”. Prime is voiced by Peter Cullen the original voice for Prime and the result is rewarding as Prime explains their purpose and how protecting the humans is important. Prime is still part aggressive and part passive just as he was on the cartoons and comics of the 80’s and 90’s. Ironhide and Jazz display distinct personalities with Ironhide quoting Clint Eastwood just so he can show Sam his guns and Jazz dances around humoring Sam and us the audience. This introduction scene is an amazing collaboration of special effects, cool dialog, voice-overs and acting. I just watched in AWE as the conversation seemed and looked so real, I thought, this is CG? Can’t be. Looks way too REAL!

Bay continues to flush out the story with a funny scene involving Sam parents when Sam returns home to retrieve an object (not telling you) that Prime and the Autobots need to stop the Decepticons. Sam has trouble locating the object and Autobots hang out in front of the house trying to stay out of sight from Sam’s parents (a silly but comical scene). Once again, Bay’s sense of humor rises to the surface as one of the Autobots says to Prime, “parents are irritating”, can we take them out”? Even Megatron displays a sense of humor on several occasions near the end of the film.

The remainder of the movie involves Government interference, Autobots questioning why they protect humans and the eventual waking of Megatron thanks to his good pal “Starscream” which leads to the final showdown with other Decepticons (Bonecrusher, Brawl). Megatron is not shown until the last 30 minutes (movie checks in at 2 hours and 20 minutes or so but NO Complaints on Length) and this is just fine as Bay builds tension and a decent story that entertains throughout. The Special Effects are the star of the movie as they are simply magnificent and without them the movie would fall flat as believing is everything. The big bonus in this movie is the humor which will keep you giggling and laughing until the end. To be honest, I am not going to discuss negatives because frankly I do not feel they are many at all. The only time I ever really questioned something is when Bumblebee was captured by the Government. The scene just did not feel right as they (the Government) apparently had never captured one before. Besides that, the movie is simply the best movie of the summer and a spectacle of movie making. Michael Bay deserves MAD KUDOS for taking a comic/cartoon property and producing a solid Sci-fi/Action movie with an amazing amount of humor. If you doubted that Michael Bay could actually make something of the Transformers, you need to stick your foot into your mouth or eat crow. Take your pick, then do yourself a favor and see the Transformers when it opens on Monday Evening July 2nd at 8:00 PM. I have tickets for that show and will be seeing this movie AGAIN!

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"True adaptability involves changing ones self to meet ones environment, not changing ones environment to meet ones needs" - Species8472

Im going to see it the week after 4th of July becuase Im going to the beach with the family so we will all see it then.